Yellow wellies anyone?

[doug748]

Over on the cabin cruiser site they are reminiscing about Javelin jackets. Do you have any boating attire that has stood the test of time?
I have a set of Spash Down waterproofs from 1982, still in regular use and only a bit leaky. They were expensive, at the time I thought they were the purchase of a lifetime - which, I guess, they pretty well were.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Over on the cabin cruiser site they are reminiscing about Javelin jackets. Do you have any boating attire that has stood the test of time?
I have a set of Spash Down waterproofs from 1982, still in regular use and only a bit leaky. They were expensive, at the time I thought they were the purchase of a lifetime - which, I guess, they pretty well were.

30 years old? That's superb. Many of us wouldn't even fit into garments that were that old.
If only we could always be confident that more expensive equals better quality. Sadly, all too often, it is only an illusion.

 

[Seajet]

Not trendy, but my original Guy Cotton waterproofs ( as used by offshore fishermen ) are still nearly good as new, 40 years on, now used as 'trusty standby'.

Musto M1 wellies - still the best I've found - going strong after 20 years, they don't even pong ( as far as anyone says ) either !

 

[Searush]

I have a pair of blue Musto wellies bought for a tenner at a boat show, probably 20 years ago. I bought an identical pair (same price too) at a jumble about 5 years ago cos I thought they would last much longer, but they have & the "new" ones are virtually unworn. But thinking about it, I don't actually need to wear any boots that often so that might explain their longevity.

 

[Vara]

Over on the cabin cruiser site they are reminiscing about Javelin jackets. Do you have any boating attire that has stood the test of time?
I have a set of Spash Down waterproofs from 1982, still in regular use and only a bit leaky. They were expensive, at the time I thought they were the purchase of a lifetime - which, I guess, they pretty well were.

My splashdown kit of about the same vintage had to be binned 4 years ago, not cos they leaked, they didn't, they failed SWMBOs aesthetic test.

Interesting wearing brand new oilies and boots when guesting on another boat, people rush about showing you how to tie bowlines and which bits of string to pull.

 

[Seajet]

My splashdown kit of about the same vintage had to be binned 4 years ago, not cos they leaked, they didn't, they failed SWMBOs aesthetic test.

Interesting wearing brand new oilies and boots when guesting on another boat, people rush about showing you how to tie bowlines and which bits of string to pull.

I'm used to that sort of thing in reverse, had my 22' boat ( and other larger jobs ) 34 years but people who've had a 33' for 5 minutes and don't notice old oilies & ensign go into ultra patronising mode - of course it could be my clumsy approach...

 

[doug748]

My splashdown kit of about the same vintage had to be binned 4 years ago, not cos they leaked, they didn't, they failed SWMBOs aesthetic test.......

I must admit that the inner lining prolapsed about 10 years ago, it looked like Miss Havisham's back curtains.

The rest has not been subject to the SWMBO aesthetic test, if it was it would be doomed.

 

[Seajet]

Talking of the SWMBO test, I was once asked to take a motorsailer through Biscay, and as the step out of the wheelhouse was 6" away from the briny, I said I was going to rig some lifelines.

The owners' wife ( a lovely lady but more artist than sailor ) had one important and heavily loaded question; " What Colour ? "

 

[VO5]

I have a pair of yellow wellies I bought in Finland in the eighties. Still perfect.
One doesn't see yellow wellies on sale very often. Iceland must be a good source. They wear them in the fish factories there.

 

[reginaldon]

Picked up a barg at SIBS c'90 - sailing jacket at £15 still OK & w/proof!
Son still wearing hos H-Hanson bought at same place, same time c£80

 

[Robin]

I returned to using Guy Cotten oilies some years back but went a little individual in having them in all white. Still have some yellow wellies in the garage kept for gardening, not that I ever do any, which is probably why they still exist. Have blue shorty wellies now dating back some 12 years very effective and cheap bought in France. Then again I have a collection of next decade's antiques and collectibles in a selection of Crocs. And as I said next door, SWMBO still wears her Javelin Jacket!

 

[onesea]

I'm used to that sort of thing in reverse, had my 22' boat ( and other larger jobs ) 34 years but people who've had a 33' for 5 minutes and don't notice old oilies & ensign go into ultra patronising mode - of course it could be my clumsy approach...

Small old boat Solent area natural assumption you do not know what your doing...

Sailing gloves I have a pair that are 20 odd years old and my life-jacket must be 15 years now..

 

[[70521]]

Interesting wearing brand new oilies and boots when guesting on another boat, people rush about showing you how to tie bowlines and which bits of string to pull.

I need some new kit this year, boy am I going to have some fun!

 

[Kukri]

1984 Musto Ocean jacket and salopettes - now used as spare - in fine condition but that was the era when Musto lined the trousers with closed cell floatation foam and fitted an integral harness so it's like climbing into a suit of armour. The trousers stand up unaided!