Drysuits

[callsign222]

Who here is sporting a drysuit? What type and how happy are you with it?

Fall is closing in here in New England and quite frankly, I'm tired of forcing my way into my wetsuit when I'm damp, rubbing all the skin off my knuckles as I grab the neoprene to stretch it over my heel. It's getting to the point where I'm just going to start justifying why I'm not going to wear it. So instead of getting myself in trouble, I was thinking of dropping some cash and grabbing a drysuit instead for this fall season.

I'm looking for something that will hold up to dinghy sailing, keep me dry and safe, and hopefully not break the bank too much. Right now it looks like I'm in for 800-900 bucks which is WOWZA for me and my piddling income. Of course better poor than dead, but still...

Ideas?

[callsign222]

How do we feel about a used drysuit?

[Ian McColgin]

I got a very good GoreTex drysuit for kayaking but before that I sailed for years in the winter without. Rather I used my regular oilies with a life jacket and hydrophobic clothing under. I graduate to a Mustang float coat complete with beaver tail and eventually Mustang floatation work suit. Each of those three was life-savingly satisfactory and are of course listed in ascending order. Actually for winter sailing I like the float coat or work suit as requiring less to put on under than a dry suit and much easier to don. The trick is to do something about the cuffs and if a coat the waist. Duct tape for the former and a belt do it. All you need do is slow water intrusion since it's not like you're swimming.

If you do highly competative dinghy sailing with plenty of hiking out or trapeze flying, then as with kayaking a dry suit really comes into its own.

[Hwyl]

I bought my daughter a Gul (Not a Gill) , it needed rewaterproofing after three years.

For your sailing you almost need a range of options. I like those neoprene edged spray tops.

The Boathouse in Falmouth Maine (Handy Boat)always has a really good end of season sale this time of year, might be worth a call

[callsign222]

If you do highly competative dinghy sailing with plenty of hiking out or trapeze flying, then as with kayaking a dry suit really comes into its own.

The Goat is definitely not the driest boat. There is hiking out. I'm thinking of a capsize along the MIT, solo, bailing her out, and then still having to sail her to an island to wring and dry out.

I've never capsized the Goat while cruising the MIT, but I've definitely capsized her plenty when racing her around with the glint of speed in my eye and the devil bedamned in my mind. She is a light, fast, open boat. I'm not one to necessarily bank on past success to ensure future safety, that's why I think the drysuit is the best/safest idea.

(knocking on wood)

[Kudzu]

I wear a Kokatat semi-drysuit kayaking all winter. The semi-dry has a neoprene color instead of a latex. I LOVE MINE! Best money I have spent so far. I can't speak for sailing but I suspect it would be fine. One of thing I like about Kokatat is the life time warranty on most of their suits. Never heard a complaint about getting one repaired either.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

The elder sprog has just acquired the boat of his dreams - a 10sq.metre IC - and somehow I think his next present is a dry suit...local dinghy store sells Gul I see...

[StevenBauer]

Check out some relevant discussion on the Barkley Sound thread.

[andykane]

I recently looked into this and ended up with a Kokatat goretex paddling suit. This is the "semi-dry" one with the neoprene collar. It's been far too hot lately to wear it so I really can't say how it performs, but it is comfortable to wear and much easier to put on than the "full" dry ones with latex neck gaskets. As far as I can tell the semi-dry designation really only applies to something like whitewater kayaking where your head will repeatedly be underwater. The suit uses slightly lighter weight zippers but is still 100% waterproof up to the neck which should be good enough for sailing use and even when submerged the neoprene neck doesn't really seem to leak much more than a mild dampness after repeated dunkings. There is a velcro flap on the neck that lets you leave it loose (which is still quite snug) or pull it tight to minimize water entry when the wind picks up.

I also have a cruiser suit like Ian mentioned and it's great for keeping warm and also serves instead of a PDF so it is great when you're not expecting to fall in. The beauty of the drysuit is that you when, as in your or my boats (mine being Storer's Beth sailing canoe) you are almost expecting to go in, at the end of the day you just take it off and you're already in warm, dry clothes.

[callsign222]

WI-Tom offers this nugget:

I have a paddling drysuit (breathable, neoprene neck seal, built-in feet, relief zipper) and find it real good for sail and oar stuff. It's easy to undo the top for rowing or if it's too warm, and takes just a few seconds to put on the rest of the way. On all but the hottest days it's pretty comfy, and it's absolutely heavenly on a tough beat to windward. Also you can hop overboard for landings with impunity, without waiting for super shallow water.

That said, I generally only wear it to windward or if it's a day to make me nervous. But it cost me about $390 on sale, and it does provide some peace of mind for longer hops.

Tom

http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kokatat-M...Kayak-Dry-Suit

[bogdog]

I use a Kokatat Gore-tex suit here on the southern Chesapeake Bay, before that I used a coated Kokatat drysuit. For both suits I use a neck ring to keep the neck gasket open and shed some heat on warmer days. The ring is easy to pop off in the event of an unexpected dip. The Gore-tex is really comfortable but even the coated suit was fine as long as I wore a good pair fleece bottoms and drained the accumulated sweat from the legs occasionally.

[John Meachen]

I have had a breathable Gul for several years and would be happy to buy another should the need arise.It may be that we get better prices on this side of the Atlantic-take a look at http://www.sailboats.co.uk/search.aspx?keyword=drysuit http://www.watersportswarehouse.co.u...dry-suits.html http://www.andark.co.uk/store/sailin...iling-surface/.

[Ben Fuller]

Got to say the Kokatat guarantee really is true. I wore a hole in the fabric due to some years of PFD chafe paddling. I sent it back to them for a repair. They sent me a new suit. I used to tell my students who were a little chuffed at the cost that it was my Armani. Neck seals are needed for whitewater, for rolling and other such stuff. For dinghy sailing semi dry should do.

[callsign222]

Ben, I'm glad you chimed in, I was hoping that you would. After seeing that picture of Ran Tan practice-capsized with you in it in your suit I've been wondering what your opinion would be. Thanks for your advice.

[dan-marques]

I use that model suit for frostbite racing, from Nov - April in New York, and agree with the poster who said this was the best money he had spent so far.

Kokatat calls that a "semi dry" suit, because of the neoprene neck, but note that most sailing gear manufactures will call a neoprene neck suit a "dry" one.

Note that Kokatat doesn't offer the lifetime warranty for the non GoreTex suit, IIRC.

WI-Tom offers this nugget:



http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kokatat-M...Kayak-Dry-Suit[/INDENT][/COLOR]

[callsign222]

Pulled the trigger. 495, free shipping.

http://www.altrec.com/kokatat/supernova-paddling-suit

[Y Bar Ranch]

How tall are you? Let us know what size you ordered and how it fits.

I have my issued drysuit from the military, used when flying over cold water. Seals need replacing, considering just buying commercial, since they have many more features.

Did you get a liner? Without internal insulation, the cold water will press the suit right up against the skin, and you'll freeze just as if you were immersed. The liners are designed to provide standoff that just wearing long undies doesn't provide. This, I know through experience.

[callsign222]

I'll let you know. I'm 6'2" and only about 155lbs, so I would have liked the medium, but the arm lengths and inseams aren't going to work, so I went with the L, which will take 5'10" to 6'2".

I didn't get a liner, but I have lots of wool long underwear/sweaters etc. and I'm probably going to pick up some fleece pants too. At least now when I get out of the water I will be dry! Exciting.

I re-read your post. Check on the internal insulation. Thanks