Sailing equipment on a budget (Musto Etc. Vs Alternatives)

[Sixpence]

As I suffer badly from the cold and hate getting wet I have been a little dissapointed by the performance of some sailing gear so when I sailed to Oostende last weekend I decided to test an alternative, which is personal protective equipment for workers in freezer environments. This Company supply long jackets and bib & brace trousers (£59-00 Jacket £38-00 Trousers) which look similar to this, yours truly at the helm

Outbound leg saw no inclement weather conditions, but on the return leg we ran into the weather a few have mentioned and hit f7 at times, yet the kit kept my body temperature up to the point where I was happy to keep working when needed, and by the time we finally moored up I was totally dry and snug as a bug toasty warm. If anyone has any other ideas for beating the prices for sailing gear I would love to hear them.
Keeping warm and dry when sailing doesn't have to cost a fortune. Any other ideas for boating on a budget ?.

 

[flaming]

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As I suffer badly from the cold and hate getting wet I have been a little dissapointed by the performance of some sailing gear

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I'd love to know what gear, as I view my mustos as the Mutt's nuts. Never leaked a drop, even when sat on the rail in driving rain and being walloped by green stuff, cool enough to be able to wear over shorts and T-shirts for summer racing and add fleeces etc to stay warm in winter racing.

Most of the rest of the crew wear the Henri Llyod stuff and they report very similar results.

 

[Athene V30]

I buy two sets of cheaper gear. Then when I am wet and cold, fed up and still have hours to go I have a mental lift of changing into dry wet weather gear. Works a treat!

If someone has a totally dry, non condensation, jet up the arm / leg, drip down the neck set of gear I will reconsider. Also it needs quick access to release fluid build up from too many cups of tea!

 

[Sixpence]

Hi Ed, probably best not to mention the brand but let's just say, both outfits were second hand but the freezer wear was still decidedly warmer and drier. Both of similar age too.

 

[flaming]

Last Autum I treated myself to an MPX smock. Since then I have raced the winter series, spring series and several others, including some tough racing this weekend in 30kts.

Unlike previous times in that sort of breeze I have been able to simply peel off the smock and go to the bar not looking like I've been sat dribbling on myself.
Next to my boots (also musto) by far the best bit of gear I've ever owned.

 

[flipper]

Hi Dave

For when it's really cold I wear a one piece diving undersuit like this under my oilies. It's made out of the same stuff as a light weight sleeping bag and packs down really small in a stuff sack. Still, once you've taken a goffer down your neck and your wet, that's it.

 

[mollyoxford]

I've been know to wear snowboard pants under PVC fisherman's oilies, used them for years on the motorbike (used to be free from my dad, but sadly not any more) - but I don't sweat all that much. Also a variety of hiking-type jacket/trousers at average £25 a pair. It's the seams that go though.

As a female-type person I always go for pulldown trousers rather than salopettes/dungarees...

My current 'warm' gloves were 2.99 from the garage - but it's putting wet hands back in them that gets you, dunno how to solve that except to have many pairs!

I got thermals from Tchibo at £8 a pair a few years ago.

Fleeces - I have far too many. Usually presents.

My boots are Mustos, though. A Xmas pressie in 2003 - still going strong 100% waterproof - if only I could wear them on the bike.... Waterproof socks / gortex liners from cycling places/army surplus.

The best boating-on-a-budget tips I can think of though are to do your own cooking (and bring your own beer) instead of eating out, and to do all your own maintenance work.

 

[wotayottie]

bought a pair of fishermans foam lined flotation oily trousers from cosalt some year ago - brilliant. totally waterproof and they enable me to go sailing right through the winter. if I hadnt been such a tight ar*e, I would also have bought the jacket but tbh I find wearing a vest, shirt, pullover fleece and oily is quite warm enough.

only worry about the trousers is what happens if I fall in. will I end up inverted as a new sort of pillar buoy? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[Sixpence]

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Still, once you've taken a goffer down your neck and your wet, that's it.

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Hi Patrick, good to hear from you, and that you made it back safely. Caught one or two of those on the return leg so I know what you mean, and no way was I going to try changing in that weather. Good idea about the dive suit, and thankfully I find it very hard to use the heads when underway so a big benefit.