At Cool Sun Outdoors we pride ourselves in providing only quality training & products. This advice section aims to assist you to get the best out of boating.

Please use this section at your own risk and follow the contents in our terms and conditions.

About Cool Sun Outdoors

Mike Coulson is a qualified Powerboat, Safety Boat and First Aid Instructor and has a City & Guilds Teaching Certificate in Adult learning. He is also currently engaged on a 2 year Cert Ed program for Adult Learning. Mike has been a professional trainer for over 7 years.

Performance clothing for boating is very important, we only recommend good quality garments that are both waterproof & breathable. We can recommend (through experience) Helly Hansen, Henry Lloyd, Gill, Musto and XM products.

As with double glazing found in the home (warm on the inside and cold/wet on the outside) condensation and water vapours occur in clothing.

This also happens when the body uses up energy and creates heat. Add cold, wet conditions on the outside, you will get condensation. We have found Gill fabrics to disperse of water vapour very well indeed and XM clothing represents excellent value for money.

The following size charts apply to Most clothing and can also be used as a general guide.

BUYING BOOTS

We sometimes offer boots on this website, however, we do not actually recommend buying boots over the internet. Why?

We consider boots to be a critical purchase and recommend trying on boots, under the following circumstances:

Wear liner socks in addition to your normal socks. Liner socks help disperse moisture and keep feet dry under most circumstances.
Consider that feet can swell a full half size more when really hot and get smaller when really cold.
Try boots on in a store (good marine stores offer a fitting service). Consider most importantly what they feel like in thicker socks if they are to be used on a RIB for example in the cold.
Buy boots from us only if you are confident about the comfort, fit and size. It may make or break your day out or marine interest.

LAYERING

Layering is the term used to prevent discomfort from heat or cold, the conditions, climate and energy levels required for your sport. By wearing layers rather than bulky sweaters etc, you can add or take away layers to suit the changing conditions.

WICKING LAYER

This transports perspiration away from the skin/body as efficiently as possible. Choose only good active under garments/thermals such as KEELA or GILL. KEELA (ADS) and GILL (ITEC) range are particularly good. Poor under garments once wet, tend to stay wet and when you stop your body temperature drops. With todays modern advanced fabrics, there is no need to risk cold or heat disorders such as (hypothermia) for example.

INSULATING LAYER

The insulating layer traps your body heat to insulate you from the cold, but at the same time allowing perspiration to escape. Active shirt and fleece garments are particularly good insulating garments, cheap discount brand fleece garments tend to compress and pill therefore loosing their insulating properties. All fleece products on this website are good insulators of high standards.

SHELL LAYER

Often called the outer layer, this garment should be able to stop wind and moisture and can be a fleece garment such as a windproof/waterproof fleece. A garment such as an outer jacket should be chosen with great care to avoid disappointment. Waterproof breathable fabrics are very good, but tend to perform badly in extreme cold. Innovation fabrics perform extremely well in cold weather, dispersing moisture yet retaining body heat at near zero condensation (thats the aim).

VENTURING OUT TO SEA

Most of the following information is common sense, but still people ignore the basics and venture into places they do not have the experience or clothing, to cope with the changing weather or conditions.

COOL SUN OUTDOORS GUIDE

• Wear only good quality clothing suitable for the sport, the environment and weather changes.
• Carry more insulating layers, but leave space in your drybag to remove layers. Add and remove when required.
• Carry the following with you in your drybag:- small torch, whistle, multi-purpose tool, chart, compass (know how to use it), plastic bivi bag, small snack (such as energy bars, chocolate etc),drink(more than you think you will need), hat, gloves and a small first aid kit.
• Follow a passage plan and leave a copy of your route with someone that expects you back or at your club.
• If you get lost do not be afraid to contact the Coastguard and inform them of your problem.
• Check weather reports prior to your journey and consider aborting or reverting to an easier passage plan.
• Never attempt routes beyond your capabilities or that of the group or vessel.
• Respect the Sea and try to avoid unnecessary risks. Take away with you all that your bring along and do not throw litter over the side (no matter how small).
• Consider investing in a good course such as those offered by the RYA. They are very good and represent excellent value for money. The instructors are all very well qualified and approved. Also consider a first aid course such as the RYA course, as it may save your or someone else's life and is specifically aimed at water based activities and includes how to get rescued.
• The Sea can be a dangerous place, respect it and the fact that the weather in such locations can change in minutes.

The above advice section is the opinion and experience of Mike Coulson (an individual) and not that of COOL SUN OUTDOORS as a group of people. Mike has previous Military and a good few years of boating experience, but please use your own judgments about the outdoors and the Sea for your own safety.