DRY or WET SUIT?

[cuttlefish]

Hallo,
I seem to remember a good discussion on this forum about the merits and de-merits of dry and wet suits. Can anybody remember where it was as I can't find it.
Further, as innovations are constantly evolving, does anyone know if there is anything new on this argument?

Thanks,
cuttlefish.

[willk]

Well, it might help if you tell us what the intended use is. i.e. for use on the RIB, diving, etc? Location of use is kinda important too

[cuttlefish]

No mysetery. Just for pleasure ribbing use. To re-phrase my question, I need to find the names of suppliers of lifejackets, safety equipment, etc. Be nice to read the discussion of people's ideas about the pros and cons of these things, too.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by cuttlefish

No mysetery. Just for pleasure ribbing use. To re-phrase my question, I need to find the names of suppliers of lifejackets, safety equipment, etc. Be nice to read the discussion of people's ideas about the pros and cons of these things, too.

To continue Willk's theme though - there is a huge spectrum of "pleasure ribbing use" from the 4m owner who pootles about with the family beach hopping on nice days, perhaps doing a bit of ringoing etc, to the 10m cabin rib who does 100's of miles a day parks in Marinas etc. In between there are all sorts of variations including people who's ribs spend almost as much time in the air as on the water, a few who spend some time under the odd wave.

From your profile I'm guessing we are talking Channel Islands - which should (?) mean that the weather is nicer and water warmer (?) than say N. Ireland or the North Sea... However around there there will still be some extremes from family friendly boating to serious tides and waves.

You're wetsuit v's drysuit question suggests you are planning to go in the water? Many "pleasure ribbers" will be happy to get good waterproofs, or in colder climes a flotation suit - but these aren't good if you plan to get wet (e.g. swimming, donuting, water skiing, wading ashore). The wetsuit/drysuit argument then comes down to cost, comfort, risk of damage (a wetsuit with a small tear still works well, a drysuit doesn't) etc. It might also depend how long you plan to be in the water (e.g. 5 minutes in the sea then 2 hours on deck on a warm day is fine in a wetsuit; 50 minutes in the sea might not be so good).

Here are some of the threads where it has been debated before:

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit

[cuttlefish]

Thanks for that. I'll try to answer better. For use? Both Channel Islands AND Italy (Adriatic). My thinking was that it would be basically for survival (i.e. if I get thrown into the water and have to stay there for some time), but could also be useful if I want to stay in the water. However, thinking
about it, I probably won't be going into the water intentionally in the C.I.'s (far too cold for my tastes), although I might in Italy.
The rib is an 8+ m and I am planning on doing a fair amount of miles.
cuttlefish.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

To continue Willk's theme though

I have a Theme?

I always thought of it more as "Slash & Burn" posting

[Siochair]

I came across this website a little while ago. I've no idea if they are any good or not but might be worth you having a look.

http://www.sundridge.co.uk/products/...-rib-suit.html

[NautiSeacrets]

mmmm interesting suit, but would all that wet weight be too much for the 150N of buoyancy?

I think I'd be looking for 275N for that type of suit.

[Siochair]

Originally Posted by NautiSeacrets

mmmm interesting suit, but would all that wet weight be too much for the 150N of buoyancy?

I think I'd be looking for 275N for that type of suit.

I never actually thought of that - Good point

As a point of personal preference I prefer two piece suits anyway. Much more practical when you stop off for a beer or whisky somewhere. I'm content to put up with compromising the suits ability to keep the water out if immersed to avoid the wrestling match I usually have with dry suits.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by willk

I always thought of it more as "Slash & Burn" posting

Is that like catch and release spearfishing?

jky

[m chappelow]

if you say your rib is 8 metre + you are not going to be short of space you could get both a wet suit and a membrane dry suitfor surface use and use as conditions dictate,

[Puffin]

Just bought one of these a few weeks ago, it's transformed life. Highly recomended. Much less of a struggle to get in and out of than a wetsuit, and a lot less smelly!

http://www.gillmarine.com/gb/products/pro-drysuit

[Bam Bam]

Gul GCX4 Shadow Front Zip Breathable Drysuit - I got one of these last year for £250 and it's brilliant. Its a bit warm when you are launching single handed and sorting the trailer out before departure but once you get out on the water it's very comfy and easy to move in. Just lay off the Guiness and curry the night before cos a dry suit dont come off in a hurry.

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Gul GCX4 Shadow Front Zip Breathable Drysuit - I got one of these last year for £250 and it's brilliant.

Good, I'm glad that there are some decent products coming out wearing the 'Gul' logo again. A Cornish co. that was ruined after the original founder sold it.

[Bam Bam]

Originally Posted by Mollers

Good, I'm glad that there are some decent products coming out wearing the 'Gul' logo again. A Cornish co. that was ruined after the original founder sold it.

Been very pleased with it Mollers, it's much better than a smelly wetsuit and very easy to clean. I just pop it on when I get home and take a cold shower and hang it out to dry... Here come the bilges!!!

[treerat]

I use as polar bear dry suit or shorts. If I'm likely to get wet, windblown, rained on etc it's the suit.

They have some bargins at present here http://www.polarbearsq.com/rec-front.asp?CatID=78

The site also has a range of helmets, pfds etc.

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Siochair

I came across this website a little while ago. I've no idea if they are any good or not but might be worth you having a look.

http://www.sundridge.co.uk/

thanks - a place that sells big fat b*st*ard sizes of waterproofs! must visit place, i usally buy for USA size i am normal size there!

S

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by NautiSeacrets

mmmm interesting suit, but would all that wet weight be too much for the 150N of buoyancy?

I think I'd be looking for 275N for that type of suit.

Just as an observation - while you're immersed, water doesn't weigh any more when it's in your clothes than it does when it's in the sea. 150N of buoyancy will still provide you with the same upthrust in the water.

However, getting out of the water with lots of wet gear on (or wellies full of water) will certainly add to your overall weight, but a bigger L/J wouldn't help you get out of the water - in fact it can be a hindrance.

The 275N standard is effective when the clothes you are wearing give you more buoyancy (eg survival/immersion suits, or drysuits with trapped air) and change your position in the water - as your lower body floats higher it tends to push your head backwards and the increased buoyancy of a 275N jacket lifts you clear again. Hard work getting out of the water with an inflated 275N jacket - many people find they need to partially deflate it so that they can climb out (but that's easily done)

It's all quite personal, but for what it's worth my own view is that I don't like wetsuits. I find them less comfortable to wear, they can get smelly, and if I'm going into cold water anyway I'd rather be in a drysuit. Drysuits can be uncomfortable too though - even when you spend a grand getting one made to measure with all the latest fancy materials it will still be tight around your neck and once you've decided what to wear underneath for the conditions that day it isn't easy to change. Plain waterproofs or floatation suits are probably more comfortable to wear while you're in the boat but will have their own problems if you end up in the water.

Not easy, but our policy here is - if we're going to be out after dark, or if there's a possibility of ending up in (or being continually lashed by) cold water - it's drysuits. If it's a nice day - it's waterproofs (which may be worn or just brought along). If it's cold but little chance of getting immersed or soaked - it's floatation suits

[cuttlefish]

I'll come back when I've had a chance to read through the posts and look at the links.,
Cheers,
cuttlefish

[Paul Cannell]

http://www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk/dr...dry-suits.html

Made to measure and good value!!