cold weather gear

[Kevin Kaldenbach]

I would like to get opinions on what people use for cold weather and rain gears for sailing

[Neil Gordon]

The key is WARM and DRY. I take the same approach as cross country skiing and use the same gear... silk underwear, polypropolene top and bottom, wool sweater, wool knit cap, wool socks, sea boots, waterproof foulies top and bottom. Add or subtract layers depending on temperature and sun vs. shade, wind chill, etc. More layers of lighter stuff each makes it easier to regulate.

Cotton kills! Save it for summer.

By the way, how cold are you planning for?

[Kevin Kaldenbach]

We are in Texas. But I have been invited to sail with a friend across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean in May. I can see being in cold wet weather and that is why I ask for advice. We ride Motorcycle in all kinds of weather and we know why we have chosen what we wear, but there is a difference between the two environments.

[chase]

ketch-

Neils advice is good and I've done well with lots of layers and good outerwear. What's not been so good is my boots. I wore my xtratuff chore boots last Nov when we were offshore with wool socks and my feet froze by the end of my watch before sunrise. I'm going to try their insulated variety now. Sailing boots are awfully high priced. Anyone used them? Are they really that good?

Anyone used the insulated xtratuff fishing boots?

Make sure your feet stay warm-

Chase

[Ron M.]

I'm out on the baseball field March-Nov. Cold and windy here on Cape Cod spring and fall. I like UnderArmour cold gear, shirts and longjohns. A good first layer, effective cutting the wind and not bulky.
Dou-Fold - also a good primary layer, or any double ply underwear.
On top of that I go for wool and /or Polartech fleece.
As Neil said.........staying dry is key........once you get wet - forget it - you will be cold.
________
Maine marijuana dispensary

[BillNH]

For a long passage I'd cast a vote for fleece over wool. They both have the advantage of being warm when damp, but fleece will dry much faster than wool. On a sailboat your gear-drying options are pretty limited and items can stay damp for days.

I did an early-season trip across the pond a few years ago as chief mate of a schooner being delivered to Copenhagen and it was wet, damp and stormy the majority of the trip.

Don't forget a good pair of long rubber gloves and polypro liner gloves. Put them both on first and then your jacket, so the long cuffs on the gloves stay tucked into the jacket cuffs.

A light towel to wear around your neck scarf-style inside your jacket will catch the dribbles of water that will run down your face in squally weather, keeping your neck and upper chest from getting damp...

A fleece lined, nylon shell bomber-style hat (with earflaps) looks a bit goofy but is hard to beat for warmth!

And remember, a big part of keeping warm in the cold is to feed plenty of fuel to the furnace. Plan on and provision for lots of high calorie snack foods to munch on watch...

[Joe Myerson]

I've got to agree with Neil and Bill about layering: And by all means, use synthetic fleece, as it weighs less than wool. But you might want to keep a nice, thick wool sweater or two to wear when your belowdecks.

As for sea boots: I've got an old pair that has served me well for about a decade. I've sometimes put a pair of LL Bean felt liner pads in the soles, and wear multiple layers of socks--the inner layer is thin and wicking and the outer layer used to be those old-fashioned, red-topped boot socks (wool/nylon). Lately, I've gone with synthetic fleece or SmartWool.

Keep plenty of pairs of socks on hand. If you use synthetic, they'll stand a better chance of drying out down below while you're struggling to keep warm on deck.

Best of luck with the trip.

--Joe

[Paul D.]

I like Patagonia's Capilene underwear as a next to skin option. It is pricey but long lasting and works exceptionally well. They have three or four weights to suit your activity level. For sailing in cold weather, which we do a fair bit up here on the north shore, I go with Capilene 3.

Then I put on fleece or wool layers one or two or even three then the foulies. I am embarrassed to say over the Capilene bottoms underwear I throw on my old Carhartt work pants, yes cotton! They are just right for windproof and work hard durability. But if it is a wet ride I use some non breathable bibs with handwarmer pockets right over the Capilene underwear - an old Port Supply pair. They are very good watershedders and I only hate them when needing to pee. But they are warm and dry. A newer waterproof breathable pair would be more comfortable I bet.

For boots I have an old pair of United Stores rubber work boots that with a thick pair of socks do really well. I also like my wife's NRS gloves which I steal from her whenever possible. I do not own a pair but I would get those mostly neoprene ones. I have not usually worn gloves as I hate fumbling around when reefing and tweaking things, but these seem to allow good movement while keeping your fingers warm.

Best of luck, and warm sailing to you!
Paul

[Sea Owl]

I have camped/hike outdoors all of my life. I also have feet that tend to sweat, and hence are usually cold in cold weather. One of the secrets (or not so secrets!) of staying warm outdoors is layering. You want enough layers to stay warm, but not so warm you sweat. When you sweat, you are wet, and if you are wet, you are cold!

Footwise, I have found an inner layer of wicking material that takes moisture away from your feet is really a necessity, at least for me. Polypropelene is a good choice...then wool or insulator of your choice. If you are in a wet environment (like a sailboat!) then a waterproof outerboot is a necessity.

Last, be prepared to change socks frequently. If you have 'wet' feet like I do, your inner layer and insulating layer can only handle so much moisture, and then you get wet/damp feet. When you get wet, you get cold!

Top side, you said motorcycling is a different environment - not totally, as you have high wind chill and so you should already know what works for you in keeping warm in cold wind. Just add something to keep you dry, and you are home free!

Earlier comments about stoking the furnace are also, in my humble opinion, spot on!

Good luck on your voyage - it sounds like it will be fun!

[Oswego John]

Hi Paul and all,

Don't feel one bit embarrassed wearing Carharts. I spent many a winter above the Arctic Circle dressed in a Carhart brown, cotton duck coveralls. I kept my feet toastie warm by wearing Sorel insulated waterproof pacs. They had a felt bootie inner lining which was interchangeable There are a lot of Asian made Sorel knockoffs so be careful. If I remember correctly, Sorels are made in Canada. Most of the clothing worn under the Carharts was some sort of garment or other that was made of 3M Scotch Thinsulate. This combo never let me down. Forget eider down insulation. When down gets wet, it's next to useless. I'm told that a lot of the so-called down from offshore in use today is half chicken feathers.

If you ever get the chance, go down to the docks of any cold weather seaport in mid winter. Watch and take note of what the deckhands are wearing. These are the guys who make their living out in the elements, no matter what the weather man throws at them. Truly eclectic, but practical and functional. They aren't trying to be fancy-schmancy and make a fashion statement. They know how to stay warm and dry under extreme conditions. They do it every day for a living.

No sir. There's no mosquitoes around here today.
O J

[tartansailor]

For Boots:

http://www.mikekellerltd.com/Merchant2/ ... _Code=XTF1

For Clothing:

http://www.fishermansheadquarters.com/g ... FQodnRnJFA

Dick

[Kevin Kaldenbach]

On the motorcycle we find that if we dress in layers and make sure that the top layer is a cheep nylon windbreaker we are comfortable. That goes for gloves also. As far as rain gear we wear Frog Togs, They are light but also tear easily. On the boat I would think that the need for light weight clothing would not be an issue rather durability would be important.

Thanks a bunch for the advice you have given. If someone needs advice on how to ride motorcycle across country in the elements, I think I am a good person to ask but when it comes to toughing it out on a boat I must yield to you guys who are the experts. Keep the good advice coming you can rest assure that I appreciate it.

[Neil Gordon]

On the motorcycle we find that ...

Sailing in heavy, stormy seas challenges rain gear more than you might imagine. It's heavy rain and spray, plus green water, over an extended period of time and all looking for any possible way into your underwear and boots.

Check the marine catalogs for the differences between coastal and offshore gear.

[Chris Reinke]

All the advise you have received is great...but I am surprised that no recommendations have been made to prevent heat loss off your head. While riding a motorcycle a full facemask provides plenty of insulation for your head, but you would look pretty silly sailing in a helmet

The head is the the point of greatest heat loss for the human body if not protected. I would suggest you add a few pieces of headgear to your bag and remember that a warm hat is a great way to retain body heat. For sever cold weather (below freezing) I often use a windblock fleece cap that protects my ears and can easily fit under the hood of my outer jacket. I guess it would be considered the newer version of the classic wool watch cap. I also pack a windblock fleece neck gator. The windblock fleece has a high warmth to weigh ratio, and dries quickly if it gets wet.

For my hands I use a pair of dive gloves on cold rainy trips. They provide much better warmth than sailing gloves when they get wet, and the leather palms still allow for grip of the lines.

One more trick....and your going to think I am nuts....
I have been a ski patroller in Vermont for 15 years and I totally agree with several of the previous comments about keeping your feet dry as one of the key contributing factors to maintaining body heat. If your feet have a tendency of sweating than one of the tricks we often use to help keep our feet dry is spray antiperspirant. Yep...that's what I said. A quick spray of the old right guard on your feet before you put on your socks will reduce perspiration and help keep your socks dry.

[Tom Keevil]

I agree with all of the layering comments above, and that is our usual approach. However when things get really nasty and cold there is nothing better than a Mustang Survival Work Suit. We carry two on board, and when we need them they are worth the sacrificed storage space.