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Boating Shorts

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/30/2011 : 03:29:30

Okay...now time for a lighter subject !

You guys were real helpful when I was considering what cap/hat to get for boating after losing one of my favorite caps - A Seagull Century (biking) baseball cap overboard. Surprisingly, a considerable percentage of boaters use Tilley hats and so that is what I always use and it is great !

The thing about wearing shorts is that weekend sailing I wind up mostly using a pair of North supplex nylon shorts - I pretty much wear these all the time whether boating or whatever. I like them because they have velcro cargo pockets and full size pockets which I find useful. They also dry pretty fast if I happen to get them wet. Thing is that I have not seen them selling something something similar as I must have gotten these shorts many years ago.

Weekday sailing I usually do right after work. I have a bag in my car and change down at the marina. The shorts I store in my bag are one of several cotton shorts that I have and ...well I don't care for them for a number of reasons but have not found anything similar to the North shorts to buy and stick in my bag for weekday sailing. So....I started to do a search on the web for sailing shorts and they are very expensive !! You really can't get a great view of them on the web - Not like trying them on or seeing them face to face to see if the pockets, etc are to my liking and if they really are worth the $65 - $120 that Gill, Clamet, Heny LLoyd, etc sell them on the web.

Besides the rag torn shorts that some favor, what do some of you wear that you can recommend ? Any recommend the above manufacturers shorts for a specific reason or just keep hunting for a pair in the local West Marine, REI sports equipment or Sports Authority stores ?

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/30/2011 03:31:46

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 05:18:38

I go to Kohl's at the end of the summer and buy the clerance rack shorts for the following year. That's as much thought as I give them. Biggest concern: Does the zipper work and is the waist the right size.

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9080 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 05:48:46

Check the camping stores and sites for nylon shorts. They might be a little more reasonable--especially with camping season coming to a close--than "marine quality" attire.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 06:02:06

Sailing in a northern climate,I wear cargo pants with legs that can zip on and off as as the temperature changes during the day. I usually buy them at Bass Pro Shop. They may not be fashionable but they're functional with lots of sealable pockets and they wear well.

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:14:24

I shop at Academy or Bass Pro. If Columbia is on sale I'll buy, but I've also found the store brand equivalent to be just as good in some cases. In some cases not though...as comparing 2 shirts the Columbia is far softer.

I want nylon or ripstop type cloth that is lightweight and dries fast...also they must have a liner, like a swimsuit does....because having fast dry fabric is of no use if you have wet cotton underwear. I want cargo pockets with Velcro, deep front pockets, and belt loops, or at least a place for a lanyard to attach....since I carry a sailor's knife on a short lanyard and keep the knife in my pocket.

A nice bonus feature is the zip off legs...you get pants and shorts....so when it warms up during the day you can zip off to shorts. It's important to always wash the legs with the shorts, even if you go all summer using just the shorts...tends to keep them the same color.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:20:52

I bought several at Academy Sports, Austin brand, and they work well. They have a cell phone pocket on the right leg. Mostly, I buy what is on sail, pun intended!
One cotton twill pair I also like a lot is a Cherokee brand (Target) pair of shorts. It has the standard slash pockets on each side and a second pocket just inside the right pocket with a vertical zipper closure, and two back pockets and a cell phone/multitool pocket on the right leg with velcro closures.
In the spring and fall, before it gets cold, I like the long hiking cargo pants with removable legs that convert to shorts.
I also frequently wear old pairs of light colored cotton pants and long sleeve white t-shirts to limit sun exposure.

Edited by - dmpilc on 08/30/2011 07:23:09

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 07:58:00

I buy virtually all my clothes from Duluth Trading, not just sailing stuff. They're made well, designed mostly as trade clothes, but they do casual & business wear as well. I have a couple of their zip off pants/shorts as well as my new favorites, pants with knee pads built in.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 08:29:07

Columbia PGF with zip off legs.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 09:11:59

As someone who refuses to wear pants (outside of work) from Spring to Fall, I live in shorts which are mostly the cargo type that are geared towards younger dudes. I try to stay away from velcro pockets, preferring snaps, as it's a crap shoot if the velcro will last after the first month. I've also had problems with some of the hidden button type shorts so I try to avoid those as well.

Did you notice shorts are getting shorter in the last year or so? Most of my shorts go to the knee or just a little longer but newer shorts are either to my knee or just above? Then you have those mid-thigh shorts! I'm not sure if I can will myself to wear those.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 09:47:27

Don't worry, Don. We get shorter as we get older. You'll catch up.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 09:57:46

Bean and Carhart

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 10:08:13

I don't give much thought to this. I will wear a lined bathing suit, torn off dockers, or old levis. I like the torn off dockers the best. The fraying lis like a million tiny tell-tales. OK, not really, but I do like the fit and feel of the dockers.

To me pockets are worthless on the boat. Everythign that I would carry in them gets stowed before we head out. I can't think of anything that I would keep in my pockets that I will need while sailing. Maybe a knife - but I keep a rescue knife clipped to my lifejacket. When I do forget to put the keys down below, then end up digging into my thigh. To me, less is more when it comes to pockets. As for quick-dry, its a nice thing to have, but I find the thin material too cold for shoulder season and see-through when it is wet. I prefer the quick dry shorts for canoeing though, where they aren't as prone to spray and I am more protected from the wind.

SWMBO tried hemming some old dockers for me so I would be presentable, but they just aren't the same. I like old torn cotton pants for normal conditions, or a lined swimsuit on drifty day when there is little wind.

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 13:19:48

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 ...To me pockets are worthless on the boat. Everythign that I would carry in them gets stowed before we head out. I can't think of anything that I would keep in my pockets that I will need while sailing. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I also stow my landlubber gear as soon as I get on the boat, but then I stuff my pockets with a utility knife (with built-in flash light), a foldable hat or watch cap, sailing gloves,folding reading glasses(so I can read the small print on the GPS) and, most importantly,when I'm racing I have a protest flag in my back pocket,

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 13:24:38

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 ...Then you have those mid-thigh shorts! I'm not sure if I can will myself to wear those.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Dude! What's the point of wearing shorts if you'r not gonna show off your prety legs

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 15:46:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 

Did you notice shorts are getting shorter in the last year or so? Most of my shorts go to the knee or just a little longer but newer shorts are either to my knee or just above?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Gaffer comments. The shorts are not getting shorter (my Navy Uniform shorts were nowhere near as long as the things in the stores today) but the style has changed.... Ain't ya supposed to wear em down low!

Paul

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 08/30/2011 : 21:12:02

Thanks for all the inputs guys !

I guess I will pass up the name brand sailing shorts and give the sporting goods stores another shot. I like the nylon/rip stop matl. I like the shorts with cargo pockets w/velcro and/or deep pockets. I value the pockets since I wind up keeping my wallet, keys, etc in them at least until i get down to the boat and then they go into the cockpit small locker. While on the boat, I stuff the 3-4 long straps that I use for main sail tie downs into the pockets and then when I am near the marina, I take down the sail and pull the straps out to temporarily tie down the sail until i have a chance dockside to flake the sail. I seem to favor having the straps in the pockets rather than get them from the cockpit areas when i need them.

I have an old pair of nylon convertibe pants that you can zip off the leggings ...I may consider getting a new pair. The ones I have are nylon matl but very thin fabric and I if i go that route, I will be looking for a slightly thicker nylon fabric. Otherwise...I'll go with the shorts.

Thanks again for your inputs.

Edited by - OLarryR on 08/30/2011 21:13:53

JAB
1st Mate

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USA
38 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2011 : 02:57:24

I like these: http://www.boatshoes.com/Men-s-Sportif-Long-Cargo-Shorts-Navy-p/618162na.htm.
Designed for sailing. Slight stretch material. Stand up to heavy wear.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 08/31/2011 : 09:53:01

Speedos brah, you have to rock the speedos!

*joking*

I did buy some nice O'neill shorts when WM had their huge 4th of July sale, $45 shorts for $16, but honestly I throw whatever's on top of the drawer in a bag and change in my office before I head out to the marina. With the heat out here in Texas it's important to wear light colored T shirts. Basic cargo shorts do fine and you don't cry if you rip them or stain them. I also like the pseudo swim shorts that have a draw string, pockets and zipper so if it's super hot I can jump off and they dry pretty quick.

I also carry one of those small 9 can soft sided cooler bags from Coleman, I use that to carry my GPS, VHF, wallet, cell, keys, mini humidor etc. That way all my stuff is together and thrown down below where it can't get separated. My wife calls it my murse. :)

Edited by - on

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