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Sailing Gloves

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NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/07/2015 : 07:25:35

After this weekend's regatta, I've found myself needing new gloves. Especially for different types of weather. This weekend had very strong winds. I'm kind of a big guy and think winches are for wussies. jk But, they do take more time to use, which always matters in racing. So I tend to always use my 225lbs as leverage and strength to crank the sails in. Unfortunately, this wears out my gloves fast and has proven what I have isn't sufficient in high winds.

I have a set of West Marine and Gill Championship gloves (light-medium duty?). I don't use the WM's because they are lightweight and not padded enough. Instead, I primarily use the Gill Champs. They work well for most situations except the extreme. I've had them about 2-3 years and have burned holes in the finger areas which are not where they are reinforced. Even the reinforced/padded areas are not thick enough when I'm pulling hard. Those areas also have softened. Don't get me wrong. I am not dissatisfied with them and intend to purchase another set, but want to keep them for summer and light breeze conditions, and purchase a long-finger heavier duty set for the strong winds.
Does anyone have any experience with the Gill Pro gloves? I'm seeing mixed reviews. Are they much thicker than the Champs, yet still have flexibility?
Would you recommend something else?

1989 C-25 TR/WK #5894
Miss Behavin'
Sittin' in LCYC on Canyon Lake, Texas

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2015 : 09:07:17

I race on average about 3 days a week during the summer on boats from 25-45', and use my gloves hard. I have used long fingered Gill Pros, and they're good gloves. There's a point at the base of the thumb where there is a tiny strip of black fabric between the thumb and forefinger. On one of my gloves, the fabric tore at that point. That was after long, hard use. They're good gloves, but expensive.

For the past 2-3 years I have been using gloves that I buy at the Annapolis Sailboat Show. The brand is "Sailing Angles," and I have never seen them for sale anywhere except at a boat show. They're all leather at every point where there is wear, and I have yet to wear a hole in one. I don't remember what I paid for them, but remember that they were very competitively priced. They are also probably sold at other sailboat shows around the country.

I don't think you'd go wrong with either brand of gloves.

I think long fingered gloves offer much better protection against rope burn, and I also think they're more comfortable than short fingered gloves, and it's easier to take them off. You can grab the tip of each finger and pull them off. With short fingered gloves, you can't do that.

Some sailors recommend any good leather gardening glove, and I think they would be ok for many people. Gill Pros have a fabric inner lining that, in combination with the leather outside, acts as a little padding.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/07/2015 : 18:12:04

Most of my sailing gloves are work gloves from Harbor Freight, usually cost $5-$7 per pair. I also like the Baron brand (red & white)available on Ebay.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 08:14:33

I used to use baseball batting gloves.

Derek Crawford
Chief Measurer C25-250 2008
Previous owner of "This Side UP"
1981 C-25 TR/FK #2262 Used to have an '89 C22 #9483, "Downsized"
San Antonio, Texas

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 08:48:36

As suggested above you could look into batting,Bicycle,Motorcycle,Woodsman etc.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 10:05:37

Thanks for the offer guys, but my original quest is to find a heavy duty glove. The Gill Championship works well for light-medium air. I need something thick for the rough stuff.

So far, only the Gill Pro is thick enough.

David, I checked out the Baron's. While the red and white glove looks like a great inexpensive glove, it is for light duty. They do have a much thicker gray glove that might work better. Still doesn't look like it would perform as well as the Gill Pro though.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARINE-SAILING-YACHTING-GLOVES-FOR-BOATS-SIZE-L-2-FINGERS-CUT-FIVE-OCEANS-/271221990961?hash=item3f26172631&vxp=mtr

These also look like a step up:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sailing-Gloves-Yachting-Rope-Kayak-Dinghy-Fishing-Water-Ski-Cut-Fingers-Glove-S-/140943366821?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20d0e11aa5

1989 C-25 TR/WK #5894
Miss Behavin'
Sittin' in LCYC on Canyon Lake, Texas

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4024 Posts

Response Posted - 07/08/2015 : 10:15:13

I use the second ones you show, at around $10 I can get 4 of them for the price of the Gills. You wouldn't want them for racing but are OK for casual sailing and 4 pair outlast the 1 pair of Gills by a long shot.

Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2015 : 13:13:20

I like Ronstan and Harken

Frank Hopper

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2015 : 16:15:37

I have also, in the past, bought cowhide work gloves and cut the thumb and first fingertips off. That has worked well.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2015 : 16:54:38

I haven't used these gloves, but, if you like full fingered gloves, they look like they're reinforced in the important places. I'll probably order a pair and give them a try. This brand is sold at Home Depot, but I don't know if HD carries this particular model. http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/885399-grease-monkey-mens-pro-protect-gloves.html

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/18/2015 : 18:12:08

I buy West Marine gloves when they are on sale . . . .

Peter Bigelow
C-25 TR/FK #2092 Limerick
Rowayton, Ct
Port Captain: Rowayton/Norwalk/Darien CT

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/19/2015 : 12:16:13

Here is the Baron red & white in Medium:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290933777683?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Looks like the price has gone up a bit, about $10 with s/h.

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/19/2015 12:17:21

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2015 : 03:20:41

Not into racing (much) but wouldn't be caught on a boat without gloves.

The other weekend I was invited to a sail trim learning sail, always in for a learning sail!

As I got my gear ready, I realized my gloves were on Eximius, didn't have a spare pair on JD, so I detoured to WM and bought a pair of the WM short finger gloves on sale.

I keep two pair of gloves on board the boat, One for winch/line work and one for anchoring. Your comments about full fingered gloves is encouraging, I'll get a pair.

My gloves, WM or Gill, only last a year.

Paul

Joint Decision. (Sold)
PO C250WB 2005 Sail # 841.

Moved up to C34 Eximius

Updated August 2015

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 07/20/2015 : 09:08:20

I use Ronstan gloves - believe they are designated 1/2 or 3/4 finger and also have full finger gloves but forget who makes them (but I rarely use the full finger gloves). While the Ronstans are not what I would call heavy duty type gloves, I sail on the average of twice a week in-season and weekly if temps not below 40F during the off-season (boat is in the water all year). The Ronstan gloves last for at least 2 or more seasons, then I buy new ones.

The thing about gloves is that the heavy duty ones may not be flexible enough during use. I always wind up trying out all the gloves at West Marine and most are either not comfortable , too flimsy or not flexible enough. Striking the right balance between heavy duty, flexible/comfortable will vary for each individual. My recommendation is that it may be more appropriate to forgo getting a glove that is heavy duty and go with one that just may need to be replaced more frequently after a 1-3 seasons depending on sailing, frequency and wind conditions.

I only found the 1/2 - 3/4 finger gloves unsat during one storm that I was caught in when the winds increased significantly and ripped some of the skin off just at the end of the glove/finger length. But 98% of the time, I do not need the full finger length. You also want a glove that is going to be comfortable in hot weather and yet not too flimsy....The Ronstans have vent/web matl on the backside of it and cowhide/leather in the palm/gripping areas.

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

Edited by - OLarryR on 07/20/2015 09:10:50

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