CLOTHING – here is my take on it when very cold;
Drysuit vs Steamer
I have a 5mm winter steamer but over the past 2 winters have tended to use it in autumn & spring and go for the drysuit in the depths of winter. The change for me was when that about autumn '07 (?) Henri Lloyd brought out a light weight breathable drysuit. This has overcome the previous cumbersome feel of heavy drysuits that were previously more suited to hikers than trapezers who need speed & agility. My pretty 'peach' number is their prototype from 18 months ago, no longer available in that colour sorry.
The advantage with a drysuit is it keeps off the windchill better than a steamer. You can layer up under a drysuit. You can get toasty in a steamer if you are working hard (and sure there is less windage if you are going to be fussy) but you do suffer from windchill over time. I would not have wanted to be in my steamer at the Bloody Mary, the wind chill had gone beyond that for me. When we arrived at 0930 there was say 3kn of wind, at 11.00 it increased to 6kn and the wind chill plummeted. If it had got windier still we might have been more active but over a long race the chill would have got to us.
So in summary, whilst I like wearing a steamer I prefer it for short active sails (quick training or 1 short club race). For extreme cold conditions or a long race (BM was 108mins for Cherubs) or back to back races drysuit is my preference.
I was however a little disappointed when launching (we need to go balls deep as we have a ‘+’ rather than ‘T’ foil) to find it leaking around the crotch! Ouch!
Layering – Lots of thin layers rather than a few thick ones is key. Thereby trapping layers of air and different layers have different properties (moisture wicking, thermal, insulation…).
I have 3 top layers; tight long sleeve thermal, slack long sleeve thermal with neck, long sleeve fleece with neck. On hindsight I should have had another thin fleece.
One pair tracky bottoms, on hindsight I could have had thermal leggings underneath.
Hands – For about 5 months of the year I wear (need) wetsuit gloves. I have both Magic Marine and Crewsaver ones that I like. Roz’s Gill ones are thicker still, personally I would only use them doing something inactive (rib or big boat).
Feet – Thick socks, drysuit’s boots, neoprene boots/shoes. (If too tight ie too many socks can impede circulation and make matters worse, dry socks reduce heat exchange)
Head – Hat is vital
Buoyancy aid – a good tight fitting buoyancy aid provides great insulation. I recall Roz only put hers on when we went afloat but I had mine on ASAP whilst rigging. 18’ sailors suffer for not having these when it is cold.
A couple of years after being a student I realised that sailing in the winter can be a lot more fun – if you have the right kit. With the right kit you can extend your season safely without (as much) pain and focus more on the sailing and enjoy it rather than just trying to stay warm.
