mpickering
New Member
Hi all,
I'm looking forward to frostbiting my old Laser with the sailing club this winter. I decided that why wait until Spring to learn the ins-and-outs of racing. Better to jump in with both feet into ice cold water! With that in mind...
I have this real aversion to hypothermia and drowning. Can't explain why. So I need some help in selecting a dry suit and it really boils down to cost. APS is local to me and they know me now on a first-name basis (upgrading a Laser to the post-2001 rig with all new hardware will do that).
I have bought Gill dinghy boots and frostbiting gloves. The boots are year-round and I have other 3-season gloves I use on my keelboat. So now I need a dry suit since I know nothing about wet suits for winter sailing and I think a dry suit would be a better option since I expect to capsize my Laser at some point.
The three suits I am looking at are:
Henri Lloyd TP1 Pace Dry Suit - $449
Gill Frontside Drysuit - $547
Musto MPX Gore-Tex Dry Suit - $799
All are listed as breathable and waterproof. Given this gear is only going to be used for (hopefully) sheltered inshore weekend frostbiting, what is the advantage of one suit over another? I know Musto gear by reputation so I would have no problem buying it but is the $250-$350 price differential between the other two worth it? At the same time, I don't want to cheap out since this is my life we're talking about. I want to make sure if I go swimming in near-freezing water that the suit will protect me properly and allow me to get my boat upright.
Can anyone provide guidance? I can certainly try on all three. My preference of the two cheaper ones is the Gill since they likewise have a decent reputation but if I can save $100, I'm willing if the Henri LLoyd suit will work.
Sorry, this is a novice question. My club requires a dry suit or wet suit for frostbiting so I need this gear. Three season gear I have covered.
Matt
I'm looking forward to frostbiting my old Laser with the sailing club this winter. I decided that why wait until Spring to learn the ins-and-outs of racing. Better to jump in with both feet into ice cold water! With that in mind...
I have this real aversion to hypothermia and drowning. Can't explain why. So I need some help in selecting a dry suit and it really boils down to cost. APS is local to me and they know me now on a first-name basis (upgrading a Laser to the post-2001 rig with all new hardware will do that).
I have bought Gill dinghy boots and frostbiting gloves. The boots are year-round and I have other 3-season gloves I use on my keelboat. So now I need a dry suit since I know nothing about wet suits for winter sailing and I think a dry suit would be a better option since I expect to capsize my Laser at some point.
The three suits I am looking at are:
Henri Lloyd TP1 Pace Dry Suit - $449
Gill Frontside Drysuit - $547
Musto MPX Gore-Tex Dry Suit - $799
All are listed as breathable and waterproof. Given this gear is only going to be used for (hopefully) sheltered inshore weekend frostbiting, what is the advantage of one suit over another? I know Musto gear by reputation so I would have no problem buying it but is the $250-$350 price differential between the other two worth it? At the same time, I don't want to cheap out since this is my life we're talking about. I want to make sure if I go swimming in near-freezing water that the suit will protect me properly and allow me to get my boat upright.
Can anyone provide guidance? I can certainly try on all three. My preference of the two cheaper ones is the Gill since they likewise have a decent reputation but if I can save $100, I'm willing if the Henri LLoyd suit will work.
Sorry, this is a novice question. My club requires a dry suit or wet suit for frostbiting so I need this gear. Three season gear I have covered.
Matt