Tell me about drysuits....

Kelpie

Kelpie

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I'm looking at drysuits on eBay and getting thoroughly confused about choosing one that's suitable for dinghy sailing.

With or without boots?
Breathable or non?
Front or shoulder zip?

How do I make sure I don't end up with one that's intended for diving or somesuch?
 
....and given that they seem clammy on the inside and you need to wear clothes in them, what sort of weather becomes too hot to wear one?
 
I'm a diver and was once a dinghy sailor. I always wear dry suits cos they're great!

Most dinghy drysuits seem to have foot seals rather than integral boots. Diving suits are usually the other way around. I think that the foot seal looks vulnerable and I always wear diving wet boots over them. I guess that you have a choice of the type of footwear. Don't like the feature, personally.

I've never used a breathable suit so can't comment. I've done more than 1000 dives in a dry suit and only been uncomfortably sweaty a hand ful of times. I dive in the UK so hot weather isn't normally involved :D

When dinghy sailing, I'm never more than a few minutes from a capsize so cooking inside the suit never happens.

I prefer front zip for the simple reason of self sufficiency. Rear zip requires help from someone. I'm a bloke to asking for help is a sign of weakness :D
 
Thanks for the info. I can see how a front zip is probably preferable.
You see yellow Typhoon suits on eBay from time to time, I think they are ex-RNLI- would these be at all suitable? They have integral boots which look like big clompy yellow wellies.
 
We have been dingy sailors most of our lives , and we use drysuits, breathable,shoulder zip and without boots.When sailing you wear sailing boots anyway.We wear the suit from freezing to about 17-18 degrees , then we change to wetsuits or steamers.Hope the info helps:D
 
Snowman said:
We have been dingy sailors most of our lives , and we use drysuits, breathable,shoulder zip and without boots.When sailing you wear sailing boots anyway.We wear the suit from freezing to about 17-18 degrees , then we change to wetsuits or steamers.Hope the info helps:D
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Similar.
I currently have a Typhoon Max-B breathable drysuit with fabric feet as opposed to the normal latex type.
Breathable suits are excellent, but still too hot on occasion. They make a real difference if you are going to be on the water for 3 or 4 hours.
I don't think I'd like to sail with anything other than fairly snug fitting wetsuit boots, as the boats I sail are heavily dependent on toestraps or trapezes to stay upright, so you need to be able to feel where your feet are, more than if you are cruising around in a more sedate dinghy perhaps.
I would think carefully before buying used, the fabric on SWMBO's went porous after about 4-5 years, despite not being abused much. That was a Crewsaver.
My first Typhoon needed repair after 3 fairly hard seasons, probably well over 100 races, so good value IMHO.
 
I bought a dry suit last year for some long distance cat races, made by Lomo. They supply these for the fire service and they have a number of features that are good for dinghy sailing. I'll try and find the website. Much cheaper than the branded names, and it looks better made. Breathable and with cuff and neck seal protection.
 
I really would not buy a 2nd hand dry suit. Quite likely to be leaking along the zip, or around the crotch.

I've had all types and prefer front zip, you can get in and out yourself, and, erm, a pee is possible too!

I also much prefer 3d feet with thick socks underneath. However, you may need an additional pair of wetsuit boots a size bigger to accommodate. Breathable is important too IMHO, however some more basic ones are not breathable everywhere, just some panels.

For me, it really does have to be pretty flipping cold to wear one. I also don't really get on with them whilst trapezing, so whilst it's fine for Fireball driving duties, I much prefer a 5mm steamer for the 49er.

Musto in Bicester village usually have some bargains, I picked up a £500 MPX suit for £199 IIRC and it's lasted for years.
 
Never tried a breathable on so can't comment, though I suspect they may be more comfortable. You can buy special wooly bears to wear under them but I just used tracksuits and never had any problems.
Front zip or back zip. I used a back zip, was always sailing with others so no problems getting zipped, and many think back zips give less restrictions on movement.
I had rubber socks rather than ankle seals then wore dinghy boots over them, dry warm feet, what can be better in a laser.
With care and practice seals are easy to replace and many places sell kits.

at the end of the day it is personal preference and your budget that drives things, mine was old stock and dirt cheap though it needed a seal replacement sooner than most but I was still in pocket.
 
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