>As a backpacker and a sailor, I strongly feel that DWR/Gore-Tex stuff is garbage anyways- it's (only slightly) breathable when new, but when the coating wears after a few weeks or months, or gets dirty it becomes no longer hydrophobic, and the water sheets on completely blocking the pores.

Most jackets that use a durable water repellant require the coating be regularly maintained (cleaning, re-heating) and re-applied after some time. Manufacturers usually say "years", but one year seems more realistic, even in a not-that-wet climate.

That being said, I agree that Gore-Tex stuff is not waterproof enough for sailing. It's a compromise between waterproof/light-weight/packability/breathability.