Which clothing?

[NotBirdseye]

Really I'm just trying to find out what you guys thinks work. I've seen a number of sailors grab a woolly jumper and a pair of jeans with a cotton t-shirt (and I'm thinking...that'll sink like a brick) but then, I'm new so I wrap up really well and am sensitive to the cold/wind so I wrap up really well (too well ).

What are you guys wearing when you go coastal sailing. Do you have any rules of thumb for forecast (I'm talking MetOffice Coastal Forecast here rather than landlubber forecast) temperatures?

Are you a t-shirt and shorts sailor whatever the weather or do you have a series of go to clothes that you use like hydrophobic, practically drysuits for extra flotation?

 

[prv]

Talk about sinking and flotation is just weird. We don't go in the water, and if someone's worried that they might, the correct solution is a lifejacket, not choosing different underwear.

I sail a cruising boat on the South Coast, and I aim not to be out in extreme conditions. If it's raining, I mostly sit under the sprayhood and let the autopilot do the steering - obviously that's not always possible, but the point is that in my usual sailing I don't expect to spend hours sitting on the windward toe-rail being lashed by rain and spray like I did as 19 year old race crew.

So I don't wear anything particularly exotic for sailing. Cheap polycotton hiking trousers that are thin and dry quickly, the same Decathlon walking shoes I use for most casual activities, an ordinary cotton T-shirt and some combination of other tops as required. I have a much-loved old canvas smock, a Regatta "shell jacket" handed out by my employer with their logo on, various fleeces, sweatshirts, and so on. If I know it's going to be cold, particularly at night, I do have a "thermal base layer" to add into the mix. And I have a set of oldish Gill oilskins for wet weather - though our cockpit is quite sheltered and depending on conditions I can often get away with just the jacket, with my legs sheltered by the high coamings. Boots I need to replace, actually - the soles on my previous set have gone completely hard and slippery to the point of being dangerous, and I've taken them off the boat. The fact that they got to this stage without me really noticing until some torrential rain a couple of weeks ago, shows how rarely I wear them.

Pete

 

[GHA]

decathalon seems to get very good reviews for jackets etc costing way less than the helle hanson et all. I like mountain warehouse sweat tex or whatever it's called teeshirts, dry quickly and don't smell for a day or 3 on longer passages

 

[oldmanofthehills]

decathalon seems to get very good reviews for jackets etc costing way less than the helle hanson et all. I like mountain warehouse sweat tex or whatever it's called teeshirts, dry quickly and don't smell for a day or 3 on longer passages

I wear mountain warehouse or regatta quick dry trousers and fleecy thermal tops or wool. Jeans are a notorious hypothermia cause when damp and I got chilled and caught a cold by forgetting not to wear cotton vest under fleece and coat on F6 torrential day.

We may hope to be out in good weather but needs must and Ive done lots of trips when reading sailing books in saloon of boat or pub might seem easier.

As for swimming - Drownproofing showed that clothing helped floatation and kept you warm - in the bristol channel you are not guaranteed much more than 45 minutes before cold kills you and you are hardly going to swim ashore from 3 miles out

 

[NotBirdseye]

I wear mountain warehouse or regatta quick dry trousers and fleecy thermal tops or wool. Jeans are a notorious hypothermia cause when damp and I got chilled and caught a cold by forgetting not to wear cotton vest under fleece and coat on F6 torrential day.

We may hope to be out in good weather but needs must and Ive done lots of trips when reading sailing books in saloon of boat or pub might seem easier.

As for swimming - Drownproofing showed that clothing helped floatation and kept you warm - in the bristol channel you are not guaranteed much more than 45 minutes before cold kills you and you are hardly going to swim ashore from 3 miles out

Thanks for that, hadn't heard of drown proofing before. Was a good read thank you. Not sure it's possible with a PFD but good enough!

When I said flotation I meant: http://www.crew-safe.co.uk/acatalog/Baltic-Amarok-Flotation-Suit.html or foam padded Salopettes. I suppose it depends on appetite for risk, those who potentially want an added five minutes in the water might opt for more buoyant hydrophobic insulating clothing for potential rescue. < The RYA safety first way. (Of course, not falling in and not going out in the cold and wet seem like very sensible precautions!)

Still I am asking for what you guys do. What do you guys find sensible and practicable for the kinds of sailing you do.

 

[johnalison]

We have done a mixture of coastal and sea crossings around the UK for nearly half a century. Really good clothing can be an important addition to one's comfort, and with cold sails, safety. There were few good clothes in the '70s that one could afford, so the usual thing was light summer clothes for basics, adding smock and a thick woollen Jersey, with a thin waterproof jacket and trousers, needing a scarf to keep the spray out. The only thing from that era I still use is a warm bobble hat, not the same one.

For summer sailing, I wear light summer clothes, no longer the obligatory red trousers. I now have the option of wind-proof fleeces to add instead of wool, and salopettes and proper cruising jacket which are near enough waterproof and spray proof. For cold night sails, I have in reserve thermal socks, thermal undies, and old fleece-lined monkey suit and gloves.

There are other permutations of course, and to some extent it is what you can afford, but many of my clothes were expensive at the time but have given years of good service. I'm not going to mention brands because they are all good in some way or other and it is often what fit best that one will choose.

 

[LadyInBed]

I stick my nose outside to get a feel for the conditions, then wear what I think is appropriate.
I keep all manner of outdoor clothing onboard from swim trunks to immersion suit including woolly tracksuit trousers to wear under salopettes on a chilly night and a hiking cape to sling on over a Musto 'Bomber' jacket and lightweight hiking trousers in a short shower.
If the weather changes then so do I!

 

[oldmanofthehills]

I stick my nose outside to get a feel for the conditions, then wear what I think is appropriate.
I keep all manner of outdoor clothing onboard from swim trunks to immersion suit including woolly tracksuit trousers to wear under salopettes on a chilly night and a hiking cape to sling on over a Musto 'Bomber' jacket and lightweight hiking trousers in a short shower. If the weather changes then so do I!

Well I have full immersion suits on board but not much fun if you need the loo often, so these are for abandon ship use only. I also have Gill waterproofs for bad weather, which are better than the council/outdoor worker ones I use for rowing out in dinghy. I avoid the much bulkier Gill for rowing. I would not expect a coastal skipper starting out to lash out on such gear.

Quick dry clothing is a good start and materials that keep some warmth when wet, and a good outdoor store can do these at no chandlery prices

 

[Blue Sunray]

Most of the stuff on the market these is pretty competent at what it is meant to do. Brands are pretty much differentiated on the basis of their marketing and the snobbery or more often inverted snobbery of the observer which is probably irrelevant to the user. One thing I would advise where the number of changes/ability to wash kit might be limited is the use of a woolen base layer as the artificial fabric based ones can become somewhat unsociable.

Oh and I'd avoid the use of cotton (including denim) outside summer conditions and/or the pub as it isn't good insulation when damp.

 

[Kukri]

Complete change this year.

For the past fifty years, I’ve worn any old worn out clothes to go sailing in, topped off with a pair of canvas shoes if fine and cheap nonslip boots and cheap oilskins if not fine.

This year I tried to join my betters:

Musto outer layer
Musto mid layer
Musto base layer either high activity or merino.
Musto socks
Dubarry boots.

Posh Backtow lifejacket

If it’s really nasty, drysuit and teddy.

It’s a revelation. I won’t willingly go back to being damp and miserable.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

One thing I would advise where the number of changes/ability to wash kit might be limited is the use of a woolen base layer as the artificial fabric based ones can become somewhat unsociable.

When fleeces came out 25 years ago I was advised to avoid travelling in car back from climbing weekends with one couple as washing facilities in camping barns and bothies are limited.

Maybe thats why me and the Navigator so often get a table to ourselves when going ashore to pubs for supper. Shower equipped harbours are essential every 2 or 3 days Merino wool long johns great if they dont make you itch.

 

[[70521]]

Really depends on the weather!

I was out in the Solent last weekend, where was everybody all we saw was the Red Funnel boats, in shorts, a tee shirt and my canvas smock.

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

Whatever takes your fancy really..

 

[duncan99210]

As ladyinbed said, it depends. I generally wear lightweight trousers and a tee shirt with a sweatshirt on top. Take a fleece and wind/waterproof jacket with me if it’s likely to rain. Waterproof overtrousers on kept on the boat for if it gets wet.
If we’re going out overnight, then extra layers for the night (base layer plus mid layer from Mountain Warehouse or Go Outdoors) and a neck warmer. Woolly hat is obligatory wear for much of the year owing to lack of hair these days.

 

[Kwik Decision]

And I have a set of oldish Gill oilskins for wet weather - though our cockpit is quite sheltered and depending on conditions I can often get away with just the jacket, with my legs sheltered by the high coamings.

I find I often wear salopettes, and not my oilie jacket, not least because in the morning the cockpit is often wet with dew, and I don't like getting a wet bum when sitting down......

To answer the OP, I'd say a reasonable set of oilies are essential for sailing in the UK, together with lots of layers to go underneath. Fleece jumpers / jackets and quick drying walking kit is good, and much better price than pukka sailing gear from the chandlers.

 

[NotBirdseye]

I have been looking at said Merino wear. £22 for a pair of boxers! Allegedly not itchy after the first wash (or maybe you just get used to it). As for 'oilies' II'll be giving them some thought, I want to get away from polywhateveritsnameisthistime though.

Very much like the idea of wearing salopettes first thing in the morning!

 

[Blue Sunray]

I have been looking at said Merino wear. £22 for a pair of boxers! Allegedly not itchy after the first wash (or maybe you just get used to it). As for 'oilies' II'll be giving them some thought, I want to get away from polywhateveritsnameisthistime though.

Very much like the idea of wearing salopettes first thing in the morning!

There are bargains to be had on Merino, for instance at Aldi at the moment. That said my experience is that the better known brands are worth it, I have a far amount from Icebreaker, not sure that I'd wear wool boxers though - rugby players' lycra is quite sufficient.

 

[jdc]

As others have said it depends on the weather. But two tips we found through experience while sailing in the arctic, although admittedly it isn't necessarily that cold as one goes there in summer; a March afternoon in the Solent can be just as perishing!

1. wear woollen jumpers rather than fleeces - not because fleeces are necessarily bad but they seem terribly variable
2. 'Ron Hill' tracksters (rufty-tufty lycra as worn by the SAS) under the oilskin trousers are much better than jeans or other cotton trousers.

 

[sail sail]

Really I'm just trying to find out what you guys thinks work. I've seen a number of sailors grab a woolly jumper and a pair of jeans with a cotton t-shirt (and I'm thinking...that'll sink like a brick) but then, I'm new so I wrap up really well and am sensitive to the cold/wind so I wrap up really well (too well ).

What are you guys wearing when you go coastal sailing. Do you have any rules of thumb for forecast (I'm talking MetOffice Coastal Forecast here rather than landlubber forecast) temperatures?

Are you a t-shirt and shorts sailor whatever the weather or do you have a series of go to clothes that you use like hydrophobic, practically drysuits for extra flotation?

If it's cold then wool is the way to go. Wear a lifejacket for floatation.

 

[Stemar]

A decent set of oilies is worth the money. I'd had a set of cheapies for several years; they'd faded to manky pink and were of dubious waterproofness. I was going as sighted crew on a boat taking blind people sailing and Milady said, "You're not going on someone else's boat with those." "But they're blind" "Don't care, get yourself some new ones". Well, I know when I'm on a loser, so off I went to the shop. I tried on the affordable ones and had pretty much decided on a set, but then I made the mistake of trying on a set of Gill Atlantics. I came out of the shop with my credit card in cardiac arrest and a set of the Gills. The most I've ever spent on an item of clothing, but I've never regretted them. Unless you're never going to go out in rain or strong wind, decent oilies are worth every penny. You probably don't need the ones designed for the Southern Ocean, but a good set of offshore ones will make all the difference when you're out there on a day when anyone with any sense is sitting by the fire with a pint.

Underneath, a Musto Snug or equivalent is a good thing to have when it's chilly, but not bad enough for oilies. Otherwise, whatever you wear normally, but fleece rather than sweater. I'm a great fan of Craghopper hiking trousers, or similar. Regatta is OK, the really cheap ones aren't - you really do get what you pay for, but I get 'em from TK Maxx or in sales. Lots of pockets, so you've got somewhere for your phone and wallet when you don't want to wear a jacket. Jeans are a complete no-no in anything less than ideal conditions. When wet, they take forever to dry, and will chill you to the bone.

As for flotation, the most important thing is to make sure you never need it. I try to treat my lifejacket, with built-in harness, like I treat my seat belt in the car, and the rule is, unless the boats attached to the ground - anchored or moored - clip on when going out of the cockpit. You're working at the mast, the sea's flat, so why clip on? You don't notice the big mobo going past. Then the wake arrives and, suddenly, you're swimming.