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TonyL View Drop Down
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    Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:45am
Originally posted by Jack Sparrow

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.


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.
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:41am

Originally posted by Jack Sparrow

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.

Buy one that fits then! They certainly don't have to be uncomfortable. 
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:39am

Originally posted by farfarello

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.

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.
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Posts: 1599 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Stefan Lloyd Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Sep 05 at 8:34am

Originally posted by turnturtle

I always thought a semi-dry had a dryzip on the back, whereas a steamer had a more conventional wetsuit

I've had suits that the manufacturer described as a "steamer" with a rear zip.
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Posts: 88 		Post Options Post Options   Quote ianwat2212 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 9:53pm
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!)
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Posts: 2965 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Jack Sparrow Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 8:44pm
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!


Edited by Jack Sparrow
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HannahJ View Drop Down
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Posts: 861 		Post Options Post Options   Quote HannahJ Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 8:28pm
I just wear shortie wetsuit with thermals and about 4 jumpers on, but then i don't usually plan on capsizing...
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Posts: 2753 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Isis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:33pm
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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Posts: 5 		Post Options Post Options   Quote farfarello Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:26pm

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.



Edited by farfarello
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Isis View Drop Down
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Posts: 2753 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Isis Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Sep 05 at 6:25pm
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...
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