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Clothing is an area often overlooked by many people new to the sport of dinghy sailing. Sailing clothing can be very expensive and
it can often cost more to kit yourself out with a full sailing outfit than it does to buy a boat so it often tempting to
make do with and old t-shirt, training shoes and shorts. If you only sail in summer on inland waters then this may be
perfectly acceptable but if you sail throughout the winter or at sea then you have to be far more careful.
In fact during the winter months its essential to wear the correct clothing on all water as doing so can
literally mean the difference between life and death. In the depth of winter being in the water for only a few minutes is
enough time for hypothermia to set in. For this reason many clubs insist on all sailors wearing wetsuits
during the winter months. Obviously drysuits are even better.
Below is a guide to sailing clothing.
Wetsuits
 Wetsuits work by trapping a layer of water in-between your skin and the neoprene of the suit. Your body
then warms the water providing thermal protection. Wetsuits are available in a wide range of types and configuration.
'Shorties' are wetsuits with short legs and arms and are generally for spring/summer use. Such suits are normally manufactured from
fairly thin neoprene, often 2-3mm. Spring/summer wetsuits can also be purchased in full length versions. Winter
wetsuits, also known as 'steamers' are much thicker, often constructed from 5mm and above neoprene.
Wetsuits can be purchased in a variety of qualities and price ranges. Spring/summer suits can cost between
£40-£120 whilst winter suits can cost between £100-£250. The higher the price, the more technical the wetsuit.
When purchasing a wetsuit its essential that it is a good fit. Too tight and it will be uncomfortable to wear and will
seriously restrict your movement. Too loose and it won't keep you warm.
Drysuits
 A drysuit, as the name suggests is designed to keep
you dry. A drysuit consists of a fully waterproof outer layer with watertight seals around the neck, wrist and feet to ensure that no
water enters the suit. A drysuit on its own provides little warmth, but thermal layers can be worn underneath it to provide this.
Higher specification (and priced) suits are often breathable which reduces condensation in the suit.
For dinghy racing in the depths of winter, a drysuit is highly desirable and if sailing at sea then it could be
argued that its essential.
Wet Boots
 These are usually made of neoprene and keep your feet warm in the same way as a wetsuit does. Boots designed for windsurfing are often not sturdy enough for
dinghy sailing as using toestraps will quickly wear the boots. Look for wetboots with reinforced uppers designed to resist the
wear caused by using toestraps. Wetboots should also offer a good level of grip when moving around the boats.
Spray Suits / Tops
 A spray top is a lightweight waterproof and wind proof garment that is worn as an outer layer. These
greatly reduce wind chill and keep the wearer dry so increasing the range of weather conditions
for which an individual wetsuit would be suitable. More expensive spray tops are often made of a breathable fabric.
A spray suit is similar to a spray top but covers the body and legs.
Gloves
 Gloves are worn for two purposes, warmth and protection. Pulling on ropes can be hard on the hands so some form of
protection is essential. Sailing gloves are often reinforced with leather or some other hard wearing material on the
palms. Different materials are used and many gloves may manufactured using neoprene for increased warmth. Summer glover are
often fingerless for easier manipulation of ropes etc.
Sailing can be hard on your hands and not just with the cold, pulling on ropes can also make
your hands sore. Protective gloves with hard wearing reinforced patches help to provide protection
and extra grip. Neoprene gloves are available for increased warmth.
Buoyancy Aids/Life Jackets
 Buoyancy aids are mandatory in most sailing clubs in the UK. They are designed to give the wearer some degree of buoyancy
in the event of a capsize. They should be comfortable and give minimum movement restriction. Buoyancy aids are
NOT designed to keep your head above water.
A life jacket will keep your head above water whilst unconscious. However many designs of life
jacket are cumbersome or require inflating. This is not ideal when sailing a dinghy as ending up in the
water is part of the sport !
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