Ocean Sailing Foul Weather Gear and Offshore Sailboat Racing
Clothing (click
here to see items)
For
Ocean and Offshore sailors Whitecaps Foul Weather Gear
carries (click each bold listing below to see those items):
Gill Ocean Racer
Smocks provide sailors full foul weather protection over days
and weeks in harsh climates and strenuous conditions. Made with
Gill’s top of the line, 3 layer, highly breathable waterproof Gill 5
DOT™ fabric.
Gill Ocean Racer Jackets have complete foul weather
protection for sailors and high breathability without compromising
durability. Made with Gill’s top of the line, 3 layer, highly
breathable waterproof Gill 5 DOT™ fabric.
Gill Ocean Racer Trousers are made with Gill’s top of the
line, abrasion-resistant 3 layer, highly breathable waterproof Gill
5 DOT™ fabric. “Bullet-proof” KEVLARŪ reinforcement in high-wear
areas. Water, oil, and tear resistant. High fit back, zippered thigh
pocket, plus easy-access multi-tool pouch.
Gill Atlantic Jackets are made for sailors using Gill’s 3
layer, breathable Gill 3 DOT™ fabric with improved durability
against abrasion. Double stormflap, zippered security pocket,
Glideskin inner cuffs. Active-fit stowaway hood. Fits comfortably
over several layers for extended periods of time.
Gill Atlantic Trousers are made for sailors using Gill’s 3
layer, breathable Gill 3 DOT™ fabric with improved durability
against abrasion. High front for greater comfort. Large, angled,
easy access cargo pocket. Extensive wear protection on the knee,
lower leg, and seat.
GUL Hobart Jackets are made with waterproof, breathable GUL
GCX3 and Cordura tri-laminate fabric that’s 40% lighter than
previously used materials. Waterproof heat taped seams, adjustable
inner PU cuffs, hand warmer pockets, thermal collar. Zip away,
adjustable fluorescent hood, EPIRB arm pocket, life jacket loops,
reflective tape.
GUL Hobart Smocks are made with waterproof, breathable GUL
GCX3 and Cordura tri-laminate fabric that’s 40% lighter than
previously used materials. Internal waistband prevents water from
entering. Spun polyester collar won’t absorb water. Arm pocket for
electronics with antenna hole. Zip away, adjustable fluorescent hood
with wire brim.
GUL Hobart Salopettes are made with waterproof, breathable
GUL GCX3 and Cordura trilaminate fabric that’s 40% lighter than
previously used materials. 100% Waterproof heat taped seams.
Adjustable shoulder panels, webbing adjustable waist, adjustable
ankle cuffs. Front zip fly gusset, hand warmer pockets, chest knife
pocket, thigh pocket Cordura Tri-laminate reinforced seat and knees.
GUL Hobart High Chest Trousers are made with waterproof,
breathable GUL GCX3 and Cordura tri-laminate fabric that’s 40%
lighter than previously used materials. 100% Waterproof heat taped
seams. Stretch adjustable shoulder straps, webbing adjustable waist,
adjustable ankle cuffs. Front zip fly gusset, hand warmer pockets,
chest knife pocket, thigh pocket. Cordura Tri-laminate reinforced
seat and knees.
Our guide to ocean sailing apparel
How to select foul weather gear for ocean or offshore sailing:
The
first question you need to ask yourself is “do I sail overnight?”
If the answer is “yes,” then Ocean/Offshore Foul Weather Gear is the
category for you. If you only sail during the day, you can find the
perfect protection in the Coastal/Inshore Foul Weather Gear and
Dinghy/One Design categories.
What makes the items in the Ocean/Offshore Foul Weather Gear
category right for the overnight sailor is:
Weight and Durability of Fabric
High Collars
Low Bottom Cut
Waterproof construction
These are the basic qualities common to all manufacturers and
styles. The differences are about the style of the cut:
Boxier vs. more tailored. Here the challenge is to give
you enough room for layering, while still having a garment that
gives you the most freedom of movement and doesn’t “get in the way.”
Accessory pockets. The debate here is over having enough
places to keep EPIRB’s, knives, VHF, etc., vs. breathability.
Remember, even the most advanced breathable fabric won’t function at
its optimum level if it is layered with pockets. The general rule:
the more active you are the fewer pockets you want.
Understanding foul weather gear construction:
While it may that manufacturers are making it as hard as possible to
understand what you’re buying, there are two principles to be aware
of:
1.
The layers of
construction
2.
The kinds of fabric
Breathable fabric must be layered—it can’t be used by itself. So in
two layer garments, there’s the breathable layer (inside) and the
protective layers (outside). Three layers have an inner “comfort”
layer, the breathable layer, then the outer layer. Four layers, the
most, will usually have an inner layer, a double breathable layer,
and an outer layer.
The
“fabric system” is where manufacturers differentiate themselves the
most. But in the end, the science of breathable fabrics has become
so advanced that all the variations work extremely well. The fabric
that makes up the outer layer is an area that manufacturers take
great pride in being proprietary. The outer layer is what provides
the wind resistance and the waterproof qualities along with the
construction which includes seams that are heat sealed then taped.
The Gill Foul Weather Gear Fabric System:
Gill
•••••
5 dots
The best from Gill foul
weather gear for extended offshore and ocean sailing over
consecutive days and weeks in harsh climates.
Ultra high performance
three layers, 100% water proof, breathable with taped seams. Very
high
breathability, very high durability.
Gill ●●●●
4 dots
The
best from Gill foul weather gear for
offshore and ocean sailing over consecutive days or weeks in harsh
climates and rough conditions. High performance, three layer. 100%
water proof, breathable with taped seams. High breathability, high
durability.
Gill ●●●
3 dots
The best from Gill foul weather gear for
coastal and offshore sailing.
Excellent for several days of continuous use in rough conditions.
Two layer. Microporous, 100% waterproof, breathable with taped
seams. High breathablility, high durability.
Gill ●● 2 dots
The best from Gill
foul weather gear for
dinghy and One Design sailing and racing with possibility of
full immersion. Light weight and flexible.
Two layer. 100% waterproof, breathable with taped seams. Good
breathablility, good durability.
Gill ● 1 dot
The best from Gill
foul weather gear for
recreational and inshore sailing in mild to moderate
climates with the possibility of rain, spray, and wind.
Two layer. 100% waterproof,
breathable with taped seams. Good breathablility, good durability.
The GUL Foul Weather Gear
Fabric System:
GUL GCX4
The
best from GUL foul weather gear for sailing in extreme conditions.
The ultimate 4 layer defense system, giving you total comfort and
protection in all conditions. High performance abrasion resistant
shell is combined with twin waterproof/breathable membranes. These
double membranes create a thermal and moisture regulating system
that allows the fabric to breathe, but prevents water penetration.
A polyester tricot inner layer wicks moisture away from the skin and
increases durability by reducing abrasion.
GUL GCX3
The
best from GUL foul weather gear for offshore and ocean sailing over
consecutive days. Constructed from 3 layers for maximum
performance. An abrasion resistant out shell protects a central
waterproof and breathable membrane from rips and tears. The
microporous membrane has been designed to help regulate body
temperature and prevent water penetration even during strenuous
use. The polyester tricot inner layer wicks moisture away from the
skin and increases durability by reducing abrasion.
GUL GCX2EVO
The
best from GUL foul weather gear for coastal, dinghy, and one design
sailing and racing. A hard-wearing, 2 layer waterproof and
breathable fabric. Designed to give maximum performance with minimum
weight.
GUL GCX2
Created by GUL for dinghy and one design sailing. A hard-wearing, 2
layer fabric that prevents water penetration but also “breathes”
allowing perspiration moisture to evaporate.
Whitecaps Foul Weather Gear gives you savings on Gill, GUL, Ronstan, Harken, Atlantis, and Dubarry foul weather gear and sailing gear for dinghy sailors, offshore and inshore racing sailors, junior sailors, and cruising sailors. Whitecaps Foul Weather Gear has a complete selection of sailing jackets, vests, drytops, pants, rashguards, fleece, shoes, boots, gloves, drysuits, wetsuits, hats, bags, watches and sunglasses.
