Old Sailor's Sayings

The ability to “read” the weather is something that fascinates the old sailor in me. Specifically, I love reading about the Polynesian voyagers, but also the ancient Greeks and Phoenicians who once sailed the wine-dark sea of Homer’s time. These men sailed without the modern convenience that we sailors have now; weather apps, weather routing, barometers ... a compass even. When I was sailing on my old sloop Tula, if I were out for more than a week, I was surprised at how in tune I would get with the weather and the waves around me. The old sailor’s adages seemed to hold true for me more often than not. Of course, the modern man in me wants to understand why they’re true, but the sailor in me is glad they are. I think it’s in all of us, the ability to feel and understand the natural environment if we pay attention. Modern life has taken the opportunity from us, not the ability.

April 2025 on SV Chronos off Martinique

Red Sky in Morning Sailor Take Warning – Red Sky at Night, Sailor’s Delight

Not surprisingly, this phenomenon exists is due to weather patterns. In the northern hemisphere, weather moves from west to east. Colorful morning sunrises are a sign of high pressure, with lots of air trapping dust and other particles, which scatter the sun's blue light, leading to a brilliant sunrise. Since the wind moves west to east, it's also a sign that this pressure system is moving away from the viewer. Unstable air follows stable air, meaning that a low-pressure system is likely moving in from the west, likely bringing thunderstorms. Conversely, when looking west at night. A red sky is indicative of a stable high-pressure system moving toward you from the west. As before, it traps particles in the air, scattering the sun’s blue light.

Mare's tails and mackerel scales make lofty ships to carry low sails

Mares Tails are high altitude cirrus clouds that form at about 20,000 feet and take on the appearance of long wispy clouds. They are generally indicative of changing weather and can appear 24 hours before bad weather. Mackerel skies are low lines of puffy clouds that form in rows and that look like fish scales. They usually appear 12 hours before bad weather. I’ve found these ones to be accurate about 70% of the time, which to be honest is about as accurate as the local weather forecast.

A backing wind says storms are nigh; But a veering wind will clear the sky

This odd bit of information never made sense to me until I realized that low-pressure systems turn counterclockwise and high-pressure systems turn clockwise. Therefore, to the observer, if face the wind and the it moves to your left during the day, its turning counterclockwise and its backing. If, however, you’re facing the wind and it moves to your right during the day, then its veering. Since the low-pressure system generally brings crap weather, or at least a lot of wind, if the wind is turning counterclockwise (backing), then I know I’m in for a blow.

HMS Daphne off Cape Horn, 28 May 1852

Horses run fast before a violent storm

Truly not an old sailor’s saying, but one from the land in days gone by. I haven’t found a reference to why contemporary sailor’s called waves “white horses,” but assume its because of the flowing white manes. Either way, Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort developed his scale for visually identifying the sea state in 1804. I still use it to estimate what I’m seeing, because when I see a lot of white horses, I’m usually too busy to look at the wind gauge. I check afterward and usually find that my observed estimate is pretty accurate related to measured wind velocity. I only really care about 10 knots to 30 knots. Under that and I hate my sailing life and over that I’m convinced I’m going to be on a US Coast Guard power point of what not to do.

• A gentle breeze is described as having “large wavelets .. with scattered white horses.” That’s about 7-10 knots and is a pretty good indication of what I sail in.

• Then comes a moderate breeze, with “frequent white horses,” or about 11-16 knots. Next is a fresh breeze of just under 21 knots, described as having “many white horses … and some spray.” Having sailed in small and large sailboats in this, the sailing is sporty, fun and the description is accurate.

• Next comes a strong breeze of just under 27 knots and it can be challenging depending on the boat your sailing in. Described as “large waves begin to form; the white foam crests are more extensive everywhere.” I have found that description to be pretty accurate: on a 40 foot catamaran in the Caribbean, double reefed – not bad; on a 56 foot Chesapeake Bay skipjack, regardless of reef – not fun at all.

Above that are various forms of gale, which I try not to sail in for small recreational sailboats, but have because my risk tolerance for personal safety is high.