Are Layering Systems the Way to Go?

Looking at the gear I have (hikers, wetsuit, oldish spray top) I'll probably invest in some of these new fangled long johns, thermal top and a new spray top. That way, as craiggo says, I'll have enough gear to effectively cover two days of racing even if it gets soaked.

Blimey, have university teams gone soft?

I only had a shortie while I was at Uni and wasn't the only one!

In theory dry-suits did offer the best solution but the only time I ever tried one, I was absolutely freezing and that was with all the various layers, woolly bear suit and a fleece jacket. Always preferred just shoving my crew jacket on whenever I came ashore. Cambridge Uni definately used to race in ANUSC but I know a fair few Uni teams have folded in recent years due to Union insurance issues (apparently sailing is classed as an extreme sport!!!!) so I guess the northern and southern leagues probably needed balancing out.

If I was team-racing now, I'd carry on as I am, and have one wetsuit for Saturday and one for Sunday, one aquafleece for each day and a selection of rash vests. I can deal with wet boots so only need one pair of those!

I think I'll up asking for team racing tips before I go. I've always been a fleet racer and can't stand having other people in the boat unless they're family.

I guess everyones going to keep clear of you on the water if they see you putting on kit out of a biohazard bag.

Originally posted by kneewrecker <snip>   I was introduced to hospital / clinical waste bags on the uni sailing circuit, an excellent way of separating drysuit and boot outerlayers, with dryish inner layers.  Med students from Newcastle Uni provided ours for us. <snip>

Cawh, the world of kit is so complicated. It seems whatever you go for you have to end up with a load of layers it's just whether its worth the £250 outlay for a drysuit to keep it all dry or is there some clever alternative. I'm an engineering student on a gap year, not a wealthy business type (yet!).