You need sea boots.  I’ve owned a few over the years.  If you’ve got old ones (especially the Henri Lloyds) check the soles…some of them oxidize and become useless if not dangerous.  A couple of years ago I ponied up for the expensive Dubarry’s and have been happy…especially with my Grunden’s boot liners.

Here’s a link to Landfall with some other choices http://www.landfallnavigation.com/boots.html
Here they are at APS: http://www.apsltd.com/c-3777-talloffshore-boots.aspx
And here they are at pyacht: http://www.pyacht.com/dubarry-ultima-boots.htm

Guys…  There is EVERY reason to believe that the EDLU, Stratford Shoals and Block Island Races will be extremely cold at night.  It is imperative that you have appropriate gear to keep you warm.  If you are cold and less able to function you run a far higher risk of injury from falling.   Stating the obvious here.

NOW is the time to do a little shopping and put together your gear bag with foul weather gear, boots, bootliners, gloves and head gear.

Here is what I recently purchased for headgear:

After trying this stuff on I’d strongly recommend the OKmilitary Dragon Tactical Heavyweight Balaclava…  It’s very warm and the face covering part goes up and down comfortably.  The ZANheadgear microfleece is interesting.  I bought it because it has a zipper down face with nice chafe protection at the top of the zipper.  I don’t like Balaclava’s that strangle you when you want to lower them to speak…  I probably could have down without the Nylon Balaclava which I bought as an underlayer… Its tight fitting stretchy…so jury is out on that one.  Will have to see.

They point here is…It’s a lot more fun when you are warm and you are lot safer when you are warm.

PLEASE get gear together and shop now if you need stuff.  I will post a few more gear recommendations in the next few days.

So Guys…There is very little gear or frankly anything at all that I will strongly recommend to anyone.  With that said these simple fleece boot-liners are an absolute must have in my opinion.  They are AWESOME for sailing boats and also AWESOME for ski boots.  Hathaway, Reiser and Raymond in Stamford carries them in stock most of the time though you can also acquire them on the internet.  They are called “Grundens Goat Feet Bootliners”.  No idea what the whole “goat feet” thing is about.  I can tell you I wear these things all the time.  One of the greatest benefits of wearing them is how they making getting sailing boats and ski boots incredibly easy to get on and off…not to mention their moisture wicking properties.  Once you get them you won’t be able to live without them…trust me.

Sources to get them:
Hathaway, Reiser and Raymong, hathways.com, 203-324-9581, call first to make sure they have in stock.
http://www.classicalaska.com/shop/115417_grundens-goat-feet-boot-liner1.html

 

Atlas Vinylove – The best wet and cold weather gloves!  I can’t say enough about these gloves.  They make ALL the difference between comfort and discomfort.  I strongly recommend them!  Plus, they provide endless hours of stupid-humor when stuck on a boat hundreds of miles offshore with all men.  What exactly is Vinylove?  Careful of the texture these gloves are great for gripping (;

Where to get:
I believe Hathaways may now carry (on my recommendation!)…but they are also available here http://www.amazon.com/Atlas-Glove-Vinylove-Resistant-Insulated/dp/B004HZAJW8