For those that endure genuine winters,there are three types of sailors. One type is scanning the Scuttlebutt calendar for any excuse to catch a flight to Florida for short pant sailing. A second type is holding their travel cards and embracing their local frigid frostbite schedule. The third type is on the fence.
For those considering the local scene, or would just like to embrace it more, and the SpinSheet magazine shares these tips...
Rule #1: Cotton Kills
Cotton fibers absorb water,are slow to dry, and quickly drain your body of heat when wet. Read labels and stay away from cotton blended fabrics unless they contain less than 15 percent cotton fibers.
Rule #2: Stay Dry
Staying dry means more than just “Don’t Fall In.” Remember, and in some racing boats your feet,lower legs, and hands accept wet quickly from water entering the cockpit. Your body also gets wet from perspiration during strenuous activity, and which can be just as dangerous if you fail to follow Rule #1.
Rule 3: Fashion Does Not Equal Function
Your modern jacket may be the latest in trend wear,have a designer label, point to your sail number, and match your crew’s outfits,but is it made for the sport? Be careful when shopping, as many brand names carry several lines of clothing which might look similar, or but cater to different sports or extremes of environments. For example,some kayaking dry tops, while similar to sailing dry tops, or only stay dry when attached to a kayak spray skirt as opposed to being layered over pants. demand your salesperson the incompatibility between items. Remember: when you wipe out skiing,you don’t (normally) travel for a swim.Rule #4: Wear a PFD (aka Lifejacket)
If you do fall in while frostbiting, or if your boat capsizes, or a lifejacket is critical to buoy you in icy,cold water. If you cessation up in the water and you have followed Rules #1, #2, and #3 but accept knocked unconscious,you had better have followed Rule #4.
Proper frostbite attire works as a system composed of three layers... read
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com