Waterproofs - Smock or Jacket?

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Amphitrite

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Hi,

I am in the market for a new waterproof jacket/smock. My previous Marinepool Offshore, in prolonged rain, is getting soggy (although still relatively dry inside), and I am looking at a replacement. I believe in Goretex or similar, so fisherman oilies are ruled out.

I have set my eyes on the Decathlon Tribord 900 (have read good/heard things on it), but was wondering whether I should try the smock - no leaks at the front zipper is certainly an argument, but how is it for daily use?

My next sailing trip will be Westcoast in March, and most uses will be rather in similar conditions...

Thanks.
 
Personal choice. It is a trade off between the possibility of leaks through zips and the inconvenience of a smock, particularly putting it on.

By observation jackets seem to dominate the leisure market and not sure that leaks are a serious issue with today's types of enclosures and storm flaps.
 
I have both. Primarily I use the smock for work, as I'm usually in a RIB with water coming at me from all angles.

If I want to stay dry, no matter what the weather or length of sail, I'll wear my smock. If I'm cruising and will be taking the jacket on and off or going ashore I'll wear the jacket.
 
Modern zips and flaps are good.

You can put a jacket on while holding on... a Smock I'm not so sure.

Smock can not be open if you get warm..

Smock makes it hard to get to pockets on your jumper,,,
 
Just went through this, and opted for a jacket.
This was for two reasons
- Ease of getting it on/off for a watch at 2am
- Ability to open it up a bit to cool off

If I was spending a lot of time on the foredeck, with waves crashing over - I'd definitely have gone for a smock
 
Back in the '70s there was little in the way of good clothing, and many of us wore cloth smocks. These were cosy and made one feel very traditional, but even in my lithe youth they were a pain to pull on and off. Modern jackets and trousers were a revelation, especially when they became breathable, and I would never want to go back to a smock unless I were posing on an old gaffer.
 
Isn't a poncho/smock just a way of gaining unrated sail area downwind ?

Also useful in small boats so you can get dressed/undressed in the cockpit without upsetting
fellow sailors in an anchorage.
 
The first question you must ask is - How easy is it to go for a pee in your oilies?

I wear a Breton Fishermans smock, complete with mobile phone pocket (darn clever these French) about 70% of the time - it is windproof not waterproof. If it is getting a bit wet then time to pop into the gortex suit, smock, salopettes then jacket. If it is not done this way one warm wet foot is a risk.

Thankfully my mountaineering kit has a fly! About time Musto thought about putting one in their kit.
 
wiggy said:
Unfortunately Tribord have cut right back on the sailing gear and only sell a couple of cheap jackets.
Click to expand...

Have contacted the manufacturer and they said an updated 900 /top of the range kit would be available again as from December...

Interesting thoughts on smock/jackett, keep it coming... Thanks.
 
Before binning your old expensive foulies and buying new expensive ones, I suggest doing a bit of reading about Durable Water Repellents (DWR). Often they can be reactivated by a round in the dryer at appropriate settings and failing that a new coating can be applied.
 
In my opinion... It comes down to if you like hoods or not.

I really don't like wearing a hood, and wear a sealskin waterproof beanie and/or a baseball cap instead. This means that if it's raining you absolutely need a neck seal to avoid water down your neck. In this respect my smock is perfect.
I also have a cheaper lightweight jacket for warmer, drier sailing when a smock is not necessary. This seems to be the best setup in my opinion.

If however you can cope with wearing a hood for long periods when it's raining, sacrificing the visibility and hearing etc, then a jacket is a decent solution.
 
Sandy said:
When will the manufacturers sort out the hood problem?
Click to expand...

It's more of a personal preference I think. I just feel claustrophobic in a hood, and with it up and covering my ears I find that I lose my wind sense which is no good when helming.
 
It really depends what you want to do.

If you're getting wet, whether on the rail in rough weather or in heavy rain, a smock is great. Especially in a situation where you just have to stand or sit there and take whatever the weather throws at you (e.g. racing). My Musto smock even has a hood although I rarely pull it out. Not too bad to get on before heading off, but it would be a nuisance to be pulling it on and off regularly during a trip.

There's not the option to unzip a bit if you're getting a bit warm.

That said, I keep it at home in my racing bag rather than on my own boat. I really can't remember the last time I wore the smock whilst cruising. When you have more options for sheltering under the sprayhood, rotating helms etc the ease of wearing an normal oilskin jacket generally outweighs the advantages of a smock.
 
We don't call them 'smocks' but that's what a 'spray top' is.
Great for dinghies and inshore racing.
Mine is breathable and the neck can be opened to cool off.
I have two actually, one is a fleece lined Rooster for the spring and Autumn over a wetsuit.
Not so great when you are more passive, such as sailing a yacht cross channel. Then you want a decent hood/collar design.
Also worth considering that my drysuit didn't cost much more than a mediocre pair of 'offshore' trousers.
 
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