I'm planning on moving my H16 from a small(ish) inland lake to the coast this summer (I live in Maine - Read Brrr....) and I'll be sailing in 60 degree saltwater as opposed to 75 degree freshwater. Air temp should be 70s or 80s most days I'll go out but I'm not really sure what clothing is best for these conditions. Considering taking a dunk is a distict possibility. I don't think last years gear (swim trunks and a cold beer in hand) will cut it, so I'm thinking of wearing a wetsuit covered by at least some sort of spray top and maybe even some salopettes or something, with a beer still in hand, of course. Any other ideas on this? I've read alot about dry tops, but it just seems like overkill for summer sailing despite cold water temps.

I never owned a westsuit until I lived in Maine. But that was a long time ago.

Wetsuits are fine - as long as they stay wet. Unless you wear a Lycra suit underneath them, they can really get itchy when they dry out - especially in salt water.

Gore-Tex (breathable) drysuits are the only way to go these days - you can wear polypropylene long underwear and fleece underneath them and stay really warm - and dry.

If you don't have the budget for the drysuit, spray tops / pants are versatile. You can wear the same poly underwear / fleece and stay reasonably warm (but you won't stay dry).

Is that you in the new Sailing World? If so congratulations, it was a great write up. So you think a Drysuit is the way to go even with warm air temp? Wouldn't you bake inside one of those things?

I wear my drysuit sometimes for protection from the elements even when sailing with 75 degree air temperature in the Keys (starting the Tybee 500). In warmer air temps, under the drysuit I wear a very thin silk suit (I know...I'm going to get it for this one - Bonnie calls it my superhero outfit) and a pair of shorts...the silk functions as a lightweight rash guard with no real insulation. Then as the water and weather get cooler, I keep the silk layer but start to add insulation. I'll graduate to a thin fleece top, then add thin fleece bottoms, then thicker fleece top, and then thicker fleece bottoms. I do get warm standing on the beach waiting for the start but usually get comfy once the suit gets a little damp and there's a little breeze. Only once or twice have I felt slightly overheated and that was usually after a burst of activity like paddling through the surf.

I don't think it get cold enough here it Texas. We sail March till Nov. I am going with a Gul spraysuit with fleece long sleeve undersuit, wetsocks and Gul racing boots. Might add wool socks under them. Can't see spending the money on a drysuit.

Doug Snell
Hobie 17
www.tcdyc.com

I sail in similar water temps, and cooler air temps. I own breathing drysuits, spray suits built of non breathing fabric,wet suits, and lots of different kind of under-clothes.

I would not wear a drysuit in Air temps above 73ºF unless it was:
Extrememly windy
going to be a long day on the water
water temp was less than 60ºF
no visible sunshine (clouds reduce radiant heat)
no option of a spray suit or spray top and bottom

They're just too hot for warm weather on a casual outing.

If you wear a breathable drysuit in the warm conditions then you will likely have soaking wet underclothes at day's end. You can produce persperation faster than the suit can pass it.

GARY

I don't know what your tolerance for cold is, or how much personal insulation you have, but you'd never catch me in that Maine water without a wetsuit, or drysuit! I know the spraysuit with poly underneath wouldn't cut it for me if I was in the water. I wear a Farmer John and have a jacket to go with it, as well as spray top and pants. If it's really blowing and overcast I wear them all even in Summer, and that's in the warmest saltwater in New England! I try to remember to bring both jackets/tops every time I go out with the way weather changes around here. I still remember the last time I was in Maine water. I was waterskiing with a Beavertailed wet jacket on. When I wiped out I was screaming to my cousin to get me out! Being cold isn't cool...PS: NRS has great wet suits with relief zippers. If you don't need the zipper, you can get good suits right here in Rick's store!

I wear a very thin silk suit

Jake, you are our hero!!

BC

Jake,

I _think_ I want to say "pictures, or it didnt happen", but I am not too sure about that..