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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Foulies Recomendations Please

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/12/2005 : 19:01:09

So what do folks recommend for foul weather gear? Is the stuff at west marine really worth the price? I'm more familiar with kayak and hiking clothes. Not going to run around the sailboat in a wet suit.
Thanks.

Rick

Edited by - on

seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2005 : 19:38:05

I simply carried over some proven performers from my backpacking days into my sailing days. Just a good, breathable rain jacket ($60 on sale for $30) and rain pants (less than $30), purchased at EMS. Rain pants never saw/see much use. No need to purchase rainwear that has 'marine' stamped on them...they either keep you dry or not, 'Perfect Storm' conditions notwithstanding. The minimalist will just cut three holes in a lawn/leaf bag and wear that.

Bob

Edited by - on

Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 08/12/2005 : 23:53:06

Since you're on a fresh water lake, I agree, go to EMS or REI and get something waterproof and breathable. If you're going to be in a salt water enviornment, the climbing companies' gear will not cut it; the salt will eat through the material in about a season or two. The Westmarine stuff is OK. I bought the cheap, non-breathable bibs and wish I had spent the extra money on a breathable pair. My jacket is Gill. Good stuff.

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 00:14:27

We bought the non breathable west marine bibs this spring when they were on a great sale. The price was so low the cashier did a double take. I was very glad to have them a few days later when it was pouring rain on me. For the upper I use a very nice breathable parka from REI. Works for me. I could not see spending a lot of money on storm gear we will use only intermittenly. My parka I use all the time.
I did get a lot of flak when I showed up at the construction job site in my foulies I very stormy day (I'm an architect) but hey I was dry!

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 01:34:37

If your planing on a cruise get the good stuff. If your not in that much bad weather just get a good set of Helly Hansen slickers and some good rain boots . Your sailing not making a fation statment.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 15:45:31

http://www.henrilloydonline.com/ sends me emails to announce their sales. I have bought two nice $100+ coats for $40 each.
I have this one

and this one

[url="http://www.henrilloydonline.com/productmgmt/subcat.asp?nCatID=26"]GO HERE[/url]and you can look as good as me!

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 15:56:41

Now look what you did! Now I have this one

and this one

too!

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Don B
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 16:52:29

AAARRRRGGGGHHHH! Too late...all they have left are XXL. Great looking jackets AND great price.

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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 17:05:19

I went to local small town General Store and got bib pants and jackets for 15-20 bux. Same stuff the field hands use when picking in the wet. Works fine for my use. Also picked up some snowboarding pants on end of season sale.

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 17:13:19

I use an old pair of bibs from E&B that are non breathable, the one feature you want is a Velcro closure at the ankle to keep water from going up your pants. I use a Columbia light weight rain jacket or a LandsEnd storm jacket for the top when it’s cold.
My one real recommendation is to use “dingy” or hiking” boots. I had a French lace up the side pair that I loved and patched and patched them but I can’t find a new pair.
So…. I am using the Ronstan neoprene boots. Yes your feet get wet but they are warm.

They are like moccasins instead of the big clunky off shore boots.

Edited by - on

John G-
Admiral

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793 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 18:02:33

I found the dingy boots I had. They are the Aigle boots from France.

At one boat unit I am going to stay with the $39 Ronstan’s I posted above but they are great and lasted over ten years.

Edited by - John G- on 08/15/2005 13:29:46

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2005 : 18:47:41

It all depends.....you need to use the rational approach::

Discomfort is one thing, some of us are more tolerant than others.....if it's a one hour motor back to the slip in the rain, and its 86 degrees.....you can do it in your swim trunks, or the $15.00 yellows from the hardware store.

If you're sailing the Chesapeake, and its in the sixties, and it's a six hour sail and blowing 20-25 with spray coming over, you probably want something better, like the $100.00 WM duds with some fleece under it.....maybe a towel around your neck and some booties. You will sweat, and you will be wet when you finally get out of em, but it's doable.

If on the other hand you're going down the entire Bay standing a four hour watch and it's raining like hell, in the 40's and three am you need something that breathes and keeps you warm, otherwise it's going to be a long watch.....or if you're 150 off shore, sailing round the clock by yourself, and getting tired, very tired, and you get hit by a salt fire hose every two minutes, you find yourself wearing the West Marine $300.- duds, with fleece and silk and cotton, and everything else you brought under it, and unable to keep warm, with seemingly no end in sight...you promise yourself to buy the best stuff you can find before you do it again.

Done all of the above....

Soooo, how cold, how wet, how long.........can you afford to get cold? Or will your reduced ability to sail the boat become a safety issue?

As in everything, the right tool for the job......

My $0.03

Edited by - Oscar on 08/13/2005 18:50:13

John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2005 : 21:52:04

I'm with Oscar on this one. Get good foul weather gear it will be needed at some time in your sailing career. besides the good suits have reflectors in the hood and that's the only part of you that will be sticking out of the water. I am very happy with my WM third reef jacket and pants. of course you can look up what each foulie is best suited for.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2005 : 11:31:35

Musto, Dougie Gill (douglass gill) or Hank Lloyd (aka Henri Lloyd). For local farting around I prefer the spray top. I've found that the WestMarine stuff and the North Coast Trader stuff is good, but doesn't have the life expectancy I'd like.

Check out www.foulweathergear.com

You guys and your pictures....Now look what your making me do
I have this one for the light stuff and while racing

and my wife wears this one

I run with one of this for the heavy stuff and the October sailing. It breathes well and has held up for 4 years.

My wife prefers this for the heavier stuff, and wears a fleece underneath.

and for the House set that remains on the boat for guests -
I have a couple sets of North Coast Trader and High Seas that stay on board.

Edited by - Champipple on 08/15/2005 11:46:37

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2005 : 11:44:25

I also still have my early eighties "Omega" bibs and coat. I wonder what ever happened to the "Omega" brand, they were good stuff. They are XL, the sleeves have a little damage from acid (remember when we used to clean bottoms with acid and hand mops?). If anybody wants them I will take $20. plus shipping.
Just searched, Omega is dead.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 08/15/2005 : 16:04:04

Duane,

What brand are your wife's bibs?

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2005 : 13:21:46

Rick, in my opinion foulies are safety gear. If you're hypothermic, you're not going to be thinking well and you won't be moving well. Staying warm means staying dry. It is much, much easier to stay warm than it is to get warm if you become cold. So - I'd hunt for the best value you can find on real foulies for use up here. Breathable are worth the premium if you can swing it since you'll be much more likely to put them on.

jwa

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2005 : 21:19:15

Pam -

The wife wears a set of Henri Lloyd bibs. They are lighter weight than what I'd wear, but then again, I've dusted the snow off the boat to go sailing in November. I believe they are women's as well, not a unisex or one style fits all.

dw

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PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2005 : 13:32:23

Thanks Duane,

Lighter is better anyways as I'm the fleece layering type (you know how us pac nw'ers are). My husband has heavier foulies and they feel like a body cast to me. I'm off to search for some Henri Lloyd bibs!

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2005 : 13:09:23

For what it's worth, I would like to recommend the lightweight gear from Henri Lloyd. The pants come up just to the waist and the jacket looks like a windbreaker with no hood. It's breathable and just the thing for sailing in warm weather. We did our Tuesday night race in steady rain, and I was dry as a bone. The jacket and pants are about $90 at West Marine.

Up in New Hampshire, you might need something heavier. I was so pleased with my Henri Lloyd lightweight gear that I bought a heavy weather set for spring and fall. I like the bib overalls, but I'm not fond of the jacket. There's a flap that goes over the chin that's always in the way. Also, the hood is a real pain to operate. I'd go with a different model or a different maker next time.

I wouldn't be caught dead on the water in hiking gear. If you want to be a sailor, you need to look the part:)

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