Wet Weather Jacket $900

[dennisail]

I was thinking of getting this jacket for $220. The guy claims it was $900 6 years ago but only used 5 times and is near new. I will be crossing bass straight in November and want a good jacket. I have no way of figuring out if this is good buy or what. I have seen new jackets from $200 to $1500. Any ideas?

Sailing Jacket - Helly Hansen -waterproof and very warm | Sport & Fitness | Gumtree Brisbane

Something similar for $1100

http://www.boatingcentral.com.au/pro...an-Pro-Jacket#

But then again there are cheap ones but they dont look as good.

[Joli]

Good gear is expensive. We buy most of our stuff from these guys. Remember to dress in layers and bring gloves and boots.

Offshore Foul Weather Gear | Musto, Gill, Henri Lloyd | Gore-Tex - Annapolis Performance Sailing (APS)

[dennisail]

Thanks. My dilemma is if I should buy this particular jacket or not. I need to decide by tomorrow. Do you think a new replacement item would really be around the $900 mark?

[MarkJ]

6 years old..... it could be stuffed. May have only been used 5 times but was that salt water left of in for those 6 years?


Really, I think the high prices for wet weather gear is crazy.

My big red jacket gets used once in a blue moon, about once or twice per year and I hate it each time much prefering my lighter jackets that cost (usually) less than $100.

If you are going to LIVE in Tasmania and cruise there all the time, then yes the best kit is the go.

But for one delivery type trip down, a 1 week hoiliday there cruisng and a trip back north...... I'd save the dollars and buy what you are going to need for your regular cruising.

If your ambition is to head north and do the reef, aisa etc you do NOT want heavy wet weather kit!

If you are racing and going to be Rail Meat the buy it now!

One thing that bugs the hell out of me is my BRJ has this face covering thing that ictches the crap outta my face unless I am absolutly clean shaven - and that doesnt happen on passage!

As to this particular jacket its so difficult to tell on the internet. The guy might smoke and you get nicotine smell up your nose.....

BTW when crusing and its raining I stay downstairs and rush up once in a while an jab a button and scoot below again.... Undies are the best kit!

[dennisail]

Cheers. I was going to inspect the jacket and test fit it before buying. I guess I still have visions of sailing in huge seas and rain with the feeling of being underwater in wet boats, so I thought it might be good to have one serious jacket for when it really gets bad. I will still have my orange rain coat for when its not so serious. Note the morning of that pic I was still soaked despite waring that raincoat due to a particularly nasty night.

[wannago]

If you can find a store with some of these on display go check out what a whole range of the brand new ones look / feel like, particularly how much they weight.

Helly Hansen makes some pretty good stuff, but with any of this gear, there a huge price difference between the "coastal" vs. the "offshore racing" versions, the "coastal" versions generally being much cheaper (sometimes $200 range). The differences aren't that apparent at first glance, and the "coastal" versions are generally pretty good stuff, still much better than general use rain wear, and usually much lighter, fitting into lockers better.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by dennisail

I was still soaked despite waring that raincoat due to a particularly nasty night.

of course you were!!! Wet weather gear doesnt keep you dry! Its just to make you look cool in Wet Weather.

[Aussiesuede]

Th problem with a lot of "Ocean Jackets" is that the waist and sleeves aren't double sealed and in a deluge eventually allow a path for water. That's why I much prefer actual "Dry wear" made for kayaking. Their breathability, as well as watertightness, is far superior imo. And the price is more than half that of "Marine Offshorewear" and it's designed for constant articulation. You'll NEVER get wet nor cold in a drytop. A viable option to add to your search.




Kokatat Tropos Helix Drytop


As for the jacket in question, hi tech jackets don't hold up well to non-optimal storage. When you go have a look, check the inside of the jacket surface through the mesh. If you see any signs of peeling then pass on it. 6 years is a significant portion of any piece of apparels life expectancy - used or not. I'd personally go with new when buying performance wear.

[SurferShane]

Does not look like a bad jacket? With most of my old Gortex/breathable jackets I find the tapping on the seams starts to give/peel first and is a good sign of the age and/or use of the jacket. This is near impossible to inspect on a lined jacket. To check UV exposure/storage it is not hard to see if the surface of the jacket has faded disproportionately to the same material inside the pockets.

The other thing to be careful of s if it is a “fake”. I bought a fake North Face Gortex jacket on Ebay and it fell apart after one wash – yes, you should regularly wash Gortex and other breathable fabrics (check manufacturers recommendations first). Likewise, I recently bought what must have been a fake Nautica jacket at a porn shop that has started to self destruct. On the other hand, I have a Gortex jacket that gave me 15 yrs of hard service. At least you will get to meet this bloke in person and maybe even haggle a better price.

I don’t know how compulsive you are about buying a dedicated sailing jacket? I have gotten away with using mountaineering and snowboarding jackets sailing. The elite might expect those fancy cuff seals, but they are still a lot better than the oilskins mariners of yesterday sufficed? Still, I do dream of the day when I have enough cash to splurge on one of those up-market sailing suits.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Aussiesuede

That's why I much prefer actual "Dry wear" made for kayaking.

.

What about ski clothes? They seem to have sensation out of season sales and there stuff would be waterproof too, wouldnt it?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by dennisail

I was thinking of getting this jacket for $220. The guy claims it was $900 6 years ago but only used 5 times and is near new.

I'd think no. but that maybe because I just don't see a £1000 / $1000 jacket as being capable of being that much "better".

FWIW I have had a Musto Coastal type jacket (dunno what, but around the £200 mark) for about 8-10 years.

Done a fair few trips in that time, but as my bio indicates not been crossing any oceans.

BUT it has also done good service (mostly? ) on motorcycles And I can assure folks that any leaks / design faults are found both at 80odd mph in the rain. and when sitting in traffic in the pouring rain

I have no complaints on Comfort, internal dryness and durability (including seams). and it's not goretex.

But having said that...........

The inner cuffs were elasticated / rubberised - long since perished. but were never (and could never) be enough to stop determined water running up yer arm. You either need a dry suit style cuff or gloves that go over the sleeve end.

Collar? has nice big collar hood though is a collar packaway and when fully fastened under the chin (I also use a baseball cap to help the hood turn with my head!) works well enough (that's boat not bike ) - but until that point the hood is just too small. I'd really like something oversize that can clip on the collar as and when needed that helps hold the spray off the face. A bit like a hood on a snorkel parka.

Apart from that no criticism. can also clip a lifejacket / harness onto the jacket. and an inner fleece.

FWIW the "secret" I have discovered when wet weathering is.........not banking on always remaining 100% dry everywhere and that therefore having dry things to change into makes a big difference. especially the peripherals. socks. scarves, undies and especially gloves.

But if any "perishables" are still in good order then I'd also be tempted. Should still be good for many years of service, even if not $800 better than a new cheaper model it shouldn't be worse..........maybe also find out if he has the trousers

[Pete7]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

What about ski clothes? They seem to have sensation out of season sales and there stuff would be waterproof too, wouldnt it?

I used to prefer skiing in my sailing jacket, always thought it better value and more suitable for the task than some of the European ski stuff.

Pete

[SurferShane]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

What about ski clothes? They seem to have sensation out of season sales and there stuff would be waterproof too, wouldnt it?

Exactly what I was saying about the snow boarding and mountaineering stuff. Most of the designs can be nearly the same maybe without the reflective stripes. I even got some great deals on similar stuff of late for myself and daughter at of all places Aldi. On clearance, I paid $10 for her breathable jacket with cuffs and waist draught shield. There is really not a lot of difference to something I might have paid $200 for. They had a couple of similar kids ones with zip-out polar fleeces for the same price.

As far as the exact jacket for offer, you can still get similar ones at yachting shops around the $200 mark. The difference is often just that they are either not quite as breathable, well accessorised or do not use a brand name fabric such as Gortex. Then there are always sale days?

I checked the latest model of the same jacket and it retails for $500 US. Maybe this guy bought it when our dollar was worth nothing? Not really your problem when "haggling" a good deal (Remember the gourd skit in Monty Python’s “Life of Brian”?)

[capt_douglas]

While foul weather gear like Musto, Helly Hansen, Henri Lloyd, and Gill add a few dollars to the price by attaching their name, you get what you pay for. You can go with whatever you like but after spending 4 days in very bad weather, I was more than pleased with the Lloyd foul weather gear (jacket w built-in harness, pants, Gill boots) for durability, comfort, and dryness.

If you're going coastal or gunkholing then lightweight gear may be the way to go but when it's blowing like stink and you're still 500 miles from safe harbor, being dry and reasonably comfortable is worth the price, IMO. I have neither the space nor money to afford two sets of foul weather gear (light and storm).

[Aussiesuede]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

What about ski clothes? They seem to have sensation out of season sales and there stuff would be waterproof too, wouldnt it?

Yes. Normal goretex mountaineering/ski jackets that provide ample sealing will definitely be sufficient 95% of the time. Here, see for yourself:

YouTube - Gore-Tex Testing - Extreme Weather in Dover

For that other 5% of the time, an actual dry top/suit does a better job than any "jacket" could ever hope to imo. First, the underlayer is closer to your body than is a "jacket. The benefits are that you retain body warmth, while still allowing sweat to be wicked away, and there aren't any "open" spaces for water, nor cold air, to collect. The neck, waist, and wrist neoprene seal is much more reliable than pull and cinch velcro as it provides a more seamless seal.

My personal choice is a NRS Hydroskin, which alone is sufficient 90% of the time, and a North Face Steep Tech Apogee Ultrex Jacket, (originally designed for mountaineering with built in harness attachments), when extra warmth is needed. The pair can be had for under $500, and is 100% dry/warm in any conditions. And the fact that it looks great is a bonus allowing you to use it away from the boat. Since I kayak, I already have dry tops/suits, so it's a great alternative as well.







Bottom line, there is more than one way to effectively skin a cat and it doesn't take $1000plus to guarantee complete dryness and warmth. Here in the pacific northwest, we live in layers 3/4ths of the year and do real world testing of water resistant/proof products just as a part of daily life due to our unique weather. So you tend to learn what works and what's just marketing...