Suitable Clothing

Tomaret

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Looking for advice from transatlantic sailors, please. Next May I’m due to sail from Antigua to Plymouth. Sailing Las Palmas to St Lucia on last year’s ARC I didn’t need any clothing other than tee shirts and shorts but wondered whether the more northerly windward return might require more. Specifically, will I have need of ocean wet weather gear or will offshore suffice?

If I need ocean standard, I thought that SBS might be a good place to pick up old stock a little more cheaply than the latest style.

Mark
 
Next May I’m due to sail...to Plymouth.

Doesn't that answer your question? You'll stand a very good chance of being in typical N Atlantic lows for much of the trip after turning right in the vicinity of Barbados, probably with some relief mid-trip if the Azores high develops. Don't expect bitter cold, but do plan for cool nights.
 
Why don't you just take your normal UK sailing gear, everything from skin to full winter foulies.
 
Looking for advice from transatlantic sailors, please. Next May I’m due to sail from Antigua to Plymouth. Sailing Las Palmas to St Lucia on last year’s ARC I didn’t need any clothing other than tee shirts and shorts but wondered whether the more northerly windward return might require more. Specifically, will I have need of ocean wet weather gear or will offshore suffice?

If I need ocean standard, I thought that SBS might be a good place to pick up old stock a little more cheaply than the latest style.

Mark

I've done Long Island to Horta & then UK in May & 'normal' sailing 'foulies' gear was OK.
Some warm undergarments, just in case, are a good idea, particularly night watches.
 
I've done Long Island to Horta & then UK in May & 'normal' sailing 'foulies' gear was OK.
Some warm undergarments, just in case, are a good idea, particularly night watches.

Thanks. That’s the plan, unless more experienced heads were to tell me that it would be insufficient.
 
Why don't you just take your normal UK sailing gear, everything from skin to full winter foulies.

Thanks.

My boat comes ashore in November and doesn’t go back in until April, so I have no need for full winter gear (except for skiing). I have “offshore” gear that keeps me dry, but relies on layers to keep me warm early in the season. From what’s been said I’m coming to the view that it will do, especially as it will be mid June by the time we get to Plymouth.
 
Why does this forum always delete messages when I try to edit them on Android?

“Ocean” and “offshore” are just marketing terms. Both are shells which assume you’ll layer for warmth underneath and both are effective wind stoppers. My “offshore” mustos did famously for more than 10 years and I can’t be alone in having experienced worse weather less than 150 nm from port than mid Atlantic. This year I bought some musto oceans so I had a second set for the boat and could get some stitching seen to. As well as a few twiddly bits the difference between ocean and offshore seems to be that oceans are thicker and harder wearing. The new oceans feel similar to my old offshores but the new offshores we’re lighter and easier to move in.

Bottom line: I think your offshores will be more than fine if they’re anything like my old Mustos. You need to layers up for cold whatever you wear
 
Why does this forum always delete messages when I try to edit them on Android?

“Ocean” and “offshore” are just marketing terms. Both are shells which assume you’ll layer for warmth underneath and both are effective wind stoppers. My “offshore” mustos did famously for more than 10 years and I can’t be alone in having experienced worse weather less than 150 nm from port than mid Atlantic. This year I bought some musto oceans so I had a second set for the boat and could get some stitching seen to. As well as a few twiddly bits the difference between ocean and offshore seems to be that oceans are thicker and harder wearing. The new oceans feel similar to my old offshores but the new offshores we’re lighter and easier to move in.

Bottom line: I think your offshores will be more than fine if they’re anything like my old Mustos. You need to layers up for cold whatever you wear

Thanks. Certainly the ocean branded gear I was fondling in Marine Superstore was thicker than the offshore. I’ll save buying Ocean gear for sterner tests. We went to the Falklands, S. Georgia and the Antarctic peninsula by converted cross channel ferry this January and saw several high latitude yachts, on some of which offer berths for sale - I think I’m tempted!
 
Looking for advice from transatlantic sailors, please. Next May I’m due to sail from Antigua to Plymouth. Sailing Las Palmas to St Lucia on last year’s ARC I didn’t need any clothing other than tee shirts and shorts but wondered whether the more northerly windward return might require more. Specifically, will I have need of ocean wet weather gear or will offshore suffice?

If I need ocean standard, I thought that SBS might be a good place to pick up old stock a little more cheaply than the latest style.

Mark

You are likely to experience all kinds of weather on this route and you need to pack accordingly. The last time I did this route I only used my ocean foulies, boots and gloves a few times but was very glad to have them when I needed them...

Pete
 
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