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16-11-2013, 15:01
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 96
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Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Folks,
I am headed off to the Caribbean next month for an exciting 8 day learning to sail course with Offshore Sailing. I want to find out if there are some good retailers online that sell warm weather sailing clothes like boat shoes and windbreakers, etc. that are useful for sailing and being on boats. I found this website:
Gill Sailing Gear Store
But want to know what stores in California have good sailing shoes and gear?
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16-11-2013, 15:09
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#2
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
you may enjoy west marine or some other chandlery for yachtie clothing.
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16-11-2013, 15:26
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 96
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Thanks I found West Marine nearby in San Jose and San Carlos. For sailing warm water, do I need a jacket or just good boots and rash guard with sun tan lotion and a hat?
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16-11-2013, 18:18
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#4
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cat herder, extreme blacksheep
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: furycame alley , tropics, mexico for now
Boat: 1976 FORMOSA yankee clipper 41
Posts: 18,967
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
i would work on the tan before i went there and take sunblock....
err buy it there as air planes forbid it .
boots???? like dive boots or rain boots?? is up to you, i dont use boots. but then i dont wear yachtie clothing either... but, if you are chartering or learning, it doesnt hurt to be ready for a lil formalitiy.
amphibious shoes may be more better than boots...or teva sandals could be ok.. i dont know what you like to walk on slick or wet surfaces wearing on feets.....light wind breaker would not be a bad idea as they are wet pruf and could work in the evening quick shower i found happened when i was there in december 2008..
anything you miss they actually have in stores in st thomas, if you go there..i am sure other islands have stores also, for forgotten items.
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16-11-2013, 18:45
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#5
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Nearly an old salt
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Lefkas Marina ,Greece
Boat: Bavaria 36
Posts: 22,801
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cruisernewbie
Thanks I found West Marine nearby in San Jose and San Carlos. For sailing warm water, do I need a jacket or just good boots and rash guard with sun tan lotion and a hat?
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Id suggest a good open toed sandal like a Merill , just ensure the sole extends beyond your big toe. Boots , whatever for, if you mean the knee high sailing ones , there for us big boys above 50N !!!
boat shoes, tend to smell , get damp , not dry and are useful for looking cute at the local beach bar , but not much else.
sandals , especially synthetic ones , give good cooling, easy to take on and off and can get wet and dry out quick.
for clothes, I find I sweat in hats so never use them much. YMMV. for clothes:, shorts , tee-shirts, one light sweater for night. and a light rain jacket/wind breaker.
If going ashore to fancy places, bring some of that stuff as well.
Make sure nothing is too precious or chic/expensive , boats play havoc with clothes.
ensure you have a good pair of polarised sunglasses and tie downs for them. ( they have an amazing habit of flying off as you look down, as do hats when you look up at the sails.!!
bring a pair of open fingered sailing gloves if you've not handed a lot of line aboard a vessel and have the necessary callouses !!
dave
__________________
Interested in smart boat technology, networking and all things tech
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16-11-2013, 18:56
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,185
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
my current favorites:
- exofficio so-cool long sleeve shirt. i wear nothing else if i need to be in the sun all day
- exofficio roughian shorts, or board shorts if i'll be in the water
- exofficio boxer briefs
- weave hat a huichol indian made for me
- polarized shades. have a spare. lose those at sea and you're hosed.
- crocs. classic, tan. keeps the sun off the tops of your feet, dry quick, decent grip, works in the shower too.
- reef sandals. off the boat, so you're not the guy walking around in crocs.
- ultrathon back of neck, tops of feet, from ankles to where shorts cover. soak shirt in permethrin.
If you fish you can wear a belt and then have one of those rod-butt-holders which gives you a fighting belt of sorts.
I end up looking something like this. Temps were around 110f, maybe drop into the mid 80's at night. High humidity, bugs everywhere.
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16-11-2013, 20:32
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Boat: 1976 Sabre 28-2
Posts: 7,505
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Cotton stuff absorbs water and doesn't like to give it up. Also stinks after a very short while. Synthetic clothing designed for athletes and travelers passes moisture through keeping you cool and doesn't create or absorb odors. This goes for shirts, shorts, and underwear. MIght consider long sleeve T-shirts to keep the sun off your arms. Flip flops with a non skid sole are about all the shoes you'll need. I wear those or canvas deck shoes exclusively. Go to your local Military Surplus store and buy a boonie hat. The brim is large enough to protect your ears but not so large that it will hide things that you will bang your head on, come have a chin strap, come in a host of colors and campo patterns if you are into that stuff, and, best of all, are pretty cheap
The sun is not your friend. Apply suntan lotion well before you go out. Keep your sun exposure down as much as possible. The lobster look brands you as a tourist immediately.
__________________
Peter O.
'Ae'a, Pearson 35
'Ms American Pie', Sabre 28 Mark II
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16-11-2013, 22:08
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#8
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Registered User

Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Winnipeg
Boat: None at this time
Posts: 8,462
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Lots of good advice here but I would also contact Offshore Sailing and ask them what they recommend. I'm surprised they don't have a list on their web site.
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17-11-2013, 06:43
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#9
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CF Adviser Moderator Emeritus

Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Virginia
Boat: Island Packet 380, now sold
Posts: 8,943
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Re: Sailing clothes and shoes for warm weather cruising?
Once you decide on what to take, lay it out on your bed. Remove half of the items and put them back in the closet. Then what's left will be twice what you actually need.
__________________
Hud
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17-11-2013, 07:10
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#10
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Boat: Retired Delivery Capt
Posts: 3,737
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Some great advice so far!
Two things to reinforce.... Get and wear a full brim hat. I live and work outside in S FLA. The sun will get your ears if you wear a baseball cap. Caps may look way sharper, but offer less protection.
Also wear sunblock even under the hat. Sun will reflect off the sea and your tinted glasses and get your nose and face.
__________________
"Whenever...it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off- then, I account it high time to get to sea..." Ishmael
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