Winter in our country, and more generally in the Mediterranean, is rarely so cold as to make sailing impossible. Along the coast and inland waters, people navigate, sail, fish, and work even during the winter months . So what's the secret to enjoying a day on the water? Safety is paramount, of course, but Without the right winter clothing to ensure comfort and warmth, boating in the cold is more of an ordeal than a pleasure .
For most crews, whether sailing or motoring, a full winter oilskin (jacket + overalls) is sufficient. These highly technical garments are designed to protect against wind, rain, and spray. Typically using three-layer breathable fabrics, the idea is to repel water and wind while allowing condensation (sweat) and excess heat to escape.
There are dozens of details to pay attention to when choosing a waxed jacket, depending on the type of sailing you plan on doing: the fit of the hood, neck and chin guards, the watertightness of the cuffs and ankles, the location of the pockets, the length of the jacket in the front and back.
Generally speaking, "ocean" clothing can be quite bulky, and with a hood over your head, it can be difficult to see and hear. So the temptation to buy more protective gear than necessary should be avoided. "Offshore" lines are versatile enough for most winter activities, if worn with plenty of warm layers and good gloves and hats. "Coastal" or "Inshore" lines will give you chills in anything approaching true winter weather—but these thinner jackets can be worn as midlayers for occasional chilly weather.
As mentioned, a waxed jacket protects against wind, rain, and splashes, but it doesn't keep you warm. This is why it's important to wear multiple layers of warm, comfortable, and highly breathable technical clothing underneath. The best combination is a underwear in stretch fabric , which follows the body's movements without being bulky, and one or more midlayer layers Warm fleece. The important thing is that each layer is highly breathable, to prevent moisture from building up inside the garment.
The waterproof leather boots They are by far the best for heat retention, but they usually come at a significant price. For occasional winter cruises, boots in waterproof fabrics or rubber ones will do their job, if worn with appropriate layers of socks. Oilskin trousers should always be worn over boots, to prevent water from dripping and getting your feet wet.
Frozen fingers are almost inevitable when sailing in winter. Keeping your hands dry is essential to keeping them warm, but as soon as something needs to be fastened or unfastened, be it a line, a shackle, or a snap hook, the first thing that happens is that you take off your gloves. brand new gloves They're fantastic, for grip and fit, so for a long, cold trip, a small supply of new gloves can be money better spent than a single pair of super expensive ones. Some sailors love the neoprene , others lined waterproof gloves , but the fact remains that for a true winter sailor, cold, wet fingers are a way of life.
