Personal protection for the winter, run out of duffle coats.

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Mrssolentclown

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I have been looking at proper clothes for the winter for sailing, up to know we have just used what we had laying about with our wetsuits underneath.
There seems to be a lot on the market, and some items are hugely expensive but that is fine if you understand the label description and buy correctly what you need. I do not want to spend fortune if I can help it (I have a boat I would rather spend money on and am not interested in labels) I am interested in functionality over fashion at a reasonable cost.
Are thermal undies a necessity?
Is a waterproof outer layer a must have?
All views gratefully received.

Karen
 
Cotton tee shirt, fleece top then fleece jacket and waterproofs on top.

Waterproofs depend upon type of boat, if open cockpit then buy the best you can.
 
whatever layers you go for, I find using a running top with a built-in hood as a base layer is a help in staying warm. Pulling the hood up underneath the oilies hood keeps the heat in a treat.
 
Having misspent my youth, twenties and early 30s clinging to wet, cold Scottish mountains I've spent a long time working out what works for me.

1) Thermal layer. I prefer cotton

2) A tea shirt, cotton

3) a thin thermal fleece jumper

4) a second thermal fleece jumper

5) a thermal fleece jacket

6) a necker, bandana or scarf (I have several including a thick thermal fleece one for night watches)

7) a pair of craghopper winter bags (lined trousers)

8) a pair of goat hair socks (they cost an arm and a leg c£20, but keep my feet warm)

9) a hat (several actually) but a thermal fleece for very cold days

10) a pair of boots

11) something that is waterproof and or windproof - I usually wear a breton smock unless it is the monsoon season.

12) some good gloves

The trick is to be flexible in what you are wearing - you can sail in waterproofs and nude underneath if it is hot and wet, as it gets colder add thin layers. concentrate on extremities feet, hands and head - keeping them warm is the key.

Sailing usually means lots of sitting round and getting cold is quite easy - the kettle is always on on my boat so easy access to empty the bladder is also essential.

Enjoy your winter sailing.
 
Its worth keeping an eye on the Aldi and Lidl special buys. They'll both do a range of merino wool thermals for skiing at some point this autumn / winter.
 
Years ago, after months of cold numb and wet fingers from wearing Gill Helmsman gloves, I went to the local commercial fishing store and I asked "What do the Alaska Crab Fishermen wear for gloves?" They handed me thick, black rubber gloves and polypro liners. They're dirt cheap. The rubber gloves have great grip on ropes. And I just change out the liners if they ever get wet during the day. I sail all winter here in Victoria and I would never use anything else.
 
Rather like Sandy....

Having misspent my youth, twenties and early 30s clinging to wet, cold Scottish mountains I've spent a long time working out what works for me.
Click to expand...

I've found the Aldi/Lidl anglers' salopettes and shirt-jacket to be excellent, both for warmth and VFM.
Guy Cotton fishermens' foulies work very well and are excellent VFM.
I make sure I have two fleece balaclavas, and a ski headband.
My sleeping bag lives in its own drybag, as soon as I climb out of it.....
 
I use a motorsailer with a big pilothouse. It also has the option for the Webasto to be used under way if required.

Too old and spent too many years being wet and cold winter motorcycling to sail without weather protection in winter these days................................
 
Mrssolentclown said:
I have been looking at proper clothes for the winter for sailing, up to know we have just used what we had laying about with our wetsuits underneath.
There seems to be a lot on the market, and some items are hugely expensive but that is fine if you understand the label description and buy correctly what you need. I do not want to spend fortune if I can help it (I have a boat I would rather spend money on and am not interested in labels) I am interested in functionality over fashion at a reasonable cost.
Are thermal undies a necessity?
Is a waterproof outer layer a must have?
All views gratefully received.

Karen
Click to expand...

Depends what type of vessel you are sailing in .. I've fond memories of sailing GP14s & 420s in a navy Avon drysuit with a wooly bear in the middle of winter, and dragging my bahoochie in the water to cool down .. but that's not going to work on an AWB,
 
Try to get the best kit you can afford,most of the modern kit is designed for layering,salopettes with good undergarments make a difference.I have heard good reports of the French brands.The best uk brands have good guarantees on there top and second level ranges,I have a Musto MPX Top still going strong 8-9 yrs on and a replacement under guarantee trousersfrom Gill so cost per year is not too bad.My best purchase for sailing kit has been leather sailing boots not had cold feet since but buy cheaper brands Dubarry getting expensive,ordinary rubber boots are very cold in winter but foam neoprene type work well as ordinary wellingtons but with all sailing foot ware make sure wet grip is good.Good headware and gloves make life good on a boat in winter I use vinyl gloves under normal sailing gloves so no wet evaporation off your hands,good socks of wool etc making sure socks and boots are snug.Modern kit in vile weather in summer or winter weather which can deteriorate I have not suffered as when we had non breathable kit and poor under layers.Look for bargains at the outlet stores especially for ranges which are no longer current or the right colour the internet is now your friend for getting good kit or Southampton boat show,November and late Jan into Feb will see bargains.Having sailed a 23 ft lightweight boat in the winter for 7 yrs with good kit the sailing can be enjoyed ,cold and wet is not enjoyable,however when the next boat is on the water should be hot drinks available or use a thermos.
 
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I suspect that it is a sign of the maturity ;0) of many of the respondents that they still recommend cotton...

Nowadays I only wear cotton in the form of thin formal shirts to keep the sun off. My base layer is either merino wool* or more normally (i.e. daily) Coolmax, which is a modern man-made fabric, quick drying and non-smelly, unlike nylon of 30 years ago. As others have said, Decathlon is your friend and shops are now appearing across the UK.

For long term use breathability is a must. There is no longer any need to raise steam inside your oilies.

* Pretty much all modern supermarket detergents are unsuitable for wool and will digest your expensive merino surprisingly quickly. Shop carefully! I use Nikwax TechWash but it is not cheap. Plain soap would be fine if you can get it.
 
I went to a fishing tackle shop and bought a Survival Suite for around £60. Excellent. Probably made in the same factory as the more expensive Yachting stuff. Certainly the material used is the same.
 
As in many activities, we recommend to our young people that they layer up, a common suggestion is to visit somewhere like Sports Direct and purchase a couple of the inexpensive base layers (man-made fibres) and avoid cotton t-shorts due to the wicking properties which whilst dry make them fine but once damp (through sweat created by enclosed clothing and exhertion) basically stay that way, unlike the base layer technical shirts which wick the moisture.

One test that we like to show is to dampen a cotton t-shirt and a synthetic base layer and show that one drys extremely quickly whilst the other stays a clinging mess for ages.

The rest of the layers are fully described by the posts above.
 
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