Clothing for sailing in cool or cold weather.

[northoceanbeach]

I have only sailed in tropical weather, barefoot.

What kind of gear do I need for air temps between 30-70 water 40-55?

Do I need sailing specific clothes or will my winter outdoor sports clothing work well, like north face snowpants(waterproof). Snow gloves and hats. And a variety of outdoor brand winter wear.

I like clothes and like clothes specific to a sport, but I foo already have some good winter kit. But I see people wearing some really co sailing bibs and jacket and do I need those? If so do they sell them at stores or do you have I get them online.

FYI I do have a Tilley hat and fingerless gloves!

[Irunbird]

A lot of it may also depend on the boat- J24 in breezy weather everybody except the driver gets wet, but bigger boats require less wet-wear. I've sailed on just about everything around here in similar conditions as you describe (which is what our winters are like), and it boils down to wearing under layers that wick moisture well and outer layers that allow you to move easily and are made of material that breathes reasonably well (Goretex being top of the line, but obviously more expensive). The higher end stuff definitely looks and performs well (and there are a lot of threads here about that), but do cost plenty. I'd make do with your North Face stuff for a little while until you get a little more familiar with the conditions you'll be sailing in (and boat) and wait for a sale if money doesn't start burning a hole in your pocket like it did in mine...

[HUGOSALT]

Good points/advice from Irunbird, agree can use you North Face
at first, also can purchase very inexpensive no name set from
overstocked.com...nautical foul weather set... $85.00
I and number other sailnetters have bought and impressed with
this set. I bought set as extra crew foulies, based on buzz on thread
and was impressed. My #1 foulies are Gil coastals and I would not
hesitate to wear/swap these...and have sailed in winter in Ny's
long island sound.
search thread "foul weather gear" posts #17thru 23".

[T37Chef]

It may sound cheap but we use a lot of the same clothing we wear when skiing...layers, light weight, easy to move around in, breaths well, and most ski coats have lots of cool pockets and features...similar to a sail coat. The only thing my ski coat doesn't have that a marine coat usually has is reflective tape.

[Brent Swain]

I've been cruising the BC coast year round for most of the last 40 years. A jacket big enough to wear a life jacket under keeps you warm in the coldest of weather, if you wear a life jacket under it. My 12 volt plug in biker vest keeps me warm in the coldest of weather. I only use it when motoring, and thus have lots of electricity, but that's lots here in windless BC winter cold snaps.
Closed cell foam wet or dry suit boots keep feet warm, even when wet. However nothing keeps you warmer than a wheelhouse with a roaring wood stove burning.

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by Brent Swain

I've been cruising the BC coast year round for most of the last 40 years. A jacket big enough to wear a life jacket under keeps you warm in the coldest of weather, if you wear a life jacket under it.....

I'm sure you know...

... This means a non-inflatable PFD. You really don't want an inflatable going on under a jacket. Breathing becomes a real impossibility.

[chef2sail]

Layers multiple breathable layers. Some marine wear is good, but LL bean and many other sell good stuff too. Like Chef said ski appareal is good. No need to spend marine buckets on the under layers

I have found the marine clothing I buy have been various weight jackets and a good set of foul weather gear. A good pair of foul weather gear is worth the extra money from the cheaper kinds. It will have taped zipperes and pockets and many of them. It will breath as well as double zobbers. It can almost seal you inside too.

Jackets need to be breathable and also windresistant. I have summer ones as well as fall ones.

Shoes- skid residstant, breathable and mesh for hot weather, keanes, etc. Leather for cold weather and a good pair of marine boots.

Take you time buy stiff as you will accumulate it. Look for sales at the ends of seasons, boat shows etc.

[jackdale]

My preferred set up

Polypropylene underwear and socks
Fleece
Breathable waterproof foulies ( I wear Helly Hansen Offshore bib pants and a Gill Atlantic jacket)
Breathable boots ( I pamper myself with Dubarry)
Rubber work gloves with liners (I have a couple of pair of Helley Hansen liners)
A watchcap (or as we say in Canada a toque)

Grundens are for guys who work with fish guts.

In cool weather forget the Tilley and fingerless gloves. Those are warm weather gear.

OK - I do this semi-professionally.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

....What kind of gear do I need for air temps between 30-70 water 40-55?.....

That's a big air temp range. At 70 degs, I'm in shorts and barefoot, particularly if sunny. At 30, I'm in the bar telling sailing stories.

If you're going to get wet, you're going to get cold at any of these temps. But, if that's not a significant concern, I find long pants and a fleece that I can zip up around my neck is fine down to about 60 degs, while underway, and 50 degs while at anchor. Sailing in the 50s requires a mid-weight foulie. Below that, I got nothing, cuz I don't want to be there. I've done it, but only because I had to do a delivery.

Those water temps should be your real concern. You will have minutes before you start to become stiff and around an hour before death. Your focus should be on tethers, etc, to keep from being in it or having a raft, if you must abandon ship.

[northoceanbeach]

Good stuff. I put the water temperatures because for all I know some high end foul gear factors that in for for spray or if you fall in. Maybe some kind of wetsuit material