“I really want to sail with you more, but it is so cold and wet, I just can’t see how I could have fun.” Sound familiar; I started hearing this familiar fall litany again just last month as one of our promising new crewmembers called to drop out, just as the winter racing season was starting up. Here in the Puget Sound we have one of the most rare climates in the country, if not the world. If this statement does not ring true and clear, travel to the east and south of Washington. You will soon realize how unique we are. As soon as one crosses the Cascades going east you will find desert, which is followed by more desert and then that is followed by … more desert, for the next, oh, 2,000 miles or so, in all directions. That is desert in all directions except one and that would be back to the North West. What this translates into is what makes the Puget Sound so amazing for those of us who come from that great American desert.
What makes us a green emerald on the NW corner, translates into the stuff that makes so many wince and whine, as the skies become a soft, beautiful, all enveloping and warming liquid gray. I know many that bemoan the lack of the sun, as well as many who love the rain. I am one of the latter, having lived and worked in the desert of Colorado for my first 25 some odd years, I have had several life times worth of sun. For me, well, I would say it was an overemphasis on work under that sun that filled up my quota, and believe me, my quota is full. Rain and all it brings is now what I crave.
What determines your perspective is ultimately complicated and dependant on who you are. What I hope to do is provide some helpful information for those who are on the fence. Those of you who have the spirit and will to see what is good and beautiful in the NW but are simply at a loss as for what to do to enjoy the out doors, with out becoming miserable wet and cold. I want to give you information so you can be as comfortable sitting in a pouring rain for hours on the deck of a boat as you are laying on the couch surfing channels.
Why? Well that has to do with the properties of boats and couches and the difference between them. Specifically, on boat decks, you get to see ever evolving stunning views of trees, mountains and mist, ever changing waves that are filled with life of all descriptions. All the while working together with a diverse and of colorful crew of characters, with whom you share a more or less common goal. You are out to make that boat take its best advantage of what can not be seen, and to move it forward, as best as you and your fellow crew of characters can. And unlike your couch, while on that boat; you get to feel the rain and breath the fresh wind, something the boob tube has not yet perfected. Why wait, come winter sailboat racing in the NW: also defined as hours of taking in the scenery, randomly punctuated with momentary but intense and frantic bouts of wild calisthenics.
What I have to tell is what I have learned, how I can be so darned comfy while sailing through the day, night, and into the next day. The principle is the all important concept of layering. Although the components that constitute the layers are important, the most critical point is to have and use different functioning layers of clothing. Rather than relying on one heavy garment, bring a couple lighter ones. That way you can add or subtract layers to match the conditions. The inner layers should wick the moisture away from your body. The outer layers should keep the rain and wind out.
My experience comes from cycling, swimming, camping, skiing, sailing and playing in temperatures ranging from –60 to 115. Playing in weather that could and did fluctuate between a sunny 70 degrees to 20 degrees and snowing within 30 minutes. Camping and skiing and playing in temperatures of –40 to –60 degrees below zero made it clear to me that weather is not what determines the fun quotient, attitude is.
The concept of layering I had learned so as to survive the conditions of Colorado was in need of further development here. The bottom range was no longer an issue. How to avoid over heating, becoming wet with perspiration and then cooling too far down in the mild temperature range of 30 to 60 degrees was the trick to learn. Backcountry skiing here in the warm Cascades became the activity and place where I would learn how this could be done. Heavy exercise followed by cooling in a warm but still cool environment.
I found that the clothing could be very expensive and a challenge to get the most effective, light and efficient gear possible. To deal with it in part, I worked at REI for most of those years. This helped tremendously with the cost. But the main advantage was in that it allowed me to do lots of experimentation and refinement as I searched for the best options that would allow me to play in the NW. As I took up big boat sailing I found that although similar to skiing, there was a significant difference. Basically the amount of exercise and resting involved in sailing and skiing are in opposition. Sailing has lots of resting punctuated with moments of frantic calisthenics, as mentioned earlier.
We all vary as to what we need to wear to maintain a degree of comfort at a given temperature and activity. Although being the amazingly adaptable beings we are, allowing us to be able to tolerate and function when too cold or too warm, we are not at our best and most efficient out of our comfort range.
When too warm, people will tend to move slower with less vigor and less often, to avoid over heating. It may seem a good compromise, especially in sailing. After all the need to move quickly will pass soon and you will be back to a resting activity where you need all that insulation. The first problem with this reasoning is the moisture created and trapped underneath those layers; this becomes more of an issue with increasing time and lower temperature resulting in a chill that will set in. Another problem with this strategy is that those moments of activity, gybing, tacking, changing sails etc., all require the most you can offer. Moving slowly and reluctantly, often means the difference between well executed transitions and not so well executed ones, which in the long run takes a large part of the fun out of the equation. It also seems to lead to increased noise levels from the guy at the square end of the boat. This is why you will more than likely see me on the course in shorts and a light shirt, the cost of overheating is too high. I can always put on more layers to warm up, but once you get too wet, drying and warming takes a lot more time and energy.
To accomplish being warm and comfy regardless of the weather I have made a list of essentials I always bring — yes there is always an exception to the rule. As far as why I always bring it all, I want to be ready. I never try to predict the coming conditions; I am just prepared and therefore always comfy. At 24 hours out weather forecasts, I believe it is the quintessential definition of oxymoron, have less than a 50% record of accuracy. So why waste the energy worrying? Just be prepared to go and have fun regardless of what the weather will be. My forecasting, and I should mention that I have a 100% accuracy rate, is limited to predicting that, “we will be having weather,” be tomorrow or a year from tomorrow.
I have posted the complete list of gear on the web, actually two lists, one for big boat sailing and one for dinghies. Along with the lists are some tips on materials and sources for the different layers. However, I will make a few points now. First, I cannot say enough about the miracle of synthetic pile: Polar Fleece, Synchilla, Polar Tec etc. They are a versatile replacement for long underwear and wool insulating layers. And I do like wool, especially in socks and gloves. However the difference in bulk, weight, and drying time is just to good to pass up. Most of the items on the list can be found with a bit of investigation and as always, shopping over time, i.e. not waiting until the last minute and being stuck with what is available at that moment.
Most of the items are not specific to sailing. The cost can really add up if you are not careful. My favorite sources for most of the items on the list are Army and Navy Surplus stores in Seattle and Tacoma as well as a low cost store in Seattle known as Outdoors and More . The other main advantage of these actual, walk in stores is seeing and being able to try on items as you buy.
That being said online sources can provide better selection and availability without a long trip and the risk of buying what is at hand because of exhaustion. Defender Marine Equipment is a good low cost alternative and source for the marine specific gear. Which are really limited to only the foul weather coat, bibs, boots, life vest and emergency beacon. Another source I recommend is Fisheries Supply in Seattle.
There are other stores around town, and it is always good to see what they have. However if I don’t mention them it is likely to be that I usually find them to be on the pricier side. Good deals being had on a hit and miss basis and who has the time and money for that.
Best of all, locally we have Island Sailing, managed by Mike Visser. They have the know-how and willingness to help you get what you need. Mike has put together a package of the right stuff, if you want to avoid all of the shopping hassle, stop in and see what you can get. If nothing else it can be a great starting point for your shopping adventure.
All of these places have a satisfaction guaranteed policy. You can always check at time of purchase to be sure. If they don’t, think long about taking that gamble, especially with the pricier items. If the product does fail, don’t be shy, satisfaction guaranteed means satisfaction guaranteed.
The quality of ones equipment will effect the fun you will have. Ones attitude is by far and away the most powerful and capable aspect of influencing the experience you will have. A person will be happy if, for what ever strange string of events circumstance and twisting of the truth, they have come to believe that even when feeling sick, nauseous and shivering, “to be heeled over in a 30 knot breeze in the middle of the Sound, in the middle of a race, with people screaming all around; is the coolest thing ever.” I should share a quote from my best friends father, “Where there is no sense, there is no feeling”. He used to say that a lot to us, hmmm. Wonder why?
Nevertheless as powerful as ones attitude can be, few things can sour an experience as quickly as shivering in wet clammy clothes for hours on end or make one as happy as warm, toasty and dry undergarments can. I have watched with painful chagrin when someone starting out in a new venture, or worse yet introducing someone, usually some one they care about, to a new venture, go with the cheapest gear available. Let me just say that the time to rely on your attitude for enjoyment of a activity, be it skiing in the cold or sailing in the rain, is not, I repeat not, when you are trying it out to see if you like it. So don’t be shy, beg borrow or steal to be sure you, or the person you are introducing to sailing, are prepared to have fun. I will always loan out my best gear when I want someone to come sailing … and come back as well.
Cheers
And may you have only happy warm and toasty sailing.
Daniel A Decker