Dry suit - Wet Suit - or what?

Bam Bam · 19 July 2009, 19:31

Can anybody recommend what type of clothing I need for cruising, bearing in mind the occasional leap into the water to launch and recover the boat. Do I need a wet suit or is a dry suit best? Is there anything else? Advice really needed by a novice ribster who decided to enjoy life and ditch the 28 foot gin palace. I've now got a big grin on me face! RIB's are ACE!!!

Cheers!

m chappelow · 19 July 2009, 19:40

dry suits are better than wet suits but not the heavy neoprene diving ones ,membrane types are more comfortable with boots fitted rather than seals ,you can get spray suits that are suited to dinghy sailing thats ok for some people,though a lot depends on how much you are likely to go in the water,,,thing is with wet suits you will have to doff off and get changed ,with dry suits you can slip it on over existing clothing as long as you will be warm enough .

Trailer Bloke · 19 July 2009, 19:44

I use this when the weather is nasty

Half way between wet weather gear and a wetsuit

Very nice to wear, but not when it gets hot!

http://www.uk-fishing-tackle.co.uk/p...8c6a75ee793316

And also very good value!

Bigmuz7 · 19 July 2009, 20:49

I use a ravenspring dry suit, its breathable & comfortable

with hard boots, and...

a fly zip

essential after a beer on your trip

And I have to say their staff & service & turnaround are absolutely first class

m chappelow · 19 July 2009, 20:55

if you go for a dry suit, front loaders are easier to put on ,than the zip across the back of the shoulders ,

Hightower · 19 July 2009, 20:56

I've just about tried everything.

I used to use a dry suit untill the seals started to leak and break up. I had one with socks and found this difficult to get into and almost impossible to get out of

.

Was an excellent protector against the wet and cold. But was always the last man to be ready when getting to a destination for lunch and when leaving to come home....Blood sweat and tears and lots of wriggling on the floor

. If I ever bought another dry suit, I'd have one with built in boots, much easier. These are also expensive too!

I now use a much cheaper option of a one piece and two piece thermal floatation suit, depending on conditions and find these more than man enough to meet my needs and are much more comfortable and warmer.

However with this option you would need some long boots or waders to launch and recover with.

Hope this helps a little.

willk · 19 July 2009, 21:20

You say you will be cruising and jumping in the water so I'd have to go with a Drysuit - one that has boots and is easily donned. A wetsuit alone is a waste of time for cruising, one shower/wetting and you'll be frozen.

Your options:

1. Expensive drysuit - perfect but £££
2. Survival/floatation suit (e.g. Fladen as shown above) Cheap but you can't (shouldn't) jump in the water.
3. Light Wetsuit AND floatation suit - take the floatation suit off for water entrys. Might be a bit warm in summer! Tricky in your boat.
4. One I used in my SIB diving days, Wetsuit and Raingear over the top for travelling - warm but a bit clammy.

Frankly, I'd buy a decent pair of long boots and mess about with "Option 2" for a while first....

Ian M · 19 July 2009, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I've just about tried everything.

difficult to get into and almost impossible to get out of ...........
last man to be ready when getting to a destination for lunch and when leaving to come home....
Blood sweat and tears and lots of wriggling on the floor

There may be a reason for that, Lanky

Hightower · 19 July 2009, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian M

There may be a reason for that, Lanky

Cheeky Boy!

Bam Bam · 19 July 2009, 22:15

Cheers Guy's, didnt quite expect so many replies. I thought I was ok with jeans and a T-shirt (only kidding)! Looks like I may be parting with the cash for a front entry dry suit... hope the wife likes it???

mick · 19 July 2009, 22:53

Keep a look out on ebay I picked up a musto Hpx drysuit very cheap.

willk · 19 July 2009, 23:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Looks like I may be parting with the cash for a front entry dry suit... hope the wife likes it???

I can tell you're going to fit right in here on Ribnet - JSP will be along in a minute to confirm that!

Leapy · 20 July 2009, 06:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Looks like I may be parting with the cash for a front entry dry suit...

If you go shop somewhere with plenty of choice, check out the rear zip suits as well...whilst the rear zip almost certainly requires a 'friend' to help, when you're sat on the boat the front zip can - for some people and for some suits - be uncomfortable.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other...just suggesting you keep an open mind, try several on and go with what works for you

Julie · 20 July 2009, 08:06

I'm sure the wife will love it - as long as it's not too tight in the nether regions, otherwise you'll look worse than a ballet dancer!

Someone on this site knows exactly what I'm talking about! Oh, how I laughed!

Apologies for lowering the tone!

Julie

MIRO Stewart · 20 July 2009, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Can anybody recommend what type of clothing I need for cruising, bearing in mind the occasional leap into the water to launch and recover the boat. Do I need a wet suit or is a dry suit best? Is there anything else? Advice really needed by a novice ribster who decided to enjoy life and ditch the 28 foot gin palace. I've now got a big grin on me face! RIB's are ACE!!!

Cheers!

You need whatever clothing you are comfortable in based on the prevailing conditions! Personally, I hate waterproofs and find dry suits extremely restrictive. I always teach students to wear whatever they are comfortable and warm in. You joked about jeans and t-shirt. Thats my normal ribbing attire and never had any problems!

Ou of interest, why do you intend to get in the water for launch and recovery? Would it not be simpler and more prudent to do a level 2 and learn to put your boat on the trailer properly rather than buying a drysuit for the purpose of manhandling it on?? I dont mean to sound confrontational but this would seem more obvious to me. In addition, in this case all you need is a good set of waterproofs and some decent wellies!

Quote:

Originally Posted by m chappelow

if you go for a dry suit, front loaders are easier to put on ,than the zip across the back of the shoulders ,

I would defo not agree with this. Rear entry are a lot simpler to get into as they dont require as much contortion to get in and out of the downside being you need someone to zip you up.

JSP · 20 July 2009, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I can tell you're going to fit right in here on Ribnet - JSP will be along in a minute to confirm that!

For todays test please insert the words "Wife" or "Drysuit"

Fitting yourself into your ____ isn't very hard. And after putting yourself into your ____ your'll find it gets wider than you first thought!
The more you use your ____ your ____ will get wider even more.
Rear entry into your ____ can be a tight squeeze where as going in the front is easier. But sometimes just managing getting into the rear can give great pleasure once your in.

After a few years, make sure to replace your ____ for a younger model.

Simon B · 20 July 2009, 13:14

Drysuit - breathable

Non breathables will cook in the summer, you'll get all sweaty, then when you take it off you'll stink. If you can buy new the world is your oyster look at;

Hammond
Ravenspring
Crewsaver

If the economic route is preferred look on eBay for ex-mod surface operation suits;
"SBS" "Royal Marines" usually in DDPM are not breathable but are very good suits - £35 - £55
Typhoon or Beaufort usually termed immersion suits yellow top black legs are breathable and are excellent. £70 - £120
Very rarely you'll see other stuff like RAF winch crew (my current choice) Breathable, padded knees and backside soft fabric. Not quite as robust as the others but excellent. £80-£150

I'm surprised Ribnet has designed the ultimate virtual drysuit, there's enough opinion and respected theory here!

John Kennett · 20 July 2009, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIRO Stewart

I would defo not agree with this. Rear entry are a lot simpler to get into as they dont require as much contortion to get in and out of the downside being you need someone to zip you up.

I prefer a rear zip too. It's easier to get into and more comfortable. I thought I needed someone to zip me in and out until I needed to take it off on my own and discovered it wasn't very difficult.

Having worn dry suits for years I'm actually coming round to the idea of going back to a flotation suit. They don't keep the water out as well as a dry suit does, but they are more comfortable and much easier to put on and take off. They are significantly cheaper too.

ecovoyager · 20 July 2009, 14:01

While we are talk about Drysuit and body got any idea how long it takes to stretch the latex neck seal on new drysuit.Have got a new one and dont want to cut seal ,currently I go purple when its on way too tight.

Wife is looking for her tupperware container back

Ecovoyager

JSP · 20 July 2009, 14:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by ecovoyager

While we are talk about Drysuit and body got any idea how long it takes to stretch the latex neck seal on new drysuit.Have got a new one and dont want to cut seal ,currently I go purple when its on way too tight.

Wife is looking for her tupperware container back

Ecovoyager

Think I've read about ramming a coke bottle in to stretch it. But I just cut mine. Not a hard job.
Watch out if it's too tight. When I first tried mine on I could get it back off again and struggled for what seem like an hour to get it off. Can be very dangerous.