Why are drysuits spurned by yotties?

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Sailing a yacht in the UK can be a cold and wet business but I have never seen a yacht sailor in a drysuit - including myself who wears one for diving, dinghy sailing and sea kayaking. Breathable suits cost no more than top of the range oilies, are robust and offer protection in a MOB situation.Is this a cultural thing or is there a good reason?
Andy

 

[tugboat]

It's cos we're always drinking and going to the heads!

 

[Malcb]

I wear one when I'm on a RIB all day, but on a yacht, where I do not expect to go in the water and expect to stay well protected from rain and spray by convenional waterproofs, I can't see the point.

They are a pig to put on, (I now know what it probably feels like to be born when putting the neck seal over my head), and a pig to loosen when you want to visit the heads.

I probably keep warmer in my (more) conventional waterproofs.

 

[ningcompoop]

Have YOU ever tried getting your drysuit on over your blazer? And those latex neck seals - took all the gold brocade off my cap!

 

[kengill]

I've found they tend to fill up after four days

 

[michael_w]

I've never worn a drysuit since I nearly drowned in one.

One of the seals tore and it filled up with water. Not nice in February. At least a wetsuit can sustain some damage, even act as "body armour".

 

[simonfraser]

i guess we think the risk of hypothermia / dying is just too low.

does any one know how many sailors die of this in the uk per year ??

 

[Channel Ribs]

ROPSA has some figures for 2002, still looking for more recent ones...

 

[Channel Ribs]

http://www.rospa.com/waterandleisuresafety/info/stats2002.pdf

 

[gandy]

Because they're uncomfortable. Even in the Wayfarer I wear min only if I think I'm going to get really wet.

Tony S

 

[simonfraser]

Malthouse,

2002, 22 out of 427 drownings occured from boats, any idea how many not wearing lifejackets ?

p.s. nearly the same total as folk that drowned in their cars !

Simon

 

[JasB]

It is also a lot more dangerous to be a man, than a woman

 

[Captain Haddock]

On my boat I do not expect to go in the water in addition the fact that it's not easy to go to the toilet in them and it's impossible to get one on quickly when the boat is rocking about when the weather turns nasty.

 

[savageseadog]

[ QUOTE ]
http://www.rospa.com/waterandleisuresafety/info/stats2002.pdf

[/ QUOTE ]
I reckon the two that drowned trying to cycle on water deserved all they got.

 

[Channel Ribs]

I dont have the figures, but you can bet the lifejacket makers would say none!

 

[cliff]

Don't know, but I could have done with one a few days ago when I stepped off a slip and found the boat was not there /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

"Cold" did not really define the feeling although it ceertainly was wet.
--------------------

"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"

 

[BrendanS]

Easy enough to use heads if you have one with a fly zip. It was an optional extra on mine, but well worth the additional cost

 

[tugboat]

What- no mention of Connolly and his incontinence trousers yet? Tsk! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif