Halfjack
Dad & Lad
I'm located in Texas, D/FW area, and have just started sailing. I plan to try to sail through the Fall/Winter season as much as possible and have some questions about temperatures and wetsuits. I'm doing this for the first time, and with my son, so I want to get the best input I can before I buy our first pair of wet suits!
1) As far as temperature per mm of wetsuit, I've gotten the following quotes of the ScubaToys.com forum. Are these guidelines appropriate for someone sailing?:
3) How big of a difference is it between a full suit vs. a shorty worn with a long-sleeve wicking shirt (& jacket?)?
4) Any other first-timer pitfalls for buying and using the wetsuits?
All comments appreciated!
1) As far as temperature per mm of wetsuit, I've gotten the following quotes of the ScubaToys.com forum. Are these guidelines appropriate for someone sailing?:
As for thickness, a rough guide is 80º and above = 3mm, 70º to 80º = 5mm, Below 70º = 7mm. You can always open up a wetsuit and let some water in if too warm, however, if you get cold, you won't enjoy the dive. And if you're going to dive 60º, you'll also want a hood and gloves. Booties too.
I have a 3 mil for temp above, about, 74-75 degrees.
I have a 5 mil for 65 up.
I have a 7 mil for 65 and below.
When it gets below 60 I start to wish I had a drysuit, but I do OK down to maybe 57 with only a little pain with the 7 mil.
2) How much does the water temperature change, or how much does it track air temperature? How cold will these TX lakes get when its 70 one day and 30 the next? Also, is air temp or water temp the bigger factor for how comfortable or miserable the sailor is?I have a 3 mil for temp above, about, 74-75 degrees.
I have a 5 mil for 65 up.
I have a 7 mil for 65 and below.
When it gets below 60 I start to wish I had a drysuit, but I do OK down to maybe 57 with only a little pain with the 7 mil.
3) How big of a difference is it between a full suit vs. a shorty worn with a long-sleeve wicking shirt (& jacket?)?
4) Any other first-timer pitfalls for buying and using the wetsuits?
All comments appreciated!