C08
Well-known member
Ours having been stolen we need to source some more. Any comments about Musto, Gill, Helly jackets etc are welcomed to help us make good purchases.
Not having replaced mine for about 15 yrs, I'm a bit out of date on this one, but much depends on the kind of use it will get. Equally important is the actual fit, and so if it were me I would try on a range and choose the one I was comfortable in and felt snug.
I know a lot of peeps do this but I do not feel comfortable trying on for size at a chandlers and then going and buying online.
Very pleased with my Hudson Wight HW1, now I think two years old. Every bit as good as the pricey "Offshore/Ocean" rated stuff from the big names, but not quite as dear (not exactly cheap either though). I did like their approach of "we only make one model" instead of all that "coastal/offshore" faff the others do. Breathes well and doesn't leak on the zips or seams. It provides waterproofing only, no thermal layers, the idea being that those are worn as layers underneath, if and when it is so desired (mostly in the form of cheap fleece jackets and if it gets really cold, a knit polyester pullover). Has the advantage that if one or the other gets wet, you can swap them and dry them separately, not to mention that a fleece inner jacket can be had for a tenner as there's absolutely nothing special about those.
It has clever pockets that work well when wearing a lifejacket/harness (which often blocks normal pockets), an extended aft end on the jacket and a big splashguard on the bibs that pulls down far enough so you can use the forward plumbing without having to fully undress. Also a hood that stays on your head without sliding down over your eyes.
Kit is always a personal thing. Get yourself to a shop and try everything on, move about in it, do the sort of movement you normally do in a boat and see what bests suits you. If you need it altered, I have short legs then these guys are good
https://www.scottishmountaingear.com/repair-service