Cold water clothing, dry suit, floatation?

actions · 01 November 2010, 18:20

Hi again,

Now its getting colder i have begun to wear my drysuit in case the inevitable happens and i end up in the drink, also makes life easy for launcing etc, however, the wife, who comes out rarely wants to come out this week.

At this moment in time i said no, brave chap i hear you say, however my reason behind this is she has no clothing protection. As in she will be wearing warm clothes, which is great if you stay in the boat and dont get splashed but i'm worried in case she falls in, accident etc etc.

Whats the best to get for this time of year for her for safety reasons, dry suit, floatation suit (dont know much about these), etc etc.

Any thoughts would be great, obviously money will play a part, but ultimately if a dry suit is the best way to go, thats what it will be.

Pikey Dave · 01 November 2010, 18:31

Just been through this meself, have a look at this thread

Grasshopper · 01 November 2010, 18:34

I would go the dry suit route plus life jacket, ebay can be a source of dry suits and bunny suits.

actions · 01 November 2010, 18:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Just been through this meself, have a look at this thread

taking a peek now.

martini · 01 November 2010, 18:35

She not worth spending a couple hundred quid on a dry-suit then?

It's the only sensible option I think, can't see anything else protecting against cold shock or prolonged (ie more than 10-15 mins) immersion.

Saying that a wet suit could be a possible, much cheaper but not particularly suited to spending the day topside

actions · 01 November 2010, 18:39

[QUOTE=martini;376932] She not worth spending a couple hundred quid on a dry-suit then?

Ha Ha,

Well.......... best not answer, she is sitting next to me.

For the odd trip out in the cold weather it seems expensive but thought this was probably the best option for safety etc.

actions · 01 November 2010, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grasshopper

I would go the dry suit route plus life jacket, ebay can be a source of dry suits and bunny suits.

Bunny suits, wont the ears get wet...

Pikey Dave · 01 November 2010, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

Bunny suits, wont the ears get wet...

Yeah, but the tail...oh the tail....

actions · 01 November 2010, 18:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Yeah, but the tail...oh the tail....

Ha Ha, I'll put the suggestion forward, might be waving one of these pretty soon though

Grasshopper · 01 November 2010, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

Bunny suits, wont the ears get wet...

Yep or Ebay item 120641461499

bogib · 01 November 2010, 19:50

ICE-SAR are getting away from floatation suits to dry suits and with appropriate insulation gear, not the cheapest way but a lot more comfortable.

Myself have two piece dry suit from Ursuk and that suit is just greatest one I have had.

bradosh · 01 November 2010, 20:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by pikey dave

just been through this meself, have a look at this thread

i bought me and the wife fladen 1 piece suits this season at £70 each well worth it.

Poly · 01 November 2010, 21:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by martini

She not worth spending a couple hundred quid on a dry-suit then?

It's the only sensible option I think, can't see anything else protecting against cold shock or prolonged (ie more than 10-15 mins) immersion.

Saying that a wet suit could be a possible, much cheaper but not particularly suited to spending the day topside

A flotation suit should do a pretty good job at preventing cold shock. They are designed to let the water in slowly thus preventing the shock aspect and then trap it within (like a wetsuit) keeping you warm. I believe they are the normal choice for people driving skido's across frozen lakes etc.

If you are intentionally going out in really shitty weather, or like Bogi's team need to be out no matter what, or plan to go in the water, or are going out regularly then a dry suit may be a perfectly sensible solution. If you are an occasional winter boater (like the OP's wife) a flotation suit may be perfectly adequate. If she's the sort of woman who is a regular visitor to toilets then a two piece may be more practical.

Whilst bogi has gone down the dry suit route for comfort - my experience is unless you spend lots of money (£300+) on a dry suit or actually get seriously soaked regularly then a flotation suit for significantly less than £100 is a better choice for comfort and value. The float suit is also much less likely to need repaired.

actions · 02 November 2010, 09:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

If you are intentionally going out in really shitty weather, or like Bogi's team need to be out no matter what, or plan to go in the water, or are going out regularly then a dry suit may be a perfectly sensible solution. If you are an occasional winter boater (like the OP's wife) a flotation suit may be perfectly adequate. If she's the sort of woman who is a regular visitor to toilets then a two piece may be more practical.

I dont inted on going out in really crappy weather, just when we get nice sunny days, even if bloody cold through the winter.

I will have a look at floatation suits as that would probably be best then, especially as its only going to be a few outings, unlike myself who launches whenever i'm off work, weather permitting and that she doesnt intend on getting wet one little bit.

So need a bigger rib....

BogMonster · 02 November 2010, 10:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

I dont inted on going out in really crappy weather, just when we get nice sunny days, even if bloody cold through the winter.

I will have a look at floatation suits as that would probably be best then, especially as its only going to be a few outings, unlike myself who launches whenever i'm off work, weather permitting and that she doesnt intend on getting wet one little bit.

So need a bigger rib....

That's much like me - can't be bothered going out in crappy weather in the middle of winter as it's not really fun. So I wear a Fladen most of the time and it is excellent, have had mine for about 3 years now I think and quite a bit of use and apart from the fact that it is a bit grubby on the yellow bits it is still fine. I haven't washed it as I think it may ruin the waterproofing a bit, but as it is starting to smell like a pair of armoured trousers after the 100 years war, I guess I may have to soon

Haven't been in the water, don't intend to, but if I fall in I have a mobile in an aquapac, and a handheld VHF, and reasonable confidence that the suit will keep me going until help arrives as they claim up to 6hrs survival in 5 deg C water which is about what we have here.

The only significant drawbacks are that it is no good for getting wet in when launching (solution: improve launching technique!) and I wouldn't like to try and swim far in it but that isn't really an issue for me anyway.

Anchorhandler · 02 November 2010, 10:18

Hi Actions

Another make to consider in the flotation suit market is the Mullion Aquafloat Classic.....

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/Mul...ion_Suits.html

We use (abuse) them extensively in the North Sea for working on deck and manning the FRC's (fast rescue craft).

We changed from Fladen suits which are very good but we found that the Mullions lasted longer under the same arduous conditions they were subjected to.

You should not pay more then 90 pounds for a 'Classic' but when you actually see and use the product, you will find it hard to believe that it can be produced for under 100quid.....very very good quality.

Simon

actions · 02 November 2010, 10:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

That's much like me - can't be bothered going out in crappy weather in the middle of winter as it's not really fun. So I wear a Fladen most of the time and it is excellent, have had mine for about 3 years now I think and quite a bit of use and apart from the fact that it is a bit grubby on the yellow bits it is still fine.

Just looked the Fladen suit up, this could be the way forward i think, within budget and perfect for the wife. mailspeed marine is £105, sound about right?

Many thanks.

actions · 02 November 2010, 10:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

Hi Actions

Another make to consider in the flotation suit market is the Mullion Aquafloat Classic.....

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/Mul...ion_Suits.html

Simon

Cheers Simon, Having a peek now, Matt.

actions · 02 November 2010, 10:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by actions

Just looked the Fladen suit up, this could be the way forward i think, within budget and perfect for the wife. mailspeed marine is £105, sound about right?

Many thanks.

Ignore that price, just found them cheaper here http://www.cheaplifejackets.co.uk/fl...uits-c-23.html

Thanks.

Steve_B · 02 November 2010, 10:29

When the family comes out in the Winter on the cold but clear days, they wear their ski suits (as in snow) and thermal layers underneath. They are very warm, splash proof and did not need to buy additional gear. Whilst I know they dont have the floatation attributes, the weather and the actions of the helm, should mean the chances of going in are minimal. Plus lots of people on board to recover them from the water quickly.

If and when I go out on my own, I wear a dry suit with wooly bear underneath.
Steve