We had a great weekend racing at Carlisle. No other F16 but a good time trying to keep the I20's and F18's behind us.

Sunday though we woke up to a "cold" front that had come through. It was in the low 50's with water still in the 60's. The sun was more out than in and it was windy. As a group we stood on the beach and debated about the merrit of going out in those less than ideal conditions. After an hour delay we finaly did leave the beach to sail on the inside of the bay and had a very good time.

It points out a very drastic contrast as the previous weekend I was in the UK. It was 40 degrees, spitting rain and dark. (4 o:clock pitch dark - sun set) I do not beleive you guys ever see water +60 and seem to have events pretty much year round. At least I saw a couple of events posted very recently.

In my younger days in the midwest we went out in some questionable conditions, but now living in Fl my blood has thinned way out. Either way, my hats are off to you UK guys for sailing in that: you guys are hardy.

Matt

I'm planning to sail on Sunday; Current forecast is 4-5 degrees C (40-42F) and 15kts wind.

I'll be wearing by Drysuit!!!

I go down to the panhandle of florida to sail my blade during the winter. It was somewhat cold last year- lower 50s or so? So I bought a decent wetsuit and wear a spray suit over it. I should have probably just gone with a dry suit, but this set up works very well. Prep time is a little longer though. Got some cold weather type boots too. Works great. I guess if I absolutely had my choice to sail in cold vs warm it is a no-brainer but some of us don't have that option! Either dress for it so it is somewhat comfortable or don't go. I have learned that unless you are a little hot on the beach before you head out (and wondering whether you should take something off) then you aren't dressed warmly enough. Once you get going the "apparent" temp drops Same reason why it can be miserably hot on the beach in the summer but very pleasant on the water.

Drysuit is a very good investment IMHO

Spot on on the temperature!

IF a little too hot on the beach; you are probably about right on the water.

I have a 3mm wetsuit for the "summer"; I always wear somehting; otherwise I get ripped to bits; and then move to a dry suit once the land temp drops below about 8C; start with a cotton tracksuit and long sleeved T shirt under it than as it gets colder I move thru a "wolly bear suit" and then onto PolarTec fleece top and bottom and this year one of my mates has sent me some "smart wool" to try as a base / 2nd layer to evaluate for Skiing and sailing under a drysuit.

I actually ordered one online last June but the site was crap and they never existed. Funny though, I got an "evaluation" from them which said I was a great customer, etc etc.
I'll probably get a drysuit sometime but I am happy with my wetsuit/spraysuit combo. Gives a decent amount of flexibility. Just the wetsuit, just the drysuit, etc.

There is this UK online outlet store which is quite a bit cheaper than the regular shops:
http://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/index.php?cPath=28_97_99

They sell the Musto MPX for €426 (USD$538), the price in my local shop is +/- €700.

Hi Tony, did you ever buy something out of that website? I am thinking of ordering me a dry suit there and I just want to know if you - or anyone else - had any experiences with them?

Just a quick note to tell that we ordered our dry suits at the above URL and we are happy. Price wise very good and very quick delivery! A happy customer here :-)

What is the RBSC Extreme? Looks interesting.

It's a 3 day race. Start very early in the morning, sail all day untill late. Barbecue on the beach and sleep in a tent on the beach.

Sailing goes on even if there is no wind (they can peddle if they unhook the mailsail) or lots of wind. They sail on open seas, from Belgium to Holland, on inlakes and they take locks.

Gill was thrilled afterwards. He thought it was an amazing experience. Not my cup of tea tough...

Do you know the total distance? This time of year the subject of distance racing always comes up.

The total distance is 284 km (177 mile).
The last day we did a spinnaker leg of 80 km (50 miles)!

I'll post the gps track later on.