There seems to be a lot of topics on this forum regarding safety recently. A very important topic that doesn't get enough discussion in my opinion so this is great!

Anyway I went sailing for the last time this year last weekend. As some of you know I'm in Manitoba, Canada so the season is relatively short and spring and fall temps get pretty nasty.

Last weekend the air temp was about 52F and the water was around 48F, well into the hypothermia zone. I was out with my 2/3 mm farmer john wetsuit with a Gill Spray top and still froze my stuff off. It was also crazy windy (about 20 knots) so we were getting a lot of splashover. Stayed out for about 2 hours before we were blue, and I'm sure glad we didn't dump it.

The boat has been stowed for the season but I would like to push the season in the spring and fall a bit. I'm thinking I need better protection than this in case we do capsize it. Does anyone else sail in these types of conditions? If so what type of wetsuit/clothing do you wear to deal with it? I know drysuits are nice but the I don't really want to deal with the cost and bulk if I don't have to.

Regards,
Dave

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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easier to move to florida then deal with all that! :)

Yeah, but I like it here (yes I'm crazy). Something about being in the coldest city over 100,000 people on earth makes you feel tough.:) And there are a surprising number of things you can do here in the winter (besides sailing). The record low here is only -54F. :)

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Wolfman

There seems to be a lot of topics on this forum regarding safety recently. A very important topic that doesn't get enough discussion in my opinion so this is great!

Anyway I went sailing for the last time this year last weekend. As some of you know I'm in Manitoba, Canada so the season is relatively short and spring and fall temps get pretty nasty.

Last weekend the air temp was about 52F and the water was around 48F, well into the hypothermia zone. I was out with my 2/3 mm farmer john wetsuit with a Gill Spray top and still froze my stuff off. It was also crazy windy (about 20 knots) so we were getting a lot of splashover. Stayed out for about 2 hours before we were blue, and I'm sure glad we didn't dump it.

The boat has been stowed for the season but I would like to push the season in the spring and fall a bit. I'm thinking I need better protection than this in case we do capsize it. Does anyone else sail in these types of conditions? If so what type of wetsuit/clothing do you wear to deal with it? I know drysuits are nice but the I don't really want to deal with the cost and bulk if I don't have to.

Regards,
Dave

I'd think you need a really excellent dry-suit made for sailing or kayaking. The best of them are flexible and breathable, very comfortable except for the seals around the neck, wrists, and ankles. Then you layer underneath according to the air and water temps.

This gear is expensive compared to wind breakers and wet suits, but the advantage is that you can wear a tuxedo underneath for when you sail across the lake to a formal party.

The other advantage is that you won't die when you hit the water.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

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Quote

Something about being in the coldest city over 100,000 people on earth makes you feel tough.

then i guess I'd rather be a wuss and sail year round :)

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but the advantage is that you can wear a tuxedo underneath for when you sail across the lake to a formal party.

NOW YOU TELL ME?

I live in Sask and was out a week ago as well. Cold air cold temps and rough water. I wear a farmer john with a spray top and a couple of tech layers underneath, booties and gloves. The only trouble I have are the fingers, gloves are nice but they get wet and you do need the feel. So my advice is bulk up underneath and go hard.

Marty
Hobie 18SX
Hobie 16

I don't usually sail in those conditions. But would recommend windproof pants over the wetsuit. That makes a huge difference on leg warmth to keep the water spray and wind off your legs. Allowing the wetsuit to stay mostly dry and much warmer. But by that point you probably should be in a full wetsuit and not just a farmer john. Make sure you have a neoprene hood or something similar. Also I presume you already have thick booties. I will also put the PFD under the spraytop for the added dry insulation. Not sure if a fleece jacket under that would also be good, or if it would get heavy in a capsize situation.

I think the real answer is those are conditions for a drysuit, but you could use a wetsuit if you layer well.

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Scott,
‘92 H18 w/SX wings
‘95 Hobie Funseeker 12 (Holder 12)
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Quote

Not sure if a fleece jacket under that would also be good, or if it would get heavy in a capsize situation

I used to wear ronstan inshore pants (bib) in the winter (down here thats 60* air and 60* water. this past winter was much colder than usual. i had fleece pants under the bib. I capsized and after i righted it, i almost couldnt get on my cat due to the water weight in my pants (and top layers). i am done with layers that get heavy when wet.

I purchased a pair of semi waterproof pants. they are basically a shell, and in a capsize they dont fill.. they press against my skin.

Ha I swim without a wetsuit in 60F weather! Yes I'm serious but also naturally well insulated and a 'swim' is only about 5 minutes.

I was looking at a Gill Hurakan steamer wetsuit. It averages 5/3mm and has built in wind protection. That and a spray top would probably work for me for 2-3 times a year I actually sail in this.

Comfort is a factor but real hypothermia is more what I'm worried about. I have dealt with frostbite and the first stages of hypothermia MANY times out of the water, but things happen much quicker when you are wet. Even with the cold weather my feet and hands were fine in the neoprene booties and full finger neoprene/leather gloves while I was on the boat.

I am more worried about a capsize, in those temps unprotected you have about 3-5 minutes before you can't hold on to anything anymore and then you are in big trouble! With the wet suit I had on I figure I could have been OK for 10 minutes or so and could have survived for much longer if I curled up into a HELP (heat escape lessening position) ball and wait for help to arrive. I actually went for a swim in my wetsuit for about 15 minutes when I was in shore just to test it out but when I came out my hands were good for nothing until I warmed up.

Good call on the headgear, that would probably help a bit as you can lose 80% of your body warmth through your head.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Crap, your lake must be cold. I thought we were bad, but water is still 65F, & should warm up some with the more seasonal temps this next week. Last week way below norms.
I have a "shorty" 3 mil suit for when the water is barely OK, but might pose a problem if you dumped & needed time to help crew and/or had a problem righting. I also think about being stranded for several hours after an equipment failure such as demasting. With ambient temps less than 75F I also find that when really pushing it the wind makes a comfortable day uncomfortable, & the thin wetsuit restores the comfort factor. I have an old 5 mil farmer john suit from my days in the North West Territories. It also has a 5 mil long sleeve jacket. The outer covering is a smooth windproof neoprene. It works very well if you do up the wrist, ankle & neck zippers. They also float like a PFD. Using that we can sail til near the end of OCt. Of course a sunny day is way more fun than overcast, you get the warming effect from the sun.
I feel for those guys in the 'Frisco Bay, 54F all year & colder once you get under the bridge. I guess each locale has pros & cons. We put up with cold, but don't have fire ants, African bees, earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, Ebola or 10,000 jackasses in powerboats on every waterway.



edited by: Edchris177, Sep 21, 2010 - 06:08 PM

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