Front or Rear Drysuit ??

   Hi Guys
My daughter is looking for a drysuit when she is crewing in her 420.
For trapezing which is better a front or rear entry style?

She and her helm have just started 420 sailing so are spending a fair bit of time in the water - righting the boat    and is getting cold.

Or is a good semi-dry a better option.

Graham

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Happilyover40 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 04 Jun 10 Location: Scotland Online Status: Offline Posts: 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote Happilyover40 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Front or Rear Drysuit ?? Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 3:27pm
	Hi Guys My daughter is looking for a drysuit when she is crewing in her 420. For trapezing which is better a front or rear entry style? She and her helm have just started 420 sailing so are spending a fair bit of time in the water - righting the boat and is getting cold. Or is a good semi-dry a better option. Graham

getafix Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143	Post Options Post Reply Quote getafix Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 3:51pm
	A good wetsuit may be a better option, depending on how fast she is still growing. Of course, you might be able to get a decent drysuit 2nd hand, if you're after a junior size, given someone else's son/daughter may have outgrown their suit with minimal use. I don't think it makes much difference ref front/rear zip, although it's a very long time since I trapezed wearing one. Perhaps front zip makes more sense, given the way modern trap-harnesses are made. One other tip: it may make a lot of difference to just add some extra layers to what she is wearing already. For example, a pair of wetsuit socks (or hot-socks as they appear to be marketed as these days) will help stop getting cold-feet and make a big difference for minimal outlay. Edited by getafix - 31 Oct 12 at 3:53pm

Do Different Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jan 12 Location: North Online Status: Offline Posts: 1312	Post Options Post Reply Quote Do Different Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 4:02pm
	Really is no right or wrong to this one. Good drysuits are £300 plus and if your daughter is still growing that's a lot of money in my book. You can get a really good steamer for £150-200 which some would say is better under a harness for busy sailing. For what it's worth. I've always had wetsuits until a couple of years ago when I got a drysuit for a winter series on a Contender. I have now reverted to my steamer with an extra top, not because the drysuit is no good (in fact it's excellent for patrol duties) but because the steamer is just as warm, more durable and cheaper to replace when worn out. On a sitting in light wind day maybe a drysuit is warmer but once you get busy in my mind a streamer wins out. (happily over 55)

ASok Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Sep 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 739	Post Options Post Reply Quote ASok Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 4:36pm
	I agree with the above. I haven't worn my dry suit (front entry) in a fair few years. Shame as it was expensive. I much prefer a wetsuit/steamer, layering, hot socks, good rash vest etc

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 4:51pm
	yes. I have a front entry dry suit for coaching, safety boating, instructing or sailing the grumpy old kestrel, but for anything more sporty it's back into a decent wetsuit with the right layers underneath, with hot socks, hat and good gloves.
	the same, but different...

Paramedic Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 27 Jan 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 929	Post Options Post Reply Quote Paramedic Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 4:57pm
	Get a rear zip if you must have a drysuit. I find the front zip quite intrusive while sailing. I'm going to get a 3mm steamer to supplement mine.

RS400atC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3011	Post Options Post Reply Quote RS400atC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 5:23pm
	If she's getting cold, then either more layers, a better wetsuit, or a drysuit are called for. I prefer a drysuit for sea sailing from about now to March or April. Particularly when sailing trapeze boats, as the spray and windchill really affect you. As does waiting around between races. Front entry suits tend to be more convenient, but most 'Ladies' suits have a back zip to avoid a zip across the chest. with a trapeze harness, that may mean the zip is pressed into the back by the harness. A friend of mine has a drysuit with the zip across the front of the shoulders, I think it's a magic marine but I'm not sure. You will always find people who don't need drysuits, but if you are the sort of person who gets cold and doesn't like it, they are a reliable solution. Personally, I'm on my second Typhoon front entry and would buy the same tomorrow if needed. Cost per outing is probably not much worse than wetsuits. I would suggest finding the make that fits best, as some seem to have weird leg:body ratios IMHO!

winging it Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 22 Mar 07 Online Status: Offline Posts: 3958	Post Options Post Reply Quote winging it Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 5:57pm
	+1 for typhoon.
	the same, but different...

PeterG Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 12 Jan 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 822	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterG Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 7:10pm
	I seem to be out on a limb here, but I am very happy with my front zip Gul Shadow. I find it no more restrictive than a wetsuit on a Contender, perhaps less so than a wetsuit and several layers underneath. And it is warmer. The time that really shows is coming ashore and sitting around for lunch when it's cold. You always get at least the legs of a wetsuit wet and sitting around leads to chill. That doesn't happen with a drysuit. However, it's not the cheapest route, and I might not recommend one for someone who might not fit it next season! And we all know that the younger you are the less you feel the cold - and that those of us of a certain age certainly find comfort more important - so a decent wetsuit might be a better route for what you want.
	Peter Ex Cont 707 Ex Laser 189635 DY 59

Jack Sparrow Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 08 Feb 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2965	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jack Sparrow Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 31 Oct 12 at 10:51pm
	Trident. Rear zip. Link Edited by Jack Sparrow - 31 Oct 12 at 10:59pm
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