Foul Weather Gear

[NateD]

Right now I have a couple of $1 ponchos on the boat in case we get caught in the rain, but I have a feeling I will be very disappointed in their performance. I am looking around for a pair of bibs and a jacket to use in the rain. I'm also thinking that if I get a good set of foul weather gear I might be able to put on a couple extra layers underneath and extend my sailing season by 1 or 2 months. Looking around West Marine's site I came across their Third Reef jacket and bibs. The price is right, but the reviews aren't very good. Does anyone have any experience with these? What would you recommend for light to medium use foul weather gear?

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SiteSearchView?dispName=FOUL%20WEATHER%20GEAR%20_%20JACKETS&jspStoreDir=wm51&catalogId=10001&Ne=2076&Ntt=Foul%20Weather%20Gear&N=377+710+766+4294962523&langId=-1&page=CategoryDisplayLevel1&omniTag=View%3aHot+Sellers&PopularCat=No&storeId=10001

[newtwo]

I waited to get caught in the rain more than once before buying good foul weather gear.  Froze my butt off in a summer downpour in the Chesapeake and basically lost the balance of the day.  Covered in goose bumps, shakin' to the bone.  Promised myself not to let it happen again.  My exact thoughts while I was out there that day was "spend the money, don't get caught like this again".  I ended up over buying, it was too bulky and too warm for general use.  I had to go out and buy a second set in lighter weight.

So  --  If I was to buy a first set of FWG I'd keep it light.  With the right features I wouldn't feel compelled to buy the best/spend the most.  Double closure front zipper, attached rain hood, vented pits, some type of closure at the wrists, and waterproof pockets in light weight.  I can't imagine using pants rather than bibs, and I found boots were more important than I initially thought.  With that said, my bottom line is I have never regretted spending the money that I did on FWG.  Here's a link that shows what Practical Sailor says about Third Reef.  Happy Sailing!

http://www.practical-sailor.com/newspics/0208-PS-TEST-FOUL-WEATHER.pdf

[brackish]

I'd second the recommendation to consider light with room to layer.  I've had a set of North American Trading FWG for twenty years.  I don't see them now so maybe not in business any more.  It was price point stuff when I got it but it has held up well.  Thing is it is a little heavy so I don't use it all that often. 

Frank

[HideAway]

We bought a couple of jackets from West Marine's bargain center.  High Seas was the brand and they are very much just that.  Hooded, bright yellow sealed seams etc.  They are over sized to layering.   

We also have lined heavy duty rain coats that are knee length not really made for marine use - the pockets while water proof would fill with rain during heavy driving rain - got caught in a real tropical storm with them - once.   Both are OK if you are day sailing but what the heck do you do with them on a cruise - you can't have all that wet gear below.   So mostly they are used to check the lines during storm watches and such.

Becareful about how bulky you get - you can get snagged on something at the wrong time  real easy

I wish we would have bought the bib overhauls, but if the weather looks that bad we just don't go frankly - Matt

[NateD]

I wish we would have bought the bib overhauls, but if the weather looks that bad we just don't go frankly - Matt

That's what was really holding me back from spending the money to get foul weather gear. My boat lives on a trailer in the garage. If it looks like rain, I'm probably not going to go sailing. But if I'm spending the night on the boat (or a couple of days), I may not be able to avoid sailing on a rainy day, and there are few things I hate more than wearing damp jeans and wet socks.

I spent the money and ordered the Third Reef jacket and bibs, they were on sale with free shipping, so $140 total for both of them delivered. They arrived today and my initial impressions are good. The material feels good, much heavier than say a wind breaker, but not real heavy. Extra layer of material on the butt and knees of the bibs. I looked over the recommended sizing charts on West Marines site which indicated that I was a Large. Both the jacket and bibs are a bit big on me, I'm 6' 205 pounds with a 35" waist and 32" inseam. If I were buying this stuff to use in a warmer climate I would likely exchange it for a medium, but part of the reason for buying it was hoping to extend my sailing season. I'll be able to fit a heavy sweater or light jacket, and long underwear with heavy pants under the foul weather gear, which could keep me sailing an extra 2 months if I get some waterproof boots and a good pair of sailing gloves.

[Steve Ullrich]

Hi Nate,

In past years it was pretty cool being the only boat on the water in mid October.  There have even been some pretty nice weekends in early November.  If you are planning on trying to sail a couple of months past that you are going to need an icebreaker to lead the way for you!  That's going to make coming about tricky... Take pictures!

Steve

I wish we would have bought the bib overhauls, but if the weather looks that bad we just don't go frankly - Matt

That's what was really holding me back from spending the money to get foul weather gear. My boat lives on a trailer in the garage. If it looks like rain, I'm probably not going to go sailing. But if I'm spending the night on the boat (or a couple of days), I may not be able to avoid sailing on a rainy day, and there are few things I hate more than wearing damp jeans and wet socks.

I spent the money and ordered the Third Reef jacket and bibs, they were on sale with free shipping, so $140 total for both of them delivered. They arrived today and my initial impressions are good. The material feels good, much heavier than say a wind breaker, but not real heavy. Extra layer of material on the butt and knees of the bibs. I looked over the recommended sizing charts on West Marines site which indicated that I was a Large. Both the jacket and bibs are a bit big on me, I'm 6' 205 pounds with a 35" waist and 32" inseam. If I were buying this stuff to use in a warmer climate I would likely exchange it for a medium, but part of the reason for buying it was hoping to extend my sailing season. I'll be able to fit a heavy sweater or light jacket, and long underwear with heavy pants under the foul weather gear, which could keep me sailing an extra 2 months if I get some waterproof boots and a good pair of sailing gloves.

[multimedia_smith]

Foul Weather Gear is not just for rain... The times I've been most glad to have it have been when it's a GREAT sailing day...
Winds pick up and so do the waves... I don't have a dodger on the 16 (only seen one so far) so, when the spray comes over the cabin beating into the wind and waves... the seats get wet and so would the passengers without a hooded jacket and pants.  I use Stearns Elite Series Jacket and Pants (got both for at Kodiak Outback for about $100.)  They are Breathable and lightweight, so I can use them in the warmer climate here and layer if I need to.  I got another pair of Stearns pants from Wal Mart and I keep these and a couple of other lightweight poncho type windbreakers in a cloth bag below.  Nice to have them around.
Happy Sails
Dale
1. Product ID: 8542
Product Name: Stearns Elite Series Jacket
Attributes (if any): Size/Color: - L - Red
Price: $61.95
Quantity: 1
2. Product ID: 8545
Product Name: Stearns Elite Series Pant
Attributes (if any): Size/Color: - L - Navy
Price: $42.95
Quantity: 1