Dry suit - Wet Suit - or what?

[Bam Bam]

Can anybody recommend what type of clothing I need for cruising, bearing in mind the occasional leap into the water to launch and recover the boat. Do I need a wet suit or is a dry suit best? Is there anything else? Advice really needed by a novice ribster who decided to enjoy life and ditch the 28 foot gin palace. I've now got a big grin on me face! RIB's are ACE!!!

Cheers!

[m chappelow]

dry suits are better than wet suits but not the heavy neoprene diving ones ,membrane types are more comfortable with boots fitted rather than seals ,you can get spray suits that are suited to dinghy sailing thats ok for some people,though a lot depends on how much you are likely to go in the water,,,thing is with wet suits you will have to doff off and get changed ,with dry suits you can slip it on over existing clothing as long as you will be warm enough .

[Trailer Bloke]

I use this when the weather is nasty

Half way between wet weather gear and a wetsuit

Very nice to wear, but not when it gets hot!

http://www.uk-fishing-tackle.co.uk/p...8c6a75ee793316

And also very good value!

[Bigmuz7]

I use a ravenspring dry suit, its breathable & comfortable with hard boots, and... a fly zip essential after a beer on your trip

And I have to say their staff & service & turnaround are absolutely first class

[m chappelow]

if you go for a dry suit, front loaders are easier to put on ,than the zip across the back of the shoulders ,

[Hightower]

I've just about tried everything.

I used to use a dry suit untill the seals started to leak and break up. I had one with socks and found this difficult to get into and almost impossible to get out of .

Was an excellent protector against the wet and cold. But was always the last man to be ready when getting to a destination for lunch and when leaving to come home....Blood sweat and tears and lots of wriggling on the floor . If I ever bought another dry suit, I'd have one with built in boots, much easier. These are also expensive too!

I now use a much cheaper option of a one piece and two piece thermal floatation suit, depending on conditions and find these more than man enough to meet my needs and are much more comfortable and warmer.

However with this option you would need some long boots or waders to launch and recover with.

Hope this helps a little.

[willk]

You say you will be cruising and jumping in the water so I'd have to go with a Drysuit - one that has boots and is easily donned. A wetsuit alone is a waste of time for cruising, one shower/wetting and you'll be frozen.

Your options:

1. Expensive drysuit - perfect but £££
2. Survival/floatation suit (e.g. Fladen as shown above) Cheap but you can't (shouldn't) jump in the water.
3. Light Wetsuit AND floatation suit - take the floatation suit off for water entrys. Might be a bit warm in summer! Tricky in your boat.
4. One I used in my SIB diving days, Wetsuit and Raingear over the top for travelling - warm but a bit clammy.

Frankly, I'd buy a decent pair of long boots and mess about with "Option 2" for a while first....

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by Hightower

I've just about tried everything.

difficult to get into and almost impossible to get out of ...........
last man to be ready when getting to a destination for lunch and when leaving to come home....
Blood sweat and tears and lots of wriggling on the floor

There may be a reason for that, Lanky

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Ian M

There may be a reason for that, Lanky

Cheeky Boy!

[Bam Bam]

Cheers Guy's, didnt quite expect so many replies. I thought I was ok with jeans and a T-shirt (only kidding)! Looks like I may be parting with the cash for a front entry dry suit... hope the wife likes it???