more drysuits - Page 3

Alex Brown · 12 November 2002, 16:57

Keith,

Going back to your original question, after consulting with jools, and watching this thread carefully, I too have ordered a 'Duo' drysuit from Ravenspring......

Will let you know what it's like in a couple of weeks when it arrives

-Alex

narked · 12 November 2002, 17:04

The Ravenspring suits do look very nice. Thanks to you lot now I want a Rapide.

Matt (off to buy a lottery ticket) Brown

Richard B · 12 November 2002, 19:19

Quote:

Originally posted by narked
Thanks to you lot now I want a Rapide

I can empathise with that! Thanks v. much to all who contributed when I was in a dilema about drysuits

Rich (now a happy Ravenspring Rapide Owner) B

hey, these brackets are good, Keith!

Keith Hart · 12 November 2002, 20:19

Yup, be my guest Pepper, there's plenty to go around.

Heath () Kart

(((((((((((

Keith Hart · 01 December 2002, 15:35

Well folks I've just sent off my order for a Ravenspring Rapide (front fastening, neoprene booted) Drysuit. I hope it will arrive intime for my New Years Day trip into the Moray Firth!

So, now another question. What do you wear under yours?

Keith (warm and dry soon) Hart

dbillyboy · 01 December 2002, 17:56

Be hoped it's the XXXXXL size Hart!!
TLS.

Keith Hart · 01 December 2002, 18:49

Right TLS, I'll get you for that!

Now keep your hands off Peters advent callendar.

KH

Brian · 02 December 2002, 11:25

I hope all you guys buying drysuits have remembered to order one with a "comfort zip".
BAD move if you haven't !!

Richard B · 02 December 2002, 17:29

Pleased to say that I did....

Keith Hart · 04 December 2002, 06:06

You folks (it seems) are rather embarrassed by your underwear (always wear clean underwear just in case you have an accident!). So if you are too shy to tell me what you wear underneath your drysuit, you can allways send me a PM!

Keith (what does the Scotsman wear under HIS drysuit?) Hart

Richard B · 04 December 2002, 06:24

Well, sorry to disappoint you Keith, but I just wear ordinary casual clothes under mine

Alan · 04 December 2002, 08:35

is that if you are using a breathable suit you need the correct layers underneath to wick moisture away from your skin through the layers and out through the suit. So manmade fibres are the key - thermals then fleece. As has been previously mentioned divers use all in one fleece baby-gro's or woolly bears. I have various layers of fleece top and jogging bottoms and number of layers I wear depends on how darn cold it is!

On a warmish just wet day I might wear ordinary walking type trousers underneath rather than fleece. And I only use the thermals when its cold. A point to really be aware of is that whilst you will initially feel very warm having exerted yourself struggling into your drysuit, the ravensprings offer no thermal insulation whatsover. So especially at speed you need the layers underneath to keep warm even if you feel very hot when tied up in the marina. Rather akin to motorbiking I'd imagine.

The less serious answer is that the only thing one can wear under ones drysuit is one's tux so you can do the James bond thing of turning up at the party/restaurant/casino in your SIB, and peel off the drysuit to reveal the finery beneath!!

HTH,
Alan

John Kennett · 04 December 2002, 08:37

Jeans and t-shirt. Fleece if it's a bit chilly. Douglas Gill pilot jacket if it's cold. Tracksuit trousers under my jeans if it's very cold. Long sleeved thermal t-shirt under my normal t-shirt if it's very, very cold. Two pairs of socks.

I have tried the various all-in-one things but I found them less comfortable, less convenient and no warmer.

The coldest conditions are a flat calm where you are belting along and not having to work to keep with the boat. When it's rough you will need fewer layers as you will be working harder. I find a hat and gloves to be a useful way of regulating temperature quickly.

I would also recommend that if you really start to get too hot under way, then make the effort to stop and take off a layer or two. It's a bloody nuisance with a dry suit on, but well worth it. The tempation is just to struggle on, but being too hot can be as bad as being too cold.

As Alan says though, you will often be sweltering as you leave harbour having faffed around with the boat, stowing lines and other kit. Once you start to pick up speed though the extra layers are suddenly a good idea.

John

Manos · 11 December 2002, 08:47

except Ravenspring there was another guy selling TYPHOON dry suits in VERY low prices. I have lost his web address can any one remind it to me please??
Much obliged.

Cheers

TIM · 11 December 2002, 12:45

well I have just ordered a Ravenspring off Lough Ree power boat school, and I will tell you about when I get it.
As far as I know LRPBS have got a mix of the two, one piece drysuits the ravinspring do, so I will keep you updated on what they are like.

Keith Hart · 17 December 2002, 20:15

Hi folks

Well it arrived today, one KH sized Ravenspring Rapide Drysuit.

I am very pleased with it. It is lighter than I thought it would be and seems very comfortable. The neck seal is just about strangling me, but the instructions say that it will slacken off a little to any adjustment should be left until it has been worn a bit.

Any comments on this would be appreciated.

I'm looking forward to giving it a good soaking over the New Year.

Keith (early xmas) Hart

Andre · 17 December 2002, 21:22

Manos
Checkout www.typhoon-int.co.uk look at the suits and look up stockists. I use a Typhoon WOSS dry suit and I think it is great. This suit is similar to what the RNLI use

Andre

Richard B · 17 December 2002, 22:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Hart
The neck seal is just about strangling me...

I would suggest getting a very sharp pair of scissors and doing a minor adjustment right away. As you're quite large (yes, I've seen all of Bill's posts

) , you'll probably need several "hacks" at the neck seal before you get to the perfect fit. So go on - remove two concentric rings (ie about 10mm) all round now, and the same for the wrist seals. I went on the BIBOA/Lemmer/StClair-Bolam St Malo Cruise without doing mine and regretted it

. Then make sure that any future cuts are just a little at a time.

Dry SIBing!

Keith Hart · 18 December 2002, 11:36

Quote:

As you're quite large (yes, I've seen all of Bill's posts

I suppose that's code for FAT BAST**D!

Okay, I'll have a nibble at the neck.

Keith (fatso) Hart

Bilge Rat · 18 December 2002, 13:16

Kieth

Great to hear you raving on about the RAVENSPRING suit and sounds like the thing to have, i was wondering if when you ordered did you give your exact measurments, like yourself i've eaten far to many bacon sarnies and when i eventually order a suit of my own it would be nice to understand from a fellow sarnie expert if they have adjusted the suit accordinly or did you add an extra inch. I know they say give "your exact sizes" but do people really do this after all Christmas is coming and you wouldn't want to cut down on that turkey and stuffing.

Rich