One of the risks faced by ocean racers aboard the Open 60sloop Gartmore Investments during their race around the Atlantic this year for the 2001 EDS Atlantic Challenge was having to remain in wet clothing for days – even weeks – at a time. The crew would suffer especially from what they termed "gunwhale rot" or "bubonic butt." One of the crewmembers described the unpleasantry in descriptive terms via email from the boat: "Should any landsman wish to share this experience, he need only put on three pairs of trousers, sit in a bucket of salt water for two hours, then spend the next seven days without changing clothes."
Their defense against this affliction: udder and teat oil purchased at a farm-supply store. The only danger is a reported tendency to moo at mealtimes.
