Wetsuit layering
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=8954
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 3:09pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Wetsuit layering
Posted By: Kev M
Subject: Wetsuit layering
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 11:15am
|
This is the first winter I'll have been sailing and up until now it has been pretty mild. With the temperature expecting to head south this week and the next race on Sunday I'm thinking I should take another look at what I wear. At the moment I've got a 3mm full wetsuit, a reasonably thick l/s rash vest and a spray top. It's warm enough until I capsize. I can't afford a dry suit so I'm interested in if there are better/more layers I should look at? The Rooster Polypro stuff is about the right price for me but is it the right thing or am I better pushing my budget to the Hot range? Cheers, Kev ------------- Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980. |
Replies:
Posted By: Fans1024
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 11:43am
|
Obviously, each person is different etc. However, I wear:
5mm o'neil wetsuit
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/thermal-l-s-top-09-id_8113865.html - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/thermal-l-s-top-09-id_8113865.html - old version on this, 2 if its really cold.
http://www.purplemarine.com/dinghy/dinghy-sailing-clothing/dinghy-clothing/waterproof-tops-smocks/gill-thermal-dinghy-top.html - http://www.purplemarine.com/dinghy/dinghy-sailing-clothing/dinghy-clothing/waterproof-tops-smocks/gill-thermal-dinghy-top.html - expensive but worth it.
http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk/shop/clearance/footwear/gul-flexor-3mm-watersports-boots-537058.html - http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.uk/shop/clearance/footwear/gul-flexor-3mm-watersports-boots-537058.html - 7mm version of these
Hot socks x 2 if cold
Gloves various.
My feet and hands always get really cold when I sail, hence the extra layers. The layers on the core depend on wind condition, temp and what boat I am sailing.
Good luck - the forecast looks bitter this weekend!
|
Posted By: JimC
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 11:49am
|
I think a lot depends on where you are sailing and what your aims are...
I sail a reasonably energetic boat and am not that bothered about getting a result in every race and competing for the series glassware. Thus I prefer to wear a lightish westuit for freedom of movement and accept that if I stuff it in a second time I'll have to give up and go and get warm and have a shower because I'll have run out of energy. That's fine on my middle sized reservoir where we run shortish races and are rarely out for much more than an hour at a time, but not sensible on the sea or if you are on one of the really big reservoirs and lakes where you might be miles away from warmth and stuff it in another three times by the time you get back. |
Posted By: Kev M
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 1:44pm
|
Thanks chaps, if I buy any more Tribord stuff I'm going to start charging Decathlon an advertising/modelling fee! I sail on an average size reservoir I guess so never that far from the shore. Races are normally 1 hour, I'm not competing for chocolates but if I'm capsizing I like to stay out for as long as physically possible to maximise time in the boat. ------------- Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980. |
Posted By: Fraggle
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 1:51pm
|
I use the layering systems for winter sailing. At this time of year I tend to be in Rooster Polypro legs and top, SEA Winter Hot top, Hikers, Gill Winter Thermal Top, Neoprene socks, polypro socks and a hat. For when it gets really cold I have a Neil Pryde Race Skin to add to the layers. ------------- |
Posted By: Kev M
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 2:52pm
|
How the hell do you manage to move around in all that!? ------------- Successfully confusing ambition with ability since 1980. |
Posted By: rogue
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 4:01pm
|
remember that because you is a dinghy sailor, you're like well loaded. So you'll pay more through sailing retail channels than others for very similar, and quite often, inferior kit. I've owned two singlelined wetsuits now - one by Pryde (an Elite) and another by Ion - they are SO much warmer than any other suit I've used, but I guess you'd need to be careful of snagging. UK built Spartan are also supposed to be very good- although I'd have thought you'd be too hot, even in the most brutal inland temps. I have just ordered a new breathable drytop smock from King of Watersports for £50- it's by Mystic (a kitey brand). I have one of those other thermal tops and yes, very good bit of kit... as long as you don't mind walking around with some woman's name on it, who the f**k is Gill anyway? And what ever did happened to her buddy Jack?
|
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 4:10pm
|
It is surprisingly easy to move in Kev, it is designed to be layered.
i wear similar stuff to Fraggle when I sail my laser these days. In the Blaze being dynamic was not as important as in the Laser (as there is more space and the boat is better behaved). So you will find you may actually need to wear more.
When I had my Blaze I did wear my drysuit a few times but i really didn't get on with it so went back to layers. ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Fraggle
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 4:39pm
|
It really is very flexible kit. Make sure you get it all fitting well, needs to be fairly snug so prevent any lower layers creasing up and annoying you. I really don't find it movement limiting (whereas I hated my drysuit for preventing me moving around in the laser when I had one years ago).
Picture is from Tiger Trophy 2011 (which was absolutely freezing) where I am wearing everything. Still had the flexibility to handle the conditions and stayed warm enough to sail. Its not as bulky as you imagine if you get the right layering kit.
 ------------- |
Posted By: A Seabadger
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 8:09pm
|
Fraggle - In those temperatures still nothing on yoyr hands? ------------- I don't suffer from insanity...I enjoy every moment of it. |
Posted By: laser47
Date Posted: 30 Jan 12 at 9:15pm
Just not hardcore enough to ditch the gloves  ------------- |
Posted By: Fraggle
Date Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 9:31am
|
I don't even own sailing gloves. I always find my hands stay warm enough when racing as long as my core is warm. You will see me inbetween races drifting around with my hands inside my buoyancy aid though. ------------- |
Posted By: alstorer
Date Posted: 31 Jan 12 at 9:47am
|
Sometimes gloves aren't just for warmth- one Musto sailor at last years march skiff open at Rutland din't wear gloves on the Saturday (he'd forgotten them), his hands bled. ------------- -_ Al |