As the days grow longer, with the earth moving closer to the sun and Daylight Savings Time giving us more daylight in some regions, we have to shield ourselves from harmful UV rays. In the earth's hemisphere experiencing summer, the sun rises higher in the sky and is more intense. Its rays strike the ground at a higher angle than in the hemisphere experiencing winter. On June 21st, when the Northern Hemisphere is having its summer solstice because it tilts towards the sun, the hemisphere receives the most direct sunlight of the year.
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As boaters, we all want to enjoy a sunny day on the water. In addition to sunburn, possible dehydration, age spots, and wrinkles, overexposure to ultraviolet rays can provide a more deadly problem by causing skin cancer. The sun's intensity can be brutal, and extra sun protection is needed while boating because the sun's rays reflect off the water.
The Best Protection for You
Use sunscreen on any exposed skin.
Reapply every two hours after swimming and due to sweating.
Remember areas of exposed skin that aren't as obvious. The part in your hair, the top of your ears, backs of your neck and legs should all be covered with sunscreen.
Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before you are exposed to the sun. It gives the lotion enough time to be absorbed.
Protect your feet. While lying on a deck in the sun, the bottoms of your feet can get burned. Chrome surfaces and railings will be hot to the touch when the sun has been shining on the deck.
Protective Clothing
When you are cruising along with a good breeze and the wind in your hair, you may not feel that you are getting sunburned. Any skin exposed over an extended period can get burned. It may not be the time to wear a teeny weenie bikini.
Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) indicates how much UV radiation (UVB and UVA) a fabric allows to reach your skin. UPF measures the amount of UV radiation that can penetrate fabric and reach your skin. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends a UPF of 30 to 49 offers excellent protection, while UPF 50+ rates as excellent. The Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, is based on the time it takes for UV-exposed skin to redden. You may burn after 20 minutes. Used correctly, an SPF 15 sunscreen may protect your skin 15 times longer.
Lightweight UV shielding clothing is also an excellent investment to avoid sun exposure. Dermatologists recommend many brands. Check a garment and fabric's sun safety by holding it up to the light. If you can see through, UV radiation can easily penetrate the fabric and reach your skin.
The composition of your fabric matters. Unbleached cotton contains natural lignins that act as UV absorbers. Shiny polyesters and even lightweight satiny silks can be highly protective because they reflect radiation. High-tech fabrics treated with chemical UV absorbers or dyes prevent some penetration from UV rays.
Darker colors absorb more UV than lighter colors like whites and pastels. The UV rays are less likely to reach your skin. The more vivid the color, the greater the protection—a bright yellow shirt is more protective than a pale one. Loose-fitting clothing is better for defense than tight-fitting.
Provide Enough Shade
Bimini tops, hardtops, and T-tops provide good protection from the sun and ample shade. The best Bimini tops, according to www.boatingmag.com, are made of 600-weight polyester fabric that lasts longer and repels water better than lighter 300-weight material. Solution-dyed fabric (versus pigment-dyed) is best to gain about four times the fade resistance.
Enjoying a day on the water means safety first, including protection from the sun. Be smart about the time you are exposed and take all the precautions you can to minimize skin damage.
Fair Winds & Smooth Sailing
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To obtain more information about the products and services mentioned in this article, please contact CLR Marine https://www.clrmarine.com/.
Award-winning author Cheryl Kuba has been at the helm for more than 30 years sailing the Great Lakes, with side trips to the British Virgin Islands and St. Maarten. She has served as past- Commodore of Great Lakes Fleet 21 -Chicago region. 3happycampers.com
©Copyright Cheryl Kuba, 3happycampers.com
