Agree with Glen on dressing for the water. This includes going out in a shirt on a small lake (beach close enough to swim) on a balmy day (no danger of capsizing) and very warm water. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have just bought dry suits for my girl and me (Musto MPX Gore-Tex). They were expensive, but also a great investment.

You rig up the boat on a warm day, the Gore-Tex dry suit feels as if it is not there. If it is really hot, you can take off upper body part and stuff it into the legs. If conditions change, you drag it back on in three minutes. Wear a layer of fleece under it and a fleece cap on your head, and your sailing season extends a couple of months.

Gore-Tex booties sound great. Are they sturdy enough, though?