Water temp and wetsuit guide for sailing

This year will be my first experience with spring water temps (I bought my boat in the summer). I sail at a small lake in Eastern PA (Nockamixon). The season for the keel boaters starts in April, and there are usually quite a few boats out on nice day.

I have a 3mm farmer john, under which I wear booties and a 1mm long-sleeved neoprene top. I can add a waterproof dingy shell and pants if needed. All the water temp guides I've found are for surfing or diving, where you are in the water pretty much all the time. I figure my worst case time in the water is not that long. Even if the Wave won't come back up, I'll be standing on it waving for help, not hanging out in the water.

Any thoughts on what water temps would be safe? I know I'll be anxious to get out if we have a nice day in April.

Thanks.

Never underestimate what can happen in cold water. Even if you're standing on the boat waving for help (which may or may not come) you'll be wet and if it's a windy day, you'll be cold.

A few weeks back I was planning to sail on a very cold and windy day. I had the option of my 2.5/3mm wetsuit, fleece and dry top, or my full out Zhik 5mm farmer john and additional 5mm wetsuit top, plus fleece and a dry/spraytop. The latter seemed like overkill. It wasn't.

I'd rather be a little warm than a little cold. The general rule we go by is if the water and air temps together add up to less than 120F, it's cold enough for a wet suit, at least 2.5 to 3mm thick, coupled with a dry/spray top and whatever you need in-between to stay comfortable both in the boat and in case of immersion. If those temps add up to less than 100F, then it's time to get really serious and go with all you got, which for us are 4 or 5mm wetsuits, fleece layering and dry/spray tops.

I have a lot of experience on Lake Nockamixon- basically learned to sail there, and am also currently the treasurer of the hobie fleet based out of there. Anyway, it can be a somewhat tricky lake to sail on in particular conditions. Specifically North West winds which blow off shore from the launch and are naturally a gusty, shifty direction. These also tend to be associated with cold air temperatures. So, as stated above, its generally best to err on the side of caution. A 3mm wetsuit with a spray top, good booties, gloves, and a warm hat (plus life jacket of course) will give you lots of options for layering. Your choice of gear for any given day is highly dependent on the air temp, water temp (it is not uncommon for Nockamixon to have ice until April), and general wind and weather conditions. This can make it tough to make hard and fast rules for wetsuit thickness based just off of water temp for surface water sports. Air temp, wind speed, and cloud coverage are also important factors. So it's best to talk to other sailors and use good judgement. I've seen people get in trouble because they weren't prepared. Don't assume you won't be separated from your boat if it capsizes.

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Thanks for the replies. Good point about being separated from the boat. Sounds like May might be a better choice.

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H17