Smock or Jacket

[Georgio]

The likes of Musto and HL both offer a smock as an alternative to a traditional sailing jacket with a zip and Velcro flap down the front.

I was wondering if there are particular types of sailing where one is better or more suitable than the other or is it just preference.

I have a smock type top for dinghy sailing but never considered one (until now) for big-boat sailing/racing.

Thoughts?

 

[prv]

Seems to be trendy for foredeck crew on racing boats - the "bleached hair and sunglasses on head" types

Pete

 

[sailorman]

one can unzip a jacket to adjust body temp

 

[prv]

one can unzip a jacket to adjust body temp

Indeed, I wouldn't choose a smock for yacht sailing.

Pete

 

[lw395]

In wet keelboats such as Squib, XOD etc, a dinghy type breathable spray top is very practical.
For a cross channel in the rain, a proper jacket with hood is better.
For safety boat driving, wearing both can work quite well.

I like the smock and spray top because it allows you to seal the neck well without hindering hearing or vision, and the mobility can be better.
Also there is less off it to catch on fittings.
A dinghy top is good as an easy wind proof layer as the temperature drops in an evening race.

 

[sarabande]

try getting a smock off if you are in the water.

 

[Spirit of Glenans]

A smock seems to be the in thing in Brittainy. Much favoured by those salty types who sail with the famous French sailing school, Les |Glenans.

 

[prv]

A smock seems to be the in thing in Brittainy. Much favoured by those salty types who sail with the famous French sailing school, Les |Glenans.

Oh, I like a nice traditional canvas smock. I have two, with Kindred Spirit's silhouette / logo embroidered on them, and salty tar stains from working aloft on square-riggers . But I prefer a zip-up jacket when it comes to oilies.

Pete

 

[sailorman]

Oh, I like a nice traditional canvas smock. I have two, with Kindred Spirit's silhouette / logo embroidered on them, and salty tar stains from working aloft on square-riggers . But I prefer a zip-up jacket when it comes to oilies.

Pete

I have a superb golfing woolly jumper with a wind stopper lining, very toasty

 

[prv]

I have a superb golfing woolly jumper with a wind stopper lining, very toasty

I would really like to find an adult-sized version of the woolly jumper I had as a kid, used for dinghy sailing. It was heavy, greasy, minimally-processed wool - felt like wearing a sheep. In my memory it was about an inch thick, though I'm sure that's become exaggerated over the years. It shrugged off light rain, and on the rare occasions it got totally soaked by falling in, it stayed somewhat warm (though very very heavy). A new one would be great as a sailing jumper for cold, damp weather.

Unfortunately all the alleged "traditional fishermen's jumpers" I've come across have been far too thin and refined.

Pete

 

[sarabande]

Aran wool pullies ? With natural lanolin Baaa !

http://www.iriss.co.uk/product.php?xProd=309

and

http://www.greatbritishyarns.co.uk/acatalog/Ryeland-Aran_Wool.html

 

[flaming]

I have both a jacket and a smock in Musto MPX.

I haven't taken the jacket on a boat in 3 years.

I originally bought the smock because I hate having the hood up when it's raining or rough with lots of spray (especially when helming) and was fed up of getting water down my neck and coming ashore looking like I've dribbled on myself. Smocks have a good neck seal that prevents this.

I thought I'd then only use the smock when it was actually raining/rough but it hasn't happened, and I just wear the smock. As I said above I haven't even bothered taking the thing with me for years. When it's warm and sunny and I just want something to keep the wind out I wear a light jacket. Usually a corporate freebie from my skippering days that lives in my kitbag or a softshell type when I remember to bring it.

Don't think we have anyone on board now who regularly wears a jacket in preference to a smock, but then when racing a hood is really not an option as it restricts vision and hearing quite badly. The preference is a baseball cap to keep the rain out of the eyes and a sealed neck to keep the rest of you dry. The boat's collection of baseball caps is becoming quite eclectic!

 

[David2452]

I would really like to find an adult-sized version of the woolly jumper I had as a kid, used for dinghy sailing. It was heavy, greasy, minimally-processed wool - felt like wearing a sheep. In my memory it was about an inch thick, though I'm sure that's become exaggerated over the years. It shrugged off light rain, and on the rare occasions it got totally soaked by falling in, it stayed somewhat warm (though very very heavy). A new one would be great as a sailing jumper for cold, damp weather.

Unfortunately all the alleged "traditional fishermen's jumpers" I've come across have been far too thin and refined. Pete

I got a good one in Donegall a couple of years ago, weighs a ton and stinks like rope, a bit like the fishermens' jumpers my granny used to knit from ob wool.

 

[lw395]

try getting a smock off if you are in the water.

Why would you want to do that?
If you've fallen in and the neck seal is done up, it will trap a good bit of air and give you buoyancy.

 

[johnalison]

Why would you want to do that?
If you've fallen in and the neck seal is done up, it will trap a good bit of air and give you buoyancy.

There is a common fallacy that the water in your boots/clothes will weigh you down if you fall in. A moment's thought will show that this isn't the case but the restriction on your swimming ability may be significant.

Most cruising yachtsmen in the '70s wore canvas smocks over knitwear. They were comfortable and cosy but an absolute pain to put on and off. The pocket was good for assorted tools though.

 

[prv]

Most cruising yachtsmen in the '70s wore canvas smocks over knitwear.

I still do unless it's properly raining, and I wasn't yet born in the 70s

Pete