Dry suits

[Toxophilite]

As I like to sail most of the year round when possible, and I sail small open boats I thought it would be sane of me to use a drysuit so that I don't freeze to death in the event of a capsize. I will say I've never capsized a small boat (I know you're supposed to and I intend to do a test come warmer water weather) but I do not believe this means it can't happen.
I don't go far from shore (inlet is only a km wide max), but in the colder weather there's not a lot of boats out there to provide potential rescue.
This , is also what makes sailing this time of year more enjoyable and sometimes, safer! ( no getting rundown/swamped)

I was looking at this one; it has a convenience zip! I like this especially how a lady ex-olympic sailor talked of having to go in the suit...

https://www.watersportsoutlet.com/2022-gul-mens-code-zero-stretch-zip-drysuit-free-underfleece-gm0368-black-p-37126.html

unfortunately I have a small budget, it's not because I'm cheap it's because that's what I have. So I'm looking for affordable but functional options.

I'd appreciate any helpful input
Thanks

[Autonomous]

Re: Dry suits

I may soon be in the market as well. Have a farmer john wetsuit and paddling top for now.
There are multi-layer composite suits that would not provide the in-water protection of a dry suit but have superior out of the water comfort. Question is, would they provide enough in water warmth till you can self-rescue? Sharkskin is one brand.
Can't offer any suggestions but am all ears.

[Toxophilite]

Re: Dry suits

I currently have this outfit which seems to be ex norwegian HH olympic sailing gear (from the above mentioned sailor) has latex seals which I had to trim one of because it was gummy and failing, but a 2 peice outfit with overalls. The overalls are great because they are padded everywhere which makes many things a little more comfy. Pretty bulky though. Pretty traumatic wearing all that strangely coloured sports gear..first time in my life! Like the red overalls, feel like a fireman!IMG_9329.jpg

[WI-Tom]

Re: Dry suits

I use a Kokatat Super Nova suit--this is a drysuit with relief zipper, but has a neoprene neck seal rather than a rubber gasket. That makes it about 4,837,261 times more comfortable. I actually wear this in dicey conditions and/or cold water. $480 right now brand new on their website:

https://kokatat.com/supernova-semi-dry-suit-mens/

Not sure if you've used drysuits before, but you absolutely need fleece insulation under. If you skip that part, it's like wearing a cold clammy frog skin, and will not keep you warm at all, even before you go in the water. So then, if the air is warm, the suit is uncomfortably warm with insulation under. But, "dress for immersion" is smart.

Tom

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Re: Dry suits

I can bore for Britain on drysuits.

I agree with Tom^.

Sailing drysuits come in two varieties - dinghy type and offshore racing type.

The dinghy types are lighter and cost less than the offshore types, and are worn over a fleece “teddy”. Buy this at the same time if possible.

This leaves the question of footwear because you will need a bigger size to go over your drysuited feet, but they don’t need to be fancy as long as they give a good grip.

Then there are the offshore types as worn by long distance racers. These cost Sums Beyond The Dreams of Avarice, but they turn up on ebay almost or entirely unused because Clipper Race crews have to have them. They are great on a big boat foredeck but they don’t give the amount of movement that the dinghy types do.

Concerning zips… older types have a zip across the shoulders and may or may not have a “flies” zip as well. You need someone to zip you into these and they can be a bit miserable if the flies zip ceases to be watertight. DAMHIKT. Newer ones have a single zip diagonally across the front and you can get into and out of these by yourself and unzip to pee.

Do keep the zips well lubricated with the right stuff and if you have rubber seals on neck and cuffs keep these treated with the right stuff and expect to replace them regularly.

[SKIP KILPATRICK]

Re: Dry suits

Take this for what it's worth. My only comment is about the fellow making this video. I know he is an extremely competent and experienced kayaker. He does a lot of winter kayaking, And he isn't selling anything. He has a YouTube channel I follow.

[Skegemog]

Re: Dry suits

I would love to extend my dinghy sailing/rowing season with the help of a dry suit but I know very little about them.

I do have experience flyfishing with Gore-Tex fishing waders in winter conditions, is the concept essentially the same with the addition of the top portion and seals at neck and wrists?
I am guessing the biggest issue might be over heating while rowing?
Which type is the easiest to doff and don solo in a 17' boat?
What are the essential differences between dry and semi-dry?
Latex vs neoprene cuffs?
can you just wear a pair of topsiders or the like over the booties?

grateful for any insights

[WI-Tom]

Re: Dry suits

I would love to extend my dinghy sailing/rowing season with the help of a dry suit but I know very little about them.

I do have experience flyfishing with Gore-Tex fishing waders in winter conditions, is the concept essentially the same with the addition of the top portion and seals at neck and wrists?
I am guessing the biggest issue might be over heating while rowing?
Which type is the easiest to doff and don solo in a 17' boat?
What are the essential differences between dry and semi-dry?
Latex vs neoprene cuffs?
can you just wear a pair of topsiders or the like over the booties?

grateful for any insights

It's a one-piece Gore-Tex (or similar) suit, kind of like a snowsuit. I find I don't often wear a drysuit when rowing, as the risk of capsize is much lower. But it's fairly easy to undo the top and leave it tied around your waist. From there it's pretty fast to get fully suited up if conditions get worse.

Once you get the technique down, it's not too bad to put one on in a small boat. You do need a certain degree of shoulder flexibility, and it seems ludicrously hard at first. Eventually it's hard to remember why it ever seemed difficult to put on or take off. But it does take some experience to get comfortable with the process.

Semi-dry, I think, often means a neoprene neck seal. This is far more comfortable, but will let a few drops of water down the back of your neck. I think the trade-off is well worth it--I'd never wear a suit with a latex neck seal. The wrist cuffs are usually latex even in a semi-dry suit.

I usually wear Teva sandals over the booties. I'm sure boots would be fine, but might need to go slightly larger.

Hope that helps. I often wear foul weather bibs and a rain jacket these days, rather than the full dry suit. But for early/late season, I think a drysuit is smart.

Tom

[UCanoe_2]

Re: Dry suits

I have been researching drysuits also. Kokatat now has a year end sale on men's drysuits (the usual disclaimer) https://kokatat.com/

Tom, I see that your suit is listed on the Kokatat website as a "semi-dry" suit. Have you ever gone for a swim wearing yours? If so, how dry was it?

The semis are less expensive that the fully dry versions. They might be adequate protection for those of us who boat conservatively and in less difficult waters. (Unfortunately, Kokatat is sold out of the Super Nova in my size.)

The semi-dry suits have neoprene gaskets rather than latex. They are attractive to me because I am allergic to latex. However, I have read that the neoprene gaskets do not seal as well.

As we age, it seems the "relief" zippers would be an essential feature.

[johngsandusky]

Re: Dry suits

I use small boats year round in New York. When rowing or paddling, I just dress for the weather. The same if sailing a keel boat or fairly stable dinghy. I have capsized a 28" wide light canoe in water under 50 degrees. I was wearing a short farmer john wetsuit, which was sufficient to swim the boat to shore. On a strong recommendation, I tried a full wetsuit and found it unbearable. The farmer john is light, 2-3 mils, just enough not to suffer badly from either cold or heat. I'm 6'5", about 230#, and was middle aged when I dumped the canoe. Suit yourself, literally.

[UCanoe_2]

Re: Dry suits

I used to have a wetsuit when I was young and skinny. Now that I am older, I realize there is no such thing as a "relaxed fit" wetsuit.

[Yeadon]

Re: Dry suits

I have the same (or similar) Kokatat drysuit with the neoprene neck gasket that Tom mentions. The wrists have latex gaskets. The feet have “footies.” I’ve done numerous capsize drills and always stay dry. Very comfortable. Would recommend.

[SKIP KILPATRICK]

Re: Dry suits

I bought a Kokatat semi-dry suit from NRS. I have not tried it out yet.

I watched enough reviews to conclude the neoprene neck gasket should be adequate. There are plenty of demos videos on YouTube to help you with your decision.

I will try to remember to report back with my thoughts once I have had it out for a spin.

[John Meachen]

Re: Dry suits

I don't particularly enjoy wearing a drysuit but on those occasions when I do,its because not wearing one would make the day less pleasant or a day to stay ashore.A warm fleecy layer is a very good idea and I would recommend rubber wrist and neck seals if there is a chance of getting dunked.For reasons of comfort the seals are usually tapered and often have moulded in rings to indicate various amounts that can be pruned off if they are found to be too constrictive.Replacing seals is tedious and has to be done with care.It also happens less often if the suit is kept in a darkened cupboard as light seems to accelerate the deterioration of the seals.There used to be a kind of runny wax for lubricating the zip but I think these days I would try a dry lubricant aerosol.

[Andrew Craig-Bennett]

Re: Dry suits

Yes ^.