Foul Weather Gear for Newbies

[skowens]

I'm brand new to sailing and will be taking lessons on Lake Erie and practicing around Cincinnati, OH this year. I know I need weather gear">foul weather gear, but the full coat & overalls suits seems like overkill at this point in my education and plans. Can I get away with a regular Gore-Tex hooded rain jacket and perhaps quick drying pants for the time being? Or something similar? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

[sww914]

Yes you can. If you get addicted you'll want some better foulies. Try some Grundens or something similar to start, that's what many commercial fishermen wear and they're not very expensive relative to the top dollar yachtie stuff. When you do buy good stuff I can really recommend Gill. When they say lifetime guarantee they really mean it. They sent me brand new to replace my stained 15 year old gear.

[Unicorn Dreams]

Welcome aboard CF and enjoy the site.

Jusy remember, spray is colder than the water.

If you are wet and cold, you WILL be miserable, and that's no fun.

[sarafina]

Hit a thrift store and get some ski/board pants and parka.

[SaucySailoress]

Hell, my husband sailed from Bahrain to Saudi with a supermarket carrier bag tied around his arse like a nappy. I was mortified when he refused to take it off to check in with Saudi customs. But, it kept his butt dry, and he was happy.

Me? I was wearing $10 'waterproof' pants from Sears. They were only showerproof, and only for one season.

You? Whatever you can comfortably afford. If you like hiking and stuff as well, over trousers are great.

It was discussed recently somewhere - but the closest I can fin in a hurry is here.
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...r-43763-4.html

[SaucySailoress]

Forgot to say.... welcome aboard!!!

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by skowens

I'm brand new to sailing and will be taking lessons on Lake Erie and practicing around Cincinnati, OH this year. I know I need foul weather gear, but the full coat & overalls suits seems like overkill at this point in my education and plans. Can I get away with a regular Gore-Tex hooded rain jacket and perhaps quick drying pants for the time being? Or something similar? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Yes. I wore what was essentially a two-piece bicycle rain suit for the first six years here on Lake Ontario. I still wear a Banff "spring ski jacket" much of the time, only breaking out the Musto bibs and a truly rain-proof jacket when I know I will be standing literally all day in the rain.

I also use Mountain Co-op bike gloves instead of "sailing gloves". Some guys just cut down gardening gloves. You need gloves for line handling...you do not need $60 "sailing" gloves.

You will find most useful some bike gear one size up. Here's the logic: Core body temperature is important to keep high. Once the truly cool May has passed, a typical rainy or windy day will be Teva or Topsider sandals, a T-Shirt, maybe a light jersey and a long-style jacket coat with a removable liner suitable for winter cycling. The longer-cut arms allow you to work the tiller and lines at full extension without getting your wrists wet. Funnily enough, cold, wet wrists can ache and can make your hands stiff. You can wear any type of shorts. The long coat will allow you to sit on the cockpit benches without getting your rear wet. A hat will keep head heat in. This is good to the 10C-14C range for me...my legs radiate excess heat and do not get cold, but my head, torso and arms are warm.

As it gets sunnier, remove the coat. You'll find you may still need the jersey, even in a warm day on shore.

[jackdale]

I have seen Wetskins for as little as $49.00 at Costco. I used a set for golf.

You do want something to keep your bum dry.

[capngeo]

Welcome to CF!
Frogg Toggs are el-cheapo too

[Dulcesuenos]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Welcome to CF!
Frogg Toggs are el-cheapo too

100% agree FroggToggs are Awesome!! 100% waterproof and beathable. We spent tons of money Gil Jakcets, only to have them fall apart at he seams in a few places. Frogg Toggs Toadz skinz jackets a fraction og the price and work out geat

froggtoggs.com

[zeehag]

depends on whether ye have to keep up with the joneses or not.i dont.i use cheepo rubber suits with hoods and pants. works well. oilskins are what fishermen use-- work well. if ye choose musto and gill and other big money names---- is a lotof money for same amount of wet inside i get with cheeeepo suits.... good luck.