Winter clothing whats best
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12911
Printed Date: 25 Jun 25 at 1:55pm
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Topic: Winter clothing whats best
Posted By: Tynesider
Subject: Winter clothing whats best
Date Posted: 13 Nov 17 at 8:41pm
I want to sail my dinghy all winter (on a lake) and currently have a 3/4 mm wetsuit which is fine but winter is coming,
But what to do?
Add and buy a good thermal vest, or buy a good spray top, or buy a thicker winter wet suit 5/6mm or maybe face up to it that I should buy a dry suit which I am not that mad on as they always look restricted.
I appreciate any advice as to the pros & Cons
Mike
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Archivist for the
Colvic Watson Owners Group
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Replies:
Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 13 Nov 17 at 9:09pm
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Depends a bit on what you sail and local conditions... If you sail something like a laser, you'll be getting lots of spray; something like a Tideway, and you'll stay dry.
Winter conditions usually have more wind (less tree leaves) and much cloder water.
I found that a drysuit works well - for deep winter thermal underwear, thermal shirt and longjohns, thermalsocks, "onesie fleece, then the drysuit, thermal balaclava and winter sailing gloves. Kept me warm enough when one of our trainee instructors was doing capsize practice just after our lake thawed!
Obviously, as the weather warms up, reduce the layers. It is bulkier than a wetsuit, but I found that a wetsuit tries to impose its shape on you (and it shrinks around the waist).
The other advantage of the drysuit is that I'll arrive dressed in the correct layers, then only need to climb into the drysuit in the changing room. After sailing, rinse drysuit, remove, go home and air the wetsuit. Definite advantage if the changing facilites are cold.
Having used a drysuit, I wouldn't want to go back to a wetsuit for winter.
Colin
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Posted By: Tynesider
Date Posted: 13 Nov 17 at 9:18pm
Cheers Colin good advice, I sail a Hartley 12 and yes often capsize as like many lakes winds they can be strong and changeable with gusts.
I see many dry suits at various prices which is also a bit confusing do you find some makes are better than others and do you simply 'gets what you pay for' and at 72 year old I definitely would want a front entry zip
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Archivist for the
Colvic Watson Owners Group
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Posted By: Eisvogel
Date Posted: 14 Nov 17 at 8:54am
I would also go for one with attached latex socks. I didn't, and as a consequence I get wet feet which is really cold, and during launching water gets in through the ankle seal, so I have some water trapped in the legs. Also means I cannot wear woolly socks.
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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986
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Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 14 Nov 17 at 8:59am
Answered your post on facebook Mike but new question above. I bought a Typhoon Ezedon drysuit this time last year and the plastic zip is a lot easier to use than a standard rubber and metal drysuit zip. I'm not as flexible as I was so it being easy to get on and off is a major plus. I've only worn it a dozen times so can't comment on durability but it appears well made. The Goretex socks work well too.
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Spice 346 "Flat Broke"
Blaze 671 "supersonic soap dish"
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Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 14 Nov 17 at 4:22pm
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Drysuits - can't go wrong with: TridentUK
Get one with a neoprene neck seal.
https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/trident-orbit-front-zip-breathable-sailing-drysuit.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/trident-orbit-front-zip-breathable-sailing-drysuit.html
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Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 14 Nov 17 at 5:14pm
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+1 ✔️ for Trident. 7yrs.
Good price, good range sizes and for a small supplement will even do made to measure. Their diagonal front zip is particularly well designed as it extends well below the waistband so allowing an easy comfort break without disrobing.
I don't wear a drysuit regularly so cannot comment on longevity of the plastic zip but it has worked very well so far.
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Posted By: Wiclif
Date Posted: 14 Nov 17 at 6:58pm
The plastic zips have had a bad press in some quarters, I suspect that the problem is when the zips are doubled over and then get squashed, for example when trying to squeeze another bag into the boot of the car.
And never ever leave the dry suit in the hot press, the seals don’t like it.
I find that you seem to create your own micro climate inside a dry suit. It is just so much warmer than a set of oilskins. I found that a one piece suit is all you need for sea sailing, and I would suggest a pair of Rooster Poly Pro socks on top of the dry suit socks. They are slightly slippery and make it so much easier to get your footwear on.
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Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 16 Nov 17 at 8:27pm
I'm sure it must get colder 'oop north'
But here in the soft south I do the jan/feb series in my 3mm Code Zero.
I bolster it up with 2 layers thermal rashie, a 1mm titanium lined and the old Aquafleece.
Putting the boayancy aid INSIDE the Aquafleece makes a big difference.
Also I reckon it's all about the extremeties, boots a size bigger to take the extra socks, a good hat that will stay on and gloves, well, I could write a book on gloves!
I sail a 200, we avoid tipping it in at all costs! But it happens.
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Posted By: davidyacht
Date Posted: 16 Nov 17 at 9:45pm
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Bit of a fan of a blind stitched and taped long john, a decent taped and sealed dinghy top and layers of fast dry thermal tops, pretty adaptable for all weathers and gives you some protection against knocks in the boat.
I must admit I am not a fan of dry suit seals particularly when I get a bristle rash around my neck.
I use Zhik long johns, but I think Rooster have a blind stitched long john that is cheaper, and my Gill Pro Top is giving excellent service.
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Happily living in the past
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Posted By: ColPrice2002
Date Posted: 17 Nov 17 at 7:04am
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The really important thing is to make sure that whatever you wear, you don't suffer massive heat loss. Obviously, you also need to be able to move about the dinghy for control.
I've done club rescue duty all year, some people will be fine with 5 capsizes others will ask for help after one, because of heat loss. People and gear vary, so choose gear to match your situation.
Sealskin socks were recommended to me, and they seem to be excellent inside a drysuit as they keep my feet drier and warmer than anything else I've tried.
Colin
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Posted By: 423zero
Date Posted: 17 Nov 17 at 7:35am
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If you are sailing a very hectic boat, tailor gear to suit, you are going to be generating more body heat.
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Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 17 Nov 17 at 1:40pm
Originally posted by ColPrice2002
Sealskin socks were recommended to me, and they seem to be excellent inside a drysuit as they keep my feet drier and warmer than anything else I've tried.
Colin |
We have not been impressed with Sealskin socks & gloves. I don't doubt they are warm in a dry drysuit, but then so would £5 Ski socks. Once Sealskinz are wet on the inside, they cease to function. SWMBO has had 2 pairs of the gloves and they soon wear through.
I have just ordered my winter gloves: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181863600447?var=480915675403
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Posted By: Eisvogel
Date Posted: 17 Nov 17 at 3:06pm
Originally posted by piglet
Putting the boayancy aid INSIDE the Aquafleece makes a big difference |
Why is that? Would you not have more (cold) air closer to your body?
Still in two minds whether to just wear rash vest + aquafleece as opposed to drysuit at Draycote tomorrow...
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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986
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Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 18 Nov 17 at 9:55am
Originally posted by Eisvogel
Originally posted by piglet
Putting the boayancy aid INSIDE the Aquafleece makes a big difference |
Why is that? Would you not have more (cold) air closer to your body? Still in two minds whether to just wear rash vest + aquafleece as opposed to drysuit at Draycote tomorrow... |
I guess the buoyancy aid with its slabs of closed cell foam creates a thick air layer when inside a windproof shell.
Conversely wearing the buoyancy aid outside crushes the windproof shell against you torso thus greatly reducing that air layer.
All to nought when you go swimming though.
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Posted By: zeon
Date Posted: 18 Nov 17 at 4:41pm
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Would never ever go sailing with out sealskin socks.
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Posted By: Time Lord
Date Posted: 18 Nov 17 at 7:08pm
++ for sealskin socks. Would never wear inside a dry suit as they are intended to keep your feet dry and if they get wet inside your DRY suit you have a problem with the suit IMO. Always wear over wetsuit legs and in my dinghy boots. Keeps the feet dry and warm even when paddling around after a whoopsy.
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Merlin Rocket 3609
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Posted By: EddyP
Date Posted: 24 Nov 17 at 9:55am
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+++ for SealSkinz as well, I have also started wearing them when I am out running or cycling during the winter. My father passed this onto me earlier, it looks like it has some great Black Friday deals for Musto, which may be of interest http://www.marinesuperstore.com/black-friday" rel="nofollow - https://www.marinesuperstore.com/black-friday
-Ed
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Posted By: Tynesider
Date Posted: 24 Nov 17 at 7:36pm
Hi Folks Well as the old saying goes the proofs in the pudding, Last week I bought a Zhik Superwarm Skiff wet suit but even with a new thermal vest and Spray top I still felt cold.
So returned the wet suit and bought a 'Dry suit' and oh what a difference and much warmer.
Yes I had to buy larger boots to accommodate socks etc but that's not a problem.
One thing I did learn was after trying four makes is that I would never order a dry suit 'on line' as the same size in different makes all felt very different
Thanks for all the advice
Mike
PS Eddy I have been a big fan for many years of Musto gear but IF you buy any Musto gear make sure you can still have it guaranteed as they have now been taken over by Helly Hansen
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Archivist for the
Colvic Watson Owners Group
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Posted By: Eisvogel
Date Posted: 27 Nov 17 at 9:25am
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I bought some Sealskinz socks after reading about them here, and they worked fantastically. My feet were still cold (I was doing safety duty, so not moving much), but at least they were mostly dry, and would have been much colder if wet.
I also got the gloves Piglet recommended above -- they kept my hands dry, and reasonably warm, given that I was mostly holding on to a cold metal powerboat steering wheel.
With those two items I feel much more optimistic about going sailing over the coming months without losing any body parts to frostbite.
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Enterprise 20361 (Eisvogel), Laser 102727 (Halcyon), Laser 121986
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Posted By: ttc546
Date Posted: 27 Nov 17 at 7:55pm
Interesting thread. I am doing my 2 day PowerBoat Level 2 course this weekend. The weather forecast temperature will make brass monkeys wince in pain.
Have dry suit and fleece onesie. Sealskins Extreme gloves. Not sure what to wear on feet to keep them warm (I suffer with poor circulation). Any recommendations? Drysuit has built in feet. The Sealskins socks look good but wonder if they will fit inside my Gul neoprene dinghy boots. Do I need to buy sailing wellies and if so, which ones? Any other suggestions?
Grateful for your advice. Time is of the essence as need it sorted by Friday.
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Posted By: piglet
Date Posted: 27 Nov 17 at 9:45pm
Tight dinghy boots will be cold for sure.
Having boots 2 sizes bigger for the winter will allow for thick socks and trapped air layers.
However for RIB duties I have some old waterproof snow boots (Lidl)
they are toastie but not technically wet gear. Some clubs get funny about that sort of thing with rescue duties.
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