Abstract

This thesis investigates how hand protection and performance can be improved for sailors in a competitive racing situation. Current hand protection is limited to leather sailing gloves or rubber gardening gloves which sailors use for their rubber coating to improve their grip on ropes. But both of these options have the problem of wearing out, and in the case of the gardening glove’s this can occur within one use. This type of product and user behaviour raises an environmental concern framing the problem space for the development of a product solution that improves outcomes for the users and the environment in this specific sporting context. Research into materials, and investigation of other industries that use hand protection, provides inspiration for a new sailing glove design that improves sailing experience and a more ecologically responsible solution. Qualitative research into this area has been conducted through surveys to understand decisions users make around hand protection and the factors affecting their choice. Including photographic studies of sailor’s gloves to understand how they wear out and in which areas. From these findings, a glove concept was developed and tested through prototyping that revealed material shortcomings and fit issues, which were resolved in the design. The research project identified the lack of changes in glove design considering the advances in manufacturing and material options in the last few decades, acknowledging the savviness of sailors to find their own solutions for hand protection.

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