Apparel + Accessories

Rash be Gone

by Sail Staff, Posted November 23, 2009

If you’re a junior sailor who spends hours out on the water — or if you know one who does — you clearly understand that the clothing you choose to sail in has a huge impact on how your feel, and how you perform, whist sailing. If you meet this description, check out SailFast’s new line of junior (ages 7 – 15) rash-guard shirts. The shirts, which are made out of SPF 50+ material that dries quickly

The Really Good Deal

by Sail Staff, Posted November 23, 2009

We live in a disposable world. Our water often comes contained in land-fill plastic, our myriad electronic gizmos and gadgets are trendy for a year or two before they too join the plastic bottles in the landfill, and that’s not even to mention the batteries and power cords that power them. And let’s not even talk about racing sails, broken boat bits, or the massive pile of aluminum cans and glass

Gill Celebrates a Quarter Century in North America

by Charles Mason, Posted October 22, 2009

There were lots of happy faces and plenty of celebratory toasts at the Gill 25th anniversary party held during this month's Annapolis Sailboat Show. Founder Nick Gill regaled the audience with some entertaining yarns about what it was like entering the North American sailing market for the first time.And then Gill North America president, David Pritchard, followed up with some amusing

Sperry Topsiders

by Meredith Laitos, Posted October 15, 2009

When you're scrambling around on the narrow, slippery boards of a Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe, non-slip shoes are a necessity. At the 2009 Heritage Regatta in Oxford, MD, SAIL raced on the log canoe Jay Dee wearing the Women's Ultra Marine and the Men's Cabo Shandal. With their superior grip and breathability, these kicks proved to be the ideal nautical performance footwear.The women's: I was

Atlantis Weather Gear

by David Schmidt, Posted August 18, 2009

Atlantis Weather Gear recently introduced two new items in its coastal sailing line, the Aegis Hybrid Bib and the Aegis Spraytop, as well as a re-tooled version of its flagship Aegis Jacket. The gear utilizes Atlantis’s triple-layer, highly breathable laminate Typhoon fabric. For years, Atlantis has held that sailing gear can be versatile and comfortable without the bulk of

Grand Prix Jacket

by David Schmidt, Posted August 5, 2009

Let’s face it: The vast majority of your time spent on the water is during relatively easy weather windows. Spring, summer, and fall — months when the winds are fairly warm and the rains are fairly tame. Obviously, if you’re a Volvo Ocean racer or a diehard frostbiter, this review doesn’t apply to you, but for everybody else, why pack a full-on foul-weather-gear jacket if all it’s going to do for

The Emperor’s New Shorts

by David Schmidt, Posted July 29, 2009

Bad clothing is restrictive, sweaty, and confining. Don a pair of such shorts and go sailing and odds are impressive that you’ll feel uncomfortable and won’t be able to perform up to your potential. On the far opposite end of the performance/comfort spectrum are Harken’s new Sailing Shorts. These stretch, gusseted, reinforced, and durable shorts are hands down the best pair of sailing shorts that

Keeping Cool Anytime, Anywhere

by David Schmidt, Posted July 21, 2009

The Really Good DealWe live in a disposable world. Our water often comes contained in land-fill plastic, our myriad electronic gizmos and gadgets are trendy for a year or two before they too join the plastic bottles in the landfill, and that’s not even to mention the batteries and power cords that power them. And let’s not even talk about racing sails, broken boat bits, or

Frequent Flyers

by David Schmidt, Posted April 8, 2009

Unless you're twisted in the head and enjoy the dizzying heights that are achieved through rock climbing or going aloft (such as myself), most sailors don't relish the idea of taking a trip up the stick, even when the boat is snugly hanging from her mooring pennants. Regardless of your ilk, the Spinlock Mast-Pro Harness should be a serious consideration for your "must-have" gear. Spinlock

Sheltered Existence

by Sail Staff, Posted February 6, 2009

Looking for a dry bag that can also serve as a grocery carrier or an adventure pack? DeMar Designs’s new Cortez backpack is well worth your attention. The backpack features open-mesh construction (with some nylon paneling), a generous vertical zipper opening that allows top-to-bottom access, accessory pockets, compression straps, an internal pocket for a hydration unit (not supplied), a removable