One for the Ladies

Halo

Halo

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I am really fortunate that SWMBO comes sailing with me and want to do what I can to encourage her and keep her at it.
As we sail in UK then she is often wearing thermals which create so much static that her hair goes all unmanageable and I end up with ear ache. As I am pretty bald I have a hard time being sympathetic or offering a solution. Does anyone of the forum have a solution to this static / bad hair problem ?? - cotton thermals? , earth the wife, iron tablets ?
All well intended responses gratefully recieved
Martin
 
I have a reasonable set of built-in thermals so rarely wear special undies. But presumably the solution here is to wear natural fibre rather than artificial. I've heard good things about merino wool thermals, though no doubt they're rather spendy.

Pete
 
What are her current thermals made of?

I often get sparks opening car doors when wearing a modern fleece! Is it the thermals?
 
Earthing the wife is not so silly.
google "static dissipative safety shoes" or similar as used in electronics assembly, which may well do it for her. They don't all have steel toe caps!
There are plenty of styles availible now, inc trainers, court shoes etc.
Prob not stillettos but you woukldn't want them anyway.
 
You both have my sympathy, and I'm sorry I can't offer a solution. I used to get lots of static electricity shocks when touching my car door. Then I changed my car and I've never had the problem again. It can't be the make of car, but I guess must have been the mix of materials rubbing against each other. The trouble is that's complex - clothes, shoe soles, carpets, seating and so on. I don't think I'm wearing anything different now but something has changed.

Perhaps the secret is to experiment a bit and see if the frequency/severity of the problem decreases.

Electronics and computer people (and perhaps petrol refineries and garages?) need to prevent problems with static as it can kill chips and a spark at the refinery isn't good news. So perhaps forumites who work in the relevant industries can give some advice?

I know that when I flew a petrol powered aircraft it was standard practice before refuelling to attach an earthing cable from the plane to the fuel wagon to prevent a spark when the filling nozzle touched the tank filler. Perhaps you need to earth your wife by getting her to touch something (but what?) before too big a charge has built up.

Good luck.
 
I became so fed up with being zapped (or discharging so to speak) that I used to touch the ground with my fingers before getting in/out of my car. It worked for me and every time I forgot I had a shocking reminder.
 
Buy her some nice merino wool thermals made by Icebreaker. Have a look on the internet - very fine, long-lasting, well made, non-itchy and toasty warm. Their range of tops are so good, they can be worn out to the pub as a normal top. I've been wearing them for years. I think they are made in New Zealand.

The other alternative from good outdoor shops are a range made from bamboo. I bought a bamboo top for HWIMBO for Christmas - then I nicked it!

Di
 
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chewi said:
Earthing the wife is not so silly.
google "static dissipative safety shoes" or similar as used in electronics assembly, which may well do it for her. They don't all have steel toe caps!http://www.ybw.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=4172386
There are plenty of styles availible now, inc trainers, court shoes etc.
Prob not stillettos but you woukldn't want them anyway.
Click to expand...

Yes

Earthing the lady is the answer.

You could try an anti-static wrist strap - use a curly cord to clip on to an earth connection.

Footwear is another thing to watch - going barefoot on the boat may help

And the nylon knickers thing is true - you should address her underwear.
 
I'd reiterate the Icebreaker merino suggestion. we both use these, winter & summer, for mountaineering and sailing and they're fantastic. RRP is not particularly cheap, but they last for ages (I'm still using some I bought over 9 years ago, and they don't smell nearly as quickly as synthetic thermals). They maintain good insulation when damp and dry fairly quickly.

It's definitely worth shopping around on the web for good deals - lots of outdoor shops struggling in the current climate with good deals. good for us, bad for them I guess... Taunton Leisure, Mountain Factor, Natureshop are all places we've got good deals from within the past 6 months.
 
"Footwear is another thing to watch - going barefoot on the boat may help"

Ouch! The easiest way of breaking your toe I would suggest! You wont have a happy and contented sailing partner then!

Gerry www.sadler32forsale.com
 
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"And the nylon knickers thing is true - you should address her underwear."

Brave man!
I dont suggest you pass any negative comments.......... on the basis of health and safety.........yours :-)
Buying some for her can be a tricky area as well.
Good luck!

Gerry www.sadler32forsale.com
 
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