Sailing Gear

You will not need any special gear right away (weather permitting), just have spare clothes and shoes with you to the practice. Use common sense and be properly dressed for the weather. Wearing wetsuit or drysuit is required after Oct. 22nd. We are working on making the gear availabe to you at wholesale prices. Please keep looking here and on the listhost for details.

Note that as a member of a collegiate sailing club, you can receive a 20% discount on any gear from Gill.

1. Dress for the weather, but also bear in mind that it is typically a little colder on the lake than on land. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet and maybe a little dirty (and don't bring anything with you out on the water that you would mind getting wet!). Ideally, wear something that doesn't hold too much water if it gets wet, and that will keep you warm even while wet.

2. Especially in the early part of the fall and late part of the spring, sunscreen is a good idea. When sailing, you get twice as much exposure to the sun because of the reflection off the water. Sunglasses are also a good idea. If you wear glasses or sunglasses, get a string of some kind (e.g. Croakies, or ones you can find in little plastic canisters at some supermarket checkouts) so they stay on your head and don't fall overboard.

3. A hat can be useful against the sun, but make sure it is on tight enough that it won't blow off easily.  When it gets cold, a winter hat is a very good idea.

4. When it is warm, sandals or water shoes (aka aqua socks) are good footgear.  Sneakers also work fine.

If you are serious about sailing, you may want to invest in some other useful gear:

1. Sailing gloves.  $15 / $30.  Sailing can be rough on your hands and a basic pair of gloves will save you blisters.  You can also get a pair of frostbiting gloves, for a little more money, designed to keep your hands warm as well, since handling wet sheets in cold weather can make your hands very cold and make you lose some dexterity.

2. Dinghy boots.  $40.  These will keep your feet warm and dry and keep you from slipping.

3. Life jacket.  $50.  The sailing club has life jackets to provide to members without their own, but if you get your own life jacket, you can get one that is more comfortable and fits you better.  It is also more convenient for traveling for frostbiting or MCSA regattas.

4. Foul-weather gear.  $100.  Pants or a jacket will keep you warm and keep off spray or rain.  If you capsize, you will still get wet, and foulies may not provide much warmth when you are wet.

5. Wet suit.  $100.  Will keep you warm even when you are wet or fully immersed in the water.

6. Dry suit.  $350.  The ultimate in cold-weather dinghy sailing gear.  It will keep you warm and dry even if you capsize.  Highly recommended for cold-weather racing.