question about foul weather gear

[ris]

In Florida foul weather gear is a bathing suit!
Actually it can be very cold during heavy downpours even in the summer. Living here most of our lives, we have no idea what we would really need on the great lakes and canals in Canada from say May to August. We are planning on doing the loop starting march 16 from the west coast of Fl. My wife thinks 78 in the house is too cool. WE look at foul weather gear and it is expensive. I certainly would like to stay dry and warm if caught out in bad weather. So if you would give us your suggestions they would be appreciated.

[Chinook]

Several considerations come to mind, including cost, way it will be used, and ability to stow. When we set our boat up, I purchased Henri LLoyd foul weather coat and pants sets for both Sandy and I in the coastal category. Seemed to be decent quality, but not as expensive as offshore gear. I think the offshore gear is designed for serious sailors, who expect to be out on deck working sails in storm conditions. In my experience, when things get really snotty, I'm dropping the sails and running the motor. My coastal gear does a decent job in such conditions, however, I still have been out in storms where water was running down my back. Stowage is also an issue. Foul weather gear is bulky, and I think there is a direct proportion between cost (degree of heavy duty) and bulk. We actually have one duffel dedicated to storing our foul weather gear, heavy jackets, wind pants, etc. I think I made the right choice in opting for coastal type foul weather gear. If I were to do anything different, it would probably be to go with a basic rain jacket and pants for Sandy, since when it gets messy out there, she's usually buttoned up in the cabin, heating water for my insulated cup of tea. By the way, the nastiest squall I ever encountered was just outside Everglade City and yes, by the time I got my raincoat on I was already wet down to my skivvies. Quite chilly, too.

[WASP18]

Mustang suits. This is what the Coast Guard uses.
http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recreati ... country=25

[Catigale]

If 78 is too cool ...you should visit the Great Lakes and Canada before your trip and make sure it fits your comfort level.

It goes way under that at night and heating a boat is difficult unless you have shore power...a very different cruising concept than gunk holing, for instance.

It's difficult to get warm if you get wet, and in bad weather that is almost guaranteed.

One of my daughters and myself are ' polar bears' ...we love 60F days for sailing and swimming. Abby will swim in 60 F water for two hours. We melt in weather over 80 F though.

[NiceAft]

I also went for the coastal cruising level.

Henri Lloyd http://www.henrilloydonline.com/web/, Helly Hanson http://mshop.hellyhansen.com/us/product ... 506&page=5 are both reputable names.

Ray

[Seapup]

Sometimes good deals come up for used on ebay for quality offshore gear. When extended traveling there are damp drizzly windy days when you are living in it like a warm cocoon from sunrise till sunset. The better gear seems to keep the water from wicking in as much.

Storage - You may want to practice set up the bathroom as a drying station (large hooks, sponge and 12v fan) before you have a boatload of soaked gear to deal with. If you can swing two sets its nice to have an alternate while one is drying. For dry storage there is long narrow not easily accessible area along the bunk ceiling under the cockpit combing in the aft berth. I added a shelf and keep it rolled up and out of the way there. We don't use it that often, but certain seasons its indispensable.



Offshore - Goretex & internal adjustable neoprene cuffs very dry...



Bought the offshore used for half the cost of...



This "sailing jacket" which is supposedly waterproof and breathable. (notice the collar) She was drenched in minutes, I was still dry 2 hours later.

[Starscream]

Don't underestimate Canada or northern NY in May. Below freezing temperatures are common in the beginning of May, especially in the mornings. On the other hand, at the end of May daytime highs can hit over 85F.

If you don't have a way to warm the cabin, you will wake up to dripping roof liners and walls, as all the moisture you breath out during the night plus any daytime humidity buildup will condense on the boat walls and rain down on things that you don't want to get wet. Everything will seem damp and cold in the morning, even dry clothes that were well stored.

If 78 is too cool for the admiral, consider this: the average daytime high temperature for Toronto (our southernmost major city) is 78.8F for the hottest two summer months of July and August. The water surface temps in most lakes and rivers are just getting up to about 70F, although they can be warmer by a shallow shore. Toronto's average summertime low temperature is in the low 60's, so mornings can be quite chill.

I was driving by the marina with the family yesterday, so we went for a spontaneous sail. The boys and I were having a blast and the admiral was huddled in a ball down below, shivering. She was dressed in jeans and blouse, perfect for doing things around the city, but she was not having a good time in the lake breeze. She came up on deck once we were sailing downwind.

[yukonbob]

You need to know what you want first. The Immersion suits above are for just that...immersion and are not intended to be used for working in. Floater coats and pants are designed to be worn daily, provide floatation, are waterproof, warm and prevent flushing in the case of cold water immersion. Good 'foul weather' gear can simply consist of a good rain coat and pants. Hoods are essential, i have no room for those waterproof zippers (have had therm fail on very expensive gear) regular zippers with storm flaps, heavier cordura for better wear (or at least wear patches on knees, but and elbows), cuffs on wrists and ankles and never underestimate wool for your base layers. (I said layers cause you need to have several, you can always take one off if you're too hot) Polypropylene is a good alternative to wool as a base never cotton, but polypro simply doesn't hold water, where will retains its R value even when wet. Cabela's has some good wet weather gear but expect to pay $400 for jacket and pants unless you can find something used like Seapup mentions above. Don't forget the toque, gloves and boots as well. Or go the other route and get a full enclosure

[Wind Chime]

We sail on the Pacific Salish Sea (Canadian Pacific Southwest - American Pacific Northwest) and conditions can get real snotty, cold, and wet.

I am what I would call a “salty sailor” (I love an open boat and sailing in adverse conditions during inclement weather), my wife - not so much

When by myself;
- I’ll put on my one-piece Mustang Cruising suit (or my two-piece Gill foul set), foul boots, weatherproof gloves, tuque (wool hat), rain goggles … and then let it rip and scream at the sea!


When with my wife;
- we put up the full-enclosure and motor, which in most cases is warm and dry enough. But, if we’re still cold we’ll don our Viking Coastal Foulies (Viking makes a Tempest line that is a moderate cost decent set of foul gear with a jacket, boots and pants.)

We hang-dry the Foulies in the head of our 2000-X, and stow in foul duffle bag.

Whatever option you go with, feet and head should always remain dry and warm. Lots of heat loss through these two areas of the body. And as mentioned in another post, dressing in layers is key.

[kurz]

you have a video online with a spinnaker. You use it also with both sheets open, not one sheet connected to the rail as with the asym stock Spi.

Is it the same construction of the spi like the stock one or different?