Arwen's meanderings

Hi everyone and welcome to my dinghy cruising blog about my John Welsford designed 'navigator' named Arwen. Built over three years, Arwen was launched in August 2007. She is a standing lug yawl 14' 6" in length. This blog records our dinghy cruising voyages together around the coastal waters of SW England.
Arwen has an associated YouTube channel so visit www.YouTube.com/c/plymouthwelshboy to find our most recent cruises and click subscribe.
On this blog you will find posts about dinghy cruising locations, accounts of our voyages, maintenance tips and 'How to's' ranging from rigging standing lug sails and building galley boxes to using 'anchor buddies' and creating 'pilotage notes'. I hope you find something that inspires you to get out on the water in your boat. Drop us a comment and happy sailing.
Steve and Arwen

Tuesday 7 October 2014

Being cheered up

It has been a funny weekend. Not funny haha, just slightly strange. Yesterday we were away all over be place and all the day and evening disappeared in an engagement booked sometime ago. When we got back today, all the afternoon from 1ish went in lesson preparation, schemes of work planning and marking; and sadly I still didn't remotely dent the 'to do' list. It resolutely stayed, like an iceberg......75% unseen and unachieved so to speak.

Still a nice surprise awaited. A new boat waterproof. I have been making do with my mountaineering coat but it isn't really appropriate. It was never designed for a saltwater environment. So I bit the bullet, found a good deal and went for it.

http://www.gillmarine.com/pt/products/coast-jacket-2682/2673

I bought a Gill Coastal Jacket. It seemed to have good reviews and seems adequate for the kind of sailing I do along the inshore coastline. Made of Dot 2 fabric, breathable and waterproof, it is also fully taped seamed and comes with a water repellent finish.  It has a number of highly reflective strips, a fluorescent roll away hood which is fully adjustable and a high cut thermal, fleece lined collar with face guard. Large capacity cargo pockets with drains, adjustable hems, fleece lined hand warmer pockets and double cuffs, fully adjustable, completes the spec. Hopefully, I can try it out soon. Anyway, I found a good deal for one, somewhat reduced.

Retail therapy ......in progress! 

2 comments:

Steve-the-Wargamer said...

The only problem I've found with my Henry Lloyd coastal jacket is that it isn't spectacularly warm on it's own - waterproof as anything, keeps out wind, but doesn't keep you warm - you need layers....

steve said...

Hi Steve
As a veteran old hand mountaineer....retired...layers.....is how all my outdoor activities over the years have been approached! thanks for the tip. With PFD, sallopetes and jacket I normally overheat! And then I get sea sick!....

For winter, a thermal top, sallies, and jacket with PFD will probably be fine for me.....I have a body temperature clock which stays on permanently warm. North of the arctic circle a few years ago....I was mountaineering and skiing in thermal top and cagoule in minus 45 below and still felt hot! Even at rest - when hat and gloves were deployed. As long as it keeps me dry! I really do hate getting wet!

Steve