Should I buy this Drysuit?

[hyndlandguy]

Folks,

Do you think I should buy this drysuit? Never owned one so would appreciate your advise and comments;

https://www.force4.co.uk/item/Gul/Code-Zero-Drysuit/4UY

Its a Gul Zero Drysuit with a pee zip and a sleeve pocket. Seems a good price and comes with a thermal undersuit.

I use my RIB on North Cornwall coast. Sometimes solo, between April and end of September. It doesnt get baltic (as in Scotland baltic) but it can be pretty choppy with swells. My main worry as always been going in when I am on my own. So thinking of this, plus a PLB in the arm pocket.

Thoughts appreciated on if its worth it, or am I being OTT?

[ShinyShoe]

I'd want to know if a PLB fitted the pocket.

There will be days it's too warm for the suit. But you are right, on the wrong day, it might matter.

How do you launch?

Black safety gear upsets me.

[hyndlandguy]

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

I'd want to know if a PLB fitted the pocket.

There will be days it's too warm for the suit. But you are right, on the wrong day, it might matter.

How do you launch?

Black safety gear upsets me.

I use the RescueMe PLB1 which is quite small. I think it'll fit in there, or if not then it goes in my mesh pocket on my lifejacket. Some days are warm yes, agreed. Its the days (like today) when its windy with spray and swell that I'd use it for if I get one?

Its a two hour motor to where I keep it, and I do that bit alone, so thought it would be prudent to wear one in case I come out. Just wondering if many RIB owners use drysuits in coastal waters?

I launch off a trailer at the slip in Camel estuary.

[GuyC]

I think they are a good idea and a surprising number of people on here do wear them. It seems a reasonable price so I'd buy it, use it and then you can assess whether you need to upgrade / downgrade.

[HDAV]

I bought a gul suit never again! Typhoon or Hammond in future!

Gul leaks, gul don’t care,

[beerbelly]

i wear my typhoon dry suit every time i go to sea. even if its warm the water off the northeast coast is usually very cold

[Orwell boy]

Doesnt look particulary cheap to me ! have no expierience of that brand but breathable is a good thing ,seem to always get the wooly bear chucked in these days ,how you deal with feet on stones is poss another important factor , personally have musto from marine soper store but seen these in my local chandlery and look good value ,only other thing to say is personaly short /fat b is only some brands cater for me ! pee zip is another premium
https://seamarknunn.com/cgi-bin/sh00...2ehtml#SID=183

[ShinyShoe]

Pee zip. Never used.

I didn't think the price was that impressive.

Reason for asking where you launch was if you get wet launching you are wet all day. This will make a big difference.

Often the pocket will take a car key, credit card, maybe a pen knife.

There are better dry suits for the job, but at higher costs. But there are cheaper that might be no less suitable.

[HDAV]

I would go for one of these extra £50 but I think a much better suit and much better warranty!

https://andark.co.uk/product/typhoon...ersuit-100166/

[whiskylee]

I got my first dry suit last year after 30 years of shorts or wet suits (wet bottom) we launch from the beach so we have to get in the water to launch/recover

With the dry suit I can launch then take the dry suit off on the boat and be nice and dry in my shorts & tee shirt (fair weather boating family)

I bought a crewsaver breathable dry suit from a RibNet member [emoji106] very pleased with the dry suit and does what it should keeps me dry and warm

[RoyP]

We have Crewsaver drysuits and would not be without them. Being as we have unpredictable weather, they are a great asset. can always take them off and stores them away. We use wetsuit boots to protect the rubber feet

[mhill]

Originally Posted by HDAV

I bought a gul suit never again! Typhoon or Hammond in future!

Gul leaks, gul don’t care,

Can only echo this, shocking service will never touch them for anything again!

[hyndlandguy]

Brilliant advise everyone. Thank you. Sounds like Typhoon is the way to go, and not Gul. Appreciate all your comments.

[jeffstevens763@g]

I paid the same price for a made to measure with front entry zip no need for pee zip and proper boots from sealskin and far superior suit. I never boat without it

[Simon B]

I use a Typhoon surface suit, you often see them on ebay (ex fisheries protection or navy) Very similar to the RNLI ones. Usually black and yellow, breathable and at least two reasonable pockets. Latex dip socks you can use old shoes or rock boots over them, if you hole them just slap on a bike inner tube patch. Diagonal front zip and very comfortable smoothskin seals.

[hyndlandguy]

Originally Posted by Simon B

I use a Typhoon surface suit, you often see them on ebay (ex fisheries protection or navy) Very similar to the RNLI ones. Usually black and yellow, breathable and at least two reasonable pockets. Latex dip socks you can use old shoes or rock boots over them, if you hole them just slap on a bike inner tube patch. Diagonal front zip and very comfortable smoothskin seals.

Thanks a lot Simon. I actually bought a Typhoon Multisport 4 this morning. Very little stock and sold out everywhere so clearly in demand. Thanks for all the advise on this forum.

[Allye]

Out of interest why are wetsuits just not a thing for RIB owners? Much more flexible and easier to move around in especially in the water, damn sight cheaper! You lot like having dry pants?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Originally Posted by Allye

Out of interest why are wetsuits just not a thing for RIB owners? Much more flexible and easier to move around in especially in the water, damn sight cheaper! You lot like having dry pants?

Warmer by far all round

[36valley]

Originally Posted by Allye

Out of interest why are wetsuits just not a thing for RIB owners? Much more flexible and easier to move around in especially in the water, damn sight cheaper! You lot like having dry pants?

For some of us with less than perfect body shapes, the resemblance to the Tellytubbies when wearing a wet suit is reason enough.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Allye

Out of interest why are wetsuits just not a thing for RIB owners? Much more flexible and easier to move around in especially in the water, damn sight cheaper! You lot like having dry pants?

I think if you are the sort of rib owner who regularly gets in the water (eg. towing toys, snorkelling etc) then they probably are "a thing". In reality though they aren't great at keeping you warm in 30+ knots of windchill once out the water. I think the claim about flexibility/ease of movement also depends on design. Add in ease of donning/removal (drysuits can be variable, but most are better than a good fitting wetsuit) and they're more than just dry pants...