Re-proofing a sailing suit.

Norman_E

Norman_E

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I have sets of sailing suits on the boat that are described as breatheable.

Breatheable they may be, waterproof they certainly are not. I have brought on suit home to wash and re-proof. I intend to wash in warm water only, with no detergent, as the suit is not dirty, but when I wore it in a downpour, not only did I get wet, but the colour ran, so I want to wash out any excess dye.

The question is, what should I use to waterproof it?
 
I stand on the drive wearing the kit, whilst slowly twirling, and me family stood spraying me with fabsil until it gets a bit shiny all over.

Stand still untill it dries.

Sadly this only works for half a season and costs around a tenner a go.
 
I've used Nikwax - wash followed by proofer. It did make my jacket and salopettes more waterproof but not enough to make them usable in wet conditions.
 
Keep the no-longer waterproof designer sailing gear for wearing in the pub, reproofing seldom lasts, and won't in any case maintain any 'breathable' quality. Breathable suits have a semi-permeable membrane bonded to the fabric, unfortunately as soon as salt dries in this membrane it makest the micro-porous holes bigger, and the suits leak. The only way that I know to keep breathable suits working is to wash them with fresh water every time they get salty.

If cash is tight, go to an industrial supplier - http://www.arco.co.uk/products/1870700 and http://www.arco.co.uk/products/932300/26503/Arcothane+Trousers+Saturn+Yellow - for example. This stuff will keep you warm and dry without breaking the bank!

If you want to spend a bit more, go for the Guy Cotton stuff that most commercial fishermen seem to wear.
 
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I gave up on 'breathables' years ago. I now use the heavy duty 'plastic' version with fleece trousers and jumpers as underlay.

If it's good enough for deep sea fishermen then its good enough for me.
 
Independence said:
I gave up on 'breathables' years ago. I now use the heavy duty 'plastic' version with fleece trousers and jumpers as underlay.

If it's good enough for deep sea fishermen then its good enough for me.
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I've given up wearing non breathable gear years ago.I used to get wetter under the suit than if I hadn't worn anything.
 
Norman_E said:
I have sets of sailing suits on the boat that are described as breatheable.

Breatheable they may be, waterproof they certainly are not. I have brought on suit home to wash and re-proof. I intend to wash in warm water only, with no detergent, as the suit is not dirty, but when I wore it in a downpour, not only did I get wet, but the colour ran, so I want to wash out any excess dye.

The question is, what should I use to waterproof it?
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Norman,what the hell do you need a waterproof suit for?
 
jamesmar said:
Norman,what the hell do you need a waterproof suit for?
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I needed it once! Stopped at Ciftlik after a day with no wind and no swell. About 10PM a swell came in that threatened to tear down the restaurant jetties, and we had to sail out. I decided it was too risky to anchor in the dark with other boats around and sailed out, into a thunderstorm and torrential rain. That is when I found out that the suits were not waterproof at all! It does rain sometimes in Turkey in summer, and when it does it really knows how to chuck it down.

Early this month in Marmaris there were several rainy days and at one point it dropped about 2 inches of rain in about an hour.
 
Norman_E said:
I needed it once! Stopped at Ciftlik after a day with no wind and no swell. About 10PM a swell came in that threatened to tear down the restaurant jetties, and we had to sail out. I decided it was too risky to anchor in the dark with other boats around and sailed out, into a thunderstorm and torrential rain. That is when I found out that the suits were not waterproof at all! It does rain sometimes in Turkey in summer, and when it does it really knows how to chuck it down.

.
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It sure does,So why not just reach for the shower gel like the Germans do.???

Did that event happen recently..ie this year? I believe that Ciftlik is a no no in these conditions.
 
It was two years ago.

The problem with Ciftlik is that it rapidly becomes untenable on some of the jetties if there is a swell, and as I found out you can have a perfectly calm day, and then from nothing in about half an hour the swell can build up to the point where the stern of the boat was going up and down by 4 feet and the jetty was being jerked about to the extent that getting back on board was actually quite hazardous.
 
I have tried NikWax and Grangers and found Grangers far better. Bought it from an online cycling shop (why is it that better sailing gear comes from other sports such as hiking, cycling, camping etc? And at a cheaper price?)

Nikwax was a waste of money.

Agree that it is not possible to repair Goretex etc.

When my Grangers runs out I will simply wash and do what Fullcircle does.
 
Rather than Bu**er about which won't be successful bite the bullet and get yourself a set of Musto MPX gortex, light waterproof and breathable we have had a set each for 3 years SWMBO is rarely out of hers when sailing I only wear mine when it's wet and they have stood up very well. More than adequate for Turkey but light enough not to be a problem.
 
Norman_E said:
I have sets of sailing suits on the boat that are described as breatheable.

Breatheable they may be, waterproof they certainly are not. I have brought on suit home to wash and re-proof. I intend to wash in warm water only, with no detergent, as the suit is not dirty, but when I wore it in a downpour, not only did I get wet, but the colour ran, so I want to wash out any excess dye.

The question is, what should I use to waterproof it?
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Grangers to a good range, give them a call. Henrilloyd offer a 2 part wash for there gear to give them back there Durable Water Repellant feature. Good luck
 
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