Confused about winter wetsuits
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Choosing a boat
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URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1041
Printed Date: 04 Aug 25 at 9:30pm
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Topic: Confused about winter wetsuits
Posted By: farfarello
Subject: Confused about winter wetsuits
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 4:52pm
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I am looking for a wetsuit for the winter to sail on an inland lake (Farmoor, Oxford) and getting very confused. One manufacturer recommends a steamer (5/3 mm) while another recommends a semi-dry. I thought steamers were semi-dry but maybe this is not the case? We don't need anything for too extreme conditions (cos we won't be sailing then) but do anticipate spending some time in the water as we are newbies. Any suggestions? Presumably bum/knee reinforcement is a must so they don't wear out after a year? |
Replies:
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:00pm
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I'm not sure there is any real difference between "steamer" and "semi-dry". They just seem marketing terms for the same thing. |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:25pm
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As far as I know there is very little, if any, diference. As for wearing out, a pair of thick lycra shorts over the top does wonders. Ive had the same rooster shorts for about 2 years now and they are only just begining to wear. The vast magority of wetsuits will have reinforced bum/knee areas anyway though. How long have you been at farmoor for and what are you sailing? If you see someone swimming franticaly after a bright green moth feel free to come and say hi... ------------- |
Posted By: farfarello
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:26pm
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Stefan - well that's what I thought! But SOLA (eg) have an Energy 5/4 "steamer" and also a Vortex/Fury "semi-dry" - a review in another magazine (ahem) seems to bear out this description. The price difference is not insignificant so I guess what I really need to know is whether or not a 5/3 mm "steamer" (ie lets in some water) is adequate for sailing in the winter. |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:33pm
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As for what you can sail in in the winter: I went through last winter
in a set of 3/4 length hikers, a spray top and a few good thermals. I
didnt sail that often due to kayaking comitments but on the whole I was
OK, if a little blue....
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Posted By: HannahJ
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 8:28pm
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I just wear shortie wetsuit with thermals and about 4 jumpers on, but then i don't usually plan on capsizing...
------------- MIRROR 64799 "Dolphin" The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist hopes it will change; the realist adjusts the sail |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 8:44pm
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I used to have a steamer ( well what I called a steamer could of been a
semi dry ) made by Marlin. Very good. kept me very warm. But and it is a BIG but. It was THE most uncomfortable thing on the planet. You find that the neck comes right up and the stiffness of the zip at the back of your neck pushed your head forward. It was like wearing a car shock absorber spring. i.e when you crouched in it it was doing it's up most to straighten you out! What I do now is where a thermal 2-mm neoprene rash vest (long sleeve) under my Neil pride summer wet suit with a semi dry top. and may be a normal rash vest as well, depends how cold. Much more comfy, especially if you have to move around allot. If you don't do that I would get a dry top and wear that on top of you wet-suit. It's much more versatile. instead of a steamer. There basically like wearing a straight jacket! Oh and wear a hat! ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: ianwat2212
Date Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 9:53pm
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I agree with the hat comment, u lose most heat through ur head, needs 2b 1 that stays warm when wet tho. Rooster Aquafleece is the best thing available, its so warm & comfortable, one of them over a summer suit is fine 4 the winter, and they even sell thin neoprene "hot tops" to wear instead of a rash vest. (come to think of it, they do aquafleece hats too!) ------------- Fireball RSA 14723 Simonis 35 "Scarlet Sun" SA 1500 Royal Cape Yacht Club |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:34am
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I've had suits that the manufacturer described as a "steamer" with a rear zip. |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:39am
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In my opinion, yes for autumn/early spring. If it is really cold, you need a drysuit. Or (in my view the sensible option) another hobby for coldest months. |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:41am
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Buy one that fits then! They certainly don't have to be uncomfortable. |
Posted By: TonyL
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:45am
Yes, don't go there! I too used to have a steamer and while it was warm it was a pain to put on and felt awful to wear. IMHO if you want to sail in colder weather you can't beat a drysuit. With the right clothes underneath one and decent gloves, boots, and hat you needn't be cold sailing at pretty well any time of the year. |
Posted By: Wave Rider
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:47am
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I have a tiki winter wetsuit with all melted together seams and glideskin seals and it extremely comfy and gives lots of movement and when you take it off after a hard day in the cold, worringly you do actually steam quite a lot! ------------- -[Franko]- Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club RS600 933 |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 9:26am
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Fun fact of the day: "Steamer" actually refers to "Steamer Point" in California, where surfers first used this style of suit. |
Posted By: tgruitt
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 10:52am
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I never bother with a wetsuit, shorts, t shirt and some spray stuff and a hat keeps me warm enough in the winter! ------------- Needs to sail more... |
Posted By: Jack Sparrow
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 11:34am
I did. But unless you are of the perfect average proportions there is always a compromise unless you get one tailor made. Or get a v. expensive steamer with stretch panels and anatomically tailored construction. And I'm not sure it's worth it ( you don't use it that often ) or if they are done. Mind I haven't looked for a while as I'm happy with the solution I have. Suits me (pun intended) 
Dry suits are good but expensive and it depends on the type of boat you sail they are to cumbersome on a skiff. The seals are an arse and you get surprisingly cold ( you sweat buckets and that gets cold, when you hit the water the temperature transfers very quickly ( and it's hard to go for a pee!)) if you don't wear thermals and a woolybear suit which means you can't move to quick. ------------- http://www.uk3-7class.org/index.html" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Class Website https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092602470772759/" rel="nofollow - Farr 3.7 Building - Facebook Group |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 2:06pm
 0oh, rub the badge kenith... ------------- |
Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 6:50pm
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I've worn steamers and drysuits although I've never tried a breathable drysuit. In extremely cold conditions a drysuit is better but most of the time a steamer is my choice. I find drysuits restrictive and a steamer is quite adequate in an athletic boat. My steamer cast about £120 about 7 years ago, I've had to repair the bum - since it is important to not have leaks and I wear a thermal short sleeved vest underneath, and when it gets really cold thermal legings and wooly socks. I generally wear a breathable spray top as well. Keep clear of cotton it wicks away heat when wet. A hat is a must. When I used to wear a drysuit I used to get quite wet from condensation and then cold, but in a sedentary boat I guess that is likely to be less of a problem. I always thought they were called steamers because you steam so much when you take them off. |
Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 25 Sep 05 at 8:28am
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Worth considering: I once had one tailor-made and it was not especially expensive. Unfortunately I don't think the company that made it is still around. Failing that, try a lot of different suits. Manufacturers have different ideas of what constitutes "average" build. |
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 27 Sep 05 at 10:43am
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I have 2 options for the winter: 1) An all over 3mm wetsuit (sometimes supplemented with a spraysuit). This keeps me easily warm enough. The one I have is a GUL which has got titanium woven in to the neoprene to reflect heat back to the body. 2) GUL dinghy drysuit with a thin wooly bear. These serve quite well, most of the rest of the year is a shorty wetsuit or shorts and t-shirt. Paul ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: redback
Date Posted: 27 Sep 05 at 7:02pm
| Whats this titanium thing. Mine's called a titanium steamer - does it actually make a difference? |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 27 Sep 05 at 7:10pm
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Its hard to compare the diferences between a wetsuit with and without
titanium, but the theory of keeping heat in is certainly sound
------------- |