Sailing Clothing - Help!

[Amy]

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and hope I've posted in the right place!

I am a student currently working on a project to design an Ocean Racer Jacket, I don't really know a lot about sailing and really need some help!!

Can anyone give me some advice on the following -

What type of features do you look for in a sailing jacket?

Is there any features you would like to see on a sailing jacket that are not currently offered?

When deciding on colour do you look for fashion or safety? What colour jacket is most popular?

Are there any new technologies that could be incorporated into the jacket to make sailing easier, for example GPS?

Any other advice you could give me would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[nautical62]

Any, I do a number of outdoor activities, so I see features I want in most any outdoor jacket and features more specific to sailing. I think it always helps to define how one purpose is different from others and then design from there.

Sailing - compared to backpacking, etc, I'm not exercising as hard or changing climates (altitude), what this means to me in design, is don't need ventilation features such as pit zips. These add to the garment price and are prone to leaking.

When sailing, I'll be reaching up a lot. Pit joints that allow this are helpful and it also means good seals at the wrist are very important. My favorite cold weather sailing jacket has two wrist seals, and inner rubber one and an outer coated nylone velcro one.

I personally like hoods that fold up into the collar when not needed. They can be fairly substantial and still do this. If it is a full zip front, - a velcro closure over the front to keep rain out. I prefer full zip to anoraks. I don't loose my hat or vision for a while, they are easier to vent and easier to get on and off.

Color to be seen if needing rescue - velco pockets to keep things in - maybe attachment points for light and/or personal epirb.

I favor good quality coated nylon and a liner to exotic fabrics

If you wanted to get real fancy you could have an integrated harness and inflatable buoyancy, but then you are getting into a very heavy duty expensive jacket which may not be a appopriate for warmer climates.

Of course, I always consider price.

[GordMay]

Greetings, and welcome aboard Amy.

Excellent advice from nautical62!

I’d add that any zippered pocket closures should close “up”; such that you can pull the zipper up a little, for some added security without complete loss of access.

[sneuman]

First, you're to be commended for doing your homework!

I could only reiterate breathability and dryness.

For dryness, velcro'd flaps over zippers with "flaps" behind seems to be the trick for keeping dry.

Reinforced elbows. A removable liner to switch from colder weather to warmer weather would be a plus.

Reflective patches.

My opinion is the bright yellow is the most visible, but others might stick to the tried and true rescue orange.

[jackdale]

Helly Hanson has a neat little hat leash stored in the hood. You need to wear a baseball cap to prevent the hood flap from falling in your eyes. The hat leash prevents the hat from going overboard when you are not using the hood.

Little touches like that make a difference.

The tabs for attaching inflatable pfd's are not that useful.

Jack

[Hydra]

Amy,
IMHO, the most important features for "oilskins" are, in decreasing order:
- dryness (cloth, seams, zip, closing cuffs, collar)
- protection from rain/hail/snow/wind given by hood and collar
- durability of cloth and reinforcing patches
- breathability (to preserve insulating properties of undergarments)
- light color and reflective patches, to be seen at night (yellow more effective than red but gets dirty faster)
- large pockets for hands, hat, gloves, headlight battery, wallet when going ashore
- good field of view with the hood on
- light weight
I don't use the possibility to fold the hood away. With modern inflatable PFD, no more need for boyant padding or integral harness that increase bulk and weight.

Don't neglect the pants:
- pockets for hand warming and stowing the flashlight (at night, I often wear only the pants, for protection against dew)
- a fly for men, drop seat for women
- wide suspenders, easy to adjust

Alain

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by Hydra

Amy,

Don't neglect the pants:
- pockets for hand warming and stowing the flashlight (at night, I often wear only the pants, for protection against dew)
- a fly for men, drop seat for women
- wide suspenders, easy to adjust

Alain

You really do not need a fly. All performances are seated for both sexes.

Remember, 85% of men who fall overboard have their flies open
You also need cargo type pockets on the pants.

Wear proof patches on the seat and knees are necessary.

Jack

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by jackdale

You really do not need a fly. All performances are seated for both sexes...

"When at sea, sit to pee."

[Sandero]

Zippered pockets are a PITA and if you have gloves on they are hard to use.

As for interesting features how about some way to carry/hold drinks with perhaps a tube for drinking?

What about built in water activated flashing LEDs.

Zip out lining which allows for more climate flexibility.

Rubber sealed wrists

A hood with more face protection

inflation option for MOB

safety color

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Amy

Hello everyone,

I am new to this forum and hope I've posted in the right place!

I am a student currently working on a project to design an Ocean Racer Jacket, I don't really know a lot about sailing and really need some help!!

Can anyone give me some advice on the following -

What type of features do you look for in a sailing jacket?

Is there any features you would like to see on a sailing jacket that are not currently offered?

When deciding on colour do you look for fashion or safety? What colour jacket is most popular?

Are there any new technologies that could be incorporated into the jacket to make sailing easier, for example GPS?

Any other advice you could give me would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

A hood similiar to Mountain Hardware or Arcyterix, i.e, one where you turn your head and the hood moves well rather than remaining in place while your head turns, thereby obscuring the view.

[jackdale]

A pocket on the upper sleeve that will hold three small flares.

I like the moving hood idea - great concept.

Jack

[Bash]

1. All zippers, snaps, et cetera must be designed so that they can be manipulated in the dark with cold hands.
2. Pockets must drain so that someone climbing up a ladder after having gone overboard isn't hauling up excess water.
3. Overall color is not vital, but the hood should be florescent yellow for visibility.
4. Integral harness. I don't want to have to put a harness on over the jacket.
5. It has to be warm. Warm enough for me to sit through the dog watch at the helm and not get chilled.
6. Dedicated pockets for strobe and a maglight..
7. Must have a great collar and a hood that's not an afterthought.

[Talbot]

kneckline has to be wcapable of being watertight, with protection that can fold up as far as and include the ears. Plus a hood with a warm lining and a peak, + strap behind the head to enable the hood to be adjusted so that it doesnt cover the eyes

a waterproof pocket for the ipod.

additional pockets for plb on the sleeve

warm lined pocket for the hands!

padded and double reinforced knees and seat.

the trousers need to be salopettes so that you can wear them without the jacket initially, and in bad weather they provide a degree of protection for the kidneys.

removable thinsulate linings for jacket and trousers

[forsailbyowner]

I like the fleece lined handwarmer pockeys in mine. Also appreciate the removeable floatation vest that makes it much warmer in cold climates. How are you going to treat seams?

[Hydra]

For versatility, I don't want a warm lining any more. It is often cumbersome, it takes ages to dry and it takes too long to remove when the sun comes back but waves keep splashing. I prefer to layer several thin sweaters and long johns.

I don't want an integral harness in the jacket. It's heavy when going ashore. In my experience, flotation foam restricts the flow of water vapor in a breathable jacket. I prefer to add an inflatable vest with harness that I can wear on its own, for example in the tender.

My request for a fly in the salopette caused strong reactions! My own technique for peeing is to kneel down at the stern against the pushpit, so that my center of gravity is lower than the horizontal bar.

Amy, you see that there are many different opinions about what sailing clothes. Try to figure what will suit most users.

Alain