Which clothing?

[NotBirdseye]

The OP will be back in a minute to say he only sails in the summer.

The OP will be sailing in all weathers, hence asking for the rules of thumbs . Do you guys change your clothes like you put reefs in (i.e. when it reaches a certain temp or expect it to be a certain temp and then who the hell cares...). I'm still reading, paying attention and researching the various answers. I've been quite surprised so far (that said I freeze at the slightest hint of a breeze, you won't catch me, even in the height of summer going into the Bristol Channel with anything less than two layers, but I found I was wearing cotton and that's a no no it seems!).

 

[johnalison]

I've been quite surprised so far (that said I freeze at the slightest hint of a breeze, you won't catch me, even in the height of summer going into the Bristol Channel with anything less than two layers, but I found I was wearing cotton and that's a no no it seems!).

Cotton is useful for protecting one's modesty, but that's about all. The height of my sartorial ambition is to be able to sail with the boats reefed down, but wearing only a sleeveless shirt (etc). This doesn't happen very often in northern waters but I've done it a few times in the Baltic. No planning is involved in dressing, other than trying to avoid leaving essential kit at home.

 

[prv]

The one item that’s only been mentioned once yet is ubiquitous amongst professional sailors. (Instructors, delivery crew etc etc) and it’s the snug jacket.

Agree!

I bought one specifically for the occasional days I go to sea with work - I'll mostly be peering into a laptop in the wheelhouse, so I don't need full oilies, but I might need to nip out on deck to adjust equipment, and of course get to and from the boat, and even inside it can be chilly in winter.

But I now wear it very often as a general casual jacket, and it always comes with me sailing. Perfect when it's a bit wet and chilly but not properly belting it down and demanding full oilies.

A baseball cap under your foulie hood helps turn the hood in the direction you are trying to look in.

Personally I don't like hoods. I used to wear it, pulled down tight so I could barely see, when plonked on the rail as movable ballast - there's no doubt it's the most weatherproof option. But otherwise I prefer to wear a hat than a hood.

Pete

 

[doug748]

The one item that’s only been mentioned once yet is ubiquitous amongst professional sailors. (Instructors, delivery crew etc etc) and it’s the snug jacket. I’m on about my sixth Musto Snug (other makes available) . The fact that the design hasn’t changed much in the last umpteen years must mean they’ve got something right. I think they’re brilliant and I wait until Musto have them on offer.

.......

Is this the one...?

https://www.force4.co.uk/musto-snug-blouson-jacket-navycinder-l-m.html

I love these, keeps the water out, warm lining, excellent. Shame they have only been making them recently with dark/black lining; I liked the jolly colours.

One vital nautical item so far overlooked is a good pair of carpet slippers. Nothing better at the end of long day, boots off bar open.

 

[westhinder]

(see yachting world article HERE)
View attachment 80861

Not surprised the Henri Lloyd jacket I referred to in an earlier post gets the highest marks 5/5 for use at sea. It is the warmest I have ever worn.

 

[LadyInBed]

Is this the one...?

https://www.force4.co.uk/musto-snug-blouson-jacket-navycinder-l-m.html

I love these, keeps the water out, warm lining, excellent. Shame they have only been making them recently with dark/black lining; I liked the jolly colours..

I don't like the idea of 'knitted cuffs and hem', makes for soggy hands. Mine has cuffs and hem the same material as the jacket.

One vital nautical item so far overlooked is a good pair of carpet slippers. Nothing better at the end of long day, boots off bar open.

Crocks (look alike) for me, in fact, on nice days I wear them on deck!

 

[john_morris_uk]

I don't like the idea of 'knitted cuffs and hem', makes for soggy hands. Mine has cuffs and hem the same material as the jacket.

Crocks (look alike) for me, in fact, on nice days I wear them on deck!

I sort of agree about the cuffs but the simple answer is not to treat your snug as anything more than a layer under a proper waterproof top. My Musto Ocean HPX have Velcro’s inner and outer cuffs that stop water (mostly) getting down your sleeve. Most of us don’t sail with our arms in the air letting water gather.

I suppose if you want to stay totally dry then get a dry suit. ...

On the other hand if it’s only a light shower I just wear the snug. If it looks like proper rain it’s ‘pass my foulies please’.

 

[KellysEye]

I remember sailing from Portsmouth to Burnham-on-Crouch it was so cold we had to wear thermals and wet weather gear. When we arrived everyone was wearing T shirts.

 

[capnsensible]

I remember sailing from Portsmouth to Burnham-on-Crouch it was so cold we had to wear thermals and wet weather gear. When we arrived everyone was wearing T shirts.

Blimey it took you five months? :ambivalence:

 

[steve yates]

I dont wear any sailing gear, apart from dubarry seaboots. I used wellies but the seaboots are great, well worth the money.

For everything else I use my climbing gear. For real warmth I wear my big down jacket, protected under my Keela goretex waterproofs.

Working round from Cumbria to Essex via Lands End over a winter, I was snug and toasty, despite being at the helm for up to 10 hours, (with short breaks to mash tea or brew coffee) (no autopilot) with merino thermal longjohns and top, Craghoppers fleece lined trousers, Rad windproof midlayer, Lowe fleece jumper, rab down duvet, french made (forget brand) fleece climbing jacket, keela goretex waterproof with berghaus waterproof salopettes, a fleece snood, and a fleece lined goretex hat. When it was shitting it down I added silk balaclava, ice climbing waterproof overmitts and ski goggles.

That's pretty much my sailing gear all year round, I just shed layers when its warmer, and if its summery, I wear shorts and t shirt and bare feet.

Edited as i forgot to add: the sallopettes, fleece jumper, and fleece jkt are about 30 years old. The duvet, the trousers and the goretex are about 12 years old. The boots are the only new thing, I got them halfway through the trip, so xmas 2017. Anyway, that climbing gear has been hard used and is still going strong, so superb value for money. That was before they became fashion brands, so not sure how the modern stuff would hold up, prob vary by brand.

 

[Blue Sunray]

Blimey it took you five months? :ambivalence:

Yes, only one error, he turned right out of Pompey.

 

[prv]

I sort of agree about the cuffs but the simple answer is not to treat your snug as anything more than a layer under a proper waterproof top.

+1 - and then the close-fitting grippy cuffs with no extraneous straps, velcro, etc, slide easily into the sleeve of an outer layer.

Pete

 

[Halo]

Lots of mentions of Musto gear which is excellent but very expensive (example £65 for a long sleeve T shirt - they are having a laugh ! ).
Recently I have bought a far bit of Gill stuff which is nearly as good and much better value (£35 for an equivalent long sleeve t shirt with faster inclusive delivery ).
I have no connection to Gill.

 

[Blue Sunray]

Recently I have bought a far bit of Gill stuff which is nearly as good and much better value (£35 for an equivalent long sleeve t shirt with faster inclusive delivery ).
I have no connection to Gill.

:encouragement: for top layers. Base and mid-layers I tend to get from places like Cotswold Outdoor (there are cheaper outdoor shops but I get a significant corporate discount) or as someone said above TK Max for Craghoppers.

 

[[70521]]

Off back to the Solent at the weekend, shorts and smock are packed. I've purchased a fantastic gilete for £4.00 at the HospisCare shop in Topsham; just need to lose a few kilograms so it is not so tight.

 

[yimkin]

'Fladen' salopettes and jacket. They have a thin foam insulating lining which doubles as buoyancy. All certified by the Norwegian marine authorities. Designed for use by trawlermen and offshore hands. Much cheaper than yachtie products.
'Buffalo' fleece lined salopettes are a great next to the skin and have a fly zip that starts at navel height and finishes well above the backside - very convenient. Buffalo gear is apparently much favoured by the Special Forces.