How to put together the right set of yacht clothing

How to put together the right set of yacht clothing

It is difficult for a person who is going to travel on a yacht for the first time to figure out what he needs and what is simply not appropriate on a yacht. Taking into account the different weather at sea and on the shore, different regions and seasons and much more, we will try to put together the right set of yacht clothing for a charter or first nautical practicethat can meet all your needs on board, depending also on your role on the yacht - you skipper, crew member or charter tourist.

There is basic rules on how to dress properly on a yacht in terms of health and safety, and this is what will top the list of necessary things, there are still things that are inappropriate, as the yacht is a rather limited space and its storage possibilities are limited.

How to put together the right set of yacht clothing

First, how to pack your things properly

The first important clarification, as beginners may not think about it at all. Yachting rest is nevertheless closer to active tourism. Ideally, it is better to pack things on the yacht in backpack, travel bag, soft bag on wheels or maximum in small soft suitcase... It is more convenient to place small luggage on the yacht, so if you are traveling together, instead of one large suitcase for two, it is better to take two small soft suitcases, bags or two backpacks.

Special yacht shoes

For safety reasons, in order not to damage your fingers on the metal parts of the deck, and in order not to slip on wet surfaces, you need special yacht shoes. It is necessary when the yacht is under way and you move around the deck, especially in high seas and winds. Yacht shoes - this is, perhaps, the main thing that is not worth saving on. The main thing in yacht shoes is that they do not leave marks from the sole, that is, the sole should be white, or with a mark "Not-marking", it should not slip on the plastic deck and wet teak deck cover, and also have good ventilation, dry quickly, sit tightly on the foot so that the foot does not slip, but not pinch, and should also take off and put on quickly. Shoes do not have to be a well-known yacht brand, but they do have to meet these criteria. 

There are several types of yacht shoes for different weather:

Topsiders suitable for dry warm weather. They are made of soft leather and treated with water-repellent impregnation, and special laces, which are stretched around the circumference, securely fix the heel. Now yacht brands are producing yachting sneakers that look more modern.

Boat Shoes MUSTO x Clarks

Sperry Yacht Sneakers

Yachting sneakers - the most optimal option, sufficiently closed, warm, with a high degree of flexibility, with a higher sole, with a quick-drying synthetic breathable mesh, etc.

Yacht boots, necessary for long ocean crossings, in conditions of strong waves and storms, they are mostly rubber, although there are leather ones - more breathable and expensive.

Waterproof socks the transition is also a necessity. Cotton socks are not suitable for yachts, they absorb moisture strongly and take a very long time to dry. In this case, your feet will freeze very quickly. In general, on a yacht, it is very important that the lower leg and ankle are warm, therefore high wool yacht socks, in spring and autumn they will definitely not be superfluous.

MUSTO yacht sneakers

Le Chameau Boots

Additional yacht shoes, footwear for going ashore

In addition to special yacht shoes, you will need shale for showers in marinas, as well as a comfortable walking shoes on the shore. If you are engaged in trekking, hiking, going to climb the local peaks of mountains or volcanoes, visiting wild national parks, you need to think about choosing shoes in advance when planning, since ordinary sneakers are not always suitable for such purposes. This also applies to the need for aquashuzah for corals or specific local beaches.

In fine weather, as well as at anchorages, you can go barefoot on the yacht. It is also important to know the yachting "shoe" etiquette, according to which you cannot enter the boat in street shoes. It is left at the entrance to the yacht on the pontoon, or in the cockpit.

Helly Hansen yacht clothing

Yacht clothing: basic principle

When it comes to clothing, the first rule of yachting equipment is layering. Yes, this does not apply to summer charters in Mediterranean, but you need to understand the basic principle.

The first layer closest to the body is thermal underwearthat wicks moisture away. Thermal underwear must be of the correct size and fit snugly against the body.

The second layer serves as insulation - it should be a fleece garment. Fleece jacket - this is the need for transitions in spring and autumn and night watches. Even on a naked body, fleece retains heat well, and even when it is wet, and it dries very quickly, unlike cotton. Fleece clothing very soft and warm, it will not be hot in the wind at temperatures above 20 degrees, but it will be very warm in cold weather if there is thermal underwear under it, and a jacket on top that will protect from moisture.

Yacht clothing Decathlon Tribord

Third layer - waterproof, it consists of pants or overalls, and jackets that repel all moisture - rain, splashes, and serve as protection from the wind. It is important for the skipper to have yacht pants or jumpsuit with reinforced inserts on the knees and at the back. For charter tourists, simple waterproof pants, which should be wide enough to be worn in shoes directly and on warm pants right in the cockpit, in case of a sharp deterioration in the weather. Waterproof jacket must be comfortable, always with a hood. Even in summer, a yacht must have windbreaker, windstoper or a lightweight waterproof jacket.

Layering suitable for cold and wet weather conditions. In the sea, the weather often changes, and as the weather warms, the layers are removed, and then light things are put on, etc.

Layering

Yacht clothing and footwear brands: Musto, Henri lloyd, Helly hansen, Sperry, Decathlon tribord, Slam, Dubarry, Gill, Zhik

Hats, caps, glasses and gloves for yachting

Protecting your head from sun, wind, rain and splashes on board a yacht is very important. Panamas good protection from the sun, and not only the head, but also the ears and neck and partly the shoulders. Will also fit baseball cap with a lace so that it does not fly away. Depending on the region and season, you may need a capthat covers the ears. The windbreaker or jacket should have Hoodthat completely covers the head, ears and neck, but does not limit the view to the sides.

Yacht hats

Yacht sunglasses it is better to buy specialized ones, because they have a polarizing effect, have a special shape and soft rubber inserts that hold them firmly on the face and protect the eyes from side illumination. Since on a yacht, apart from sleeping, you are always in the cockpit or on the deck, it is imperative to protect your eyesight. In any case, glasses are needed, even if they are not yachting. By the way, for technology - phone, tablet and camera, it is advisable to buy waterproof cases.

Yachting gloves it is better to buy with a rough leather surface on the palm and with good Velcro for fixing. The ropes should not slip on the glove - this can be checked immediately at the yacht store. When working with sheets, mooring and winches, you can get not only a lot of blisters, but also burns. If cheap gloves are constantly being washed to holes, then good gloves will cost more as a result. Long Finger Glovesand not very convenient when working with rigging, but irreplaceable in working with mooring, which are usually wet and dirty. These gloves will also save you from mooring lines burns. Cropped Toe Gloves suitable for safe work with winches.

Lightweight summer yacht clothing

Everyone chooses a set of clothes for walking on the shore or relaxing on the beach based on their own habits and needs. But in the summer on the yacht you will also need light things. T-shirts better to have light, long sleeves, white - better sun protection than sunscreen. Shorts should be comfortable, with velcro or zippered pockets, preferably in dark colors - since the deck of the yacht is not always clean. Needless to say, you need to have swimsuit or swim shorts.

Lightweight summer yacht clothing

UV protection

As a rule, tourist yachting takes place during the warm season and tropical latitudes, but the wind, water, salt and sun can be merciless to your skin. Among the must-have things for everyone, both women and men, there should be sunscreen with a protection degree of 30+ - 50+, hygienic lipstick, or baby cream. As for the most common drugs, you can take Panthenol, but remember that it is applied only around an open wound or burn, but Miramistin or Chlorhexidine can be applied to skin for better healing before applying ointment or cream. It is imperative to take personal medications if you are taking such medications, for example, for allergies, vitamins, etc.

14.03.2019