Foul weather gear suggestions

ptgray · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

I just spent two and a half weeks traveling from Barnegat Bay, NJ to Portsmouth, VA and back on my small schooner Quintessence. I was down on the Chesapeake for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. There was a great deal of pretty crummy weather. Lots of rain. I have a set of Gill coastal foul weather gear which, after a few hours in the rain, left me very wet and cold. It never dried out between watches, and pretty much everything I had with me got wet. A couple of guys on my crew had inexpensive West gear, and they stayed dry. I am going to buy new gear but am a bit torn. Do I spend up for good (spelled expensive) offshore brand gear or go with inexpensive, somewhat disposable gear? I would appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

badsanta · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

I would look for the features you want in a suit, The same brand have diffrent styles. What kept the others dry? over yours? I would look at that first.

Yorksailor · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

I have both...best quality Musto ( Had Gill offshore for the previous 7 yrs) for offshore in cold weather and the lightwight West stuff for Florida and the Islands. On a recent trip Puerto Rico to Halifax Nova Scotia I had the Musto and the rest of the guys had West and they were fine but for the seriously cold stuff...English Channel or Irish Sea in winter/early spring I like the Musto.

My wife used West medium stuff in the Channel on a very cold spring trip and in Nova Scotia in the fall and she was fine.

Phil

klem · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2009

What is your use going to be? Inshore vs offshore, summer vs cold weather, cruising vs racing, etc?

I went the opposite end of the spectrum than I suspect most people do and have commercial fishing foulies. When I was working on schooners, I would go through a set of name brand foulies in 2 seasons or so. One of my biggest complaints with that type of material is that it did not dry well so once you had gotten wet, you were going to be wet for a while.

I bought a set from Grundens which you can get at Hamilton marine or most stores that cater to the commercial guys and have been very happy. Even though the stuff does not breath, I stay much drier because it also doesn't leak. I find that if I do get wet for whatever reason, I am warmer and that it will dry a lot faster. And the best part is that I have had the current set for 6 years and it only cost $130 for everything. The only time when I don't like the stuff is if I have to work on my knees a lot since it isn't very flexible and doesn't seal to my boots.

This option isn't for everyone but has worked a lot better for me over the years.

dugout · #5 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

If you want to stay warm and dry Grundens over poly pro is the answer for me, too. I feel the rest is just a fashion statement and marketing hype. As someone once said, "You pays your money and you takes your choice". There is a lot to be learned from those who make their living on the water and personal comfort is one of them.
Brigg 44 coat and Herc 16 bibs
Wear a belt over the coat and bibs, add gloves and boots, wrap a small fleece towel around your neck under the coat; you will stay dry on a cold and wet watch.

jmolan · #6 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

I work int he Bering Sea year round'. My crew uses Gunden's only. The newer stuff is very light weight and really tough. It consists of pants, no bib, and a pullover coat. Dark blue pants and blue and yellow overcoat. Very light and free moving. They are kinds sexy now also compared to the old grundies

You will probably see a number of different under gear in the same store. My crew wears poly tops and bottoms. They usually have two suits. one drying and getting warm and one to wear.
Commercial fishermen live in rubber, and the best stuff comes from Grunden's.

genieskip · #7 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

I agree with the last few posters.If you want to make a fashion statement, by all means, pay the price and get a top of the line "breathable" FWG and pay in the vicinity of a thousand bucks. My experience is that "breathable" breathes both ways and while you'll stay dry in a heavy mist you'll get wet when the green stuff really flies. I've found that fishermen's gear with poly underneath keeps you much drier in the really rough conditions. Yes, you will sweat a bit but the goretex is useless under certain conditions and when it gets wet through it will stay wet till you get a good sunshiny day.

jephotog · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

Cold and Wet in your Gill, Ouch I hate to hear that. I just bought a new offshore Gill Jacket. The details, and weight in the jacket feel amazing, I hate to think it may not work well.

Up until a few years ago I used Patagonia. Bought some West marine bibs for a crossing of the Gulf of Mexico that worked great, along with a West Jacket that I borrowed. If these leak or wear out I will look at buy Grundies next time.

sailarr · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

Hmmm...

My wests also keep me pretty dry and layering underneath gets me through the cold nights - best investment for me so far on a cold night have been some blue fishermen's gloves with felt lining - they don't breath but my hands stay warm all night

jackdale · #10 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jephotog

Cold and Wet in your Gill, Ouch I hate to hear that. I just bought a new offshore Gill Jacket. The details, and weight in the jacket feel amazing, I hate to think it may not work well.

I have a Gill Offshore jacket that I am happy with. I just finished a course with another instructor who has had the same jacket for 5 years. He is happy with it as well. We both wear HH offshore pants. That was a great investment for me - a got a previous years model for 1/3 of the retail price.

I wear the pants more that the jacket. I hate getting a wet bum.