Scantlings

I'm not fashion horse. When it comes to what to wear on the boat, I just wear - clothes. Luckily for those around us.

But, what would you guys consider to be the ultimate in terms of clothing? What features make great sailing clothes? What types of clothes for northern climates, southern climates, inshore, offshore, daysailing?

Personally, I'm happy with a fleece liner along with a windproof shell of some sort. How about pockets? Not a fan of zippers unless they're covered.

Wool

It's not exactly fashion ... more like function ... but for the summer, I do like a shirt with a collar I can turn up to add some more protection from the sun.

We race hiked, mainly on short courses, so things are wet and tactical and high quality bibs and dinghy smock are the thing for anyone who can afford them. Anything bulky or flappy will catch on something and slow you down. Having a skinny little ass, I use padded shorts, but hesitate to admit it. I also have a waterproof vest, which I sometimes use. In hot weather, I like long-sleeve, plastic t-shirts, especially the really stinky ones, for when I want to annoy one particularly neurotic woman who crews with us, by snuggling up to her on the rail.

In cold weather, I prefer wool for my inner and mid layers if I'm going to be sweating. It's less bulky than synthetics, doesn't smell as bad, and looks sharp. I often wear a PFD just for warmth. Having no hair, I wear a hat in all weathers.

For cruising, I like quick-dry boxers that I can wash in a bucket before drinks and take off the lifeline that night. Otherwise, foulies when it's wet and a jacket when it's cold.

I think pockets are important for cruising. Mine are always full.

I'm with Kim - I wear wool a lot of the time. My favorite brands are Icebreaker and SmartWool, both really do a good job with multiple weights and types. I've found that nothing is as comfortable under the waterproof layer as wool. I us mid-weight long underwear that is usually designed for skiing and just put multiple layers on as it gets colder. With two or three layers, I'm good to about 15 deg F.

For the exterior waterproof layer I'm with Orestes, close fitting dinghy stuff is best for day racing and for cruising I wear big bulky foul weather gear with heaps of pockets provided I'm wearing an inflatable harness/pfd. If I'm trying to get stuff done on deck, I wear a old school life jacket (swiftwater rescue vest from Mustang) and then a fouly jacket is too bulky.

When it's warm, Cament (sp?) short pants with the pads in the butt are great. In the warm stuff I wear old dress shirts with the sleeves rolled down and buttoned and the color rolled up to keep the sun off. A used man's dress shirt is dirt cheap at Goodwill ($2) and is good for about one ocean race. White shirts seem to have a SPF of about 15 or so, they let more sunlight through than you might think

On my head I wear a Tilly hat as too many friends are having bits of skin burned off that have been cooked by the sun and have taken on a life of their own growing in weird ways.

I hate plastic clothing for exactly the reason Mr. Orestes cites - it stinks! There is almost nothing as smelly as a boat on a race to Mexico about two days out when everyone takes off their 48 hour worn plastic foulies down below - YIKES!!!

BV