winter sailing... (wetsuit)...??

[waternwaves]

Is anyone else using a 5mm wetsuit as their ......er........... inner layer during this time of year..... or am I the only nutcase???

[Frank C]

Never learned diving or surfing, never had one, but now that you've broached the topic ... I've often wondered about those shortie wetsuits sold by Costco during summer season every year. Sounds as if they keep you warm, eh??

- Are they worn directly over your b'day suit? ...
- Are they too cheapo at $50 (don't know the mm-thickness)?
- How difficult to "extract oneself" for occasional, necessary functions?
- Guess they're not terribly uncomfortable?

Inquiring minds ....

[Jeff Ritsema]

I have donned mine on occassion when I feel threatened, usually in cold Great Lakes waters, ususally when I am single handling or know I will need to go forward. I figure it will buy me some time if a worse case scenario arises. This is no substitute for clipping on but it does add another layer of reassurrance. Can get pretty warm, though, even on a cold day, especially when you're active and I am always happy to remove it.

[Idle Time]

AAAHHHHHHHHHAAAA.....you must be a "frostbiter".....

[DLT]

They are worn right over the birthday suit, or a bathing suit, but little if anything else...

The stuff at Costco are likely 2-3mm. Better than nothing. Probably worth the $50 for a sailer - (You hope to not need the 7-9mm, you'd want actually in the water, as Jeff describes)...

If the zipper is in the back, you're going to have to be real darn flexible to off load the beer without just about stripping completely out of it...

When in the water, and the urge arises, most people just perform a procedure called a "wetsuit warmer"... This is probably not a recommended solution for the sailer who doesn't actually intend to get in the water...

A correctly fitting lightweight thin one will be very comfortable...

[KayakDan]

Haven't worn a shortie westsuit while sailing,but we frequently use them in late season kayaking. A 3mm will work ok for an unexpected quick dip. Wear a thin polypro shirt inside the suit for comfort. They're also great to wear when snorkeling,even in warm water.
When I kayaked in Alaska,I showed up wearing a full length suit and the guide thought I was crazy. Next day I did a "seal launch' off the beach,and ended up upside down in 38o water. I was comfy in my wetsuit,no big deal. If you think you may end up in the drink this time of year,it's not crazy at all!

[eric3a]

..

[maddmike]

IMHO; Wet suits are the way to go for short period exposure in extreme conditions (cheap and available). However, caution should be exercised if your exposure to severe cold is for an extended time (more than 24 hrs). For those planning on using a wet suit for extended periods where you are very active such as in polar sailing, wet ice fall climbing, kayaking, etc. one cheap option to avoid rashes and chafing is to wear an oversized wetsuit OVER a quality pair of synthetic long underwear such as 'capoline', this will dramatically increase you extended comfort level and have a minimal effect on the 'vapor barrier' objective of the suit while out of the water (I also recommend vapor barrier socks). When operating Zodiacs on a daily basis in the Antarctic in severe conditions we used quality long underwear, then cheap pile bibs or pants and a light (gortex) jacket with light Foul weather gear overall. By keeping our head and feet covered and cloths loose (except for the long underwear) we were able to remain quite comfortable while working hard, getting wet and/or just sitting around in the boats. This was the outfit I had on (+ rubber hip boots and a auto PFD) when I was dumped in the water in the Franklin Islands below the antarctic circle in -1.2 C. water, 8 ft. seas and 45 kt. winds. As far as I know the 20+ min. I was in the water is still a record for getting someone back on board still alive and talking (ok, actually cussing) and is a fairly good testiment to the 'layer' system of clothing. (see Tim Cahills article from 1992 Holiday Traveler? called 'Spared' for a full account of the less than smart exercise). Because it is a cheap option (for your application, Costco wet suit, Wal-mart long underwear, cheap throwaway Stern rain gear over you usual clothing)that works for Antarctic boaters and Alaska whitewater boaters and fishermen (as well as winter Lake Tahoe sailing) it might be perfect for the average day sailer who wants to extend his sailing into the winter months. Now all you have to do is dress your boat accordingly! MM

[bill glasco]

be careful with long term wear of any wetsuit thicker than say 5mm. the whole design concept of a thick wet suit is it constricts the extremities and conserves the core body sections heat. that is why even with thick gloves and boots in an hour dive in iceland we still felt our hands and feet getting numb. yes,,,i used a wetsuit in iceland. it was a 7mm moray challenger suit from austrailia. we often did the suit warmer technique lol, wouldnt reccomend it for sailing either. you can get the longjohn longsleeve suits worn by tropical divers,,most famous is called "bodyglove". they come thin enough to not constrict your movement or circullation yet add plenty of body warmth. if youve seen trainers with shamu at seaworld youve seen the bodyglove style suits. go to a bookstore and get a skindiver mag and youll see plenty of ads in the back on suits. happy sailing

[Frank C]

Great feedback! ...
but, WnW ... not sure I see your question answered up there??

[Divecoz]

IMHO and as others have said . Not a great idea for numerous reasons . Try Foulies (SP) or a PVC slicker . Back in the day, for X'ing and diving I first donned a pair of Chubby Chicks PantyHose to get my suits on and off easily. Against your bare skin?? Not for me with a dive suit. For long term and extreme cold diving in dry suits they can have a valve for . . ah hum . . release or a bladder that get this guys . . .glues on the member?? Yep You read that right.

[waternwaves]

Dive.......
I haven't had that problem with aquaseal.............. nuff said......hehehehe
next time use the cotol to speed curing,

anyway.......
I use each suit only for about 12 hours at most........
front zip, more of a circulation issue.....
and sailing alone........
and in bad weather and after my previous ......... mishaps off of Barclay sound, it seems like a wise idea,

I also have used a caprilene liner......

I also use these kayaking.

but most comfort seems to be a farmer john with my WM slicker the whole package, pants and jacket, and over course my rubber boots and lycra/noprene dive socks. I also use my kayak gloves and dive gloves....

However since I am now mostly leaving the enclosure up....and all except the back window down....... Wool 3/4 gloves with leather palms are working pretty good.

But I do trail a knotted painter to grab if I go out.....

and one of these days I am going to try and see If I can get back into the boat while it is moving.....(with another onboard to check me if I fall......)

But I can see I am not religious enough about my tether yet.

So the farmer john stays on.

[ssichler]

With any cold weather acitivity you want to insure you have breathable fabrics so sweat isn't retained against your skin. Synthetic thermals (not cotton), fleece, and waterproof/breathable outer layer like Gortex works well. I've been relatively warm in this outfit skiing with a subzero windchill but have been very cold in a wet 7mm wet suit in 60 degree weather on the deck of a boat.

[Terry]

Is anyone else using a 5mm wetsuit as their ......er........... inner layer during this time of year..... or am I the only nutcase???

I'm afraid I am going to have to say you are the only nut case WnW, LoL especially after you earlier admitted to being out there between storms. Perhaps you aren't as old/wise as me as I am well past that now and am a fair weather sailor. I did wear a wetsuit in January back in my 20's while riding a 15' Mac Venture Cat out in the bay, but sometimes the best sailing winds were in the winter. I have one of those shorty windsurfing suits and they are quite comfortable/flexible for short term use such as for jumping in to clean the hull while at my slip (summer). I have one of those "rash guards" too, and they can be very effective on cooler spring days. Either way, wet suit or rash guard they both have a tendency to magnify any body flaws or irregularities. I have anther suit - a farmer john and jacket with nylon sleeves that I used for white water canoeing when I was younger, too small now though, but I remember wearing it all day on the river while viguorously paddling with no rashes. I am happy that I got to do such things while I was in my prime but not today thanks.
Perhaps a paddling jacket might be usefull, you can get them in outdoor sports stores that cater to paddlers, they are pretty cool and expensive! They have nylon sleeves with neoprene cuffs/collars/waistband, some have neoprene torsos while others have a sort of rubberized/insulated lined nylon torso that keeps water out and warmth/dryness in and allow plenty of movement. I almost bought one they looked so good, but then realized that if I have to don one it isn't worth going out. You might want to have a look at one WnW, they look like a good garment.

[Frank C]

... a farmer john and jacket with nylon sleeves ...

Pleading ignorance again!??
I can picture this, but what's it's description/construction?