Motorcycle Gear for Sailing?

[Tedd]

Yesterday, I sailed for the first time ever in cool weather--about 10 C (50 F). I had a decent clothing set up but I expect to sail in colder weather soon. I got wondering if anyone here might have tried motorcycling gear while sailing. I have a Scott two-piece riding suit with only a few thousand km on it that I plan to wear next time on the boat.

 

[Leeward Rail]

I have wondered about the battery heated waterproof jackets.

 

[sail sfbay]

No, too restrictive.......why not consider a diving dry suit?............used that wind surfing in the winter. For cold weather sailing, I sail with thermal synethic layers and cold weather outer gear, including foulies, neck warmer, gloves, fleese hat and wool socks. Good article on what to wear in cold weather: What To Wear When Sailing - Better Sailing.

 

[jon hansen]

wool

what kind of bikes yawl ride.

me, bmw 1150 r 2004

ski suit, snowmobile suit, bibs & parka, i'm a mitten guy, layers, gortex, goggles

 

[Sanfelice]

I use a heated motorcycle jacket ( Gerbing) which is very lightweight and use my foul weather jacket over it. It is plugged into a 12 volt cigarette lighter. Works great on the boat and bike. Never got cold , even at 20 F. Out of bikes due to balance issues but sure do miss it. You can get heated gloves (too big for sailing) , pants and socks.
Bultaco 250 Pursang Race bike, Various Triumphs, Bridgestone factory 90 race bike many more over the last 60 years. Last one was a BMW R1250. Yes I am an old fart !

 

[Tedd]

Thanks, @Sanfelice . Nice to see another Triumph rider here. I have a '95 Speed Triple. I haven't ridden it in a few years though and will probably sell it next summer.

Heated gear hadn't even occurred to me. I don't have a cigar lighter in the cockpit but it wouldn't be hard to add one.

 

[sail sfbay]

Another option is to install heater vents in the cockpit that blow hot air from a diesel heater. Had that on my skiboat with hot air from a heat exhanger on the engine water circuit for winter skiing.

 

[Cowpokee]

I ride with a Firstgear Thermo One-Piece Suit on cooler mornings coming into work. The concern with using it on my sailboat is that at times, I am quite active. This suit is designed to keep the wind off of me while I am sitting mostly still on the bike. It doesn't take much physical activity before I become too warm. Once this happens and I start to perspire, then I get cold rather quickly afterwards and can't get warm again.

 

[JamesG161]

Ask my friend @jssailem , who I nicknamed Mr Mummy, about his Foul Weather gear.

Warmer in the South

Captain Jim...

 

[Tedd]

It doesn't take much physical activity before I become too warm. Once this happens and I start to perspire, then I get cold rather quickly afterwards and can't get warm again.

I can see that happening with a one-piece suit. I think it would not be as much of an issue with my two-piece suit because it's so easy to don or remove the jacket. It seems like a two-piece motorcycling suit is pretty similar to sailing cold weather gear, except for the armor.

 

[MikeHoncho]

All you could do is try it. I would expect it to be to restrictive on my boat with how it is set up and not covering the right places enough. I excessively large collar with a adjustable hood are items on a good fouly that won’t be on riding gear.

 

[Tedd]

Good point, @MikeHoncho . My riding jacket has no hood and only a modest collar.

I guess a good fouly hood has a string so it can be pulled in tight around the face? I hate having my peripheral vision blocked.

 

[jssailem]

A good fleece or wool beanie can serve to keep the heat in on your noggin.

I like the wool over my ears do reduce the chance of frostbite.

Check out my avatar... Sailing the Gulf Islands BC.