High-latitude cruising destinations, especially in the North Atlantic, are particularly splendid. However, some may be put off by the particularities of these high latitudes. To navigate these cold waters, there are a number of little tricks to make life more comfortable. Here are 5 to make life on board more pleasant.
Night mask
In summer, from the north of Scotland onwards, the nights are short and very clear. From June onwards, there is little or no darkness in Iceland or Norway, for example. So it's sometimes difficult to fall asleep in this light.
Many boats are equipped with curtains at the portholes, which create a relative semi-darkness in the cabins. However, a sufficiently dark environment is not always possible for some people. In this case, the night mask is a practical accessory to help you fall asleep. Space-saving and inexpensive, it would be a shame to forget it when you're sensitive to light.
Warm slippers
Summer temperatures in the North Atlantic remain very moderate. It's not uncommon for the mercury to drop below ten degrees at night, and not rise much higher during the day. Water temperatures, on the other hand, are around 10 to 15 degrees.
Inside the boats, the floors are often poorly insulated and very cold. In these conditions, good slippers or thick woollen socks are very comfortable.
Waterproof gloves
During sailing, the cold and damp often make the helmsman's task unpleasant. Metal steering wheels are particularly icy. If you have to steer for any length of time, gloves are a must.
The most effective gloves should be both warm and waterproof. A pair of waterproof gloves can also be worn over a pair of warm gloves. Be careful, however, to retain sufficient dexterity to manage maneuvers when necessary.
Grandma's hot water bottle
It's not always possible to heat a boat continuously day and night. For energy-saving or safety reasons, it's common not to heat at night.
If you want to feel good in your bunk, you can use a hot-water bottle, just like our grandparents did. Before going to bed, simply take the time to heat water for a drink and a hot water bottle, then slip the latter under the sheets. Just enough time to sip your drink, and your bed will be deliciously warm.
The hot water bottle can be used on many other occasions: in the raincoat when you're out on shift, on your lap with a good book, etc.
Technical underwear
Finally, so you don't have to redo your entire wardrobe when you head north, there's nothing like a few pairs of technical underwear, T-shirts and leggings, to slip on under your regular clothes. They'll discreetly add a few degrees of comfort.
