Wetsuit?

3335

New Member
I've been sailing for my whole life, but just switched to racing our laser last fall. Since laser sailing is much wetter than most boats, my old foul weather gear strategies aren't much of a help! I'm thinking about getting a wetsuit, but don't know what type would really be best. I'm thinking that one of those "Farmer John" (sleeveless, with long legs... sorta like overalls) style wetsuits sounds like what I'd wear. This style sounds right because I dislike the knee length legs and elbow length sleeves, even though they seem to be one of the most common styles. I think that long-legged pants and long sleeves would be more than what I would need, and I would overheat. So this is what has had me thinking about the "Farmer Johns".
Am I making a good decision? If anyone has any info supporting or discouraging this decision, I'd like to know!
What about the weight of the material? I know nothing about that either!
 
in the uk, ( and i suppose most places ) wetsuits come in different thicneses,
3mm -is good for summer Laser sailing, its warm enuf and isn't too bulky to restrict movement

5mm- is deffo 4 winter, is more restrictive but much warmer,

i ware a 3mm shorty, hikers, spray top and of course bouncey aid, in the summer

and in winter (october - march/april) Drysuit
 
I recently just got mine. It is your "farmer john" type wet suit. Long legs sleevless arms...i think these are perfect...you can always just throw a wind breaker jacket or similar jacket on over top on those cold days and it allows for more movement. I would say go for it.
 
Hi,

I'd go with hiking pants, wetsuit material, and below the knee style. These keep your butt, and legs warm, then choose a top, and layer up. For cool days/water, I like a paddling top, with neopreme waist. This sort-of seals, and is fine for spray. The hiking pants have battens and pads for the deck edge, and help a lot, plus suspenders, and are almost never too hot to wear.

I have Camet brand, but others are good.

Al Russell 164308
 
I wear a full wetsuit that I originally had for surfing but then switched over to the laser. It works just fine for me in most all conditions, it's 3mm so when it gets really, really cold it can be a problem. But from what I've noticed so long as the suit is wet, and I'm moving around (average breezy day), I tend to stay nice and warm.

One thing I would reccomend is buying a chepo pair of boardshorts or swimming trunks to wear over the wetsuit. This way they take all the damage and the wetsuit will last much much longer without getting holes in it.

-Eric
 
3335 said:
"Farmer John" What about the weight of the material? I know nothing about that either!
Farmer Johns are good. You get a good range of motion through the shoulders.

But what water temperature do you think you'll be sailing in? If it's very cold you might think about a drysuit. If it's just a little chilly :rolleyes:, neprene hiking pants with a layer or two of polyester fleece and a smock would work. For that matter, I've fallen in 60 degree water with just fleece top and bottom and was fine.

Merrily
 
I have a few differant styles of wetsuits, some for surfing, some for sailing. the least warmest is a pair of 3mm neopreame shorts which are great on an overcast summer day, next up I have a 3mm shortie with reinforced seat (a must for laser sailing) that works well on warm spring/fall days, and a really windy summer day. then comes the 4mm convertable, legs and arms zip on and off, has reinforced knees, seat and elbows, great for spring/fall sailing, then I have a full sized 5mm long suit for spring/fall surfing, and a drysuit for winter sailing
 
all i have is a 3mm wetsuit because i used to surf before i got into lasers and i dont really wear it that ofter, well last year atleast but thats because it was too small, it was so tight i got blisters on my finger tips from my hands pulling and slipping off so much the rifst time i put it on but then i learned the bag trick :) most of the time i wear a bathing suit, a rash guard, and a pfd. But if its a little cold i will wear my spray top that has a neoprene strap to make a seal. I sometimes wear my booties but i forget sometimes but as a replacement i just go in my converse high tops and those work suprisingly well
 
What about zippers? I've seen some wetsuits of stretchy material that is supposively stretchy enough to enter through the neck hole. Has anyone ever worn one of these? Or are the old fashioned zipped ones better?
 
Since a wetsuit isn't built to function like a drysuit, or even a spray top, I wouldn't worry to much if the neck lets a little water in.

That said, my wetsuit has the zipper and I find it adjustable just enough to be comfortable.

You can always throw a good dinghy smock over the wetsuit to ward off any spray. The wetsuit isn't designed to keep you dry though, obviously.

just what I know
 
3335 said:
stretchy material that is supposively stretchy enough to enter through the neck hole.
Do you mean that you actually get into the suit through the neck hole?

Merrily
 
Yes, that's like what I'm talking about. We saw one in another cataloug that you can enter through the neck hole, but it doesn't have shoulder snaps. It's supposed to be stretchy enough to enter without any extra fasteners. But that sounds pretty difficult in my oppinion. Does anyone have experience with this style? Is it practical or is it a gimmick?
 
WestCoast said:
Since a wetsuit isn't built to function like a drysuit, or even a spray top, I wouldn't worry to much if the neck lets a little water in.

That said, my wetsuit has the zipper and I find it adjustable just enough to be comfortable.

You can always throw a good dinghy smock over the wetsuit to ward off any spray. The wetsuit isn't designed to keep you dry though, obviously.

just what I know

Yes, I understand that. My question is mostly about how easy/difficult it is to get into.
 
nsc1120 said:
all i have is a 3mm wetsuit because i used to surf before i got into lasers and i dont really wear it that ofter, well last year atleast but thats because it was too small, it was so tight i got blisters on my finger tips from my hands pulling and slipping off so much the rifst time i put it on but then i learned the bag trick :) most of the time i wear a bathing suit, a rash guard, and a pfd. But if its a little cold i will wear my spray top that has a neoprene strap to make a seal. I sometimes wear my booties but i forget sometimes but as a replacement i just go in my converse high tops and those work suprisingly well
Bag Trick? And, yup... Converse high tops are the best shoes ever! At least around here, us sailors have been wearing them since before they were stylish! lol
 
I've found the zipless ones are fine to get into. They are stretchy enough and the neck is generally fairly big (eg, think of wearing a singlet).

I find those the best as you don't have restricted arm movement.

Also, I like not having a zip as they can tend to get jammed or uncomfortable, especially when you're wearing stuff like a pfd (and in my case a trapeze harness) over it.
 
Thanx Everyone! I've found one & will be wearing it tomorrow! (Yay... first time out this season!)
 
3335 said:

Bag Trick? And, yup... Converse high tops are the best shoes ever! At least around here, us sailors have been wearing them since before they were stylish! lol

the bagtrick is to put a plastic bag on your foot as you put it through the leg hole, and then do it for your arms too. once you put the bag on and push your leg through you just pull it out the opening. this makes the wetsuit almost slide on instead of pulling it a lot.
 
I think Amy is talking about some of the newer suits made for surfers. It is a full suit but the neck is stretchy enough to enter through, but it comes back as snug as a normal suit. All of my surfer buddies use them and say they are easy to get into.

I never wear wetsuits on lasers, restricts my movement too much. I wear my thick, 3/4 leg queensports with either a wetsuit top or a hot top. Then If its really cold I will wear a spray top over this. Always wear a warm hat in the cold, it helps a lot.
 
bobbyh said:
I think Amy is talking about some of the newer suits made for surfers. It is a full suit but the neck is stretchy enough to enter through, but it comes back as snug as a normal suit. All of my surfer buddies use them and say they are easy to get into.

If you have a URL for a company making this type of suit, please post it. Or a pic of someone getting into one.
 
49208 said:
If you have a URL for a company making this type of suit, please post it. Or a pic of someone getting into one.


I don't have a url, but I have a Ripcurl zipperless wetsuit that I surf in. Other makers are Hotline, Quicksilver, O'neill, among others. Any good store will have them. You may want to check out www.cleanline.com (I think) or Google for Cleanline Surf Store in Seaside Oregon.

Hope that helps

Mike
 
mikescott said:
I don't have a url, but I have a Ripcurl zipperless wetsuit that I surf in. Other makers are Hotline, Quicksilver, O'neill, among others. Any good store will have them. You may want to check out www.cleanline.com (I think) or Google for Cleanline Surf Store in Seaside Oregon.

Hope that helps

Mike
I know you weren't trying to be funny but
www.cleanline.com
Like to see someone put their body thru that opening....

I did see a few "zipperless" suits, but they all showed either a very short neck zipper or a velcro system for opening up the neck area more. Does your's have either or those ?
 
49208 said:
I know you weren't trying to be funny but
www.cleanline.com
Like to see someone put their body thru that opening....

I did see a few "zipperless" suits, but they all showed either a very short neck zipper or a velcro system for opening up the neck area more. Does your's have either or those ?


Mine has a velcro closure over a neopreme "flap". I will confess that although extremely comfortable after it is on, it is not as easy to get on and off as a suit that has a back zipper. For sailing, I use a wetsuit that has a back zipper. Where I surf, the water is in the 50 degree (F) range and the zipperless suit keeps me warmer than a conventional suit, but then again I am in the water more surfing than sailing (at least a little more)

Mike
 
mikescott said:
Mine has a velcro closure over a neopreme "flap". I will confess that although extremely comfortable after it is on, it is not as easy to get on and off as a suit that has a back zipper. For sailing, I use a wetsuit that has a back zipper. Where I surf, the water is in the 50 degree (F) range and the zipperless suit keeps me warmer than a conventional suit, but then again I am in the water more surfing than sailing (at least a little more)

Mike

Mike, did you try that cleanline web address yourself? ;)

Merrily
 
i just got a wetsuit to go out. but guess what,,, we get a nor easter and the yacht club is like closed, i cant even go down the ramp to the dock i have to climb down
 
Merrily said:
Mike, did you try that cleanline web address yourself? ;)

Merrily

From your message, I better check it at home not on the work computer. I don't want to get fired if it looks like I guess it might. To clarify the web address is www.cleanlinesurf.com . Sorry for whatever the other site is. :eek:

Mike
 
mikescott said:
From your message, I better check it at home not on the work computer. I don't want to get fired if it looks like I guess it might. To clarify the web address is www.cleanlinesurf.com . Sorry for whatever the other site is. :eek:

Mike

No need to apologize. It's not not what you think, and I'm sure you can check it at work. It was just a little funny.

Janet
 
Merrily said:
No need to apologize. It's not not what you think, and I'm sure you can check it at work. It was just a little funny.

Janet

That is sort of funny. I wonder if you had a neopreme collar on it if would work. Maybe hard to hike with though! I guess swimming could be tough too.
 

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