Gear

After a short day on the water Wednesday we had a long afternoon ashore. It has turned hot, humid, and sunny in Key West but for several members of our crew, the welcome break meant more recovery time in the air conditioning. We all used the long break to sort out gear both on the boat and at the condo. This exercise got me thinking about our personal gear and I'd like to pass along a little inventory of what I see on our crew and on other teams I have been around in recent months.

Inner Layer: Our crew issue first layer is from Patagonia: Quick drying shorts and long sleeve silkweight Capilene t-shirts are worn under layers when it is cold or wet and as an outer layer when it is hot and sunny (such as today).

Jackets: Team jackets are also from Patagonia.

Wet Weather Gear: The team maintains sets of Musto HPX Gore Tex gear which are issued at the start of each regatta and returned at the close.

Shoes: The majority of the team wears SLAM sailing shoes (left) although a few wear similar looking shoes from different manufacturers. The majority of the sailors wear flip-flops to the boat and carry their sailing shoes in their backpack. All brands of flip-flops are spotted although I prefer those from Olukai--spendy but worth it.

Socks: Socks are a weak spot and I would love to learn about alternatives. Most of the team wears white low-cut cotton sport socks which, of course, are immediately wet and slow drying. It is frustrating to have such great material and though go into in every stitch of gear but wet nasty socks on the feet.

Sunglasses: The majority of the team wears Kaenon sunglasses although Dirty Dogs and Oakleys are also represented.

Hats: Seven of the 10 on our boat sail with baseball caps.

Backpacks: We carry our stuff in team-issued Dakine backpacks which are checked into the dockbox before racing and do not come onto the water.

To drink: I am seeing a lot of Vitamin Water being consumed on our boat and elsewhere. And, of course, there is plenty of good old bottled water throughout the day. (NO SHARING BOTTLES!)

-DSG

 

Comments

[Bill Cabrall]

I have a solution for your sock issue. I compete in Lightning's, where wet feet are also quite common. Several years ago we switched to low cut, wicking, cycling socks (available at any bicycle shop for $6-9 per pair). Since then my feet have stayed dry, or dryed out quite quickly, even if I've been in water up to my ankles.

An added benefit is a well defined 'sunscreen line'. Regular socks always seemed to slip farther down than I applied sunscreen, but the low rise socks don't have this problem.