Table of Contents
- Is Helly Hansen a Good Brand?
- Helly Hansen Gear Available at Fawcett Boat Supplies
- Choosing the Right Gear for Your Sailing Conditions
- Caring for Your Helly Hansen Gear
- Where to Buy Helly Hansen Sailing Gear
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Your Next Season on the Water Starts Here
Whether you are outfitting for your first offshore passage, upgrading a coastal cruising kit, or simply looking for reliable marine apparel that performs season after season, Helly Hansen is the name serious sailors trust. This guide covers the key products available at Fawcett Boat Supplies, explains what each piece is built for, and helps you find the right fit for your sailing style.
Is Helly Hansen a Good Brand?
The question "Is Helly Hansen a good brand?" comes up every time a sailor starts researching marine apparel. The answer goes back to 1877, when Captain Helly Juell Hansen founded the brand in Moss, Norway, waterproofing canvas and burlap with linseed oil to protect North Sea seafarers. That original mission has never changed.
Today, Helly Hansen is the official outfitter of the Norwegian Coast Guard, a longtime partner of the Volvo Ocean Race, and the technical apparel partner of World Sailing. Three things set them apart:
- Proven Technology: Helly Tech waterproof-breathable membranes and H2Flow ventilation systems are field-tested in the world's most demanding marine environments.
- Real-World Use: HH gear is worn by offshore race crews, coast guard personnel, and sailing academies worldwide.
- Sustainability: Helly Hansen is committed to 50% recycled polyester across its range by 2030.
Helly Hansen Gear Available at Fawcett Boat Supplies
Fawcett Boat Supplies carries a focused selection of Helly Hansen apparel suited to Chesapeake Bay sailors and coastal cruisers. Here is what is currently in stock and what each piece is designed to do.
Jackets and Shells
The Helly Hansen windbreakers and shell jackets at Fawcett cover everything from casual day sailing to reliable foul-weather protection.
- Seven J Rain Jacket: A lightweight, packable waterproof shell ideal for unpredictable coastal weather. The Seven J is built with Helly Tech waterproofing and a clean cut that transitions easily from the boat to the dock. A practical all-conditions layer for day sailors and cruisers.
- Crew Hooded Jacket 2.0: A softshell-style jacket offering wind and water resistance with a comfortable stretch fit. Built for sailors who want protection without the bulk of a full foul-weather shell. Excellent for coastal day sailing and cooler evenings at anchor.
Fleece and Mid-Layers
A complete HH sailing apparel system relies on effective mid-layers. Fawcett stocks several fleece options that work equally well as standalone pieces or under a waterproof shell.
- Varde Fleece Jacket: A classic mid-layer fleece in a full-zip jacket cut. Warm, breathable, and comfortable on the water or ashore. One of HH's most versatile pieces for coastal sailors and marina use.
- Crew Midlayer Jacket 2: Designed specifically to layer under HH sailing shells. The articulated cut and stretch panels keep you mobile at the helm or on the foredeck while adding meaningful warmth without bulk.
- Women's Crew Midlayer Jacket 2: The same performance as the men's Crew Midlayer in a gender-specific cut, part of Fawcett's boat clothing for women range. Trim fit, full mobility, and compatible with all HH women's outer shells.
Insulating Vests
Vests are one of the most versatile pieces in any sailor's wardrobe. They add core warmth without restricting arm movement during winching, trimming, or foredeck work. The Helly Hansen ski vest's crossover appeal makes it equally popular with offshore sailors and land-based outdoor enthusiasts.
- Men's Varde Fleece Vest 2.0: A fleece insulator vest offering warmth without restricting arm movement. Ideal as a standalone layer in mild conditions or under a shell on colder days.
- Unisex Crew Insulator Vest 2.0: A versatile insulating vest that works on and off the water. The Crew Insulator compresses easily for storage in a sailing bag and adds a significant warmth layer for early-morning watches and cool-weather passages.
Base Layers
The foundation of any effective sailing layering system starts at the skin. The Men's Tyri Half-Zip at Fawcett represents HH's base and active layer philosophy: lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you dry and comfortable regardless of exertion level.
- Men's Tyri Half-Zip: A mid-weight active layer with a half-zip collar for ventilation control. The quick-dry fabric wicks perspiration away from the skin during high-output sailing and provides a comfortable base for layering in cooler conditions.
Sailing Gear and Bags
The foundation of any effective sailing layering system starts at the skin. The Men's Tyri Half-Zip at Fawcett represents HH's base and active layer philosophy: lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric that keeps you dry and comfortable regardless of exertion level.
- HH Light Dry Bag 20L Alert Red: A mid-weight active layer with a half-zip collar for ventilation control. The quick-dry fabric wicks perspiration away from the skin during high-output sailing and provides a comfortable base for layering in cooler conditions.
Choosing the Right Gear for Your Sailing Conditions
Coastal Cruising and Day Sailing
For Chesapeake Bay day sailing and coastal cruising from Annapolis, a practical kit built around the Fawcett HH range looks like this:
- Outer layer: Seven J Rain Jacket or Crew Hooded Jacket 2.0 for wind and spray protection
- Mid-layer: Varde Fleece Jacket or Crew Midlayer Jacket 2 under the shell on cooler days
- Vest: Men's Varde Fleece Vest 2.0 or Crew Insulator Vest 2.0 for core warmth on morning watches
- Base layer: Men's Tyri Half-Zip as an active layer in spring and fall
- Bag: HH Light Dry Bag 20L for protecting gear, electronics, and clothing aboard
Performance and Racing
Club racers and performance sailors can use the same Fawcett HH range as a starting point and supplement with HH's wider sailing-specific lineup. The Crew Midlayer Jacket 2 is particularly well regarded among racing sailors for its articulated fit and compatibility with foul-weather shells. For women racing on the Bay, the Women's Crew Midlayer Jacket 2 provides the same performance in a gender-specific cut.
Signal Spec and Offshore Safety
For offshore passages and racing under ISAF/World Sailing safety regulations, Helly Hansen Signal colorways provide the high-visibility compliance required at sea. The Signal designation refers to safety orange and bright yellow colorways that improve visual detection in man-overboard situations and low-visibility conditions. Sailors planning offshore passages should ask about Signal-spec availability when visiting Fawcett.
Caring for Your Helly Hansen Gear
Proper maintenance protects your investment and keeps waterproof gear performing as designed. Quality HH gear is built to last many seasons, but only if it is cared for correctly. The most common cause of waterproofing failure is not a worn-out membrane but improper washing and storage. Following a few straightforward steps after each use will keep your gear performing exactly as it did on day one.
Washing
- Close all zippers and Velcro flaps before washing.
- Use a technical garment wash such as Nikwax Tech Wash. Standard detergents and fabric softeners strip DWR coatings.
- Wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle.
- Tumble dry on low heat for 20 minutes. Heat reactivates DWR and restores water-beading performance.
- Retreat annually with a spray-on DWR product when water no longer beads on the surface.
Storage
- Store hanging in a cool, dry, ventilated space rather than compressed in a bag year-round.
- Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight, which degrades waterproof coatings over time.
- Inspect seam tape annually and reseal any lifting edges with aftermarket seam sealer.
Warranty
Helly Hansen provides a two-year limited warranty on manufacturing defects. To initiate a claim, contact your retailer with proof of purchase and photographs of the issue. Fawcett Boat Supplies can assist with warranty questions for gear purchased in-store.
Where to Buy Helly Hansen Sailing Gear
Helly Hansen sailing gear performs best when it fits correctly over base layers. For first-time purchases, particularly jackets, vests, and layering systems, in-store fitting makes a meaningful difference. Fawcett Boat Supplies in Annapolis has served the Chesapeake Bay sailing community for over 75 years and carries the current HH lineup. Visit fawcettboat.com to browse inventory or stop in before or during the Annapolis Spring Boat Show (April 24 to 26, 2026) to try the full range with guidance from staff who sail.