Appropriate clothing for November sail around South East coast

[sgr143]

My "secret weapon" when it's been cold; and not even that cold, sometimes, but when you're up in the weather for hours not being very active you can get chilled quite substantially, has been a thick caving fibre-pile undersuit under the oilies. They are fleece onesies, like a souped-up dry-suit woolly bear, and not hugely expensive (as they're not "Sailing kit" and as cavers are right tightwads). Thermal t-shirt, thick socks and decent boots, as well, of course.
E.g. Warmbac Fleece Undersuit - Inglesport
My caving kit has seen more use on the boat than underground the last few years!

 

[LittleSister]

You seem to imply a fixed date. Bear in mind that in the UK winter it is usually either (a) mild(ish) and very windy, or (b) calm and really cold. The daylight hours are also short.

If you have crew, that is a big advantage as you can alternate who is out in the cold and wet (if it's not too rough to be below), so limiting the length of time each person is outside at a stretch. Having heating below so you can get warm again and dry clothing would also make a world of difference.

I sailed single-handed from Lymington to Suffolk in late January a few years back. I did it in IIRC 4 or 5 'daytime' stages, with one day unexpectedly not moving as I'd fallen ill. I deliberately waited for a settled period to avoid rough weather, but boy was it cold! Ice on deck some mornings, and I ended up motoring most of the way. Apart from the lack of wind most of the time, I was too cold and stiff, and weighed down with layers, to be very active with sail handling etc.

I had many, many layers (I was outside all day, every day), including three hats on much of the time to protect my bald head - (1) thin Berghaus beanie; (2) thick woolen balaclava or woolen beanie hat with fleece liner; and (3) a fleece lined waterproof 'oilskin' jacket hood. I still had to jog and dance in the cockpit to try to keep warm.

I was very glad I'd taken plenty of extra 'spare' layers of clothing, as I ended up putting put more layers on than I'd expected, and some was used to replace others that had got wet, damp or sweaty. It was nice to put on clean, fresh inner layers as often as possible.

I had a selection of gloves - Sealskins, woolen, fingerless, silk inner gloves, motorcycle gauntlets and mitts, etc. None were ideal, and once they got wet or damp, whether from inside or outside, they were hard to get on and off and/or useless as insulation. I was grateful to be able to move onto another pair several times, but wished I'd had more pairs with me. (I had no means of drying clothes aboard - maybe I should have rigged up a shelf in the engine compartment?)

Keeping feet warm is surprisingly difficult and important. Leather sailing boots such as Dubarrys are vastly better for that than plastic or rubber sailing boots. (I'd long been deterred by the cost, but once I'd splashed out on a pair when I was feeling unusually flush one time, there was no going back.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Oh, and grey oilies are trendy, but bright yellow or red ones will help you be seen should you fall in.

They are all underwater except the head which is why all the dark oilies I have seen have fluresent hoods;. I would not worry about colour for the purposes of being seen if buying second hand: fit, condition, waterproofness rank far higher than colour. The lifejacket cover colour is what matters as that is what will be noticed, if worn.

 

[cherod]

You seem to imply a fixed date. Bear in mind that in the UK winter it is usually either (a) mild(ish) and very windy, or (b) calm and really cold. The daylight hours are also short.

If you have crew, that is a big advantage as you can alternate who is out in the cold and wet (if it's not too rough to be below), so limiting the length of time each person is outside at a stretch. Having heating below so you can get warm again and dry clothing would also make a world of difference.

I sailed single-handed from Lymington to Suffolk in late January a few years back. I did it in IIRC 4 or 5 'daytime' stages, with one day unexpectedly not moving as I'd fallen ill. I deliberately waited for a settled period to avoid rough weather, but boy was it cold! Ice on deck some mornings, and I ended up motoring most of the way. Apart from the lack of wind most of the time, I was too cold and stiff, and weighed down with layers, to be very active with sail handling etc.

I had many, many layers (I was outside all day, every day), including three hats on much of the time to protect my bald head - (1) thin Berghaus beanie; (2) thick woolen balaclava or woolen beanie hat with fleece liner; and (3) a fleece lined waterproof 'oilskin' jacket hood. I still had to jog and dance in the cockpit to try to keep warm.

I was very glad I'd taken plenty of extra 'spare' layers of clothing, as I ended up putting put more layers on than I'd expected, and some was used to replace others that had got wet, damp or sweaty. It was nice to put on clean, fresh inner layers as often as possible.

I had a selection of gloves - Sealskins, woolen, fingerless, silk inner gloves, motorcycle gauntlets and mitts, etc. None were ideal, and once they got wet or damp, whether from inside or outside, they were hard to get on and off and/or useless as insulation. I was grateful to be able to move onto another pair several times, but wished I'd had more pairs with me. (I had no means of drying clothes aboard - maybe I should have rigged up a shelf in the engine compartment?)

Keeping feet warm is surprisingly difficult and important. Leather sailing boots such as Dubarrys are vastly better for that than plastic or rubber sailing boots. (I'd long been deterred by the cost, but once I'd splashed out on a pair when I was feeling unusually flush one time, there was no going back.

Good luck, and enjoy your trip.

Bloody hell , after that i expect he will cancel !!

 

[LittleSister]

Bloody hell , after that i expect he will cancel !!

I wasn't meaning to imply that he shouldn't do a winter trip. Just that if his dates for the trip are fixed, he'll just have to take whatever weather there is at the time as it comes (rather than being able to decide which of windy or cold is the lesser of two evils).

P.S. Full moon November 1st, if he's doing any night sailing.

 

[jamie N]

Fladen deserve a mention too. Very warm, not breathable though, but dry from the outside without paying 'yottie' money.
Look around most fishing boats, they wear Fladen.

 

[davidpbo]

I purchased a jacket and salopettes of the 500 series from Decathlon and the "race" boots, £270 all in and they have been superb. Layers underneath, I like base layer and micro fleece type mid layer (already owned cycling gear)
Toasty and dry so far, I did buy grey, which as stated above is trendy, but in hindsight, not that smart if I were to go overboard...

What colour is the hood? I would have thought the chances are most of the of the suit would be under water apart from the hood.

To the O.P. if this is a one off trip I would have thought decent waterproof outer layer top and bottom of the walking variety with appropriate layers underneath with gloves hat and boots might be of interest.

The taped seams on my boosting waterproofs failed drastically this year. I am contemplating what to do. I don't mind spending the money if we are carrying on sailing for a few years but we may not.

I intend to have a look at Decathlon as the few things I have bought from them seem to work well.

 

[RupertW]

I’ve worn all the sailing gear plus balaclava and warm sailing gloves but the gamechanger for me that made me toasty when frost is forming on your trousers is a £10 pair of Bootnys from Decathlon. 3cm thickness of polystyrene boot surrounded by drawstring nylon boot with a surprisingly good grip rubber sole. I put small bin bags between the nylon boot and the polystyrene to waterproof but it’s a total joy.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

Lined trekking trousers from M&S.

 

[[70521]]

My "secret weapon" when it's been cold; and not even that cold, sometimes, but when you're up in the weather for hours not being very active you can get chilled quite substantially, has been a thick caving fibre-pile undersuit under the oilies. They are fleece onesies, like a souped-up dry-suit woolly bear, and not hugely expensive (as they're not "Sailing kit" and as cavers are right tightwads). Thermal t-shirt, thick socks and decent boots, as well, of course.
E.g. Warmbac Fleece Undersuit - Inglesport
My caving kit has seen more use on the boat than underground the last few years!

Brilliant, I've been looking for one of those for years

 

[MattS]

You need something no-nonsense waterproof.
Not the time to find your secondhand bargain is duff!
Breathable is worth it if the sailing is going to be at all physical.
Quality of hood/collar design shows at that time of year.
A warm hat that works with the hood?
I find a neck tube better than a towel, at least with the collar on my current jacket.

Then the warmth is about inner and middle layers.
Spending a bit on base layers is worthwhile.

Gloves are important. Warm gloves for helming, tougher gloves for crewing/deck work.

What boat?
Some boats, I'd take my drysuit.
How much pressure to minimise kit?

It’s a Moody 28 with three crew. Given I don’t have most of the kit though, I’m more concerned with making sure I have the right stuff rather than minding space.

Seems like there are lots of votes for base layers so I will seek out something decent there. Any tips for middle layers?

Do you reckon I’d just be safer buying jacket and trousers new?

 

[MattS]

Money spent of good clothes is never wasted. With modern jackets I don't seem to need a scarf, but there's no harm in having one. A decent wollen beanie will help. I usually wear ski socks if cold is going to be a problem. A hot water bottle doesn't take much space and can be good for morale. I find a rubber one without cover just right with the boat's hot water, if you are motoring.

No plumbed hot water unfortunately! Kettle it is!

 

[dulls]

Illegal fur coat is best.

 

[NorthRising]

Fladen deserve a mention too. Very warm, not breathable though, but dry from the outside without paying 'yottie' money.
Look around most fishing boats, they wear Fladen.

Did you go for the one piece or two piece option from Fladden?

 

[jamie N]

2 piece, so I'd be able to go topless when summer hits the temps of +14C.... !
I also use mine for work on CTV's where it ticks a lot of the boxes without having too much bulk.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I like a nice thick fleece hoodie under my MPX. With a couple of layers under that.
ski gloves are great .
I went budget on my boots but the "maindeck" ocean boots i bought 2 years ago are holding up well, still waterproof and worn with thick socks keep my toes toasty.

Another vote for maindeck boots, I could bring myself to pay the silly prices of the leading brands and Largs Chandlery recommended them. 2 years on with plenty of use they are still great.

 

[xyachtdave]

The expensive modern junk peddled by chandlers and advertised by ocean racers who of course get it for free, is completely unnecessary for your trip.

I use Captain Currey gear, tried and tested over may years and you can kit yourself out with trousers, smock and a cap for around £100. Will last you a lifetime.

https://captaincurrey.com/product-category/marine/marine-clothing/

 

[cueball]

duberry boots musto HPX suit and merino base layers, good hat and gloves job done, expensive but worth every penny when its cold.

 

[Rappey]

Did you go for the one piece or two piece option from Fladden?

I chose the one piece so wind can't get in around my waist.
It's brilliant in a freezing wind while raining as it's 100% waterproof and wind proof , plus it's an immersion suit so you get many more hrs of survival time in cold seas.
I paid £75 from a fishing shop 3 years ago.
The only down side for some is sweating.

 

[TernVI]

It’s a Moody 28 with three crew. Given I don’t have most of the kit though, I’m more concerned with making sure I have the right stuff rather than minding space.

Seems like there are lots of votes for base layers so I will seek out something decent there. Any tips for middle layers?

Do you reckon I’d just be safer buying jacket and trousers new?

My tips for middle layers would be;
1) it's nice to have something fresh and dry to change into.
2) woolly bear romper suit sold with drysuit is very good. Avoids tops riding up, gap at waist kind of issues SWMBO has some proper yotty mid layer salopettes which do the same
3) additional layers of thin fleece materials work well without being too bulky
4) avoid cotton. I don't get on with the merino/wool/angorra WHY, I find reasonably priced synthetic 'thermal' stuff from Millets in a sale has been good. Seems to work the same as the Musto base layer.
5) I think there is some truth in the idea that if you keep your head and your core warm, the limbs will be less of a problem?
6) If you're getting cold, turn off the autohelm and sail the boat!