Simple and cheap wet weather gear

nigelmercier said:
Their stuff seems to be breathable, and I think this vital.
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I think it depends what kind of sailing you're doing. If you're jumping up and down grinding winches all the time then it's essential; if you're sitting there like a bump on a log, less so.

As well as my "proper" oilies, I also have a very cheap (£5 or so from TK Max) PVC rain jacket that actually gets used more often these days. I don't get soggy in that.

Pete
 
I used to buy cheap wet hear & always ended up wetter than when I started
To be honest most of it was a complete waste of money
I obtained a full set of Musto Offshore gear ( actually to tell the truth I won it in a Musto competition but would have bought ot anyway)
Never looked back.It works . I also have the base & mid layers as well.

That being said in 1979 I bought a Belstead waxed motorbike jacket as there were no decent sets of gear about in those days. It let in water round the neck & wrists but never leaked & was warm. Every so often I re waxed it. When I did get wet gear I used it for maintenance on the boat. I mention this because I chucked it away last week & I could have carried on wearing it. It just would not wear out.
 
Guy cotton. Around £90 for a full set. Get the 'new neckline' ones that allow a lifejacket to inflate underneath, or it'll strangle you! Mine have lasted 10 years and are still good as new.
 
In my angling days, I bought an Imax 2-piece flotation suit - about £120 now. Totally waterproof, but not breathable and too hot if you exert yourself. However, sitting in the cockpit doing little, of a cold winter's day, you'd be dry and warm as toast - surrounded by half an inch or so of closed cell foam.
 
Force4 Windward coastal suit is, IMO, a decent compromise between cost and quality. Not, perhaps, as stylish as more expensive gear but gets the job done for a sensible price (£85)
 
chrisbitz said:
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?
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Why buy new? plenty of good all weather gear on Ebay, click on 'Used'
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=musto+sailing+jacket&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=4

I bought my bargain jacket and trouser from Aldi 3 years ago, great gear (and British made) both have lasted well and I sail all year round.

Don't buy from a chandler, find out where the local fisherman buy from, usually good quality and much more reasonable prices.
 
Daydream believer said:
That being said in 1979 I bought a Belstead waxed motorbike jacket as there were no decent sets of gear about in those days. It let in water round the neck & wrists but never leaked & was warm. Every so often I re waxed it. When I did get wet gear I used it for maintenance on the boat. I mention this because I chucked it away last week & I could have carried on wearing it. It just would not wear out.
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I threw my Belstaff suit out about 10 years ago - we are both mugs, the jackets fetch up to £200 quid on E Bay, the more knackered they are the more they seem to fetch :-(

Like Neil I bought a flotation suit but like this:

http://www.abugarcia-fishing.co.uk/.../flotation-suits,883/flotation-suit,5555.html

Very bulky and very hot, ideal for winter sailing though, About £80.
 
A good solution can be going to a fishing shop, fishermen pay a lot less that sailors, may not be breathable or a flexible but dry and warm the key things. Decathlon is good if you have a store near by but at least till you get the feal for what you need mail/internet buying may not be best. I still have my first foulies which were Guy Cotton fishermans stuff, cheap, waterproof very tuff but not the most comfortable
 
False economy

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?
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Do not skimp on foul weather gear or boots - shoes. One cold wet night you will understand why.

Make sure you try on different brands and see the various features. They are cut differently and suit different shapes of the human form.

Remember you may have at least 2 other layers of clothes underneath - sometimes more.

Pockets - important for stuffing freezing hands into, not really for keeping stuff in. zip up the thing up and try the collar and hood.
Really important that the collar protects you and keeps the wind at bay.
Also that the hood can be adjusted and not impede your vision too much.

Trousers - how difficult is it to have a pee with them on. You know what I mean.

Wear patches on elbows, knees and bum.
If you are spending a lot of money then you need them to last.

Avoid fashionable, trendy colours which look good in town, but....
Look for bright colours and lots of reflective stuff - if you do fell in you want to be seen.

End of season sales, after the Boat Shows there are bargains to be had.
In order of choice Aldi - Lidl, Gul, Decathlon, Gill, Musto on a subjective value for money list.
We have a Musto outlet near and they get some amazing deals.

Look for Sealz gloves and socks, very clever , comfortable and recommended from personal experience.
 
I really can't believe that people are saying that breath ability is a waste of money, having progressed from PVC to proofed nylon and then to fully breathable kit,over a 40 year period, the difference in comfort and warmth is quite amazing.

IMO breathable kit is one of the best advances in yachting, up there with GPS and the hot water bottle.

Would never go back to non permeable gear.

And no I'm not given to undue exertion on a boat, heaven forfend.
 
Vara said:
I really can't believe that people are saying that breath ability is a waste of money, having progressed from PVC to proofed nylon and then to fully breathable kit,over a 40 year period, the difference in comfort and warmth is quite amazing.

IMO breathable kit is one of the best advances in yachting, up there with GPS and the hot water bottle.

Would never go back to non permeable gear.

And no I'm not given to undue exertion on a boat, heaven forfend.
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Exactly.It may be me but whenever I wear non breathable gear I end up thoroughly wet.The problem is worse with boots.Not long ago I was given a Decathlon nonbreathable jacket.I wore it for an hour and when I took it off it was dripping with water.
 
Vara said:
I really can't believe that people are saying that breath ability is a waste of money, having progressed from PVC to proofed nylon and then to fully breathable kit,over a 40 year period, the difference in comfort and warmth is quite amazing.

IMO breathable kit is one of the best advances in yachting, up there with GPS and the hot water bottle.

Would never go back to non permeable gear.

And no I'm not given to undue exertion on a boat, heaven forfend.
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I agree with your statement except that hauling the anchor does warm me up.
 
prv said:
I think it depends what kind of sailing you're doing. If you're jumping up and down grinding winches all the time then it's essential; if you're sitting there like a bump on a log, less so.
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Also depends on personal physiology. I cannot bear wearing non-breathable trousers. Instant itchy bum.
 
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