Cost effective waterproofs recommendation wanted

[gregmlucas]

Planning to vist LBS this weekend and buy a set of waterproofs - along with lots of dreaming /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif.
I'm new to sailing so don't want to spend a fortune but would like separates rather than all-in-one and must be breathable (Gortex or similar).

Any suggestions, price guides?

Many thanks,

. . Greg

 

[Memphis_Chung]

Hi Greg,

I think XM clothing is excellent. They make alot of safety equipment and stuff for the commercial market, so they have a good pedigree and wont cost you Musto/Gill prices. If you can find last seasons, you could get away with a good breathable suit for well under £200.

Memphis

 

[dickh]

Look at them all - you will be able to try them on - make sure they are big enough for you as they do vary. I bought a Gill last year at the LBS but my friend bought the XM Professional at circa £250 which were the only ones that actually fitted him! You can't buy direct from the Musto/Gill/Henri Lloyd stands but can try them on for size - then visit the chandleries that sell them and negotiate hard!
Good Luck!

 

[Colvic Watson]

Latest ad in this months PBO is for an XM Offshore suit for £130 - I've got their coastal and it's excellent, but would have gladly paid an extra £30 for the offshore. Compass do it for £160, but I'm sure somebody else was selling it for £130.

 

[AlexL]

I've had the Gill 'Key West' Breathable offshore oilies jacket and trousers for two seasons now - can't fault them, but not particularly cheap, ISTR about 250 ish for the set. I belive XM have some stuff out now which got some reasonable write ups recently.

 

[StephenSails]

I would also recomend the XM kit, I have the offhore jacket and very pleased with it. I shall maybe think about selling them myself this season.

 

[stevebirch2002]

Love the XM Breathable but go for the top one. Think they call it Ocean and the code is TH5000. Had minethree years now and best bit of gear I have ever bought for sailing.

 

[fastjedi]

Steer clear of the swindlery shops and head for your nearest Helly Hansen outlet shop. Catch them on the right day and you should be able to land a £200 jacket for £40

Not sure where they all are .... My local is in the outlet village in Bridgend, S Wales.

 

[Sans Bateau]

Yes that the gear we have, XM Ocean TH5000 nice bright yellow!

As someone has already said they are the only ones to fit properly. The material seems to be very tough, robust, when we bought ours Musto was using exactly the same fabric at twice the cost!

 

[FullCircle]

Try Norman at Spindrift Marine in Benfleet Essex. He has JAG breathables which were ridiculous cheap for us, and have all the features and ruggedness we were looking for in a Coastal suit. He also has last years fashions from the top names at a fraction of the price. Give him a ring or wait until he gets to your local boat Jumble.
Splendid bloke and genuinely cheap.
No relation!

Jim

 

[gregmlucas]

Well, thanks everyone for your input.

I think, subject to fit, that I'll be going for the XM Coastals as these are well within budget (£130 from http://www.marinestore.co.uk in Maldon) leaving money left over for a crew seekers subscription! and they seem to be well recommended. The XM Oceans would be nice but are more than I want to spend for a first set of waterproofs. (at least this is what SWMBO tells me!)

Otherwise, I feel a trip to Bicester coming on - which will please SWMBO since I'm sure waterproofs won't be the only thing we'll be looking at.

Again, many thanks.

. . Greg