Good sleeping bag for on-board use in foggy Maine

[jen1722terry]

Hey CDers,

Jenn has been trying to use her medium weight down sleeping bag on board for several years. It works fine unless we get long damp/foggy spells (pretty much guaranteed at our summer port in Maine).

Any recommendations on bags you like. We're thinking synthetic fill.

Jenn and Terry

[Paul D.]

Definitely stay with synthetic fill it keeps working if wet, unlike goose down. I recommend either The North Face Cat's Meow if you want a mummy shaped bag or their Dolomite 40 (or 20 degree if a cold sleeper) for a rectangular bag.

[Steve Laume]

I have used a semi mummy synthetic bag on Raven for years. You could soak the thing until it drips and still stay warm. That is not to say you will be comfortable when it is damp. Damp nylon is just nasty, no matter what filling it contains. I have also used cotton sheets and they don't fair any better. What I use now is a fleece blanket. I lay it out on the bunk and then fold it over me like I am a human taco. If I need more warmth then it goes on top. The fleece is the best fabric I have found for damp conditions. I am also very careful about keeping salt off of my body and bedding. It isn't always possible but always a good idea to rinse off before you come in contact with your bedding. Once it gets some salt on it, it then becomes a moisture magnet.

Seriously, try some fleece. You might even want to make up a liner for your bag if you are expecting some very cold temps. Down bags are only a problem when they get wet enough to cause the down to clump up. It is the nylon that makes them uncomfortable when damp, Steve.

[Vincent]

You might also try a gore tex bivy. I have two military 4 part bags, a carry bag, two bags and the gore outer. I am hoping they will be good on the boat. My son is in the army, he suggested them. So far, they work well.

[Joe CD MS 300]

We have four LL Bean fleece sleeping bags and a couple of wool blankets to use over the bags when it’s really cold on those early spring late fall trips when it’s in the 40’s at night. The bags can be fully unzipped to use as blankets in the cockpit on cool evenings. A little dampness doesn’t affect the bags.

[John Stone]

We carry four REI nylon/taffeta (“no, taffeta darling” LOL) rectangular sleeping bags. Ours are light weight 40-50° bags. We have sheets Gayle cut down to fit inside the bags so we only have to wash the sheets and it makes the bag feel a less clammy. Since carrying a few blankets on a boat is no issue I prefer light weight bags better than medium weight. If you are cold add a blanket over the bag.

After a career as a Marine infantryman I have a lot of time in mummy bags and I like them but, rectangular bags can be opened completely and used as a blanket or zipped together when that is the preferred arrangement.

I second the use of fleece blankets.