Replacemet Wetsuit
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=12636
Printed Date: 07 Jul 25 at 6:30am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Replacemet Wetsuit
Posted By: bicrider
Subject: Replacemet Wetsuit
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 1:01pm
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My faithful 30 years old gul 5mm steamer has given up the ghost last weekend I only every wear it for the odd winter race now and my rather cheep and nasty summer suit needs replacing after only 2 seasons. I am not sure weather to replace both suits or go down the layering route. I am not sure what I would need to buy. I guess a thermal base layer, but long john wetsuit or hikers? I sail a Dart 18 but I am looking for a heavyweight friendly single hander for when I cant sail the cat. Over the other two layers would a Rooster aquafleece be enough on a cold winters race?
Thanks in advance Chris ------------- Dart 18 5054 "Willy Flipit" Finn K333 Yellow (faded) Pico "Willy Tipit" |
Replies:
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 1:44pm
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Having windsurfed for 30 years I don't think you can get away with a single wetsuit for all seasons. I'm back sailing dinghies now and for winter I've final succumbed and bought a drysuit. Total revelation, I wish I'd done it years ago. Last weekend I spend some time swimming around with the Spice  in the drysuit with thermal long johns and a light fleece underneath. So, for me it's short john for summer dinghy sailing with a variety of stuff under or on top, a short sleeved wetsuit for windsurfing and when it gets too cold for those I'll wear the drysuit with varying numbers of layers underneath. |
Posted By: Time Lord
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 2:07pm
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Whichever you choose, go for a wetsuit that zips up the front unless you are also in to surfing regularly. Hell of a lot easier to put on especially as you age and become less flexible. Does away with the need for assistance in zipping up and off.
Afterall wetsuits only have rear zips to suit the surfing community who want to lie flat on their board and not get water pushed through the zip. ------------- Merlin Rocket 3609 |
Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 2:17pm
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A lot of windchill on a cat. I'd be looking at a drysuit for the winter. |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 2:35pm
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Interestingly a friend of mine bought herself a front zip shortie and discovered she couldn't get out of it without help 'cos she couldn't manoeuvre the shoulders over her shoulders. She took it back and exchanged for a back zip one. I only have trouble with back zips if they snag part way up (usually the flap getting trapped in the slider) I have one wetsuit that does sometimes but most I've had over the years are fine.
Drysuit is great for winter, less windchill as the material sheds water and no cold shock when you do go in.......
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Posted By: gordon1277
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 3:49pm
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Hi
If your going for a monohull single hander it might be worth considering Hikers for summer use, with knee pads/ shin pads depending upon choise. Regards Gordon ------------- Gordon Lossc |
Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 9:32pm
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I agree with Sam's comments. I have a Gill front loader with short sleeves. I nearly have to dislocate my shoulder to get the damn thing off. Whereas my steamer is a rear zip and is easy. However the front zip version does make it easier to have a pee between races. My standard kit always was a set of hikers with a 0.7mm neoprene top under a spray top, or if warm enough a t-shirt under the spray top, or a combination of either one, etc. Now as I have gotten a little older the 3 season wetsuit with hikers over the top isn't quite enough so I have a 5/3mm steamer with the hikers over the top. Lovely with plenty of padding to stop those annoying knocks you get from somewhere. Many swear by Zhik kit being extremely warm and really good. The only swearing I have for them is the price. My steamer may not be quite as good but it only cost 60 quid brand new off ebay, so is somewhat cheaper. ------------- Everything I say is my opinion, honest |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 9:39pm
| Just to add that my summer wetsuit is a Decathlon jobbie that was very cheap, is very comfortable and, it appears, is reasonably well made (though I don't know how ethically). |
Posted By: craiggo
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 10:14pm
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Ronstan skiff suits.
Best long John wetsuit I've ever owned and now have a couple. No zip, just climb in the neck. Super comfortable and with a rash vest/hot top plus an aquafleece you won't need anything else. ------------- OK 2129 RS200 411 |
Posted By: maxibuddah
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 10:27pm
Do they shrink like all other wetsuits????  ------------- Everything I say is my opinion, honest |
Posted By: Sam.Spoons
Date Posted: 23 Jan 17 at 10:43pm
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Too many pies Buddah Actually I don't thing they shrink but they do lose their elasticity (which, I guess, amounts to the same thing  ).I have a couple of Declathon short john 'skiff suit' types with velcro on one shoulder. Brilliant, and they were around £25 when I bought them. Had them seven or eight years and still great.
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Posted By: bicrider
Date Posted: 24 Jan 17 at 4:49pm
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Thanks for the response I think a trip to the dinghy show is on the cards this year see what is about. But no more cheep wetsuits the I bought I think it was a blue rush looked good but after about a season and a half the ar8e was so thin it was like sitting on paper. ------------- Dart 18 5054 "Willy Flipit" Finn K333 Yellow (faded) Pico "Willy Tipit" |
Posted By: crosby mafia
Date Posted: 24 Jan 17 at 8:43pm
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Look at Roosters Thermo long john. Velcro shoulder, got it last Xmas worn it a lot and its great. Very very stretchy so easy to get into and out of with no dislocating joints. Very warm. Wear under hikers and a rooster top. 5* kit. ------------- Better a crap day in Abersoch than any day at work. |
Posted By: NickM
Date Posted: 24 Jan 17 at 10:12pm
| As I sail on another thread, pleased so far with my Lennon Drysystem long john and top. Stretchy, so no zips but I need help to get the top off, it's so tight. Jury still out on longevity. |
Posted By: EddyP
Date Posted: 25 Jan 17 at 12:48pm
| Made the mistake of wearing compression-wear instead of a wet/drysuit on my first few times on the water this year...never again |