View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
justall
Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 442
|
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 3:22 pm Post subject: 45 degrees + 31 degrees = I'm out. |
|
|
How many of you all keep going out below the 100 degree water + air temperature threshold? I was pleasantly surprised to have several solid October and November sessions this year in the DC area with only a 4/3 full and booties. A nice year, all things considered.
But, with the water now dipping into the low 40s and the air falling into the 20/30s, I'm out. On the bright side ... PA ski slopes have started up their snow machines!
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
|
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
By a couple of degrees, but only in a 5mm (or Goretex) drysuit and windproof fleece hood. No gloves or booties.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ugly_Bird
Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335
|
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:31 pm Post subject: Re: 45 degrees + 31 degrees = I'm out. |
|
|
justall wrote: | How many of you all keep going out below the 100 degree water + air temperature threshold? |
Sailed Mascoma Lake yesterday from 1 to 2 pm. It was first time when I saw the sail ice up and develop nice frost patterns on the monofilm panels.
Used a 3/4 wetsuit with a rushguard under it, hood, 5 mm gloves and 7 mm booties.
At the end of the session took a pic of the luff with some ice on it.
Seems done for the season, 10 day forecast is quite pessimistic.
Andrei.
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
472.48 KB |
Viewed: |
17719 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ugly_Bird
Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335
|
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 4:34 pm Post subject: Re: 45 degrees + 31 degrees = I'm out. |
|
|
Ugly_Bird wrote: |
At the end of the session took a pic of the luff with some ice on it.
|
Description: |
|
Filesize: |
356.39 KB |
Viewed: |
17716 Time(s) |
|
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
amarie
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 233 Location: Corpus Christi, TX
|
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 9:42 am Post subject: |
|
|
I get more and more wimpy every year. I'm not sure how to stop this backslide. My #1 limiting factor is my hands. I've tried all sorts of gloves and mittens. It has not yet stopped me from sailing, but my cold weather sessions have gotten shorter over the years. We don't get all that many days here below the 100 degree rule--maybe several per month during winter. But once the air temp hits the 40s my hands are in trouble. I did start bringing a small cooler filled with hot water so I can dip my hands afterward and regain enough flexibility to derig.
My body stays warm enough in a 5/3. On the coldest days (30s here, with high 50s water) I wear a thin fleece under my wetsuit. I'm experimenting with making a neck warmer made from a cut piece of thigh from and old wetsuit. It hasn't gotten cold enough here to try it yet.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
|
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:17 am Post subject: |
|
|
TRY IT! Neck gaitors are a fantastic accessory to anything from a shorty to a 6mm dry suit. Most of the warmth of a neoprene hood without the bulk, commitment, balance and hearing impairment, shades and/or helmet interference, cost, etc. Cut it long to begin with so it covers the suit neck well, and it will cut the flush by 90%. And let it come up to your ears aggressively, so it stays there and covers your carotid arteries well. I'm gettin' warm and cozy just thinking about it.
The weather doesn't need to be cold. My neck gaitor allows me to wear less neoprene than I'd otherwise need, yet remain safe and comfortable. I can dress for the midday sun early in the morning, add the gaitor for dawn patrol, remove just the gaitor as the day warms up, then put the gaitor back on at dusk. Otherwise I'd be changing suits all the danged day.
My bare hands will tolerate about 50 sunny degrees air temp (colder in bursts such as brief snow squalls) and 46 degrees water temp. Hot water, windmilling my arms, warming up once after a quick initiation session ... none of those legendary cures do squat for my hands. I just give up and quit below those temps ... whatever it takes to avoid the most intense pain I've ever experienced: thawing/warming hands. Cold feet merely get numb, but cold (actually, warming) hands go off the pain scale for me.
I've never found a solution. If you find one not involving gloves, please let us know.
"Wimpy"? I call it "smart". Even besides the pain, dysfunctional hands are dangerous out there.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
mrgybe
Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 5181
|
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 10:34 am Post subject: |
|
|
Promotion (and maybe others) make a hooded vest that slips over your wetsuit. 1.5mm I think. It eliminates water down the neck and keeps the upper body and head warm. I find it really helps. As for hands/ feet, frequent trips to shore to dunk in hot water works better for me than thick boots/ gloves.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
isobars
Joined: 12 Dec 1999 Posts: 20936
|
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2013 1:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
That reminds me of another thing I love about a simple neck gaitor: no restriction of head turning. I cut the hood off my hooded vest for that reason, as my head is whipping R and L all day long and what begins as a little restriction feels like this after a while:
.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
justall
Joined: 30 Jul 2007 Posts: 442
|
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:55 pm Post subject: |
|
|
OK ... After seing U- bird's pictures, I put 'windusrfing while it is snowing' on my windsurfing bucket list.
I have been in the market for a hood, just for those colder days, so will pick one of those up after I try a gaiter. I've also been eying a neoprene cap, for fall days. Some seem to have a tether to your suit, in case a fall rips it off.
Iso's image of a ws'er wearing a neck brace causes a chuckle.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
josegriffith600
Joined: 26 Nov 2013 Posts: 1
|
Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 1:01 am Post subject: Re: 45 degrees + 31 degrees = I'm out. |
|
|
justall wrote: | How many of you all keep going out below the 100 degree water + air temperature threshold? I was pleasantly surprised to have several solid October and November sessions this year in the DC area with only a 4/3 full and booties. A nice year, all things considered.
But, with the water now dipping into the low 40s and the peimar solar falling into the 20/30s, I'm out. On the bright side ... PA ski slopes have started up their snow machines! |
It is nice year indeed.. I have been solar technology for water heating and I am glad to have nice sunshine this year:)
Last edited by josegriffith600 on Sun Dec 01, 2013 11:22 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum You can attach files in this forum You can download files in this forum
|
|
|