Sailing Gear Suggestions

Vorpal

New Member
I am new to Laser sailing and sailing in general (don't have a boat yet but that will be changing in the next few months) and I am not certain what gear would be advisable for the below weather conditions. There doesn't seem to be any organized Laser club at my location to help me with my decision.


Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Month----Jan-- Feb--Mar--Apr--May--Jun--Jul--Aug--Sept--Oct--Nov--Dec
High(F)--- 60---67---72---80---86--- 91---105-105--- 102---87---75 --61
Water(F)- 54---55---55---57---68----73--- 80-- 83---- 78---70----63-- 58
 
I am new to Laser sailing and sailing in general (don't have a boat yet but that will be changing in the next few months) and I am not certain what gear would be advisable for the below weather conditions. There doesn't seem to be any organized Laser club at my location to help me with my decision.


Any suggestions would be appreciated.



Month----Jan-- Feb--Mar--Apr--May--Jun--Jul--Aug--Sept--Oct--Nov--Dec
High(F)--- 60---67---72---80---86--- 91---105-105--- 102---87---75 --61
Water(F)- 54---55---55---57---68----73--- 80-- 83---- 78---70----63-- 58

Definitely water and sunscreen.

If the coldest the water gets is 54, you can probably get by with just a shorty wetsuit in the winter. During the summer when 1) it's 105, 2) if you're still going to sail and 3) if there is even any wind, look for a pair of hiking pants made from a thin, breathable material.
 
Thanks for the reply.

December-Feb can be cooler (air temperature-wise) than the averages I listed--dipping into the lower 40's and even upper 30's on occasion.

Are there any specific products that would be recommended for the various temperatures? I have looked a bit on-line but don't know how much is salepitch compared to practical application.

I will most likely be making trips to Souther California (Marina Del Rey, San Diego) on occasion.
 
For Socal; in summer, I generally wear either a shortie/Spring wetsuit or even a pair of board shorts along with booties to protect my feet. Rarely a spray top of some sort. I have an Aquafleece top that might be a touch warmish on sunny days but on the foggy ones, be cozy. Not sure yet as I bought it this past winter.

Winter temps for me call for full wetsuit. In the dead of winter with mid 50's water and air temps, I wore a full with the fleece top and cap. I was toasty as can be.

You've got a few guys sailing Lake Mead on cats. I think there is a fleet there so you might contact them for more info.
 
#1: time in the boat.
#2: dictated by #1.

Really, keep it simple. You don't need much to get started. Your list will grow over time, and will likely be different than anyone else's. I'm in Southern California and our weather is similar to yours. These are my recommendations to get you started.

First (List 1):

  • Sunscreen. The sun reflects off the sail and the water, sunscreen also washes or sweats away. You probably need more than you think.
  • Cheap sunglasses or a leash for your good ones. If you can afford them, good dark sunglasses are an excellent place to spend money on sailing gear, but use a leash on the water so you don't have to spend it too often.
  • A long sleeve shirt. Protects from the sun and wind, get it wet to cool off in the summer heat.
  • A hat? Some people never sail without one. Personally, I never got used to sailing with one.
then add (List 2):

  • Sailing gloves. The right size might feel a little small in the store. They'll loosen some when they're wet. I have always worn gloves with all ten fingers "cut," but I'm trying the longer gloves right now, with just thumb and index finger "cut." These typically last a season, so the more you use them, the better you'll know which ones you like.
  • A comfortable life jacket. You have to have one on board, it's easier to wear than store it in a small boat and in some situations you could be required to wear it, you'll want a comfortable one, most of us just get used to wearing one all the time. When you try it on, sit down and pull your knees up. You can try it on standing in the store, but that's not how you'll be wearing it in the boat. Any USCG vest will do, and they can get expensive. The one you start with doesn't have to be the one you stick with.
  • A digital watch if you plan to race. There are specific racing watches, and lots of discussions about which one is best. Any watch with a stop watch will do, a countdown timer is better.
And lastly (List 3):

  • Spray top (Gill has good deals here) -- you can layer under this as weather dictates.
  • Dinghy boots. I usually sail barefoot, but tie sandals in the boat if I'm going to be walking into the yacht club, or across a hot parking lot.
  • Hiking pants. Winter will change this list. This time of year, we're in bathing suits and barefoot. Remember though, sliding on laser decks will tear through wetsuits quickly, so if cold weather requires it, you can throw on a pair of heavier shorts over it to protect the material.
 
For all conditions: plan ahead and bring a pfd, water, a few powerbars (or similar), sun screen, sun glasses, sailing gloves

You will want to invest in a wetsuit, spray smock, hiking pants, dinghy boots, ect. Being comfortable on the water is worth the investment, You will be able to sail longer and focus on your sailing.

Usually med+ winds you will get wet, in high winds you will get hit with alot of spray especially on reaches, this is when the smock is handy. A wetsuit will keep you fairly warm in the cold conditions you listed, 55-60F air temp is usually the cusp between dry suit weather and wet suit weather.
 
For all conditions: plan ahead and bring a pfd, water, a few powerbars (or similar), sun screen, sun glasses, sailing gloves

You will want to invest in a wetsuit, spray smock, hiking pants, dinghy boots, ect. Being comfortable on the water is worth the investment, You will be able to sail longer and focus on your sailing.

Usually med+ winds you will get wet, in high winds you will get hit with alot of spray especially on reaches, this is when the smock is handy. A wetsuit will keep you fairly warm in the cold conditions you listed, 55-60F air temp is usually the cusp between dry suit weather and wet suit weather.


It is true that there are ways to be warm on cold days, and you'll definitely want to look into that ... later. But since average temperatures in the desert climate you're talking about range between mid 70s (on a brisk winter day) and 115 degrees, combined with the fact that you are new to sailing, I would discourage you from going out and "investing" in a lot of gear. Instead, fill the need as it comes up. In your climate, you need water and protection from the sun (and the heat). Later, after you've been sailing a while, you may decide to try adding hiking shorts. You certainly don't need them to start sailing in a laser. By the time temperature start to cool down, you'll have more knowledge about what makes sense for sailing and what doesn't. Dry suits, wet suits, and even most foul weather gear is almost certainly going to be unnecessary and take up room in your closets for 10 or 11 months out of the year. Do yourself a favor and wait.

Unless of course, you have money burning a hole in your pocket, in which case, let me know, I've got wet suits and a dry suit down in the garage that get used about once every 15 years.
 
Thanks for all of the replies...they have all been very helpful.

I will definitely ask the local cat fleet to see what they might recommend as well as bide my time.


Thanks again
 

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