Looking for Sailing Shop Recommendations

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Loralei

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Hello folks! I recently moved to Scotland and took up dinghy sailing. I'm still missing a few items in my sailing kit that will make the cold days more bearable so I'm looking for a list of good sailing shops that sell sailing clothing. I live on the west coast (Argyll and Bute area) so shops around there are ideal. I do travel around occasionally, so you can include shops in any location in Scotland. Thanks for the advice and help!
 
I find Rooster sailing kit to be reliably good.
You could have a look at their website for advice about different layers.
There are not many good retail shops for dinghy kit these days, even around the Central South of the UK.
Last wetsuit I bought was at a dive shop.
I find I have to decide exactly what I want, then get on the phone to see what each shop actually has in stock.

Sometimes suppliers like Rooster, Gill etc turn up at big events (like class national champs). Some competitive sailors get a bit of sponsorship and act as distributors in some sailing clubs or classes. It's like a hidden network that's not well advertised!
 
i used to get most of my stuff from Decathlon when i started, other than that it was online, but to be honest the decathlon stuff was pretty good imo especially price wise, at least you could try it on there. most of the online stuff used to go back two or three times as every brand fitted completely differently!


other than that when i used to race there was always a gazebo somewhere selling sailing paraphernalia from toe straps to hats, and if i were lucky enough to win anything i used to get freebies to be a brand advocate as such :)
 
Argyll & Bute covers a wide area (in terms of travel time by car) - can you narrow it down?

Quite a few good places for yacht sailing gear, but for dinghy stuff perhaps Largs Chandlers, or possibly Port Edgar if passing that way.
 
In Argyll Ardfern chandlery probably has the most stock of boat stuff, but not specifically for dinghies. Creuve and Tarbert are OK for common items. I often buy from and order through Crinan because it's near home and easier than waiting in for a mail order delivery to come. Helensburgh has a lot of dinghy sailing, so should still be good. Duncans in Glasgow is the next nearest I can think of, then the Renfrewshire and Ayrshire marinas. It's a shame that Nancy Blacks in Oban closed down.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! Helps loads! Largs Chandlers is the closest and has some great dingy sailing equipment.

The one thing I really wanted came in a size too small for me though, which is why I'm looking at other options. I did hear Decathon was good quality and affordable.

I don't have a dry suit. I ended up getting a wet suit which has been great so far, because it makes swimming on cold days quite a bit more enjoyable than a swimsuit.

I may consider a pilot house motorsailer in 60 years or so, but I hear it's actually best to start with a dinghy since you can sail anything after that - or so I've been told.
 
dunedin said:
Wimp. All the 10 to 12 year olds will be out training and racing their Oppies and Toppers all through the winter. May put on the dry suit in January
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True True , did my Divivng in Loch Long had to break the ice and the water at depth was reading -2 . with a dodgy leaking dry suit , ah they were the Days.
But To op Mail order is best if you can get it delivered some great bargins online and check out Ebay , for thsoe that tried the sport and gave up and are selling their gear , nearly always good qaulity
 
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