Looking for a recommendation on Foul Weather Gear. Is the stuff they sell at WEST, and BOATUS and Defender (their store brands) AOK or should a richer investment be made. I have an old suit and for the amount I've used it it seems fine, I wanted to get a new suit for my wife and just thought a few opinions would help. After all it is a new week and I've hardly purchased many new things for the boat yet this week. I even drove past a Boaters World and West Marine sotre without stopping last night (a new record). Best regards Dave
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Go see a doctor quickly!
Drove PAST a boat store? As far as the foul weather gear goes, the cheap stuff works fine if you are in cool weather. Once you get into warmer climate the breathable stuff is much better. On my trip home from Hawaii last year the West Marine stuff was okay when the weather was cool (near the Cal. coast) but was not very comfortable in the lower latitudes. As far a durability goes, I really don't know because I do not wear my stuff enough. I just have a problem spending $400 for a jacket and $300 for the overalls, that I wear a couple of times each year. I suppose that if I sailed in the SF Bay year round, I'd have a different point of view.
Drove PAST a boat store? As far as the foul weather gear goes, the cheap stuff works fine if you are in cool weather. Once you get into warmer climate the breathable stuff is much better. On my trip home from Hawaii last year the West Marine stuff was okay when the weather was cool (near the Cal. coast) but was not very comfortable in the lower latitudes. As far a durability goes, I really don't know because I do not wear my stuff enough. I just have a problem spending $400 for a jacket and $300 for the overalls, that I wear a couple of times each year. I suppose that if I sailed in the SF Bay year round, I'd have a different point of view.
Make up for not buying enough boat stuff...
I've got a set of the Henri Lloyd Goretex foulies that are really comfortable. Way better than the clammy old non breathable kind. The jacket makes a nice windbreaker even when it's not wet out. And the good (or is it bad) news is that they cost so much you'll make up for not buying any boat stuff yesterday ;.) I've also heard good things about the WM store brand breathable foulies but no personal experience...
I've got a set of the Henri Lloyd Goretex foulies that are really comfortable. Way better than the clammy old non breathable kind. The jacket makes a nice windbreaker even when it's not wet out. And the good (or is it bad) news is that they cost so much you'll make up for not buying any boat stuff yesterday ;.) I've also heard good things about the WM store brand breathable foulies but no personal experience...
Hunting Gortex
is what I use. I may look funny in nasty weather in my camo Gortex/Thinsulite pants and coat, but it works. I always were a bright orange life jacket over the top and hunter orange Gortex hat. For warm wet weather, my wife and I wear un-insulated gortex pants and jacket. Check out Cabela's and Bass Pro. They have top quality equipment and are better priced. Watch for sale items. My wife bought a good set of pants and long jacket for less than $80 each.
is what I use. I may look funny in nasty weather in my camo Gortex/Thinsulite pants and coat, but it works. I always were a bright orange life jacket over the top and hunter orange Gortex hat. For warm wet weather, my wife and I wear un-insulated gortex pants and jacket. Check out Cabela's and Bass Pro. They have top quality equipment and are better priced. Watch for sale items. My wife bought a good set of pants and long jacket for less than $80 each.
Look 4 Goretex in the Archives
Last winter I posted a similar question. check the archives for more comments. I ended up buying West Marine Explorer (Breathable) after much trepidation. I looked funny walking in the bank during the winter with bright yellow over a suit-but I was dry and warm! I haven't had it on during a real balmy day yet, but I like the coat. As much as I paid for it, I'll wear it every time I need to .. coat/tie or shorts.
Last winter I posted a similar question. check the archives for more comments. I ended up buying West Marine Explorer (Breathable) after much trepidation. I looked funny walking in the bank during the winter with bright yellow over a suit-but I was dry and warm! I haven't had it on during a real balmy day yet, but I like the coat. As much as I paid for it, I'll wear it every time I need to .. coat/tie or shorts.
Non-Marine Gear Caution
Our first set of foul weather gear was the inexpensive yellow slicker type and there were some cadimum-plated snaps which rusted after a few years. They're still somewhat useable but the snaps don't work. Since then we acquired Henri Lloyd for myself (orange with reflector tape) and something else for my wife and I can't say I'm that excited about putting on my Henri Lloyd because it's a lot more work. My preference for a hat is the traditional Sou'wester type (put on the right way and not backwards like the kids). If your climate is like ours in Pudget Sound where it doesn't get tremendously hot then I wouldn't go for really expensive blue-water stuff if you don't have to. The velcro fastners can be a bummer - they grip everything: wool caps, scarfs, sweaters, etc.
Our first set of foul weather gear was the inexpensive yellow slicker type and there were some cadimum-plated snaps which rusted after a few years. They're still somewhat useable but the snaps don't work. Since then we acquired Henri Lloyd for myself (orange with reflector tape) and something else for my wife and I can't say I'm that excited about putting on my Henri Lloyd because it's a lot more work. My preference for a hat is the traditional Sou'wester type (put on the right way and not backwards like the kids). If your climate is like ours in Pudget Sound where it doesn't get tremendously hot then I wouldn't go for really expensive blue-water stuff if you don't have to. The velcro fastners can be a bummer - they grip everything: wool caps, scarfs, sweaters, etc.
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