Simple and cheap wet weather gear

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chrisbitz

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Joined
18 Sep 2012
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509
Location
Bromley, Kent - Sail in Medway
www.freyacat.co.uk
I'm new to sailing, and I don't intend to be a fair weather sailor, so I guess I need some wet weather gear.

All the sailing wet weather gear that I'm looking at, seems to be abut £200 for a pair of salopettes, and the jacket just as much.

I'm guessing that these are more for force 9 gale seamen, and if that's the price, then I guess I'm just gonna be a fair weather sailor! :-)

Is there anything else that's a bit more reasonable that I can store on the boat, in case it starts raining heavily or something, rather than riding out a huge storm?
 
chrisbitz said:
I'm new to sailing, and I don't intend to be a fair weather sailor, so I guess I need some wet weather gear.

All the sailing wet weather gear that I'm looking at, seems to be abut £200 for a pair of salopettes, and the jacket just as much.

I'm guessing that these are more for force 9 gale seamen, and if that's the price, then I guess I'm just gonna be a fair weather sailor! :-)

Is there anything else that's a bit more reasonable that I can store on the boat, in case it starts raining heavily or something, rather than riding out a huge storm?
Click to expand...

Fishermen seem to use Gut Cotton, made in France
 
At the end of the day, rain's rain, whether you're ashore or afloat. The posh oilies have their benefits, but cheap hiking kit from Millets can still keep you dry in moderate conditions.

Alternatively, if you're not in a hurry, Lidl/Aldi periodically do sets of cheap oilies which seem to be well regarded for the price.

Pete
 
You can get basic suits, usually described as "Coastal" or similar for under £100 from most of the major chandlers. Perfectly adequate for occasional use.
 
value for money

The construction industry has economic tough ,comfortable and waterproof gear at a fraction of the cost of boaty stuff. OK you may have to have bright yellow but if it keeps you warm and dry so what. We used to buy from the guys below but most builders merchants should have quite a range. Look at the roadworks stuff not the bosses smart but pricey rags.
http://www.parker-direct.com/Waterproofs/default.aspx
 
If you happen to get to France visit Decathlon. I looked at a very good light weight set suitable for UK cruising for about £150 for the set. SWMBO was not giving the correct visual signals so I left them there.
 
I used to commute 30 miles to work by motorbike in all weathers. I thought decent waterproofs were too expensive so I bought cheaper (but not cheap!) ones. They kept me dry for about 10 months and then started to leak. I bought some waterproofing spray but it made no difference. So I bit the bullet and bought some Gore-tex waterproofs. Cost plenty but never let in any water - even after several years. Other features were better too - like fit, stitching, armour - no doubt because they were more expensive.

I wanted some sailing waterproofs but decent ones seemed far too expensive so I bought cheaper (but still not cheap!!) ones. They kept me dry for a while etc. etc. So I bought Gore-tex ones. They still keep me dry several years of regular use later.

Moral? Well, by buying entry level / mid range stuff initially, I ended up spending more than necessary. So, to save money in the long run, I'd suggest buying Gore-tex from the outset. If that's too much to fund in one go, maybe buy last year's Gore-tex jacket (that's what I did and saved plenty - who cares about the latest colour scheme?) and a really cheap pair of waterproof trousers to start with? Then replace the trousers with Gore-tex kit when funds allow.

Sorry if this sounds like an advert for Gore-tex but, in my experience, there really is no substitute.
 
Don't be seduced by breathable fancy dan stuff unless you are wealthy. The exertion on a boat is minimal and uk humidity so high that it's wasted money. Most fishermen survive the elements and have to go out daily. They wear Guy Cotton stuff, which us universally available and long lasting and absolutely expensive enough.
 
Your boat is 18' the bulk of most £200 oillys will all but fill the cabin. IMHO you are better with something cheap as others have said. Something that does not take too much space as well...

How often do you really go out in the rain? caught out yes but willing go out?

I would go for bib and brace (Sallopet) bottoms, keeps your bum dry and wind of your body. Then a water proof coat, to match That would be £2-300 in a coastal range.

Or Dillons screw fix at £30.

Then keep your eye out for bargin's, we bought some in a Helley Hansen discount shop for £60 top and bottom :D.
 
I'll second Decathlon. I bought myself a jacket, 30 quid and a pair of trousers 12 quid. They've been brillint this year. They were in their boating section so I don't look like a builder. Fairly good kit for not a lot of money.

They have 2 shops in this country, Surrey Quays London and in Reading. You can also order on the web. Beware their sizing. I normally tke a Medium but had to get the Lage for the jacket to fit.
 
BarryH said:
I'll second Decathlon. I bought myself a jacket, 30 quid and a pair of trousers 12 quid. They've been brillint this year. They were in their boating section so I don't look like a builder. Fairly good kit for not a lot of money.

They have 2 shops in this country, Surrey Quays London and in Reading. You can also order on the web. Beware their sizing. I normally tke a Medium but had to get the Lage for the jacket to fit.
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Decathlon have stores all over the UK and I agree, good and inexpensive kit.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/decathlon-stores.html
 
BarryH said:
I'll second Decathlon.

They have 2 shops in this country.
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They also have a shop in Warrington as I found out to my cost last night as with the high cost of fuel I always check my Sat Nav shortest route and last night it said that by going through Warrington it was 40 miles shorter and 15 minutes longer so thats £6 saved (at 25mpg) Dreadful route. But I will go to Decathlon today as SHMBO wants to go to IKEA which is only down the road.

I second Guy Cotton. Clothing? What about those inexpensive "Survival Suits" that Fishing Shops sell around £75.
 
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prv said:
At the end of the day, rain's rain, whether you're ashore or afloat. The posh oilies have their benefits, but cheap hiking kit from Millets can still keep you dry in moderate conditions.

Alternatively, if you're not in a hurry, Lidl/Aldi periodically do sets of cheap oilies which seem to be well regarded for the price.

Pete
Click to expand...

+1 also Screwfix/Wickes/B&Q for waterproof safety gear...
 
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