Offshore clothing

Gitane

Gitane

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 Dec 2010
Messages
4,631
Location
Near Maldon, Essex
Visit site
I am thinking about buying an offshore suit for an Atlantic crossing.

A friend of mine has recommended Musto HPX, but at £750, this is quite an investment.

However, I also noticed that Force4 does their own "Windward" offshore suit for a lot less than the Musto.

I bought their coastal range some years back, and this has lasted well.

Would anyone have any experience with the Force4 suit and would it be up to the job?

Gitane
 
The force 4 own brand suits do look very good value for money but I don't think they are breathable so may get a bit clammy inside.
I bought a top of range Gill suit some time ago at a boat jumble for about half price. It was apparently last years model but has done sterling service.
 
Over the years, I have concluded that you tend to get what you pay for with offshore yachting clothes. I bought a Henri Lloyd offshore suit in 1995 and it's still going strong - dry and warm in the worst of downpours, wind, and cold, (subject to the right layers underneath). My wife bought a Gill jacket in 2006 and, whilst she hasnt experienced the extremes of weather that I have, it worked well and I was confident that it would do the job on a cold night mid Biscay or Irish Sea.

I'd be looking at Musto, HL, and Gill if on a bit of a budget.

If you are in your cheap suit, mid atlantic, with water pouring down your neck, chilled to the bone, you will pay any price for the impossible miracle of having a decent suit delivered out of thin air.
 
ghostlymoron said:
The force 4 own brand suits do look very good value for money but I don't think they are breathable so may get a bit clammy inside.
Click to expand...

I don't know the Force 4 kit at all, but I'd be mildly surprised if anyone is making non-breathable sailing waterproofs in this day and age.

Traditional heavyweight fishermen's PVC gear and cheapest-of-the-cheap Primark rain jackets, sure.

Pete
 
It really depends on which way and what time you are going.

East to West in November from the Canaries and the Force 4 one will be fine.

West to East in January the cheaper one will still be good enough to get you to the Azores but once you get past there you will think the Musto is a bargain...

_____________________
 
Last edited:
The oilie manufacturers have stores in outlet centres where you can get last year's kit at a lot less. Dunno about elsewhere but there's one in Ashford Kent where I got gear at a good price.
In my own experience, crossing Biscay was the wettest and windiest. However with self steering you can huddle up underneath the sprayhood and even keep an eye on radar and AIS from below when out of shipping lanes - hop up into cockpit 3 or 4 times an hour for a tour d'horizon.
 
I was in Force 4 the other day for coastal suit. The Windward £90 coastal suit is not breathable as far as I could tell & quite heavy. The £200 Offshore suit claims to be breathable. After trying on various coastal offerings from the well known names I ended up buying the Windward Offshore. Felt comfortable & light enough & fitted me well. Haven't sweated in it enough to test the breathability, which in my experience from other sports can vary greatly.

Quite a personal purchase so well worth trying a few IMO.
 
Gitane said:
A friend of mine has recommended Musto HPX, but at £750, this is quite an investment.
Click to expand...
Well worth the investment, IF the clothing fits your body shape.

Visit a shop and try lots and lots of stuff on. HPX is well made Gortex with a lifelong guarantee from Gortex.

I am a satisfied customer.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top