YOU CAN'T CONTROL THE WIND!
The weather was glorious for sailing last weekend Sunny Force 4 gusting 5, it was fantastic. As an experienced sailor I knew which sails to use how much mast rake and rig tension to apply for the conditions etc. but the big question was what to wear?
With the whole family sailing it was interesting to see that we all chose different things. My daughter mindful of the capsize chose a
Gul junior shadow drysuit, which was just as well as in a 25 knot gust she bore away and tipped it in. The good news (as far as she is concerned) is that despite the dunking , she stayed warm and dry. It seemed a bit extreme to put a drysuit on in July but it meant that she could stay out on the water all day without getting cold.
My son chose to wear a
Gill Junior Steamer DG4605J, not the cheapest kids wetsuit on the market but it comes with Gill quality. He put on top his new kids Musto Aquafleece in fire orange which kept him toasty and highly visible! No swimming was involved but he did sail a mile long beat into the teeth of what as far as he is concerned was a "Gale and monster waves!"
As for the adults in the family we have found that long johns with spray tops give the warmth and flexibility we need for summer sailing.
There are plenty of great long johns out there but this week we want to highlight the excellent
Crewsaver phase 2 kit. The Phase 2 Long johns come in
0.7mm and 3mm so if you are warm bodied you have the option of what is definitely a summer suit. They also have a Velcro opening on one shoulder to help you get in and out.
The P&B sail loft are gearing up for the championship season. Sail loft manager Dave Wade won the Harlow Blackwater open meeting in his Fireball with the latest sails from the loft. Dave was using an Alto mast with a mainsail to match with a new design “full” jib. Boat speed makes winning so much easier and Dave had plenty to spare!
Up North Andy Mckee and Rich Jones were on fire at the Bassenthwaite Flying Fifteen open meeting winning with a race to spare.
Call the sail loft on 01604 592808 for the latest info regarding sails for your class.