Lets talk cold weather gear.

I am thinking about going to a race in May, only I don't own any cold weather gear. A dry suit would be nice, but is WAY out of my budget. I very rarely go out in cold weather, so I don't want to spend a ton of money on gear that will only be used once or twice a year at best. I usually don't even look at the boat until Late April, and then I just wear under armor and a sweat shirt.

I just need to be able to race in Indiana in May. Wet suit? Spray suit with layers? Farmer john wet suit with a spray top over it?

What thickness on the wet suit?

If things get hairy I'll park my boat and thumb a ride on someone else's boat because I don't like swimming.

I'm 5'4" and 160 lbs, so sizing is always a pain in the neck.

I have been wearing a 3-4 mil wet suit for years in MI. I have friends that just wear a spray suit and as long as they don't go over they are fine. A wetsuit with spray suit over may be your best combination outside of a breathable drysuit.

With that said, I just got my first drysuit as the older I get the colder I get.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

dale.vanlopik"at"att"dot"net

You're going to need that wetsuit if you dump it, the water will still be too cold to risk not having that kind of protection.

If it's blowing hard, cooler air temps, and you're getting wet while racing, you'll want a spray top over a wet suit to keep the chill off.

Wet suit boots would be a nice touch as well, extremities tend to get cold quicker. Maybe a stocking cap too.

Learned the hard way, even in June, we'll take all the gear we own. Better to be sweating than cold.

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Thin wet suit
WOOL HAT OR WET SUIT HOOD EVEN BETTER
wet suit gloves
and last but not the least wet suit booties
get the wet suit a little large for later years
DO NOT DRINK A LOT OF BEER WITH THE WET SUIT ON
MY SUIT HAS THE ZIPPER IN THE BACK
gary hobie 21 se

PS if you go sailing the next day hang the suit in a warm room or hose it down with warm water A cold wet suit is no fun

If you're a Sam's or Costco member, they usually sell wetsuits in the spring. I've bought shorties, but kinda wish I'd gotten the full length. The boots are a great idea too, since your feet get wet when launching. You can get them at a dive shop. I had a pair left over from my scuba'ing days that I wore for a regatta last May when it was 40 degrees. I also wore a windbreaker over the wet suit.

Are you coming to Indy for the Mayor's Cup Regatta?

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What - Me Worry?


2006 Hobie Wave 7358
"Ish Kabibble"

If you don't have the right equipment to sail in cold weather, don't go out. It's that simple. At best, you'll be cold and miserable, at worst you'll get hypothermia and die. And don't think that just because the air temp is comfortable that it's safe to go out without thermal protection. Warm air days can be real deceiving. Plan on being immersed in the water for an extended period of time and remember that you can always strip layers off if necessary.

In the North East in May, you could easily be looking at water temps in the 40s to low 50's, and air temps anywhere from 50s to 70s or even 80s, so it's a huge range of temperatures to try and cover with a limited amount of gear. Even at the upper end of that scale at minimum you're probably looking at a 2/3mm full wetsuit with foot protection. To be comfortable at the bottom end of the scale, you'd be looking at 4/5mm full suit with thick boots, gloves, wool hat or neoprene beanie, and spray gear if it's blowing.

The classic combination for cat sailors is typically a "jacket & john" wetsuit. They offer a ton of versatility. They're not warm enough for the real cold days, but overall provide good protection. Then get yourself a GOOD pair of booties, a spray top, and a good head covering and you're well on your way to being able to enjoy the spring safely.

I always find it amazing/scary when I see people out in spring wearing just a t-shirt and shorts and I'm in a full suit. The cold water will take away your strength real quick.

sm

SRM is right on the money. If you aren't propperly equipped don't even think of going out. I sail the Columbia River and it is quite cold (low 40s) in the early spring when I wear a 4/3 steamer wetsuit, spray pants and jacket, full finger gloves, neoprene socks, boots and cap. Sometimes I even wear a fleece pullover between the wetsuit and spray jackets. When it warms abit I switch to a farmer john and a 1.5 ml neoprene top with as much of the other stuff as needed. Be warm, be safe. Also per SRM, it is amazing how quick cold can sap your strength. Also note in the wind, a wetsuit with smooth panels is much warmer than one with cloth panels that when wet cool you from evaporation.

I was out on Lake Norman a few years ago Beautiful early March day temp in the low 70's wind blowing like stink Water temp low 40's
I found two guys out in a hobie 14 turbo on their first ever sail
Their sailing equipment was cowboy boots and jeans with no shirts also most important was a case of BUD lashed to the tramp. They had no cooler.
Of course they turned over and I think they would not have made it with out my help. I threw them both a life jacket then I got them onto my Hydro Sport CC and gave them a warm jacket to wear I tied the hobie and towed it to the landing being very careful with the mast.
Sailing in cold or even cool water can Kill you
The cowboys could have easily been on the Thousand Ways to Die TV show
Gary

You going to Indy May 15 &16 ?

Yeah, Indy in May, I wasn't going to mention the event until I heard everything was final.

I went to a couple of the local sporting goods stores to look at suits today and couldn't find anything that fit right. They just don't sell suits for short fat people..........

I took the 16 out for an early season romp in Newport RI last weekend. It was low 60s F and Im sure the water is around 50F or so.

I had on 7mm Oneil heat boots, a 4/5mm Oneil wetsuit with 3mm Rooster cold weather sailing gloves, a Musto bib/pant setup, a waterproof spray top and a Musto windblocker hat.

I dunked into the water to my waist a few times getting the boat in and out of the water and while it was cold, it wasent unbearable. There are surfers down in Narragansett who are in the water for 2-4 hours and they wear the same suit but with a full hood as well. I actually think you stay warmer in the water, out of the wind, for a little while at least. Not that you could stay in there all day.

It was pretty sunny and I was actually hot under all those layers. Its a great place to sail also, just north of the Jamestown bridge, so I essentially have land on all four sides within a mile or so, just in case I need to use the kayak paddle I bring with me.

Having good gear makes your sailing season much longer and more fun, I think!

_________________
Blair T

I love these calm moments before the storm, it reminds me of Beethoven...


'02 Hobie Tiger USA 1152

I took my 16 out in january and was fine because i had the right stuff. LIke mentioned being preparred is the thing, in NC its warming up but it was 40 when i went and the water temp and the water was close to that. Had fun but i sailed it kinda easy, i didn't want to sail her hard and flip her in that even with the best gear its not fun. But the Sam's and Costco ideas are great thats where my next suit is coming from and the suits are pretty thick that they sell.

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Hayden 1988 national H16

Check out NRS.COM, their equipment is top notch and they've got pretty good pricing. I sail off Long Island wearing an NRS 3 mil. farmer john, splash top, boots and gloves.

Our area is the pits for wet-suit shopping!
We have a huge Temperature fluctuation! I'm in the same boat right now and all I've managed to learn is;
-wear something over the suit to keep the water from evaporating out
-the sides of your chest (armpit to hip) get cold first and are the most debilitating!!!!
-keep your feet, fingers, and noggin warm!
-and last but not least There is no wet-suit that will fit you "perfect"
I'm 6'2" and 200#'s every suit I've looked at, inquired about, or tried on has a chest big enough for a hippopotamus!!! Most temperature charts are for scuba guys who plan on prolonged submersion. Every one I've spoken two says get a front zip, apparently it makes getting in and out as well as answering nature's call A LOT easier!

I'm leaning toward a 3/2mm long john, step in jacket combo. so combined you've got 6mm on the chest, and you're covered head to toe. the jacket is a shorty with long sleeves and a zipper the runs from right shoulder to left thigh. This is a major +!!!
Scuba.com has a killer selection and reasonable prices. Tell me if you run across anything red hot! I'm dying to get on the water but its WAY to cold to just throw on a rash-guard and go.

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Jack

If you have a drysuit (or wetsuit that's not wet above the waist) try using one of those lumbar heat pack/wraps for sore backs. They work all too well in keeping you warm for up to 8 hours. Another option to use with a wetsuit is taken from the surfing world...the Quiksilver Cypher Heat Vest. http://wetsuits.quiksilver.com/#/heat-vest/ It is a rash guard type vest with a lumbar heating element that you wear under your wetsuit. It is powered by a rechargeable lithium/ion battery and can be controlled through the neoprene. The battery will last 4 hours on low and about 2.5 hours on high. You can extend the battery life by turning on when cold to get a blast of heat. Then turn it off when you start to feel a chill again. I surf the Great Lakes during the winter with air temps in the 20's and water temps in the low 30's and can atest to the fact that the heat vest works great. If you keep your core warm, your extremities will be too. There's no need for really bulky layers...only a few.

It's all about having the right gear for the conditions. Try either option...you'll be very surprised and warm.

Tiger John