dry suits for extended coastal and offshore passages in winter

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cpthook

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hi there

Just wondered whether these are any better than full offshore sailing outfits in cold weather. How practical are they in terms of breathability etc? Could you wear one off and on for three days?

Dude
 
A breathable wet suit with a wooly bear fleece underlayer, and thermals if really cold, is fantastic. No problems with water getting in anywhere. I have a Ravenspring drysuit, which has an elasticated waist, which makes it much easier to move around in. I'm also very glad I went for the optional fly zip!!!!!!!
 
You will notice that all UK military and S&R aircrew, and the RNLI's Inshore crews, wear drysuits. There are several very good reasons, and they all have to do with survival. It is not a fashion fad.

Having worn drysuits during much of my time in the services, completed multiple pro sea survival courses, and having worn various yotty drysuit setups over a lot of years, I firmly recommend their use at sea in winter AND spring. IMHO a good drysuit and undergarments is essential, and I spend my own pennies on the best I can afford - a Musto HPX Ocean job. ( at a very special price, of course! )

Just about as important as the suit is one's 'relative' comfort. Having worn d'suits offshore for lengthy periods, it is important that water gets OUT. Otherwise, your natural perspiration collects on the inside of the d'suit, builds up, and slowly trickles down to soak you in uncomfortable places. As it's cold weather, those saturated patches at your waist and crotch, armpits and feet get cold - and stay cold. Your heat energy saps away, you don't sleep adequately, and your capacity for sound judgement is impaired. And it's damned uncomfortable.

So, a good 'breathable' drysuit is a must. Otherwise, stick with good oilies which allow perspiration to vent. Have undergarments which wick perspiration away from the skin, outwards. Certainly not cotton. All the main sailing clothing manufacturers offer 'hydrophilic' under/mid ranges, and bargains are to be had, if you hunt.

I find I wear a double Musto balaclava AND my hood, when the wind is up and there's spray. I also carry several pairs of gloves ( they get wet, and stay wet ), and lots of thick sox so I can replace damp ones with dry and warm..... Oh, and my Goretex sea boots are 2 sizes larger than shore-going shoes.

"Any fool can be uncomfortable in a boat"


/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Just about as important as the suit is one's 'relative' comfort. Having worn d'suits offshore for lengthy periods, it is important that water gets OUT. Otherwise, your natural perspiration collects on the inside of the d'suit, builds up, and slowly trickles down to soak you in uncomfortable places. As it's cold weather, those saturated patches at your waist and crotch, armpits and feet get cold - and stay cold. Your heat energy saps away, you don't sleep adequately, and your capacity for sound judgement is impaired. And it's damned uncomfortable

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What about the obvious bodily functions, if trapped inside one of these for any length of time?? /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Do they come with flaps?
 
I do have a drysuit - used for dinghy racing .... but not big boat sailing

The important bit is to keep dry*. A drysuit doesn't keep you warm - the dry clothing you're wearing underneath will ... hence it is important to expel perspiration ...

The reason I don't use it for big boat sailing - I don't get wet whilst big boat sailing (cos I'm not racing or pushing the boat) - so a standard set of waterproofs will do - with additional warm clothing on beneath.


* you can use wetsuits to keep just as warm - but you've got to get wet to start with and only really works if you're physically active and certainly not comfortable over prolonged periods!
 
In winter I use my dry suit for big boat sailing as well as dinghy sailing. Dry suit technology has come along way and it's comfortable, very breathable (i.e. it keeps me very dry) less bulky and warm with the right layers underneath of course. In other words I pop it on over what I'd wear anyway.

I mainly wear it because I take a tender to my mooring but whether I was to fall in off the tender or the boat, when the water is this cold I view it as equally important for my survival as a lifejacket.

The only disadvantage is it's a bit more of a faff if you want a pee, but much less so if you get the front opening zip variety.

Don't get a cheap one that's not breathable or has latex seals - neoprene /glideskin seals are just as good and more comfortable/don't tear etc.
 
Get a decent one. It may feel stiff & thick but will last so much longer especially if it's being used on a boat rather than in the water. Knee pads are a must. One manufacturer some time ago made a nice light suit that was great for a while. They soon stopped manufacture when everyone started calling them the Ty....n Teabag. I have a Polar Bear suit that's over 10 years old. I've replaced the seals a few times. Bought for diving it's used mainly as a boat suit these days.

Maintenance is the key with dry suits. The wrist & neck seals are prone to perrish. Most are thin rubber rather than neoprene wetsuit type material.

Make sure you use powder to lubricate & protect the seals. They'll much longer. Don't leave them in the sun & don't just push the thing in a locker until you need it.

Also, get in the water with it on. Make sure it fits properly especially if it has built in boots. So many people get them too long & once in the water, air migrates to the feet which then inflate & just flop around making swimming impossible. Get used to purging the air when you put it on.

The zips also need care & lubrication. Beeswax is fine & a small block will last forever. Front diagonal zips cost more but you can get in & out on your own. Also you don't need a pee zip. So a back zip plus a pee zip costs about the same anyway.
 
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What about the obvious bodily functions, if trapped inside one of these for any length of time??


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This is a family show. I've never been known to phart.....

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I can handle those (if my own), thinking more about the messier stuff (front & back) !

You can have enough problems with salopettes at sea. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
I wear a breathable dry suit when I'm doing safety boating at the YC, as I may have to go in the water to pull someone out. Also I'm only on the water for about 3-4 hours.

Personally, I wouldn't envisage using it on my yacht as I don't get as wet on a bigger boat, and I certainly don't intend to go in the water. I reckon that I can keep warmer with my full Musto kacket and trousers plus sea boots.

The warmth from a dry suit depends on what you are wearing under it, but bear in mind, there is no hood, nothing built in to keep your neck warm in a cold wind, and with the exception of buying a dry suit with built in boots, I find the neoprene socks, even with a pair of leather boots over them don't keep my feet warm.
 
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I wear a breathable dry suit when I'm doing safety boating at the YC, as I may have to go in the water to pull someone out. Also I'm only on the water for about 3-4 hours.

[/ QUOTE ] We then put our thicker oilies on over the top .... which can be removed quickly if we need to go in (ok - if I need to go in ... SWMBO will take over the helm of the Rib!!) and helps keep us warm... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I'll be bloggered If I'm doing internet potty training for a commercially-endorsed RYA YotMeister. Do you want me to draw a diagram? Take it up with James Stevens at the next Instructors' Conference - he talks a lot of kak at such times!

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Yes I have also wondered about flotation suits. They look very good and I presume you no longer need a lifejacket - though you would still need a harness for a lifeline? Love to hear views on these.
 
I'll be bloggered If I'm doing internet potty training for a commercially-endorsed RYA YotMeister. Do you want me to draw a diagram? Take it up with James Stevens at the next Instructors' Conference - he talks a lot of kak at such times!
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You must have to wear 'Tena Lady' presumably.

Not enough room for 'Huggies' ! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
I work on a small ferry boat which can involve being out in all weathers for up to 12 hours a day, on and off. I wear a one piece Fladen suit and even in continuous rain and strong winds I stay dry all day long with perhaps a little dampness at the cuffs. The neck zips up high to keep out the wind and rain and the hood is equally functional. It is warm and has I think about 65 Newtons of buoyancy and should ensure between 2 and 3 hours survival if immersed. They only cost £58 incl VAT at Caley Fisheries and I wouldn't hesitate to wear it if sailing in wet and cold weathers. I also wear it when out on my RIB and even in winter I stay warm with the minimum of layers underneath. It's not too heavy or warm to work in, but does the job at a very reasonable price. It has reinforcement on the knees and wears well.
CJ
 
Provided that they need only be worn for a few hours at a time, which is a way of life on a well-run yacht, of course, they are marvellous.

They are also marvellous should you find yourself immersed.

Our armed forces know what they are doing, and that is why you may find them in drysuits very often, but you will never find them about their business in oilskins - even breathable ones!

I wear mine when it is cold, preferring oilskins only in clement weather, although I will admit my favourite dress is simply shorts and a shirt, but of course this demands rather warmer conditions than we enjoy routinely in this United Kingdom...
 
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