Dry suit for ribbing

[GuyC]

Originally Posted by Brian

...the sock tears/wears out quickly...

about £50 to replace apparently but I can imagine them being a possible weak link.

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by Brian

Get one with fitted boots. Those with just a fitted rubber-type sock that requires an overboot, just dont work. They look like they do BUT the sock tears/wears out quickly, then you are in trouble!

Although almost all other watersports users would say get a sock not a boot. ... It may depend what crossover you have with other sports etc.

I gave fabric socks. I like (I was sceptical). I've had latex socks before and have damaged them. On a RIB it is probably possible to keep feet dry if you try hard enough so not that mission critical.

Neoprene seals more comfortable than latex - may be marginally less effective but in a RIB will be fine.

I have one of these currently:

https://www.wetsuitoutlet.co.uk/2019-typhoon-ps330-xtreme-kayak-ocean-sailing-drysuit-con-zip-black-red-100151-p-12530.html

Can't fault it. hood, fleece collar. Both removable. Fleece lined from pocket (removable). Pee zip (never actually used!). Zip up and unzip around middle - easy any not as awkward as the diagonal front zip.under buoyancy aid or life jacket. Pockets galore.

Some of my criteria when buying was j wanted colour not black. I had same for buoyancy aid although I gave in and got black on current one for other features. If you are in the water - black is hard to see. I want to be seen!!

[Pikey Dave]

Ours are fabric boots, I echo what others have said about latex boots, I’m not a fan. I have “wellies” on my diving drysuit, they take a battering from the non-slip floor on the RIB, the soles soon start to wear & have to be (expensively) replaced. At least with the socks you can wear cheap boots & bin them when they wear out.
Another thing to consider if going down the drysuit route is your LJ, it’s recommended that you wear a 275N LJ if wearing a drysuit. This is to overcome the additional buoyancy of the drysuit & to ensure you float face up.

[beerbelly]

is 275n really necessary im about to buy new life jackets my old one was 165n but a chap in the chandlery told me I needed 190n with a dry suit. haven't bought yet

[jeffstevens763@g]

wear ankle weights that'll prevent inversion personally i take most of the air out of my suit or you can fit an auto dump high on the shoulder

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

is 275n really necessary im about to buy new life jackets my old one was 165n but a chap in the chandlery told me I needed 190n with a dry suit. haven't bought yet

https://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...Info-Sheet.pdf

[breezeblock]

whatever you buy make sure it has a pee zip as theres a few times I have been bursting and can't get out to do it

[HDAV]

Originally Posted by GuyC

I'm not sure if HDAV meant Hamilton or Hammond but here is a couple of links. I don't have experience of either of them.

https://www.hammond-drysuits.co.uk/

https://www.ndiver-rescue.com/boating-ops-suit

That’s the one, I know a fella with one nearly 20 years old his son wears it now his is getting on for 8 sent it away for a repair and new seals came back very reasonable and still works great. If you can cope with heavier industrial type ones (ribbing different to kayaking) then they are great value long term but a bigger investment.....

[Orwell boy]

Originally Posted by HDAV

That’s the one, I know a fella with one nearly 20 years old his son wears it now his is getting on for 8 sent it away for a repair and new seals. If you can cope with heavier industrial type ones (ribbing different to kayaking) then they are great value long term but a bigger investment.....

I bought a musto suit but needed adjustments ,they directed me to hammond in dartford kent ,........it was a genuine wonderful expierience ,dealing with the ultimate specialist small british family business making drysuits , i had no appointment and they measured me ,adjusted my suit ,sewed new smaller boots on the legs ,all while i supped tea with the founders daugter in law . if money is no object ,this is the way to go

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

https://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...Info-Sheet.pdf

thanks I am familiar with that guideline and I usually walk out to chest depth while holding the neck seal open to expel air . I am just surprised 190 newton is not sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the suit . but I will take the advice thanks and look for a pair of 275n jackets . apologies for pulling the thread off track I personally like typhoon surface water sport dry suits the easy don is particularly good value

[Poly]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

thanks I am familiar with that guideline and I usually walk out to chest depth while holding the neck seal open to expel air . I am just surprised 190 newton is not sufficient to overcome the buoyancy of the suit . but I will take the advice thanks and look for a pair of 275n jackets . apologies for pulling the thread off track I personally like typhoon surface water sport dry suits the easy don is particularly good value

There is no official standard between 150 and 275N so no official position on the ability of a 190N jacket to do its job with a suit. The 190 market are legally tested to the 150 standard but exist because of either a real or perceived market need for a bit more than a 150 from people who don’t want 275. Those people are often yachties in foul weather gear (not dry suits).

I think the problem with saying 190 will be enough is there are too many variables. Boots, socks, fabric feet, closeness of fit, what you wear under it, how well you vent it, even your own physical build, etc.

Beware getting back in the boat unaided with a 275N is non trivial; and may mean partially deflating the jacket!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Poly

There is no official standard between 150 and 275N so no official position on the ability of a 190N jacket to do its job with a suit. The 190 market are legally tested to the 150 standard but exist because of either a real or perceived market need for a bit more than a 150 from people who don’t want 275. Those people are often yachties in foul weather gear (not dry suits).

I think the problem with saying 190 will be enough is there are too many variables. Boots, socks, fabric feet, closeness of fit, what you wear under it, how well you vent it, even your own physical build, etc.

Beware getting back in the boat unaided with a 275N is non trivial; and may mean partially deflating the jacket!

As usual it’s all down to choice.
As a diver, I’ve been getting in & out of boats all my life. Without a dedicated boarding ladder or platform, it’s difficult enough as it is. It’s nigh on impossible to pull yourself aboard over the side with any kind of encumbrance on your person, be it an (inflated) 150/190/275N LJ or diving gear. When it comes to recovery the size of the LJ is irrelevant (IMO) it’ll have to come off or be deflated.
You could buy a 190LJ which in all probability will suffice. Or, you could buy a 275 & KNOW it will be overkill, but be well upto the task. Don’t forget that if the situation arises where you are having to rely on your LJ to save your life, it isn’t going to be in ideal circumstances.
It might be that you may never have to self recover back into your RIB, you might be plucked up by the winchman of a rescue helo.
Just my 2 penneth [emoji106]

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

As usual it’s all down to choice.
As a diver, I’ve been getting in & out of boats all my life. Without a dedicated boarding ladder or platform, it’s difficult enough as it is. It’s nigh on impossible to pull yourself aboard over the side with any kind of encumbrance on your person, be it an (inflated) 150/190/275N LJ or diving gear. When it comes to recovery the size of the LJ is irrelevant (IMO) it’ll have to come off or be deflated.
You could buy a 190LJ which in all probability will suffice. Or, you could buy a 275 & KNOW it will be overkill, but be well upto the task. Don’t forget that if the situation arises where you are having to rely on your LJ to save your life, it isn’t going to be in ideal circumstances.
It might be that you may never have to self recover back into your RIB, you might be plucked up by the winchman of a rescue helo.
Just my 2 penneth [emoji106]

and I appreciate all the advice thanks I will buy the 275n now there's a worm in my head that the 190 might not be enough. thanks for all input. now back to the op,s search for a dry suit

[HDAV]

Hmmm maybe I should upgrade my BA...... whether in wet or dry suit I wear a 50N ski vest.... always have ...

[ShinyShoe]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Hmmm maybe I should upgrade my BA...... whether in wet or dry suit I wear a 50N ski vest.... always have ...

Well if you were only wearing a buoyancy aid you were already making the decision that being turned face up was unlikely...

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Hmmm maybe I should upgrade my BA...... whether in wet or dry suit I wear a 50N ski vest.... always have ...

It’s all in the name:-

BA v LJ

[Appleby]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

... At least with the socks you can wear cheap boots & bin them when they wear out. ...

What boots are you using?

[pumpmanphil]

Ps330

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Appleby

What boots are you using?

A pair of cheap rock boots, I bought them off Typhoon with the suit.

[Phil and Jane]

My wife and I have ended up wearing Typhoon for most things that we do on the water, i.e. dry suits for ribs, wetsuits for kayaking, dry suit boots etc. We have just found them to be the best in our opinion, although everyone has their favourite brand and I am sure that other brands are just as good in various ways. We have just found the Typhoon factory to be brilliant at alterations, repairs and quick returns.
We originally used Robin Hood Sports who have a good selection (by driving there and trying on in store), but Wetsuit Outlet online have a wider one, we found, if you are happy buying online.
My wife wears a Typhoon Ezedon with Scubapro Rockboots, while I wear a Typhoon Max B with a convenience zip and a map pocket on the thigh with Typhoon Rockboots. I sometimes wear mine commercially, so the map pocket was important. As others have said, a pee zip is vital. I wanted to have a front entry zip rather than one on my back which is another reason for the Max B. My first was a Typhoon PS220 which is a better drysuit but has a rear entry zip. I hardly wear it because of that, because it’s difficult to zip up by yourself, well impossible in my case.
If you go for a Typhoon, you can work out what size you need from the online Typhoon size guide.
The last drysuit that I got was from ‘Wetsuit outlet’. I ordered three different types by arrangement and paid on my credit card for all three. When they arrived, I tried them all on, picked one and returned the other two whereupon I received a refund.
I find my boots last about two years, but I wear them a lot, club Safetyboat every other weekend and also commercially, while my wife’s have lasted for five years and are still useable. I use ‘Mikes Diving Store in London’ but you can find the best price online yourself. Get a size bigger than you wear with normal shoes.
I've seen people using Gul Shadow which people seem happy with, but I didn't like the fit of them. Don't let that put you off because all those people cannot be wrong. Good luck with choosing.