Sailing gloves

Stu Jackson · Jul 2, 2009

Gloves for each

Sharing gloves becomes extremely and immediately gross after you've worn them a few times, whether it's where it's cold or where ya sweat all the time.

Each should have their own, even if your hands are the same size as Jon's!

The best thing to do would be to go try them on in a store. Issues include the length or absence of the fingers - which are more comfortable for you and which are easiest to take on and off. The latter is especially important, 'cuz many times you want them off many times during a sail.

The rest is detailing: material, claps (most are velcro now, but some are better than others for tying and releasing).

Enjoy your new gloves, your hands will thank you. Without my gloves the blister and slicing from the quickly flowing coming down fast spinnaker halyard would have torn off my pinky finger!

Welcome, and say hi to Jon for me, and that I didn't suggest you "Google" gloves and hands!

Ross · Jul 2, 2009

Gloves are worn by size not gender. If your hands are as large as his then you can share your gloves. You just want gloves that allow finger tip freedom for dexterity.

Dan Johnson · Jul 2, 2009

Poca...

you can get a decent pair of sailing gloves for a reasonable amount of $'s. I am partial to WM's as they are close to the marina and easy to get a replacement from when one takes a swim. You can spend a lot more money if you want to.

If you expect to do sail trim on a regular basis, by all means do invest in a pair of gloves that fit well. No need for blisters or tearing up your hands. Open finger ones give you the best feel. I used to do sail trim in races but now drive the race boat. I still wear gloves all the time because you never know when you will need to grab a line to snub or tail it.

On the other hand, a number of couples race in our fleet--she drives and he trims. Captn Jon, are you listening?

Cpt. Jon · Jul 2, 2009

Stu Jackson said:
...say hi to Jon for me, and that I didn't suggest you "Google" gloves and hands!

Haha, well done Stu...

I don't think we would share gloves. It's too important that they fit right. Plus, what do I need gloves for when she is doing all the hard work? :stirthepot: In all honesty, she's the best sailing partner I could have, since the sails need to be folded just right so they don't look bad she does it every time while I hold us into the wind and sip a nice cold beer

.

Joe · Jul 2, 2009

Dear Pocahontas....... get a pair of sailing gloves... put at least three or four wraps on the winch to make it hold better, get some "fuzzy" spun polyester sheets like Samson Yacht Braid, get a 10 inch winch handle with a knob style grip, analyze your winch's cleat position, convert to a cam cleat for the winch and mount it ergonomically. Have the skipper tail while you grind. Or you could just make your lazy husband trim while you drive. heh, heh. That will make you a happy camper/sailor.

Don12364 · Jul 3, 2009

Dear Pocahontas,
I don't think Capt Jon would enjoy it at all if you developed hard, hairy, horny hands.................

Get the gloves or shame him into buying them for you.

BTW I like the place where you 'moor' your boat in your profile!

kloudie1 · Jul 3, 2009

How about the "Winchers" .. the little rubber tops that almost make a normal winch self tailing? Gets rid of gloves mostly?

bffatcat · Jul 3, 2009

Ive been wearing gloves for sailing the last 10 years or so. I found the sailing gloves sold in
most marine supplies had split cowhide palms which are not durable and become stiff when wet. I found a heavy all goatskin 1/2 finger industrial glove at Magid Golve Co. on line. These
Gloves do the job.

Maine Sail · Jul 3, 2009

Sailing gloves..

When racing I use a pair of SAS Safety, Mechanics Pro model gloves. I've tried many gloves but these allow me to do most everything I can do with bare hands only with gloves on. Tying knots etc. etc. is fairly easy with these. Plus they were dirt cheap at about $13.00... Some prefer open finger I prefer closed provided they give a good fit.. Most of the newer contractors gloves such as the SAS fit really, really well and give great dexterity..

SAS Gloves

catsailor · Jul 3, 2009

For cheap, consider these: Atlas Fit

Pocahontas said:
thanks for all the replies,
I guess I need to make my way to the local marine supply store then, oh and Jon doing the trim? or foredeck work??? naa he 'll mess up my sails
I've never heard of winchers' i guess i'll google them

imho it's the best place to keep your boat

Pocahontas

http://www.seamargloves.com/atlas_gloves/sailing_gloves.htm

They work better in dingies than big boats, because they are better at grabbing wet lines than at letting lines slip. But I have carpel tunnel issues and they have been a god send.

Great fit. Just clip the tip of the thumb and fore finger with scisors. In the garden and hardware sections of Home Depot. Also Graingers.

Don't get the thinner ones or the nitrile coated ones; not as good. The yellow with the green palms suit me best.

Yes, I have been sailing for 25 years and have tried all of them. Ronstan Sticky Palm is my second choice, but I wish the sticky lasted longer.

Nereussailor · Jul 3, 2009

Home Depot is a great place for work/ mechanic gloves. I just bought a pair for Traci for 11.00 they have leather on the palms and inside the fingers. All we did was cut off the finger tips and sear the edges. I've had mine fir four years, and they still are in great shape.

guest · Jul 3, 2009

Gloves

Each season I wear out a pair of leather gloves due to trimming, anchoring, docking and other boat handling activities. I obtain all my gloves for free that I find on the road while driving and running. Those brown ones only in the best of condition end up on the boat. The other type rubber dipped cloth gloves I keep at home for general yard upkeep.

Over the years I have collected at least 50 matching pairs of yard type, 30 pairs of leather gloves and 20 pairs of the heavy duty water poof mid arm length rubber gloves that I use for handling wet muddy ground tackle. Some might say it is a waste of time, but I say it helps keep the roadway cleaner, puts these gloves back to use and saves me money. As my inventory grows beyond my needs I donate to my fellows in need.

Terry Cox

Stu Jackson · Jul 3, 2009

Multiple gloves

Terry's ideas great and are something we got into years ago - different gloves for different tasks. We have a pair of those super el-cheapo brown work gloves from the hardware store that we use for anchor duty, some thin waterproof ones for cold wet days, really heavy duty neoprene orange day glows for wet night sailing, "loaner" gloves for guests, and a few I bought and am still working on uses for!!! I store the gloves with the "tooks" (Canadian for ski hat) and extra socks in a strange little cubby that has a drop drawer front so when I open it everything spills out! Makes it easy to sort through and find the pick of the litter!

I am, however, really impressed with Terry's "50 matching pairs!" Like my sock drawer at home, it does take awhile to find the left hand of the needed gloves sometimes...

This topic has reminded me of one of my favoirte sayings: "My best marine store is Ace hardware!"

guest · Jul 3, 2009

Gloves

Hi Stu, more often than not I'll be driving along in our area and I'll spot an orphan glove on the road side, then a few yards further its mate. Many times these gloves are in mint condition and will provide many more years of useful service.

Leather gloves on the boat usually wear through on the index finger and thumbs first as we head towards the end of the season. We've completed four two month cruises and by the time the second month comes to a close these leather gloves are pretty tattered.

I have four very tattered pair on the boat as souvenirs from each of the four cruises. If anyone is interested in these, I'll auction them off to the highest bidder. I'll even include a cruise report as part of the deal. Anyone? Anyone?

Terry Cox

Joe · Jul 3, 2009

winchers won't solve the issue

kloudie1 said:
How about the "Winchers" .. the little rubber tops that almost make a normal winch self tailing? Gets rid of gloves mostly?

Besides, gloves are cheaper than winchers and they work better.

Joe · Jul 3, 2009

don't get cheap gloves....

...for sailing. For goodness sake.... sailing gloves can be the least expensive fashion statement you can make, plus they are extremely functional. For less than $30 you can look cool and racing sailor hip. When I was campaigning my Nacra all the guys wore stylin' gloves.... but very few wore the $200 sunglasses. You can look and feel good without spending a fortune and good sailng gloves, especially with a recognizable logo, are a good way to go. I guarantee you won't wear them out in one year, no matter how much you sail.

That said, I agree with others that separate gloves for anchor handling, cleaning or engine work is a good idea.

Cpt. Jon · Jul 4, 2009

Haha, no need to "shame" me into getting gloves for her... especially after yesterday when flying the spinnaker, there is another halyard that need replacing and before we use it again... Hopefully nobody was paying attention to us when we were raised or lowered that thing by the way... what a clusterF$%#... but at least when we hanked on the jib again and passed the boat that passed us after taking the spinnaker down, I felt a little better...

I never really considered gloves too much in the past, I don't mind my hands getting a little hardened, but she can keep soft hands... When she first said she wanted some glove for the boat I got her these:

ok not really, and God knows that I am the galley wench onboard

. I think we'll have to do a trip to WM on the next rainy weekend day...

catsailor · Jul 4, 2009

I agree about the bood glove statement.

Joe said:
...for sailing. For goodness sake.... sailing gloves can be the least expensive fashion statement you can make, plus they are extremely functional. For less than $30 you can look cool and racing sailor hip. When I was campaigning my Nacra all the guys wore stylin' gloves.... but very few wore the $200 sunglasses. You can look and feel good without spending a fortune and good sailng gloves, especially with a recognizable logo, are a good way to go. I guarantee you won't wear them out in one year, no matter how much you sail.

That said, I agree with others that separate gloves for anchor handling, cleaning or engine work is a good idea.

You want to protect your hands, and your hands are your connection to the boat.

However, there are Olympic sailors using the Atlas Fit gloves. That is where I picked up the idea, from a tip in a sailing magazine. They give better grip, and for those with weak hands, that is everything.

Different horses for different courses. But I was NOT advocating that they save money. Heck, they don't last very long so I doubt they save any money. I go through at least 6 pair a season. But do try them. For some tasks - hauling anchor and other wet lines - they have no peer.

I made my suggestion for the other sailors with hand problems.

I don't care about hip. I care about avoiding pain.