Cold weather sailing

[eriereefwarrior]

I am trying to prepare for the fall sailing season and need a need wetsuit. I was interested in the loose fitting dry suits but am unsure of what manufactures to look at. Has anyone purchased one of theses yet?

[rider1200]

I started a thread a few years ago & didn't get much feedback, you can read it here: rochwindsports.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=talk&thread=247&page=1

...as a result I ended up with an O'Neill Boost that I'm not thrilled with but it does the job. The biggest problem is I bought the one with a Neoprene neck. Luckily I got a great deal on it from a place in Oregon so I figure I got what I paid for. O'Neill assured me the neoprene neck was water tight and I thought 'how can neoprene be watertight?' Well, its not...More like water resistant. I'm also not a fan of the baggyness. I feel like it gets caught in the waves and pushes up at the ankles & wrists.

At $380 I'm pretty sure it was the cheapest drysuit around and it keeps me comfy down to around 50 degrees. The neck only lets enough water in to make my shirt damp about a foot down from the collar and only in the middle of my back. Like a sweat stain...a very cold sweat stain. If it had a rubber collar it would be worth the money. If you do go for it they run big. I'm 6 ft 190 & wearing a large but I think I would've been happier in a medium. I also wish I could've tried the O'neil hybrid on.

I think I'd be afraid to use either in less than 50 degrees and when its time to replace it (4 years?) my plan is to look into Kokatats...from what I've heard they are expensive but worth it. You're welcome to try mine on if you can find time to come out to Webster on a Wednesday night.

[genevan]

I would go for a neoprene hooded drysuit.
I have a poseidon unisuit that is a 7mm tank that I ice dive in.
As a diver I feel the weak spot in any drysuit is the neck. Attached hood improves the cold flush by 90%

[jgordon]

Loose vs. tight suit style depends somewhat on your sport. I have a gore-tex Kokatat drysuit I use for kiting in spring water/air temps below 40. I suggest the pee zip model cuz you don't want to be taking it off in temps such as that. Spendy? Yes, but worth it for comfort and safety in extreme conditions. I got mine slightly used for $475 on ebay a few years ago.

My only complaint is the looseness makes body dragging to your lost TT kiteboard far less efficient due to the suit's added drag. I mostly ride a surfboard now which will reduce this problem significantly. If I were still windsurfing I would not consider this an issue at all.

For the fall and late spring season I picked up a Hyperflex Amp K 5/3 with leg drains for $149 shipped from Bellingham Kite Paddle Surf. It has nice features and won't break the bank. They also offer a heavier hooded suit but I just use a separate bibbed hood if conditions require. (Caution - they run small. Order L if u r usually an M)