Reefing your hat
by John Curnow, Editor, Sail-World AUS 26 Aug 2024 07:44 BST
my ubiquitous straw hat - well the 40th iteration thereof anyway... © John Curnow
As an Australian, being sun aware is kind of top of mind. I love the stuff, but these days just don’t want to be in it too much. You’ll often see me opt to stand in the shade when I can. You know, it’s a sort of as long as it is there, not here, kind of thing…
Now for what seemed like forever, quite possibly my favourite piece of kit for going yacht racing was my über-large straw hat. A huge brim that really offered maximum coverage, plenty of air circulation, and a chin strap to keep it where it needed to be. Awesome stuff, and when you looked up at the sails or the mast, you still had a level of protection.
Agreed they were originally intended for the beach, but you could not argue with the outcome. Alas, that was for 15 knots apparent, or less. At 12 you were already contemplating putting in two slabs (reefs). Regrettably, that meant going for the cap. I am no major fan, as they are hot, and flip off easily, making you reach back and grab the lanyard to retrieve it and stick it back on.
It also meant you had to put 30plus everywhere to avoid the rays. Invariably you missed a bit (later to become ‘ouch’), and sunscreen and sunglasses are a bit like oil and water. Also, you had the three little pig factor, which would be straw, and their ability to self-destruct is simply phenomenal. I must be on my 40th iteration by now.
That was all pre-neck gaiter days. What a saviour they have been. Plus, they can go from light and variable, all the way through to fresh to frightening with graceful aplomb. You can even soak them in water up in the tropics. Originally there seemed to be a 25 years of age or younger element to sporting the look, but it is amazing to see just how many old guys rock the gaiter nowadays.
Recently, a non-descript brown box from the American Hat Makers arrived swiftly, which is important to note as it had had to traverse the mighty Pacific. Now unless a car was going to be dropped on it, that box was going to protect its contents with its life!
Inside was my ‘Florence’ hat, all safe and sound in a perfectly mated ring to the exact same size as the outer circumference of the crown. Also, there was their expansive catalogue, which reminded me of the menu at a Chinese restaurant more than anything else. Ah the choice…
As for Florence the hat, well I had elected to have that model as it was very airy, with a broad enough brim. What I was not prepared for was how light and strong it is, and with a distinct, visual and tactile representation of the term, quality personified.
Seriously strong and light, it is like Florence has been made from unidirectional carbon fibre, vac-bagged with vinylester resin. If it had a mast and a keel you’d be saying, ‘Let’s go for a yacht. Now!’
Being so stylish, I can see Florence being reserved for cruising cat use, and power boat review days, but invariably, where she will come into her own is at boat shows. The number of times exhibitors have said to me how much they liked my straw hat whilst we chatted away in the beaming sun is only matched by the volume of requests to sell mine to them.
In the case of Florence, I can now offer the brick house. For a premium. Time to cue The Commodores…