Ok, I just went through the threads about wet suits vs drysuits.

What about HOT weather sailing? I don't like to baste myself in sun block, so what do you wear for sun protection and abrasions?

What kind of foot gear?

I wear a long sleeve dryshirt and light nylon jogging pants. This keeps the sun off and is reasonably cool and comfortable, and a camelback for hydration. Even on a hot summer day here in FL, if there is a breeze and spray is flying, the long pants are great, and they help keep the skin on my knees to boot! As for footwear, I typically sail bearfoot, as I have yet to find a shoe I am comfortable sailing in that provides not only the grip, but the feel while on the wire. Maybe we can get some good shoe suggestions.

Sperry Figaui, full sole, 100% draining, non slip. It won't protect your ankles but otherwise great. I wear socks with them.

I've got some unlined coveralls from North.

Is that Gortex or some other special fabric?

Keen sandals/shoes are good (Thanks, Gina). The lightweight running gear with UV protection is good for clothing. Definitely knee pads, if wearing shorts.

Ditto here - get high-performance bicycling socks and you won't notice wet or sand in your shoes so badly. I really like my Sperries and have worn out two pair and am on my third (usually wear through the toe from sliding around on the trampoline. Socks are a must with them though.

You can get bike socks from nashbar.com, performancebike.com or coloradocyclist.com. Problem is they're $9.99 a pair. If you're not into wizzy colors or designs go to Target or Costco and get their low cut athletic socks. They're probably about half the price. As long as they're Coolmax they'll work fine.

I used to sail barefoot, until I pulled my daggerboard up while hitting the beach at speed, a little too late, the boat stopped, my foot slid forward as the board was on it's way up and sliced my foot open just below my little toe. Took a trip to the Emergency room, 5 stiches and about a month off sailing to heal. Now I always wear Gill sailing boots.

As for sun protection, I hate wearing long pants and long sleeves when it's 80-90 degrees so I use Bullfrog #36 gell. It stays on all day, even with spray and sweat, but isn't as greasy as the Coppertone type stuff.

Hey! Jake! We have something in common.....

Other than our love for an ice cold one....on the beach...with the boat...at a race... in the Keys...with you guys....

Well since I live in the worlds hottest industrialized country wearing long pants is so not an option hehe. So I just wear my surfing gear. Swimming shorts and a top thats like a short sleeve wet suit. I HATE wearing shoes when sailing so barefoot is my choice.

I do not know what the material is that a dry-shirt is made of. It feels like a rash guard but it is a little thicker and does not fit as tight. I buy mine from Sports Authority.

web page These drain nicely, have excellent traction and no socks (just hose 'em out or they'll start stinking). LLBean Wave Mocs. Foot protection is a must!

Rashie and board shorts, skipper tends towards boater's knee tan more so than crew.

For the noggin, face, neck, ears the Tilley TH4 (has biggest brim available with good strap system)

Zee, watch your bare feet on the razor sharp trailing edges of those A2 boards! And did you know that Kuwait is about the same lattitude as Orlando, Florida, which puts Miami and the Keys several hundred miles south of that? Still, I'm sure Kuwait is much hotter, being surrounded by hot sand, since all of Florida is surrounded by water. When I was there during Desert Storm, (1991) I remember seeing 120 degrees often! No wonder they wear flowing robes!

We only get that kind of heat out west around Las Vegas and Pheonix. (I was in Pheonix one 117 day, it was like sucking on a blow dryer!) "But it's DRY heat."

Timbo,

You were in kuwait during the gulf war? that must have been though. I was only 5 at the time so I dont remember everything. Ya it is very hot over here but we have ACs everywhere. Seriously there isnt a single room in the house without an AC even the doghouse has one.

Oh and thanx for the heads up on getting foot protection for when I get the A2

Zee,

did you know that Air Conditioning was invented right here in North Carolina?

I'm glad we can bring comfort to the world!

Also as far as clothing is concerned, specifically boots, I have to be VERY CAREFUL with footwear since I am diabetic and if my feet get cut up, its very likely that they'll get infected. I wear a zip up diving boot that has a soft sole. Its rubberized on the bottom with a very grippy pattern. Its also lined with kevlar, and claims to be able to stop oyster shell cuts. They are the perfect blend of a flexible, tactile boot with the protection that I need.

The problem is that you will be sitting (or trapping) aft of the daggerbaord, if you stuff the hulls, you will most likely slide forward fast, the first big thing you hit will be the aft, sharp, edge of that board, so be careful. I have hit the board with my arms and even my head, good thing I was wearing a hat! It's not a Hobie 16, it can hurt you.

For sun protection, I've opted for regular Gull spray pants and a Gore-tex windbreaker. Either that or a rash-guard shirt with long sleeves.

I use the "surfer" style shoes (with the toes) for grip and sun protection. If I go long distance, I'll opt for those harken shoes.

All is in Rick's web-store...

Maugan,

Do you wear these when using the drysuit? I am also diabetic and need new footwear. I wear the Kokatat drysuit with the goretex sox sewn on. Where did you get them? What is the brand?

I spent 2003 serving in Opertation Iraqi Freedom in Kuwait, Iraq, and Qatar. It was 137 once when I was on guard duty at an airbase in the Kuwaiti desert just south of the Iraqi Border. But, it was a dry heat! Qatar, on the other hand, was only 110 with 98% humidity.

Thankfully, I'm back in San Diego. I find that I'm comfortable wearing Teva's, rash guard, and a shortie wetsuit out on Mission Bay. I'm thinking about buying a kayaking paddle jacket and pants, though.