DRY or WET SUIT?

[cuttlefish]

Hallo,
I seem to remember a good discussion on this forum about the merits and de-merits of dry and wet suits. Can anybody remember where it was as I can't find it.
Further, as innovations are constantly evolving, does anyone know if there is anything new on this argument?

Thanks,
cuttlefish.

[willk]

Well, it might help if you tell us what the intended use is. i.e. for use on the RIB, diving, etc? Location of use is kinda important too

[cuttlefish]

No mysetery. Just for pleasure ribbing use. To re-phrase my question, I need to find the names of suppliers of lifejackets, safety equipment, etc. Be nice to read the discussion of people's ideas about the pros and cons of these things, too.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by cuttlefish

No mysetery. Just for pleasure ribbing use. To re-phrase my question, I need to find the names of suppliers of lifejackets, safety equipment, etc. Be nice to read the discussion of people's ideas about the pros and cons of these things, too.

To continue Willk's theme though - there is a huge spectrum of "pleasure ribbing use" from the 4m owner who pootles about with the family beach hopping on nice days, perhaps doing a bit of ringoing etc, to the 10m cabin rib who does 100's of miles a day parks in Marinas etc. In between there are all sorts of variations including people who's ribs spend almost as much time in the air as on the water, a few who spend some time under the odd wave.

From your profile I'm guessing we are talking Channel Islands - which should (?) mean that the weather is nicer and water warmer (?) than say N. Ireland or the North Sea... However around there there will still be some extremes from family friendly boating to serious tides and waves.

You're wetsuit v's drysuit question suggests you are planning to go in the water? Many "pleasure ribbers" will be happy to get good waterproofs, or in colder climes a flotation suit - but these aren't good if you plan to get wet (e.g. swimming, donuting, water skiing, wading ashore). The wetsuit/drysuit argument then comes down to cost, comfort, risk of damage (a wetsuit with a small tear still works well, a drysuit doesn't) etc. It might also depend how long you plan to be in the water (e.g. 5 minutes in the sea then 2 hours on deck on a warm day is fine in a wetsuit; 50 minutes in the sea might not be so good).

Here are some of the threads where it has been debated before:

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?...rysuit+wetsuit

[cuttlefish]

Thanks for that. I'll try to answer better. For use? Both Channel Islands AND Italy (Adriatic). My thinking was that it would be basically for survival (i.e. if I get thrown into the water and have to stay there for some time), but could also be useful if I want to stay in the water. However, thinking
about it, I probably won't be going into the water intentionally in the C.I.'s (far too cold for my tastes), although I might in Italy.
The rib is an 8+ m and I am planning on doing a fair amount of miles.
cuttlefish.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

To continue Willk's theme though

I have a Theme?

I always thought of it more as "Slash & Burn" posting

[Siochair]

I came across this website a little while ago. I've no idea if they are any good or not but might be worth you having a look.

http://www.sundridge.co.uk/products/...-rib-suit.html

[NautiSeacrets]

mmmm interesting suit, but would all that wet weight be too much for the 150N of buoyancy?

I think I'd be looking for 275N for that type of suit.

[Siochair]

Originally Posted by NautiSeacrets

mmmm interesting suit, but would all that wet weight be too much for the 150N of buoyancy?

I think I'd be looking for 275N for that type of suit.

I never actually thought of that - Good point

As a point of personal preference I prefer two piece suits anyway. Much more practical when you stop off for a beer or whisky somewhere. I'm content to put up with compromising the suits ability to keep the water out if immersed to avoid the wrestling match I usually have with dry suits.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by willk

I always thought of it more as "Slash & Burn" posting

Is that like catch and release spearfishing?

jky