Sailing in a kilt

[Nile]

Susan and I started the process of moving our sailboat, Sansheraght, from Seaford, DE on the Nanticoke River to her summer home near Cambridge, MD on the Chesapeake Bay. We don't usually sail on the river (too narrow & too winding) so we motor and go with the flow. It's a wonderful journey on a beautiful river that abounds with wildlife, the only challenge being the two 50' MHW clearance bridges we have to get under (top of our mast is 50' 2" off the water). We need low tide to get under the bridges.


This year I decided to wear a kilt (never sailed in kilt before). All I can say is that it was a great experience and I will do it again but… with some changes.




I realize that many of our fellow XMTS'ers frequently wear their kilts with non standard kit (sandals, T-shirts, etc.) but, I've never been too fond of that look (not meant as a criticism, just my personal opinion). However, when it comes to wearing the kilt, looks are one thing and comfort is another. So, while there are many different looks, to me, there are two areas of comfort; mental and physical. Physically, wearing my 'Kiltman Kilt' while sailing was very comfortable and I'm certainly going to do it again. However, mentally, I had a couple of issues. Not wearing hose, garters and sgian dubh was one of them (I always wear hose with a kilt) and, of course, I just had to wear a sporran and belt (uncomfortable without them) but, probably won't in the future (well perhaps, my Rob Roy sporran). The good thing is that I don't have to look at myself or please anyone but my wife (& she likes it any way I choose to wear it).


I would like to here some of your thoughts on this. Also, are there any other sailors amongst the rabble and do you/have you sailed kilted?


Nile

[Elizabeth]

I think you look great. Form follows function, I assume those shoes work well on the boat and they look fine without hose. You should listen to your wife.

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

[cck]

Years ago when I lived on the Gulf of Mexico I did a bunch of sailing, but that was BK (before kilts.) I think they would be perfect for sailing. I'd do boat shoes, no hose and I'd forget the sporran. It could get caught in the wheel or one of the lines. It is a great idea -keep it up. Now you have me missing my sailboat. Need crew?

[Psynister]

I think you look just fine as you are. If you're more comfortable with more of your traditional kit w/ the hose, sgian, etc then I'd say to go ahead and do it. After all, knives and sailing go together like haggis and 'taters!

I'd probably stick with sandals for sailing, personally. If not having hose and the sgian is a big deal because of the feel, you might consider wearing a diving knife strapped to yoru leg in the same place you normally carry your sgian dubh. The other leg would still feel bare, I'm sure, but that might be enough to keep you mentally balanced.

[O'Searcaigh]

I think you look just fine. I have been a "sailor" (several sailboats over the years but none now) but have not sailed in a kilt. The only change I would probably have made is to scuttle the sporran. Boat shoes (Sperry's?) without socks is common and I don't think it looks odd with the kilt, especially on the boat. I think the only other thing I would wonder about is how a kilt would behave on a close hauled tack with the wind just off the starboard bow? Anchors aweigh!

[TheOfficialBren]

I think that 1) you have a fine looking boat, sir, and 2) you made some sensible choices (especially with footwear).
Practicality and safety must come first when boating. Neat photos, Nile.

[Nile]

Thank you all for the kind comments and suggestions. O'Searcaigh, Sperry's are what I wear in fact all but two pairs of shoes that I own are Sperry's including a pair of Sperry sandals and even my favorite kilt shoes are Sperry's. (Didn't mean to be an advertisement for a shoe company!!!)

[QUOTE=O'Searcaigh;1176620]

The only change I would probably have made is to scuttle the sporran.

That's what I'm thinking about the sporran. It would occasionally catch on the wheel and other things so, it's best not to wear it. The buckle on the belt was a problem as well and would catch on things so I'm going to switch to another style of belt or just not use one when sailing. [One of the problems with utility type kilts is that snaps are often used and they tend to pop apart occasionally (usually at the wrong time) whereas straps are more secure, so the belt helps with that.]

I think the only other thing I would wonder about is how a kilt would behave on a close hauled tack with the wind just off the starboard bow?

Well, I intend to find out when we head out next weekend. When we pass through Hooper's Straight we will probably have the wind just as you describe (starboard tack) and when we turn up the Bay, we will be on a broad reach (now watch, just because I said that, it will be just the opposite!).

Nile

[Alan H]

Kicking around on a Catalina 34 on the river, with minimal sail up, or motoring would be fine in a kilt. That goes double with the dodger and bimini up, like you have on your boat. That looks like a lovely, laid-back day, BTW....sounds good to me!

I've done some medium distance sailing races on SF Bay with Piper George, both of us kilted up, on a Moore 24 and a Santa Cruz 27. It was great fun and we got lots of looks and laughs, but then these races are more "fun" than "hardcore". However, they're still races. I can't recommend wearing a kilt to go up on the foredeck for a sail change in 20 knots and 3 foot chop, on a Moore 24. Note that I wore the kilt downwind, but on the return, which was 20+ miles to windward, the kilt stayed in the bag and the foul weather gear came out. It's just common sense.

In those situations, I'm worried about a lot more important stuff than if my "ensemble" is properly coordinated. You know, stuff like not going swimming in damn cold water with 7-8 yards of fabric belted around my middle while the boat sails off without me.....little stuff like that.

[Nile]

I'm worried about a lot more important stuff than if my "ensemble" is properly coordinated. You know, stuff like not going swimming in damn cold water with 7-8 yards of fabric belted around my middle while the boat sails off without me.....little stuff like that.

HA, Ha, ha... well put Alan, I appreciate your comments! As Elizabeth reminded me "Form follows function". I guess I was more worried about the kit than the kumfort. I'll be wearing a kilt more often when sailing but, certainly with few accessories, just functional form. Of course, I'm no stranger to foul weather gear (have had to wear it more often that I care to think).

By the way, you were pretty close identifying the boat; she's a Catalina 36 (very similar to the 34), wing keel, standard rig. Nothing fancy but, it gets us there.

Nile

[O'Searcaigh]

In those situations, I'm worried about a lot more important stuff than if my "ensemble" is properly coordinated. You know, stuff like not going swimming in damn cold water with 7-8 yards of fabric belted around my middle while the boat sails off without me.....little stuff like that.

I'm former Navy, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Oregon State Marine Board Boating Safety and Seamanship Instructor -- ABSOLUTELY SAFETY FIRST!!! Keep the kilt for "fair winds and easy seas." I once had my grandchildren out on Pensacola Bay when a huge thunderstorm came up, lightning, thunder, heavy rain, unpredictable winds, heavy seas (yes, even in the bay) -- damned near capsized -- absolutely no time to worry about anything other than getting the boat to safety. In the Navy, we were taught how to take off our clothes and use them for floatation devices -- not sure how you could do that with a kilt. Again, sailing kilted is for fair winds and calm seas!!! Enjoy!!!