I spoke to Marcus the other night and he told me the hulls and foils to my new Blade are finished, the platform will be finished soon and the boat could be on the water within a month.

Now I just have to find thick wetsuit to for sailing during the winter. I have plenty of practice to do to keep up with the local catamaran fleet. How do you guys way up north do it?

__________________

Simon Porteous
SOON TO BE BLADE F16

South Australia

At 63deg North drysuits are the name of the game.. With a drysuit sailing down to +5deg C is quite OK. Below zero sheets freeze and the hulls can become very slippery but it is doable. Worst problem is the snow making handling on land an issue.
If are going to sail in cold conditions, just make sure you sail in a safe location where you can get outside assistance if you get into real trouble. Cover your head with wool or a good mountain cap covering ears and neck. Find some decent mitts or gloves (I use windsufer neoprene mitts with open palms), loose neoprene boots and wool socks inside the latex socks on the drysuit.

Slightly further South @ 51deg North we can either use drysuits or steamer wetsuits (very thick). The Sea temp never drops below 6 deg C and air temp can vary between 0-12 deg C.
What do you call Winter temps?

Ok now i am going to sound pathetic to you northerners. Victor Harbor winter temperatures are around 13-16 degrees during the day.
__________________

Simon Porteous
SOON TO BE BLADE F16
Victor Harbor
South Australia

You call that winter?! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />
A 5mm wetsuit should be more than enough, maybe wear a spraytop over it if you feel "cold".

13-15 degC is standard summer temperature if we have a visit by an artic low pressure system. Harden up and get a good breathing drysuit <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Simon,

For those temps we went the cheap route and use spray tops and bottoms to supplement "run of the mill" wetsuits, layer up with some fleece if you're still chilly.

13-16 C??? What's the water temperature? Man, I have this recurring thought I was born in the wrong country, must be some rich Eatons over there that would adopt me <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ...and my wife...and my dog...oh well. Enjoy the new boat!

I'd be wearing a 3mm wetsuit in that; any warmer and it would be without the arms.....

I sailed on the Chesapeake Bay (Jan 10th)one year (in my "DRYSUIT) and what I took to be a sandbar turned out on closer inspection to be an "Icepack" ... Run Away!!!

Polypro thermal long johns and fleece are your friends ...

HarryMurphey
TheMightyHobie18/P19MX

You guys obviously really enjoy your sailing.

I would have thought that ice and snow were a pretty clear indication that it's a good day to stay inside by the fire!!

Still, I reckon that i'll be on the boat as soon as it's finished.

Let me know when your ready to hit the water Simon, no more footy for me anymore so i'll be keen to come for a hack, you must be getting very excited now

Gee Wade, getting old?

Today is a nice day...... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Hi Simon,

I know how you feel waiting for your Blade, but I am sure it won't take as long as my first sail <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />. Welcome to a very exclusive group in OZ, I am sure you will love every minute of it. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

My next sail on the Blade will be with a water temp of around 23 degrees, you can count on the air temp being lower though, I have sailed the Sauna Sail with snow on the surrounding hills, requiring a balaclava. Quite often have ice on the boats from overnight frosts at this regatta. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I am sure it couldn't be cold enough to keep you off your new Blade in Adelaide. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The water temp here doesnt change much.. Always around 17C.. For some reason even when our day tamps rarly see below 15C in winter we still dont have class racing until the days are getting into the 20s..
Admittedly winter tends to have extremes of wind.. Thunderstorms or nothing much..

very old simon, 24 with grey hairs and a crook back, cant keep me from sailing the f16 though, way too much fun

Hey Simon, never know where you will find people! You wont feel the cold on a brand new boat!

that's a nice looking boat mitch <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

problem is i'm not going to have a crew to protect me from the spray anymore, and from what i have read and seen, the f16's tend spend more time upside down <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Simon!!!
I bet it's the only boat displayed by two people!
I must confess to sailing on a skiff recently though... they seem to be the only people crazy enough to race at this time of year!
I'm in your predicament of needing to buy some appropriate clothing... just more sailing related spending!