What Should I Wear ?- Skiff Sailing

Hi all, 
Im just about to start learning to sail as RS700...probably at totally the wrong time of year! All i know is im probably going to spend more time swimming than sailing.

I have a harness, bouyancy aid, and some rooster skiff boots...but im a bit lost as to what to wear in terms of layers.

Im leaning towards a long john wetsuit due to it been less restrictive on the arms and shoulders, is this the right way to go or a full suit ? 

What about underneath the suit, some sort of thermal base layer ? Then on top of that, I have been reading about hot tops, aquafleeces the choices seem endless.

finally, what order does it all go in...bouyancy over or under the harness, and then race top or fleece on top ?

Im confused, what have you found that works well so i dont waste money on all the wrong things !

Cheers 

Edited by jamesrose - 22 Sep 14 at 8:56am

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jamesrose Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamesrose Report Post Quote Reply Topic: What Should I Wear ?- Skiff Sailing Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 8:51am
	Hi all, Im just about to start learning to sail as RS700...probably at totally the wrong time of year! All i know is im probably going to spend more time swimming than sailing. I have a harness, bouyancy aid, and some rooster skiff boots...but im a bit lost as to what to wear in terms of layers. Im leaning towards a long john wetsuit due to it been less restrictive on the arms and shoulders, is this the right way to go or a full suit ? What about underneath the suit, some sort of thermal base layer ? Then on top of that, I have been reading about hot tops, aquafleeces the choices seem endless. finally, what order does it all go in...bouyancy over or under the harness, and then race top or fleece on top ? Im confused, what have you found that works well so i dont waste money on all the wrong things ! Cheers Edited by jamesrose - 22 Sep 14 at 8:56am

Iain C Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iain C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 9:03am
	You will stay warmer than on other classes as it's a bit harder work, and assuming you keep it the right way up most of the time you are out of the spray compared to a hiker. Sailing gear, then dry top, then harness, then BA. For sailing the 49er I tend to wear a rashie with a speed skin in the hot summer. 3mm wetsuit when it's cooler, add some arms and an aquafleece when it's cooler still. 5mm wetsuit in the winter with aquafleece, and if it's really cold, a spray top over they aquafleece, as an aquafleece is not totally waterproof. A decent hat in winter is a bonus, however make sure when wet it doesn't tend to slip down over your eyes. For reference, this usually happens when you commit to a gybe. I'm a big fan of the genuine Showa builders gloves, and don't tend to need to wear anything thicker, even in the depths of February. My crew then tends to stick a rashie over the lot, but personally I don't tend to bother. Enjoy.
	RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra"

Iain C Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 16 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1113	Post Options Post Reply Quote Iain C Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 9:05am
	Oh, and Rooster are doing "last season" aquafleeces on ebay for £30 at the moment. Brilliant bits of kit for that money.
	RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra"

Rupert Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rupert Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 10:27am
	How about a ball gown?
	Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686

ChrisB14 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 29 Oct 13 Location: London Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote ChrisB14 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 10:42am
	As a beginning skiff sailor on a B14 I have found that a warm 3 mm long john is a good start (NP Matrix was the only one I found that I fit into). Long Polypro shirt and legs underneath if it gets cooler. If it gets cooler still, either the corresponding 3 mm top or an Aquafleece Pro (I haven't found that one or the other is better at this point). Ultimately both tops. After that, I decide that a nice cuppa is more up my alley (yeah, I'm a wimp). Warm boots and socks are important, as are decent gloves (numb fingers are begging to be hurt). But the hat is arguably the most important part. I have a neoprene one, wife/crew an Aquafleece one. Have fun!
	B14 GBR 748 Bullet B In build: Farr 3.7 GBR 410 (both sail number and the current number of loose parts)

jamesrose Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Newbie Joined: 01 Sep 14 Online Status: Offline Posts: 22	Post Options Post Reply Quote jamesrose Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 10:45am
	Iain & Chris, thanks very much, very helpful. Rupert, not sure where I could get one in my size...unless ofcourse you are a regular ball gown wearer, in which case you might be able to come up with another useful suggestion. Edited by jamesrose - 22 Sep 14 at 11:31am

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 7:24pm
	If you're just getting back into sailing, go to a well stocked chandlers and try on lots of the new shiny BAs now available, plenty designed for trapezing, do not, in my (costly) experience, buy one online, without trying the fit first. You will end up in the drink and it's the wrong time to realise that your BA rides up round you ears, no matter how lung crushingly tight you do it up! Of course, if you're the same size and shape as you were last time and wearing the same kit underneath..... Edited by getafix - 22 Sep 14 at 7:25pm

craiggo Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 01 Apr 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1810	Post Options Post Reply Quote craiggo Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 8:07pm
	I sail a 700 and I wear a Ronstan Skiff suit all year round. They are a great 3mm long john wetsuit with no zips. I normally wear a rash vest underneath it, then an aquafleece over the top, then bouyancy aid then harness. If it gets colder I chuck another rash vest on under the aquafleece. In the middle of summer this is too hot so I drop down to my Neilpryde 1.5mm 3/4 length long john wetsuit.

RichTea Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 22 Jan 13 Online Status: Offline Posts: 207	Post Options Post Reply Quote RichTea Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 22 Sep 14 at 8:14pm
	Windsurf wetsuits would be better as they allow more movement. I wore a wetsuit, I wouldnt bother with a drysuit on that boat... actually i dont wear a drysuit for sailing anymore.
	RS200

Ian29937 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 25 May 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 409	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ian29937 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 14 at 8:02am
	I'm with Mr Craig, skiff suit, currently using the Gul but have had Ronstan and Rooster in the past, all good with slight material variations, (Ronstan durable but a bit stiffer, Rosster the most flexible but not durable, Gul sits inbetween). Probably look at the Neil Pryde next time. Then layer up with various combinations of rash vests, thermal rash vests, 0.5 neoprene vests and top off with a waterproof layer. I stopped using the Aquafleece as I found it quite difficult to put on or take off whilst on the water. I prefer the Gul code zero top which is relatively slim fitting, windproof but has some stretch making it easier to put on/take off. Where are you sailing the 700? Ian