T55,
I was not implying that you don't have any people or boats in your part of the world. It is just that no matter where you are in the world, when you are daysailing or "cruising," there usually are not other boats in your immediate area to come to your aid if you get in trouble.

If I go sailing on our sound, which is protected water, nine square miles, average air and water temps both 80 degrees, I can sail for hours on the other side of the sound without ever seeing another boat, sail or power. If I get in trouble, like get separated from my boat, I am in BIG trouble. And that's in warm water.

Most catamaran sailors are accustomed to buoys racing on a closed course, where there are lots of people around to help if you get in trouble. So sometimes people give advice to a new sailor based upon that scenario.

And, by the way, you probably need a drysuit rather than a wetsuit. Other people can probably give you better information about what to wear to keep warm and dry in your sailing conditions. A wetsuit is not going to cut it.