Beginner questions: Wetsuit or drysuit

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Wetsuit or drysuit

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Beginner questions
Forum Discription: Advice for those who are new to sailing
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8364
Printed Date: 11 May 25 at 10:16pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Wetsuit or drysuit

Posted By: spaddywaddy
Subject: Wetsuit or drysuit
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 1:27pm

Hi There,

I'm pretty new to sailing because i have just moved down to Cornwall and got a second hand dingy. I'm in the market to buy something which will keep me warm and dry when in the boat.

Do i buy a wetsuit or drysuit? Been looking at these brands of wetsuits http://www.freakfish.co.uk/wetsuits.html - http://www.freakfish.co.uk/wetsuits.html not too sure which brand to buy, or thickness for all year round use?

Also drysuits http://www.freakfish.co.uk/drysuits.html - http://www.freakfish.co.uk/drysuits.html which will be better? Drysuits are much more expensive though.

Or is there something else that would be more suitable?

Replies:

Posted By: Neptune
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 1:41pm

Depends; Do you plan on sailing in the winter or is it mostly summer sailing?

If its mostly summer I would go for a wetsuit something around 3mm torso 2mm limbs.

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Musto Skiff and Solo sailor

Posted By: spaddywaddy
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 1:45pm

Well its really for all year round use. Depending if i can hack the cold, but Cornish winters are meant to be mild

Thanks for your reply

Posted By: MerlinMags
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 1:48pm

A breathable drysuit is worth the extra money! A wetsuit is ok if you sail a dinghy where you will be working very hard, but a drysuit comes into it's own if you capsize hours from home, and intend to sail back very sedately.

Posted By: spaddywaddy
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 2:12pm

drysuit it is then. Thanks for that

Posted By: RS400atC
Date Posted: 30 Sep 11 at 2:54pm

I would second the drysuit if the budget will stretch to it.
When it's too hot for a drysuit, a cheap wetsuit will do.

Posted By: Jon Emmett
Date Posted: 02 Oct 11 at 12:48am

Are you sailing a hiking dinghy?

If so Hiking pants will make it much, much more comfortable (I really wouldn't want to hike without them).

Hiking pants are wetsuit shorts/long john/full wetsuit with battens protecting your thighs. Putting something over or under your dry suit is no way near as good as will also probably prematurely wear out your dry suit.

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http://www.amazon.co.uk/Be-Your-Own-Tactics-Coach/dp/0470973218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312565831&sr=8-1 -

Posted By: bert
Date Posted: 02 Oct 11 at 1:35am

If you use hiking shorts OVER a drysuit you potenicially trap an air pocket in your lower legs which will make you movements arkward in the water & more difficult to get back into a boat from the water.

Remember a Dry suit keeps you Dry not Warm so layer up if in the cold.

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Phantom 1181
AC-227 IC 304
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