Classic yachtsman’s outfit
- Thread starter DoubleEnder
- Start date
ChathamSailor
Member
Name dropping ; would be terribly bad form old chapBut wouldn’t be caught name dropping
winch2
Active member
Aaah.. my old dad knew how to cut a dash in his Folk Boat. He wore mums tatty old 'green' gardening anorak over an awful oiled pullover for years and a grubby pair of jeans. We had to scrape the jacket off him eventually. Boy was he anti posh and a bit crazy. Never wore a lifejacket, but now and again would tie the main sheet around his waist. Always bare footed and never knowingly had a mishap in 60 years of sailing. He'd be turning in his grave if he saw what I wear and how much I spend on clobber. 'Breton smock, Gortex troos/shorts and Keen sandals, Gill boots', perfect.
justanothersailboat
Well-known member
I don't have a classic boat but I can attest that if you have a reasonably dry cruiser, a wool waistcoat is fantastic sailing wear. Doesn't impede the arms, keeps the wind off the body, copes with splashes and drizzle, neither too hot nor too cold. And you look like a gent, though no doubt actual gentlemen of the past would think you underdressed without a jacket.
Keith 66
Well-known member
Does anyone remember the Yot Yak? Dad had a couple from his days working at Arthur Beales in the late 50's, It was a double breasted zip up jacket with kapok lining that was supposed to act as a lifejacket , Quite a smart bit of kit & very warm & comfy. I used to wear one when i got big enough but never put it to the test as a lifejacket.
Wansworth
Well-known member
You
r father is part of yachting history
dancrane
Well-known member
Umm...exactly what amusing retrospective occasion are you planning? I'm surprised the thread isn't awash with photographs. Or perhaps it's just as well.
I suspect 'wool' is the best one-word answer to your question.
It's rather a pity you said mid-20th century. You could have a lot more characterful fun going back to The Riddle of the Sands era, early 1900s.
Notwithstanding the 1970s movie-era haircuts, I liked Carruthers' assumption of what was de rigueur aboard a 'yacht' when he arrived on Dulcibella...
...and the extraordinarily casual apparel he changed into, later on...note that he doesn't omit the tie...
...but finally he acquires rugged gear that won't show the hard sailing life. Note the cigar...you'll look very out of place without tobacco.
I like the way Carruthers and Davies sail, row, and wade through mud all day, but by evening can always look ready for dinner at the East India Club.
Since you specified the owner's party (and I thoroughly approve), why not treat all of sailing as a mere muddy adjunct to the More Important Part: donning full evening costume and wearing it on board every evening, as if you privately looked down on anyone who doesn't do the same?
.
justanothersailboat
Well-known member
I've long been baffled by your violent aversion to weather exposure and grubby maintenance, Dancrane, but now I have a mental image of you in Carruthersesque yachting whites and it all becomes clear...
Boathook
Well-known member
Only just seen this thread. My dads sailing clothing in the, possibly, mid1950's. He was either on a JOG or RORC race. Not to sure whether the rope round the waist is a lifeline or for something else. There is another picture of someone else on the same boat with a line round their waist as well.
Wansworth
Well-known member
Coming late over the bar at Chichester my father back in 1970 tied a rope round me as I was helming,quite a ride!
Boathook
Well-known member
And another. In this picture it looks like the rope is to help seal the jacket up.
I found this pictures after my Dad died and scanned them in. I haven't a clue who this person was.
I found this pictures after my Dad died and scanned them in. I haven't a clue who this person was.
Wansworth
Well-known member
What boat was it?
jbweston
Well-known member
Back in the 60s and 70s we never wore life jackets - of course. Like we never wore ear defenders when shooting or using chainsaws - and I have constant tinnitus as a result. It's cheerfuly whistling away now as I sit in my wheelhouse listening to Radio 3.
Fortunately, despite a few duckings, the lack of a lifejacket didn't have permament consequences . . .
Fortunately, despite a few duckings, the lack of a lifejacket didn't have permament consequences . . .
justanothersailboat
Well-known member
There's got to be some kind of happy medium between excess carelessness and excess caution. I hope my children can find it. In the meantime I admire Carruthers' dress sense, but it's often too warm for a waistcoat and I prefer not to wear a loose tie while grinding winches - so I often let the sartorial side down by wearing a (terribly informal) day cravat instead.
Boathook
Well-known member
I don't know what boat. Some were old even in the 50's and some were new. One boat my dad said, was aluminium and made by the son of the owner of Rover cars or similar using scrap from the factory. Some scrap !
My dad also knew a lot of the JOG founders. I was reading the book Sopraninno by Patric Ellam and Colin Mudie and mention names from the book and dad knew them, some well.
I did meet some years ago but didn't appreciate who they were at the time but only that they had sailed "together" and were good friends.
History lost I'm afraid.
Boathook
Well-known member
I think that it is this one Islay Mist looking at the 'poles' either side towards the stern.
justanothersailboat
Well-known member
That looks like a pretty decent heavy-weather setup! Lovely photo, thanks for sharing it.
Boathook
Well-known member
I think that the pictures in posts 29 and 31 were taken during the RORC Cowes to Dinard race in July 1962. Just revisited some cine film (now on MP4 format) that shows Islay Mist in the race and seems to be taken from Islay Mist.
MADRIGAL
Active member
Absolutely perfect for a man who sails an Osprey!
The Q
Well-known member
Not of course at sea, but this 1908 regatta film, definitely shows summer sailing gear of the time. It's noticeable every one wears a hat, and most men are smoking a pipe.
Work - East Anglian Film Archive
Work - East Anglian Film Archive