• The week in pictures
• Recommended reading from the editorial team

Dear readers,

It's happening again, the inevitable, like every year. The season has barely got going when it's already over again. It can be lamented, cursed and shouted about, but it can't be changed. Winter is approaching. It happens subtly, so at least there is time to get used to it. The first harbingers are a noticeable cooling of first the air and then the water and an increase in strong winds and storms. Shorts are only used as a defiant protest. Halloween decorations, traces of the first Christmas products in the shopping centre and an increased presence of seagulls on the emptying jetty point the way to winter storage. Farewell wishes (Happy New Year!) from boat neighbours are complemented by well-meaning announcements of joint winter activities. The topics in the WhatsApp group of sailor friends increasingly revolve around crane appointments, technical tips and transfer organisation instead of appointments for weekend meetings in anchorages and harbours.

I wanted to postpone the inevitable by going on an autumn tour - you don't want to let go - but due to the weather and my job, it fell into the colder water. And so it happened over the next few weeks: the boat was taken out of its element by crane, and at the same time my life was taken away from me. And now?

I want to try to tackle this this winter without St John's Wort, which is supposed to counteract winter depression. Active, forward-looking, positive. I'm just going to deal with the subject of sailing. First of all: paint the underwater hull in autumn, polish the hull and deck, check all systems and components for necessary repairs and possible replacement. Engine, reef, sails, winches, fittings, everything. Then give the whole cabin a good clean on the inside. Look through the job list. Implement long-planned improvements such as the flexible red light in the galley for night sailing, grab rails on the steering columns and a solar system on the cabin roof. Maybe a fan for the saloon.

• Winterising guide: Tasks that should still be done in the water
• Where to overwinter - indoors, outdoors, in the garden or in the water?

Then there's the social component: meeting up with the (few) non-sailing friends and sailing friends. Actually invite your neighbours to brunch, accept invitations again if they still come after a long seasonal absence. Maybe visit relatives, just a thought.

Or else: winter is also a great time for chartering. I've already done Christmas by boat in the Canary and Balearic Islands, but why not go to the Caribbean or the Seychelles in the cold season and charter a catamaran there? It's a question of budgeting: if it's covered by the on-board cash box, I'd rather not, but if it passes as a regular holiday internally, it might be worth considering further.

• Charter special: Enjoy a carefree and relaxed sailing holiday
• Cost brake: Twelve money-saving tips for charter cruises

As unavoidable as winter: Sailing remains the essential theme. Perhaps reread "The Riddle of the Sandbank" or "The Celtic Ring". Pull the Hornblower film, the America's Cup drama "Wind" or the tragedy about the English soloist Donald Crowhurst from the DVD shelf. There is also time for further education: study a book on meteorology, brush up on navigation topics or learn more about engines with an online tutorial.

• Sailing books: replenishment for the bookcase

Then there's some work on the boat that can be done at home: The main halyard needs a new eye splice, I want to replace some swap shackles and wash all the lines again. All the blocks will go into the ultrasonic bath. I want to go through all the tools and spare parts and clean them out a bit.

• Making a splice in braided cordage
• Making soft shackles from Dyneema yourself
• You need these tools for winter storage

That won't happen until spring. There are no more holidays. And to extend the season, we'll be craning out late, so we'll be the first to come back in. The short winter won't be long enough for all these activities. Also something unavoidable.

Fridtjof Gunkel,

Deputy Editor-in-Chief YACHT

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The week in pictures:

Recommended reading from the editorial team:

Charter Special

Enjoy a carefree and relaxed sailing holiday

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a layman, chartering a sailing yacht offers the opportunity to explore new places, experience the beauty of the sea and create unforgettable memories. To make your charter holiday a success, we have put together the most important tips in this special.

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