wetsuit types
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Posted: Dec 12, 2024 - 07:05 PM
It's December in San Diego. Air temps - mid 60s, water temp, upper 50s. Chances are I'm not gonna push things to the point of capsize, but you never know, and being wet/cold always sucks. What do you all like for wetsuits? I was thinking that just a long sleeve jacket would probably do the trick for the 'frigid' conditions I am encountering, and at most a shorty. I really don't want to go full suit. -
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Posted: Dec 12, 2024 - 08:54 PM
I would not want to spend much time in mid-50s water. Even in Florida we get close to mid 60s water, and air from 50s to 80s. You only have 15 minutes of unprotected time in water at 50-60 before you weaken or go hypothermic. Drysuit is recommended. Pacific water is colder, and I would have a good full wet suit or preferably dry suit, especially if sailing solo. Drysuits fit looser and are easier to move around in. At my size, a wetsuit is a non-starter, and feels awful, especially if wet. I see the shorty wetsuit as best for summer conditions in colder (60s+) water.
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Tom
NACRA 5.7 (1984 Sail 181)
Pennsylvania
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Posted: Dec 13, 2024 - 08:12 AM
I sailed in Southern CA from '75 to '95 and I, along with several of my friends used an O'neal "Sun John", and for colder days. a zippered wetsuit style jacket with nylon sleeves, also made by O'neal, worn over the Sun John. The Sun John was good for most days. Full length and sleeve less for good flexibility. I don't know if they still make these, but they're worth checking out. Of course there were many days when it was too warm, but the Sun John was easy enough to get into even while you were sailing.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Dec 13, 2024 - 12:45 PM
I would surely love to be able to afford one.
Looked it up, but didn't find anything - what is/was it like?
thank you both -
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Posted: Dec 14, 2024 - 08:33 AM
Apparently they don't make it anymore. It was for surfing, reinforced around the knees and sleeveless, both good features for cat sailing. Like I said before, there are many warm days in Southern CA where you won't need a wetsuit but it's good to have one on the boat that can be rolled up and doesn't take up much room in your storage bag. Try Murrays or a surf shop.
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Bill Townsend
G-Cat 5.0
Sarasota
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Posted: Dec 14, 2024 - 11:38 AM
I just use a shorty spring suit, specifically a Body Glove Pro 3, for Tamp Bay waters... I bought it something like 10 years ago and the water is warmer now than it was...
That said, I don't go out unless the air temp is 70°+.
Edited by danielt1263 on Dec 14, 2024 - 04:27 PM. -
- Rank: Lubber
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Posted: Dec 14, 2024 - 03:34 PM
I sail in the pnw were the water never gets above 50°. I wear the best goretex drysuit I could find and layer underneath depending on the days condition. Yes expensive but I'm never uncomfortable. Before I bit the bullet on the fancy suit I used (and have kept for guests) what I call my "poor man's drysuit". It consists of chest waders with water socks, and a drytop with a good tight fitting pfd. You may get a small amount of water past the drytop gaskets in a thrown into the water event but it won't kill you. I wouldn't want to be separated from the boat in open water but in most cases you're back on board after a Wipeout reasonably quickly. The chest waders cost $80 a drytop about the same and a pfd you have anyway, so pretty affordable. My drysuit cost $900
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Dart 20
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Posted: Dec 15, 2024 - 06:02 PM
I decided to go with a NRS farmer john style suit, 3 mm. It has a reinforced seat and knees, which should be perfect, and most importantly, it's in my price range!
Thank you all for your advice.
-Matt -
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Posted: Dec 15, 2024 - 09:38 PM
NRS farmer John’s are a good choice matched up to a fleece spray top. NRS makes a couple in a few thicknesses. The 1.5 does me well on the third coast through anything I want to go out in… But, like above, I can elect to not go out in anything below 70 and still have a lot of sailing season…
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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Posted: Dec 16, 2024 - 09:38 AM
From exUSN SAR Corpsman - Drysuit is preferable but if not, wetsuit of some sort is mandatory.
James
