SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Do I need to buy offshore foulies for this south-bound delivery?

3512 Views 22 Replies 16 Participants Last post by Valiente, Oct 9, 2009

Valiente

Discussion Starter · Oct 4, 2009

I have "made do" on Lake Ontario with various Gore-Tex rainsuits (separate pants and jacket) as foul weather gear. In fact, it's the same stuff I use bicycling and the jacket, combined with fleeces, is what I wear in all but the coldest parts of winter.

I have any number of Topsider-type "boat shoes" and I have Gill sea boots to mid-calf. I also have neoprene gloves and a wide collection of toques, caps and hats.

I also have Henri Lloyd bib overalls, but I've never worn them much, frankly.

It appears, however, that I'm going to be crewing from North Carolina to USVIs in the first two weeks of November with "Killarney Sailor" from here on Sailnet on his and his wife's Bristol 45.5. So my question is this:

Do I need basic foulies because of the time of year and the fact that it might get damned wet going south against the Gulf Stream? Or will a lighter selection of rain gear do?

If I need to invest in foulies, what brands are recommended? I suspect that this trip will start out fairly harshly, and then rapidly moderate as we track south to shorts, T-shirt, nylon shell and boat sandals weather.

A lot of you guys sail these waters, so if I need to spend serious money, that's fine. Better warm and dry on deck at 2 AM than shivering and wishing I'd brought sturdier gear.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

tommays

· #2 · Oct 4, 2009

Val

On this years Around long island race we started in 30 knots + wind with 8+ seas about 3 hours into the event we had several issues

1.1/2 crew seasick

2.Full crew WET regardless of foul weather gear with <60 degree air temp

3.While i was wet and cold my biggest issue was the amount of sea water i was taking in.

4. 40 other boats had the same issue with only 9 able to stay in

See less See more

westerly

· #3 · Oct 4, 2009

foul weather gear

i spent 6 years in the caribbean. wore my economy west marine rain jacket a half dozen times and the pants only once (too hot). jim

labatt

· #4 · Oct 4, 2009

All I can say is that when I go offshore I love my Henri-Lloyd Offshore foulies, especially at night - fleece neck liner, double sealed cuffs, handwarmer pockets, water resistant and they dry quickly between watches. I have a lighter set of foulies that I rarely use.

JohnRPollard

· #5 · Oct 4, 2009

Val,

I think you'll appreciate having a beefier layer.

On an early April run from the Bahamas to North Carolina, we enjoyed fair breezes and temperate conditions the entire way, but even in that fully enclosable cockpit, I pulled on heavier layers during the mid-night watches.

But then, you're Canadian.

Faster

· #6 · Oct 4, 2009

Val, even leaving the PNW in July/August requires serious foulies until you cross south of the California border... Unfortunately you won't need them all the way and that's a lot of gear for just a (hopefully) short part of your trip.

But if it turns out you do need it, you'll be thankful to have it.

TSOJOURNER

· #7 · Oct 4, 2009

Yes buy fowlies -- the warmer the better.

Listen more to Tommays, and less to the commenters who so far have lucked out weatherwise. You may think you are in a tropical situation, but gale winds, sea sickness, exhaustion, and spray create a wind chill factor that will be way below the ambient temp when you set sail. In bad weather, dodgers often get torn off and cockpit decks turn blue. The most miserable cold I have ever been was on a June sail from Norfolk to Martha's Vineyard in a two-day Noreaster --sans dodger.

I would not consider any offshore sail without open ocean fowlies which would include two pair of heavy-duty gauntlet-style gloves (one to wear; one to dry out) in order to keep sleeves from draining into your gloves; and lots of fleece everything. Unlike cotton, fleece dries out at sea. You can always take stuff off, but you cannot put on what you do not bring, and your crewmates may not be eager to share.

Now if you were aboard a catamaran with a hard dodger and bimini, my advice would be quite different. That said, our old monohull fowlies are always stowed on board, if for no other reason, our dinghy lacks protective amenities like dodgers.

See less See more

paulk

· #8 · Oct 5, 2009

Tom is right. November can be REALLY COLD. The Gulf Stream can also get really nasty. In one Bermuda Race we beat for a more than a day into an 8' chop caused by an eddy going against the wind. Every third or fourth wave we simply sailed off the top of it, and the boat fell 8' into the trough. Down below, crew off watch in their bunks were getting thrown up against the underside of the deck. Wearing foulies below gave another layer of padding. Another item you might want to consider bringing would be clear goggles - either the ski or worktool safety type. In a 40-knot rainsquall that lasts a half hour, it can at times be helpful to be able to see.

Valiente

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 5, 2009

JohnRPollard said:
But then, you're Canadian.

Too true. I wear army shorts for bicycle riding until December 1 or whenever I start feeling chilly...then I switch to the kilt.

Still, I feel I should give the foulies a chance. Maybe I'll just Scotchguard the existing Gore-Tex shell (which has very long arms with velcro cuffs and an integral hood) and add a mix of fleeces and thermals beneath.

I have a gigantic raincoat (zips and velcro everywhere) but I look like I'm auditioning as the mascot for "Fisherman's Friend" lozenges with it on, or a crossing guard in Norway.

Valiente

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 5, 2009

TOMINDC2 said:
That said, our old monohull fowlies are always stowed on board, if for no other reason, our dinghy lacks protective amenities like dodgers.

Good advice. THanks.

Valiente

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 5, 2009

paulk said:
Tom is right. November can be REALLY COLD. The Gulf Stream can also get really nasty. In one Bermuda Race we beat for a more than a day into an 8' chop caused by an eddy going against the wind. Every third or fourth wave we simply sailed off the top of it, and the boat fell 8' into the trough. Down below, crew off watch in their bunks were getting thrown up against the underside of the deck. Wearing foulies below gave another layer of padding. Another item you might want to consider bringing would be clear goggles - either the ski or worktool safety type. In a 40-knot rainsquall that lasts a half hour, it can at times be helpful to be able to see.

I was going to bring googles anyway, because I wear contact lenses, and workshop googles are something I use on Lake Ontario...well, this time of year, anyway.

St Anna

· #12 · Oct 5, 2009

Hey Val,
We live in sunny Queensland and dress up like a member of the Mawson expedition when it gets a little chilly. WOuld not, could not cope in your neck of the frozen arctic tundra. I would need battery powered thermals - or crew [learning a character building episode] and I could stay in my bed!

negrini

· #13 · Oct 5, 2009

A southbond trip early november is somehow a not well planned trip, to say the best. Your'e risking severe gales and hurricane encounter, specially this year's highlighted El Nino effects. I hope you have it in mind ... and yes, it will be a bit chilly sail, so beter to prepare yourself.

Stillraining

· #14 · Oct 5, 2009

Buy em Val.....you will there after always have them needed or not.

Good luck to you...and have a safe trip..looking forward to the updates.

zz4gta

· #15 · Oct 5, 2009

Bring foulies. I only have one pair, but its henry lloyd's ocean racer jacket and bibs. Retail they cost a mortgage payment. But I have NEVER turned down a sail due to weather. And if I was going offshore in Nov., you'd better believe I'd have em on board.

I'm with negrini, pick a different time of year, or risk 40 knots of breeze.

jephotog

· #16 · Oct 5, 2009

I raced across the Gulf of Mexico in the middle of the summer. I was glad for every piece of equipment I had with me.

Sea boots
West Marine's best bibs
Heavy Offshore Jacket (borrowed from the boat owner as mine was just worn out)
Tons of layers to go underneath it all

For the two days that it blew and the 0230 reefing wake up calls I appreciated every piece of equipment I had on. I would not go off shore without a full layer of protection.

Not that even the best equipment will keep you dry, but will lessen the quantity of water from each wave over the bow that will make it all the way down to your skin. This allows the water already inside to at least warm up a bit. There could be days of brutal weather and foulies would allow you to spend more time in the cockpit and be more alert as a result of comfort.

But then again if you are cycling in December in Canada in a Kilt, you may be of heartier stock than me. Might I suggest a heavy wool kilt for the passage and a sport kilt for the time on the island.

See less See more

Stillraining

· #17 · Oct 5, 2009

jephotog said:
.

But then again if you are cycling in December in Canada in a Kilt, you may be of heartier stock than me. Might I suggest a heavy wool kilt for the passage and a sport kilt for the time on the island.

LMRO..:laugher .Classic truly classic..:laugher

tommays

· #18 · Oct 5, 2009

And remember we froze are BUTTS off in august

off the south shore of Long island

See less See more

sahara

· #19 · Oct 5, 2009

For serious offshore, you want to stay warm and dry. For hands, forget the Gill and WM "cold weather sailing gloves". If it gets really wet, you'll be wringing water out of them 10 miinutes into a watch. For one trip, it's also not worth buying heavy duty goretex boots. Go to your local REI and get Seal Skin gloves and socks. They are waterPROOF, and work. I use them at night in Maine much more than my $300 DuBarry's. Size the socks so you can put another pair of socks beneath, and they'll be OK with a pair of Keens. Rubber boots are cheap and OK, but your feet will sweat. The Seal Skins really work.

Climbing/skiing/Biking shell layers are NOT the same as offshore FWG. I know. I thought I was going to freeze to death in Maine in July in my Arc'teryx ice climbing shell gear. If there is any way to swing it, at least get an offshore jacket with a high fleece-lined collar, wrist seals and hood. I love my Musto, but it is pricy as the dickens. My son has had very good luck with a much less expensive Gill. I think layering under a goretex bib or pants that are meant for skiing would be sufficient.

If you are going offshore, be sure the host has an extra inflatable PFD/harness and tether, or get your own.

See less See more

OldColumbia

· #20 · Oct 5, 2009

Dear Val,

As a former Hoser, (eh!) I would recommend the lighter, more flexible rain gear since you'll be layered, wearing a PFD with harness and GPS/Radio/strobe as well as your full fingered gloves. Depending on the angle of heel, the bib (though extra padding) may give you a grand wedgie when you bend in the shoulder straps but provide some protection from green water in your boots.
Staying behind the dodger with your hood tied will keep you the warmest.

1 - 20 of 23 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.