What to wear?

lol

OK, all this talk of hikers and rash vests has got me confused.

I've come from windsurfing where you wear a wetsuit and have done with
it. Can someone please tell me in simple English what I need to get for
dinghy sailing? I assume I can wear my existing wetsuit, but some sort of
outer layer is required to protect it from snagging on the boat, right?

Originally posted by Philsy OK, all this talk of hikers and rash vests has got me confused. I've come from windsurfing where you wear a wetsuit and have done with it. Can someone please tell me in simple English what I need to get for dinghy sailing? I assume I can wear my existing wetsuit, but some sort of outer layer is required to protect it from snagging on the boat, right?

The main problem with Dinghy sailing compared to windsurfing is that you actually spend quite a lot of time sitting still. So  it is worth wearing slightly more kit than you would on a board. My top tips are 1) Balaclava : can be pushed round your neck when you get too hot and pulled up over your head between races or when the wind drops and you stop moving about so much. 2) Spray top +/- trousers, not only to protect your wetsuit from sharp stuff but also to reduce wind chill.

If you are still getting chilly then a rash vest under your wetsuit can really help if you don't want to buy a thicker wetsuit. As regards hikers: get a trapeze boat  

Are board shorts a worthwhile investment to stop your wetsuit
getting snagged?

I'm new to the sailing and getting my gear together. An 'old hand' at my club recommends the range of dinghy clothing from Decathlon "95% of the performance of the big brands at 50% of the price" - anyone agree/disagree?