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We've found an excellent piece of sailing kit, which is suitable
for a combination of dinghy and offshore sailing,writes Sue Pelling.
The Offshore Extreme Drytop from the Helly Hansen Match Racing Collection,
is lightweight, stylish and gives full protection in extreme conditions.
Made of Helly Tech breathable/waterproof three-layer fabric, the
Extreme Drytop has latex neck and wrist seals which are well concealed
underneath the velcro-fastened cuffs. The deep spray skirt inside
the hem is perfect for preventing water entering the suit, and the
reinforced, articulated sleeves allow for plenty of freedom under
the arms. There are also built-in straps for inflatable lifejackets
for those who want to use the top offshore.
Hits:I found the drytop particularly
useful on chilly summer days, used in conjunction with my wetsuit
when racing my dinghy. It's also excellent for keelboat racing,
when the need for upperbody protection is of prime importance, and
the high collar with integral hood keeps the wind off during those
chilly days on the racecourse.
Misses:When the fleece lining on the
stowaway hood gets wet, it becomes heavy and takes too long to dry.
Wish list:Internal pocket.
Value for money:Excellent piece of
kit, but £240 is expensive for a glorified spray top. To make
it really functional, you also need the matching chest highs which
also retail at £240.
Availability: Contact Helly Hansen
at www.hellyhansen.com
or telephone Helly Hansen (UK) for a list of stockists on 0115 9608797.
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