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Post by skymongrel on Oct 27, 2012 9:59:01 GMT -5
Looking to upgrade to a new wet/dry suit for Fall sailing sessions. Need opinions on neoprene thickness 5/4 or 4/3 and brands. As I'm a tough fit cause of my fat ass I'm looking at O'Neils right now because of their numerous size options. I'd be an XLS according to their charts.
I see a couple suits that look interesting, Psycho and Mutant. Any thoughts?
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genevan
RWS Contributor +
Posts: 76
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Post by genevan on Oct 27, 2012 15:18:18 GMT -5
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Post by rider1200 on Nov 1, 2012 12:10:37 GMT -5
I bought an oneil boost baggy drysuit and I don't like it. The neoprine neck they said would not leak (and I was dumb enough to believe) leaks, I think the zipper may leak a little and the ankles leak at impact. I bought the baggy one thinking I could layer up or down depending on the weather but the baggyness squishes all the air up around your neck.
When it wears out I will look into Kokatat brand kayaking drysuits. I believe they are $600-$1000 were my Boost was only $350 or less but I am literally afraid to kite in water under 50 degrees for fear I'll accidentally end up in the water for a half hour or so with no wind or broken gear or whatever and the suit won't be enough to keep me warm. When you ride this late there aren't a lot of boats or people in general to rescue you so I consider the suit part of the survival kit.
I started a thread years ago but I think the timing was off. I didn't get a lot of response and probably jumped the gun a little. Also I've only used the suit 4 or 5 times and its the only drysuit I've ever used so I might not be the best judge. I think its a large. I think I ordered an XL and it was waay too big so I sent it back for a L which is probably still a little too big...might explain the leaks. Your welcome to try it on before you order if you want, its hard to find anything local for sale. I live in Webster. Rick tried on my XL before I sent it back and he did not like it though I can't remember why. I'm just under 6ft and just over 180lbs.
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Post by skymongrel on Nov 1, 2012 18:07:39 GMT -5
I'll pass on the fitting session...I'm 5'7", thanks for the offer. Are you still planning on going with a baggy style suit?
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Post by rider1200 on Nov 6, 2012 17:08:56 GMT -5
My first thought would be no, I'd prefer a fitting style but I just glanced at Kokatat's website and it appears they may only have the baggy style. I think you need talk to someone who actually has one....maybe the things I'm complaining about are common in drysuits. Or I'm just bad at using mine, it came with velcrow loops I can't seem to figure out. I also think the booties would be as important as the suit...if you can't feel your feet you can't feel the board, right? For a second opinion you can try the facebook group 'Western New York Windsurfing, Kiteboarding, and Stand Up Paddle.' It seems to have had a lot of activity lately. I don't ride in the cold enough to listen too, my kites are already hung up for the year  |
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genevan
RWS Contributor +
Posts: 76
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Post by genevan on Nov 6, 2012 21:17:27 GMT -5
I have a boost and its great. As with all drysuits you need to burp it when you walk out and roll the neck inwards or it will leak...
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Post by skymongrel on Nov 8, 2012 7:53:48 GMT -5
I know that Ken has a baggy and he loves it. It had some strange name, perhaps it was a Kabotat. With my Oasis neoprene suit ( which always leaked a bit) I also had to cut the neck to size it right to my neck.
I remember one time I taped the ankles during a January session at Seneca. I blew my zipper out and it filled with water and wouldn't drain.
"Boost", great. I'll research that. BTW the facebook link on this site to the western NY page seems to be broken?
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Post by Windydoug on Nov 8, 2012 13:27:59 GMT -5
Hmmmmmm.....
I'm not a facebooker, and that is what the Buffalo guy who runs it gave me a couple of years ago.
Sourry bout that.
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Post by waterauthorityrick on Nov 8, 2012 22:13:20 GMT -5
SKY BOY,
The Kokatat baggie suit is the suit Ken, Lynn & I have. I have the style that has the relief zipper in the front which is an excellent option for that quick run into the weeds. The suit goes on fairly easy enough and is very warm with one light layer underneath anything more will be too warm and your layers will be wet from sweat after a session. Yes you must burp the suit before heading into the water and at times burping now & then when on the water.
The pros are: warm, loose fitting & very maneuverable
The cons that I found: too puffy if you look at your harness to hook in and Price
If you want to try mine on to see how it feels and for size let me know, Ken did it for me so I am offering the same for you.
H2O Rick
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Post by rider1200 on Nov 9, 2012 15:44:43 GMT -5
Genevan, if I'm clear you have the neoprene neck as well? I think the year I bought mine was the first year they made it neoprene instead of rubber for ease of entry and I figured they'd canned it by now. But it sounds like if I stuff the top back in instead of rolling it down the outside (opposite of an old fashioned turtleneck) that might help?. So I'm going to pull out the neck of the suit away from my own neck and stuff it down, right? ...and by 'hung up" I mean I've carried them to the basement...where they can easlily be carried back up  |
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Post by gemoore on Nov 13, 2012 22:02:00 GMT -5
I showed it to all who were there on 11/12, but I LOVE my Kokatat baggy dry suit. MANY MANY ADVANTAGES:
1) 15 lbs lighter (wet)
2) Extreme freedom of movement
3) Mine is Gore-Tex, purchased ~1996 with a first sail was spring of 1997 on Lake Erie (show me your neoprene suit of that vintage - one set of replacement cuffs)
4) Warmth
5) "Save Me!" orange (Kokatat calls it "Mango"...gotta be a artsy person who named that) -vs- "Is that the body over there?" black
6) Relief zipper if you want one (not sure I'd do it again, but it's nice)
If you get one, you MUST use Formula 303 or something similar to keep the cuffs from drying out and tearing. I apply it spring when I get it out and fall when I get it out again, and if I think to during the summer. Dramatically extends the life of the cuffs. My current ones are labeled by Kokatat as 2002.
Used the suit yesterday with no issues.
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Post by Windydoug on Nov 14, 2012 11:03:33 GMT -5
Is this Geoff? Aka superfreak guy? If so, couldn't be happier that you decided to join the forum and post. Your humor (and knowledge of course) fits in perfectly!
I use a Neil Pryde 5/3 steamer (there's the body over there) with a dakine underlayer and I stay warm but wet. I can't argue with all the good reasons you offered for going the Kokatat route though.
BTW, I loved your Hot Sails "Maui Sunset Red" Lightspeed a few weeks ago at Seneca. You had that old Cat ripping.
Windydoug
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genevan
RWS Contributor +
Posts: 76
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Post by genevan on Nov 14, 2012 15:56:13 GMT -5
I have the newer latex sealed neck. But I own another (and have owned many neoprene necked drysuits in the past) with a similar neck. If your neck is slick on the outside and cloth-lined on the inside I suspect it needs to be rolled inward (not outward turtle neck style). Just be sure its not too tight so as not to induce the infamous 'shallow water blackout.' I think you will find a huge difference. Best of luck.
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Post by gemoore on Nov 15, 2012 20:20:16 GMT -5
Is this Geoff? Aka superfreak guy? 'Tis me. Didn't know this forum was up until Brad mentioned it. BTW, I loved your Hot Sails "Maui Sunset Red" Lightspeed a few weeks ago at Seneca. You had that old Cat ripping. I think the Speed Freak sails are going to be "Hot". They were built by Jeff Henderson for several of us who whined about wanting a colorful and powerful slalom sail for light winds. He didn't really intend to do more than make them semi-custom for us hard-core Freakaholics. But after he tested a few, and when his team rider had a 10.0 proto out in 25 kts, he realized that it's truly an extraordinary sail. Now they're a production model in 10.0, 8.5, 7.5 and 6.5. There's a debate in the HSM forum now about how fast they are...I do think it's quite fast, but at least this refinement is not quite as slippery as a top-end speed sail. But it's d**ned good handling and ridiculously light. We don't have official weights yet (haven't weighed mine), but the original 10.0 proto (sans window) is only 11.0 lbs. Plus, you now can get custom colors (gotta compete with those kites for attention these days!!!). I've ordered a 7.5 in red/white/blue for next spring. GEM |
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Post by skymongrel on Nov 30, 2012 11:17:41 GMT -5
SKY BOY, The Kokatat baggie suit is the suit Ken, Lynn & I have. H2O Rick What model do you have and do you have attached socks, I've heard these are not a good idea for windsurfing, also does it have a hood (attached or attachable)? Thanks! |
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jgordon
RWS Contributor +
Posts: 54
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Post by jgordon on Nov 30, 2012 15:48:11 GMT -5
I too have the Kokatat. Mine with attached booties and relief zipper. Both features make this suit the ultimate for frigid winter temps. With the addition of my 7mm, non-split toe booties, the socks are no problem and my feet stayed comfortable in last spring's water temps down to around 35F. The relief zip is crucial cuz staying hydrated is key for long, cold weather sessions and the idea of pulling the suit off at the beach to pee is unthinkable now that I've had this suit for two years. Also, I use a separate neoprene hood with a cuff that i tuck deeply into my collar (key for eliminating cold water washes down the neck). Had two, four hour wave sessions on Erie with this arrangement on Weds and Thurs this week and was fully comfortable (with addition of 5mm lobster mitts and fleece under layer). Got my USCG version mildly used for $475 from an army surplus guy on ebay. Here's another option if you want a drysuit you can surf in and are willing to forego the pee zip and attached socks... www.oceanrodeo.com/products/surfdry |
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Post by gemoore on Dec 1, 2012 11:37:50 GMT -5
I originally had the socks and after 7 years of use (2002) I sent the suit to Kokatat to have the gaskets redone and had the socks taken off and just regular gaskets at the ankles.
The socks are very loose fitting, such that they work better with water socks (or in my case it would take size 15 booties in order to accommodate the socks. They are warmer and your feet don't get wet, but I don't miss them at all.
I also recommend a neoprene hood; still working on finding gloves I like. NRS has a set that might be good, but I've got 3 pair of others from them. The main issue to me is the palm side should be thin and not grippy rubber, because they're almost too grippy and you can't slide you hand on the boom. You have to open your hand to move it on the boom. Once you have to go to these gloves, I'm not interested in an all day sail...it's the gloves that make it unpleasant. The Kokatat dry suit, with or without booties, is a delight.
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Post by Re on Dec 1, 2012 12:52:14 GMT -5
The socks are very loose fitting, such that they work better with water socks (or in my case it would take size 15 booties in order to accommodate the socks. A little off topic but, yeah my 7mm booties are size 12 whilst my normal size is 10. And yeah, water socks combined with the attached socks won't cut it in water temps approaching the freezing point if you plan on being out there for any duration. |
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