Day 12 – The Kit Question

“Do I Need Salopettes in Croatia?”

This is the real question.

Not:

• Can I sail?
• Will I pass Competent Crew?

But:
Will I be wet, cold… and regretting my life choices?

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April Weather Reality Check

Looking at the forecast around Trogir and the Adriatic Sea:

• Temperatures: pleasant (15–21°C)
• Sunshine: plenty 
• Wind: oh yes… sometimes a lot of it
• Rain: just enough to catch you out

So it’s not exactly tropical.

And definitely not the Med you see in glossy brochures.

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The Good News – The Jacket

I did at least get one thing right.

My Gill OS2 Jacket is:

• Waterproof ✔
• Windproof ✔
• Bright enough to be seen from space ✔

In fact, I may be slightly overdressed.

“Prepared for the Arctic… sailing in sunshine.”

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The Salopettes Problem

But below the waist…

Nothing.

No waterproof trousers. No salopettes. Just optimism.

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So… do I need them?

Reasons to take them:

• Sitting on a wet deck = cold very quickly
• Wind chill is real
• Early mornings / late evenings can be chilly
• Spray happens (especially when someone else is steering…)

Reasons not to:

• Bulky
• Possibly unnecessary if the weather behaves
• Yet another thing to pack

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Honest Conclusion

For:

• Dinghy sailing on the Thames → optional

For:

• A week on a yacht in Croatia → increasingly sensible

I haven’t bought any yet…

But I suspect:
Future me may be writing a follow-up blog titled
“Why I Should Have Bought Salopettes”

Next Blog Day 11 – Packing Begins