Technique: Wetsuit

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Wetsuit

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12248
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 7:11pm
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Topic: Wetsuit

Posted By: NickM
Subject: Wetsuit
Date Posted: 13 Dec 15 at 5:11pm

I will need to buy a new wetsuit soon. The Lennon Racewear Dry System sounds interesting , especially as it claims "year round" ability. Anybody have any experience/comments on it?

Replies:

Posted By: ClubRacer
Date Posted: 14 Dec 15 at 9:11pm

dont own any lennon gear but looking at it, it doesnt look much different from my rooster supertherm or gul cz longjohns but at double the price.

The norm nowadays seem to be long johns and stack top layers depending on season

Should seriously look at the rooster setup, has everything you could possibly need at decent price and its decent gear

Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 14 Dec 15 at 9:30pm

If its a longjohn suit you want, then get a Ronstan skiff suit. Best all year long john wetsuit you can buy and they used to be about £80, so a bargain as well.

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OK 2129
RS200 411

Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 9:12am

Depends what sailing you are doing - if you wear knee pads find concentrate on finding a suit with good knees so you don't need pads. The rooster suits are great value, but i find the tops a bit restrictively cut. you need to try some on really.

The long john combo seems the way most are going now as you can layer to suit and you'll get much more of a season out of a fewer extra pieces

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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Posted By: Time Lord
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 10:01am

Whatever brand you buy, get one with a front zip!! It's so much easier to get into and out of.

After all, why should we have rear zips which were designed for surfers who lie face down on the boards and need the rear zip to prevent water entry.

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Merlin Rocket 3609

Posted By: turnturtle
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 11:00am

the Lennon racewear uses Yamamoto neoprene. The best surfing wetsuits are made out this material- it's super thermal per gram weight and super, super stretchy. You can get away with 2mm less neoprene for the same warmth gain- it really is superior in every way to the mousemat material most dinghy brands use. (Pryde graciously excluded)

I'd suggest it would be worth giving Mike a call, and seeing what the refund policy is. He's got an excellent reputation through the industry and I'm sure he would want nothing but happy customers.

Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 2:15pm

Originally posted by Time Lord

Whatever brand you buy, get one with a front zip!! It's so much easier to get into and out of.

After all, why should we have rear zips which were designed for surfers who lie face down on the boards and need the rear zip to prevent water entry.

Depends on your preference and ability to plan ahead for 'comfort breaks' in my experience. I went back to a rear zip 'steamer' a few winters ago and really like it. The rear zip suits do let water in, but slowly, as long as their is a good size 'flap' inside the zip. Reduces the shock when you get dumped in the briny stuff at this time of year - at least for me. Mine has protected knees too, which is handy in the lighter stuff.

Recently I tried one of the 'neck entry' surfer suits (while surf kayaking) - it was so warm it was actually nice to get fully immersed every now and then! If you get cold winter sailing I'd really recommend taking a look at these, they are really flexible and mega warm, but pricey.

For the 100 I find the rear zip no problem, I used the layering approach before that in various single and double handers and wear gill 3/4 hiking shorts most of the time it's warm enough - but without the pads in the 100 as you don't need them.

Posted By: blueboy
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 4:43pm

Originally posted by Time Lord

After all, why should we have rear zips which were designed for surfers who lie face down on the boards and need the rear zip to prevent water entry.

Preventing water entry sounds good to me. Try a windsurfers/surfers winter wetsuit and you won't want to go back. Pricey, yes they are pricey. Bit of a wrestle to get into, yes. But warm, really, really warm.

Posted By: Do Different
Date Posted: 15 Dec 15 at 7:00pm

Like nearly everything on this forum, there rarely is a best for all option.

How long are you usually out for? What sort of exposure, open coastal, estuary, lake with quick access to shelter and assistance? How many times a session do you fall in?

FWIW. I am now onto a surfers zipless but cut the arms off just above the elbow to ease the friction dragging it on and off and reduce overheating, then add an Aquafleece when colder. I don't often fall in but when I do it is always cold.

Posted By: NickM
Date Posted: 16 Dec 15 at 12:14am

Thanks for the ideas guys. I agree long john and top combo is ideal. In answer to DD's question, hiking dinghy mostly on large or medium sized lakes and hopefully not too many swims. Reinforced knees pads definitely needed. Hmm. Not sure the Lennon suit's knees are any better than the Rooster's and, as ClubRacer says, Rooster is loads cheaper. Will check it out.