Sailing attire suggestions for mild but cool conditions

I currently have two small sailboats that I sail exclusively in Morro Bay. One is a Hobie 14 catamaran and the other is a Laser ILCA Standard. Where I sail has pretty consistent weather. Air temperatures range from 55 to 65. Water temperatures range from 56 to 60. Winds from 5 to 20 mph. I won't go out in more. I am on protected water, never more than 200 yards from shore. Currently I've been wearing an O'Neill 3/2 full wet suit that is really more suitable for surfing. This has a back zipper which makes it a rather inconvenient for relief. It is showing signs of wear. I need to buy something new.

Choices I'm aware of include a front zip full suit or a long john with a spray top. I'm wondering if I could get away with 1.5 or 2mm because my potential immersion times would tend to be low, only when launching, retrieving or capsize recovery. I'm always within 10 minutes of the nearest shore.

Some anecdotal experience would be very helpful. I should add that I always wear a PFD that does add to topside warmth.

Personal comfort while sailing is very much a personal decision. It's a balance between comfort in the water versus comfort on the boat versus ability to move in both. What works for one person might not work for another. But beyond cat sailors, you want to look at dinghy sailors and kayak users.

Personally in the conditions you describe I wear a wet suit bottom with a t-shirt and a sailing shirt (sheds water very quickly). I also wear neoprene boots. For me, keeping my feet warm is important for keeping the rest of me warm. If it's really chilly, I'll add a spray jacket. I'll wear a baseball cap and again, in really chilly weather, will change that for a ski hat. Gloves will change from open fingers to full neoprene ones.

Jim Clark-Dawe

Agreed, what one wears is very much a personal decision.
Up here in Canada, I sail (mostly) on the Ottawa River, about 5 miles west of downtown, where a set of rapids creates a lake about 2 miles wide by about 18 miles long.
The prevailing winds are always good for sailing, not so much the temperatures.....

Depending on the season, I range from a Farmer John 5 mm wetsuit plus a Gull spray top, plus neoprene booties, to a pair of swim trunks and a sun shirt.
Always with a PFD on top and always with three finger gloves. My buddy, who sails an F18, has only once worn his drysuit....and he was too hot.

Try alternatives until you find what works for you....I like the Farmer John style, it allows for a wider range of temperatures.

Good winds....

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

I like 2/3mm farmer john. Preferrably with a double front zipper that allows you to unzip from the bottom for relief without fully unzipping or peeling off other layers (I believe my current one is from Neosport). Zhik also makes wetsuit pants that are really nice, but not sure they’re as warm as a john.

On top, I typically go with a 2mm neoprene top (either pull over or front zip, but I prefer the zip). Also a spray top. A lot of versatility with this arrangement. You can wear all on the cold days, or pieces if its warmer out. Many times the spray top will just get tucked in the tramp pocket to bring along if needed.

Always plan for extended imersion. A 200 yard swim in cold water could easily end badly if you’re not properly insulated.

sm

Disclaimer: I live in the Deep South and consider your average conditions to be very cold. I don't go out when it's that cold anymore (getting old!). When I did, I wore a full 3/2 wetsuit because that's all I could afford. However, wearing a wet full wetsuit is about the most uncomfortable thing I can think of for me personally.

It's good that you're on protected water, stay close to shore, etc., but it's also good to plan for when things go wrong that will extend your exposure. Hypothermia can begin affecting cognitive skills, coordination, and such very quickly.

In my opinion, the evaporative cooling factor is very important but often overlooked. When you're wet, even in a full wetsuit, the wind exposure adds significantly to the cooling caused by the cold air/water contact. I good wind-stop spray top, even a lightweight one, that reduces the wind hitting your torso will help with that a lot.

If I did sail regularly in your conditions, I'd be looking for the best dry suit I could afford. (Yes, they are expensive, but almost all good gear is!) They keep most of your body dry, and you can vary what's worn underneath according to that day's temperatures. In addition to that flexibility, they are WAY more comfortable than a full wetsuit in my opinion. When the Hobie rock stars come down from up north to the MS Coast for Mid-Winters in April, almost all of them wear dry suits, even though they consider the conditions to be balmy. (I suppose it is...as compared to Buffalo!)

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16

I wear a Sharkskin ChillProof zip top and pants, and Zhik boots. reasonably priced, very comfortable. Not your ordinary wetsuit, they block wind too. I find them more comfortable than the drysuit I used to have (before the zippers failed...they are expensive to repair!)
https://sharkskinusa.com/collections/men

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Yet another Bob!
"Firefly" - 2012 Hobie Getaway with wings and spinnaker
"Icebirds" - 1974 Skeeter iceboat
Too many canoes and kayaks

Call Murrays in Carpenteria and ask for Tom - he’ll hook you up with the gear you need.

If you want to try out the concept affordably, consider a military surplus dry suit. My dad used a very minimalistic one from pilot survival bags with no complaints over the years, and I think sturdier designs are used by other service branches.