How often to you wear oilies

[LONG_KEELER]

The thought occurred to me the other day that I seem to wear oilskins less and less . Probably half a dozen times in a sailing season.

Anyone else experiencing the same or perhaps I am taking too much notice of weather forecasts.

 

[stuartwineberg]

I use them as much for windproofing as for waterproofing so quite a lot

 

[Sandy]

As often as needed. Usually at night.

I wear a Breton Smock, Cornish ones are available, when on the water that is good at keeping the wind off and happy with an odd splash of sea water or drizzle. Once it starts raining on goes the kit.

 

[MoodySabre]

Very infrequently as sailing these days is, unfortunately, only for a day or three and forecasts are watched. I sometimes wear the salopettes for warmth or wet seats often with a fleece.

 

[Boathook]

I seem to be wearing oily's less as well. I think that as you get older you chose the weather to sail in and also that summers seem to be getting overall warmer and dryer. The winds also seem extreme, nothing much or a gale.

 

[Baggywrinkle]

I bought mine in 2011 ... I've worn them for 5 days in total .... twice in Croatia where the boat is based, each time for about an hour while we were hit by thunderstorms, and the rest during a one week charter in Scotland.

 

[RivalRedwing]

more 15 years ago than now - we tend not to sail as much early and late in the season and are not quite so keen if the forcast is iffy

 

[prv]

Not often. Ariam has a nice, protected cockpit with a decent sprayhood, so except in very heavy rain a light showerproof jacket is all that’s needed.

Pete

 

[dunedin]

I use them as much for windproofing as for waterproofing so quite a lot

Most of the time I wear a fleece with Gore Windstopper layer, which is great for wind protection. Hence, with a good sprayhood, oilskin wearing is quite rare - even for winter sailing in Scotland. (The exception was the very wet July 2020).

 

[bitbaltic]

Used to be in them all the time when we had the boat in Cardiff. Now it’s in Milford Haven we never wear them.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

I moved my boat to the med last year so the Musto MPX jacket hasn't had an outing but I wear the salopettes at night sometimes.

 

[Laminar Flow]

We have a wheelhouse. We have cruised her some 10,000 miles in Northern Europe and we have never worn any foulies. Occasionally I throw on a waterproof jacket to tend the lines or deal with a sail - that's it.

 

[colind3782]

In Empuriabrava, if I can't wear shorts and T shirt, I don't go out!

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I find wearing oilies a bit of an inconvenience, so I don't wear them very often, only when I really have to.

 

[LONG_KEELER]

My first two boats had hank on headsails . Oilskins helped I suppose when you are playing with hanks and on your knees . Same could be said for reefing the main at the base of the mast . Plus all the bunt to deal with.

Lines back to the cockpit, furling jibs, sprayhoods , stakpacks, and auto helming have certainly made life drier . I like the idea of smocks and oilies targeted more towards keeping the wind out and helping to keep warm.

 

[Jonny A]

Almost never. I also find it amusing how often on hot days I'm in shirt and shorts and I pass others who are still dressed up for Cape Horn.

 

[prv]

I also find it amusing how often on hot days I'm in shirt and shorts and I pass others who are still dressed up for Cape Horn.

Heh, yes. I think they’re often school boats, where the punters have been issued oilies (they usually match) so they assume they ought to wear them.

Pete

 

[pragmatist]

Less often than one should ! Having had a lapful of sea off Royal Sovereign while my companion sat smugly in his waterproofs I try to think ahead. But how often do you head out - on the boat or in the dinghy - without a waterproof and end up getting soaked ? Our mooring is a good 20 minute dinghy ride and with West Country weather we seem to get wet far too frequently !

 

[newtothis]

Three out of five days this week, but that serves me right for going sailing in the Solent in the "summer".

 

[prv]

Three out of five days this week, but that serves me right for going sailing in the Solent in the "summer".

The summer is May/June/July.

August is the unnamed season of crappy weather that happens before, if we’re lucky, a final chunk of late summer in September.

Pete