Which Oiley's???

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CalmSkipper

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Which Oiley\'s???

Going to LIBS and want to kit up for next year. I hear varying comments on clothing, 'get the best you can afford' being the most common peice of advice BUT, are some things not practical because thay are too hot and/or bulky etc?

So, apolgies for going poll crazy but again would be interested to hear some views.

My intended use is inshore/coastal cruising with occasional witsun or summer channel crossings (eventually). What should I opt for?

ps - I might do a poll asking if everyone is getting sick of polls next! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

hard for me to answer a poll like that cause I dont have much experience of all types.

I've bought Janet a Gill Key West jacket, which I think is Coastal. Whilst we havent tried it in the worst weather at sea, it looks like it will do a good job, and we are going to do our best to avoid her sailing in bad weather in the short term.

I've got Henry Lloyd Offshore, (bought in 1995 and still going strong) and, so far nothing has come through it, and I've been out in some rough wet stuff! It keeps you warm without getting wet from the sweat.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

I have a set of Musto Offshore trousers and jacket from 1993 (prior to breathables being invented), and they are still in good condition - and they have never let any of the green stuff through, even though they have seen active duty in some pretty poor conditions.

I have also got a Musto thermal salopette which I always used to wear underneath when sailing in high latitudes (have been a low lats sailor for the past 10 years), and that was brilliant, especially when combined with Musto thermal longjohns and vest underneath - dont get clammy at all then, never mind that the outer layer is not breathable.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

I have a set of Coastal Mustos from about 3 years ago. My sailing sounds much the same as yours.
The trousers seem totally adequate in bad conditions (with Musto salopettes beneath only if very cold), but the jacket feels rather thinner and lighter, and I often supplement it with either a thin fleece or a Musto Snug underneath it. With hindsight I think I would have gone for a heavier grade jacket, but as it is I get along fine with adding layers beneath if needed.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Bear in mind it is always cold at 0300, so if you foresee any night sailing go up a grade.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

[ QUOTE ]
Bear in mind it is always cold at 0300, so if you foresee any night sailing go up a grade.

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldn't agree more! I would advocate buying offshore if going coastal, IMHO you will never regret it. Also, you don't have to buy "names" to get good stuff! I have a set of "Compass 24" breathable offshore, and it is brilliant.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Being Devil's Advocate, warmth should come from under layers. If the top layer is designed for Southern Ocean sailing in winter it is going to be thoroughly unpleasant to wear in a summer shower or to keep the spray off on an otherwise hot day.

I had the full outfit of super stuff for years until I realised I never wore it because it was too heavy, too hot and if it got wet it took too long to dry. As a result we used other stuff 99% of the time, lightweight outfits that at least dried quickly. Then we made a move back to PVC wet gear from Guy Cotten, they do various grades to suit sailors, climbers, walkers or deep sea fishermen. We have the softer yottie ones and they are excellent, absolutely bone dry and even in summer we don't finf condensation a problem if the underlayers are kept light. The real beauty is they can be hosed down of salt water, shaken off and dried in a tenth of the time it would take for the expensive stuff, plus a full suit for circa £100!
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

I've had a set of Helly Hansen for a number of years. Jill knows a lot about sewing and she reckons the construction to be excellent. They are lasting very well, although at their current rate of usage in the Med they will last for ever. In 2005 season I wore the jacket once for about 10 minutes and this year twice for no more than 30 minutes total.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

I have musto ocean and coastal.Both are well pre breathable. I ware the ocean becouse it has built in safty harness which i use, with the coastal i was going on deck without!As the harness is seperate.

I have offshore trousers but the reinforced knees make them stiff, i feel as if im a man on the moon!!But at night when its damp and cold they keep you walm!!

For the walm day?? I bought last year in a sale a heli hanson breathable light weight jacket and that great when not cold and there spray flying very comfortable and keeps dry!

The mustos just dont wear out!
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

We have a lot of Musto Offshore non-breathable oilies which hold up well.

Mind you, I've still got my early -80's Musto Ocean trousers, which have a built in floation lining as well as the bullet proof patches. they will stand up on their own but are the :- on a cold winter's night!
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

DON'T buy at a boat show/chandlery etc. After too many years to mention in the mountains of the world, including the worst possible Scottish winter mountaineering conditions you can think of, take my advive and go to an 'Outdoor' shop, eg CCC or Rock & Run [see websites]. The gear is just as good, if not better than Musto etc, and CONSIDERABLY cheaper, if you know what to look for. [hint: avoid expensive Berghaus].
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

The best Oilys ?

A pair of carpet slippers ...................................................

And a wheelhouse!
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Musto salopettes - great. H Lloyd Jacket - two really annoying design flaws - 1. flappy bit of collar that when open gets blown into your face when to windward with the rough bit of a velcro fastening scraping your chin. 2. handwarmer pockets baldly sited (too low). Personal preferences of course but the practical lesson is to think about the small things when buying - £400 is a lot of dough for a jacket!
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Mustang worksuit / yellow or orange with built in flotation as used by US Navy / Coastguard / Canadian Coastguard / Australian Navy ... cheap over here too Full suit for 130 UK pounds ... sometimes on eBay.com
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

As far as I'm concerned, oilskins are supposed to waterproof overalls, nothing more.

They're supposed to be waterproof, windproof and comfortable. Build in liners are nice but add to both price and bulk, which can be a concern for stowage. It doesn't matter what the label is unless you are in the Solent.

So I have Compass trousers and an unlined top, two sizes to big cos that's how I like it, £40 from LIBS.

I was amazed when I was looking at oilies that what would have been a top of the range £300 ocean suit 20 years ago is a £70 coastal suit now.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Musto Offshore because they aren't as bulky as the Ocean plus I can layer up underneath.

Don't forget your feet, a good set of warm boots are worth their weight in gold.

I tried for Dubarry Ultima boots however, my feet are too big /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif so I plumped for the Musto HPX boots, expensive yes but they are very comfortable and keep my feet toasty warm.

SWMBO has the Ultimas and swears by them.
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

Well thank you all for your votes and comments - the verdict tied as much as my own thoughts were between coastal and inshore. I think I favour the idea of keeping them as light as possible but being ablt to layer up when needed, so coastal it is for me. If in the future it turns out to be a mistake I'll post a confession!!

Thanks again
 
Re: Which Oiley\'s???

I agree Smiffy, you dont need to get a brand name to get excellent stuff.

My offshore's are the French Tribord brand bought at Decathlon Store in France. They are excellent and have their
own branded breathable membrane that seem to do the job. Paid considerably less than Musto, HH, Gill and the likes and came back with a whole load of wine and cheese too!
 
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