suitable for ribbing or not?

[Neil Harvey]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Drysuit-splash...QQcmdZViewItem

What do people think. Was half tempted to get one of these as a spare for guests the boat, then read the ad properly, so a bit wary, as they let water in after a while. I reckon it somewhat defeats the point in having on in the winter, as apart from staying warm whilst out, I wear mine incase I'm stupid enough to flip the boat.
Don't think It'd be right to let someone feel safe and warm wearing one that's then going to let water in if they went overboard for any length of time.

Then again, in winter, I'd usually be out in company, so is it really an issue?

What do others think?

[Nos4r2]

I'd ring him and ask how much water they let in-after all, you'll still sweat inside them and if what it lets in is comparable to that then it's unlikely to be a problem.

[Biggles]

Neil,

For fifty quid seems like a decent buy. At least the guy is being honest with the description of the suits capabilities.
To me it seems like drysuits don't stay waterproof forever. So although I wouldn't want to wear one of his suits for the use I give them during the winter, which is wet launching and retrieving which often means upwards of 10 minutes in the water whilst I'm faffing around, I'd be prepared to give the suits to my passengers if I knew we were going to get splashed a lot.
I keep my old suits for guests that should only require splash protection.

I guess if you want 100 % protection then these are not the suit for you. A breathable drysuit can be bought for around £200. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetai...5906&UberCat=0





And when is anyone going to make a suit with decent colours ?

[Neil Harvey]

Nick,
I absolutely agree, and if it was just for splash protextion, I'd buy a couple no questions asked. But what happens if someone does go overboard, no problem if you can get them back on board quickly, but if you flip the boat and are left in the water for some time, it's no use having your passengers in a suit that's going to fill with water and drag them down.

Like Matt said, I've asked the question, no answer on the phone.

Cheers

Neil

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Neil Harvey

Nick,
I absolutely agree, and if it was just for splash protextion, I'd buy a couple no questions asked. But what happens if someone does go overboard, no problem if you can get them back on board quickly, but if you flip the boat and are left in the water for some time, it's no use having your passengers in a suit that's going to fill with water and drag them down.

Like Matt said, I've asked the question, no answer on the phone.

Cheers

Neil

A drysuit won't fill very fast thoug-as long as it's been burped properly it'll be pressed up against the wearer by water pressure.

For example when Gray jumped in in one of those Ravensprings I had, he didn't know it had leaked til he took it off-and it was quite bad.

[Biggles]

If its just the material that hasn't been proofed properley you can buy a tin of reproofer from goretex to reactivate it. Costs about a tenner and will do one suit.
I've tried it but can't say how good the stuff is as my suit didn't leak anyway and I was just doing it as a precautionary measure. I got the stuff from Ravenspring http://www.applegate.co.uk/cgi-bin/r...enspring.co.uk. I've just checked the site but its not listed.

Here's something else that claims to do the job.http://www.craigdonmountainsports.co...retex_135.html

[Northern Tim]

I've got one of those as a spare and it's fine. It does let a little water in, but only as much as sweating - your clothes end up a bit damp but nothing worse than that. He's a decent enough chap and runs a dive shop here in Oldham.

The only thing wrong with them is they do look a bit camp!

[Northern Tim]

I should point out that it isn't me in the dodgy picture above - it's my mate Dan, and he'll kill me if he know's I've posted that!