Foul Weather Gear

[SpinyNorman]

I'm going to the London boat show in about a week, and I want to buy some foul weather gear - I'm not going to go winter-sailing in my shortie after last time! I was wondering if anyone could help me by telling me what sort of thing to buy - I haven't got the money to invest in a drysuit - and what brands are good or bad, or what sort of price it would be. Happy New Year,
SpinyNorman

 

[macwas16]

If you are interested in getting foul weather gear for frostbiting, there is a thread called cold-water sailing (or something along those lines) where people have posted their ideas.

For cold weather sailing I personally use a variety of gear that can be used for both warm and cold weather sailing.

I start off with a full skiff suit (wetsuit) made by Ronstan. It is specially designed for sailing and allows lots of movement. They are now on sale at Annapolis Performance Sailing for $150 USD.

Under it I wear a full sleeve rashguard and on top of the wetsuit I wear a spray top. Sometimes something fleecey, like a half zip shirt or light jacket under the spray top and on top of the wetsuit to act as a middle layer gives nice warmpth.

For the bottom section I wear (this was a christmas gift) Gill dinghy trousers. They are the brother to the spray top. I find these work really well because they spare your legs from the cold water, even if you are wearing a wetsuit, and prevent them from tightening up too much and cramping.

For the feet I where neoprene socks and my Gill neoprene boots.

A hat and some Gill three season sailing gloves pretty much finish me off.