Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS) - What to Wear Guide: Dinghy

What to Wear Guide: Dinghy

What to Wear Guide

Are you new to Scholastic Sailing? Wondering what kind of gear you (or your favorite sailor) will need for the upcoming season? APS has developed a list of essentials pieces to get you started. With that said, we highly recommend speaking with your coach to see what other items you might need. Need a PDF to print out? Click here. Want to know what specific products APS recommends? Click here.

Warm Weather	Cool Weather	Cold Weather



Spray Top: A good spray top will be the workhorse a scholastic sailor's gear. It blocks wind and water; and it does a great job filling the gap between a short sleeve shirt and a drysuit or wetsuit. Paired with trousers or salopettes, you will have a lightweight yet waterproof/windproof barrier that will keep you comfortable across a wide range of conditions without restricting your movement in any way.	Wetsuit or Women's Wetsuit: Positive: Expense; Negative: May be too warm or cold as you are unable to layer effectively. Remember, a wetsuit's warmth is determined by the thickness of the neoprene material the suit is made of. Because you can not change this, the temperature comfort range can be rather narrow.	Drysuit Positive: High comfort and maneuverability; Negative: Expense and moderate difficulty when changing base and middle layers beneath as needed. Drysuits are much more comfortable in that you can change your wicking under layers (DO NOT WEAR COTTON) according to the outside temperature giving you a wide comfort range. Additionally, because most drysuits are breathable, perspiration is allowed to escape leaving you dry and comfortable.
Gloves A pair of lightweight gloves are a key piece of gear to avoid nasty rope burns while racing.	Neoprene Gloves A pair of heavier neoprene gloves or waterproof gloves is a necessity when sailing in cold weather. Your hands are the first thing to get cold, and it is 100% critical that you keep them warm and functioning to sail effectively.	Neoprene Gloves A pair of heavier neoprene gloves or waterproof gloves is a necessity when sailing in cold weather. Your hands are the first thing to get cold, and it is 100% critical that you keep them warm and functioning to sail effectively.
Life Jacket 100% required for all scholastic sailing. Be sure that you select a US Coast Guard approved PFD as buoyancy aids are not legal.	Life Jacket 100% required for all scholastic sailing. Be sure that you select a US Coast Guard approved PFD as buoyancy aids are not legal.	Life Jacket 100% required for all scholastic sailing. Be sure that you select a US Coast Guard approved PFD as buoyancy aids are not legal.
Hiking Boots A pair of rubber or neoprene boots not only help to take the sting out hiking for long periods of time, but they do a tremendous job of keeping your feet warm on cold days as well. Try and stay away from rubber (non-neoprene) boots in really cold weather, as they don't help keep your feet warm.	Hiking Boots A pair of neoprene boots not only help to take the sting out hiking for long periods of time, but they do a tremendous job of keeping your feet warm on cold days as well. Try and stay away from rubber (non-neoprene) boots in really cold weather, as they don't help keep your feet warm. Consider using a pair of neoprene socks to help keep you feet warm.	Hiking Boots A pair of neoprene boots not only help to take the sting out hiking for long periods of time, but they do a tremendous job of keeping your feet warm on cold days as well. Try and stay away from rubber (non-neoprene) boots in really cold weather, as they don't help keep your feet warm. Wear wool socks (non-itching Merino wool - Smartwool brand) to keep your feet warm and dry inside the waterproof drysuit socks and a pair of Lycra socks outside of the suit to protect the drysuit.
Click Here for Warm Weather Gear	Click Here for Cool Weather Gear	Click Here for Cold Weather Gear

Other Items to Consider
Sailing Bag - one with a dry and wet compartment
Sunblock - waterproof with a high SPF rating
Sunglasses - good polarized lenses are a must
Watch - one with pre programmed sailing start sequences
Whistle - attached to your PFD for safety. In some cases, you may be required to wear one

Have Questions about what you should get? Call our Customer Service Center (9:00am - 5:00pm Eastern Time) at 800-729-9767.