oh the dry suit is the must have item for christmas. where is winter then? not around in my dry suit and why has it taken me so long to buy one?
sunday saw at least three other warm people on the water with them on.
makes sense!
oh, ok Al you like getting wet; but even you wear a water proof in the rain!!!!!!!1

Tell me more about drysuits Neil, thinking of making the change myself.

Fully breathable or not? Boots or not? Front or rear entry? (I know which I prefer!)

Im converting as well, hate to admit it mind! Just ordered some Ocean rodeo Pyros. Hope they hurry up!!

hi Mark . mine came from ebay ,typhoon 100% breathable so it says but then i thought it might be 100% leaking but no!
came with boots on it and front opening. no problem with the boots as they are only thinnest of rubber( now you'er talking!) ,i put my wet suit socks over them for walking on the pebbles and am still able to ride as comfy in my foot straps. graham had on a suit with ankle seals and found they let in water under speed; maybe putting wet suit socks over the tops with velcro straps would cure that problem, only i was totaly dry! AND WARM with only thermal long john with ski socks and long sleeve vest.
i totaly forgot it was winter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and to say how much i have spent on my spartan semi dry for winter. real other bonus was not having to dry it out over night in the van ready for the next day, and no more smell!!!

just got one of them typhoon dry suits off e-bay too.came with a free underfleece for the coldest days.nice not having to strip off in the freeze.

Neil,

sounds like the model I've been looking at. There's an outlet here in Worcester, so I cold try before I buy to get the best fit.

Had heard the same about ankle seals leaking at speed, makes sense to have the boots I guess?

I know the water isn't that cold yet but do you have a solution for head n hands or do you see it not being a problem if the rest of your core is super toasty?

Happy riding

MP

Marky for hands i use solar 2ml gloves ;super toasty.head is my helmet but i do have a 1ml hood for when it gets really cold.
i found that all i needed under the suit was a pair of thermal long jons with ski socks and a thermal long sleeve vest.
super toasty and dry.

Dudes,

I've had one in my work kit for years.

The thing you need to be carefull about is being out to sea and it failing, ie, the zip breaking or the crouch splitting, as you would very quickly loose all your body heat. Most of the sailors where I work wear drysuits in the winter, and I think most will leak a bit at sometime.

Some of the good asymetric sailors who have been wearing dry suits for years are now wearing a suit from Magic Marine, its a loose fitting neoprene drysuit, and they say its the warmest. I tried one on last week and was really impressed.

For me, Bring on some warmer weather!

Later

Dunkster

dunk where were you on monday. had to sail with place to myself?

So how's the kiting with gloves on? I remember my days of trying to windsurf with gloves on and the lovely forearm cramps you used get. In the end it was easier to endure the cold.

Probably not so much pressure n grip required kiting though?

Anyway thanks for the points of view, pity I'm skintos, too much Xmas shopping for the Mrs..........maybe she'd like a Typhoon suit in Medium Tall for the Xmas stocking and if it didn't happen to fit.......well.

I recon the missis would love that as a crimbo surprise.

Personally I hate wearing boots and gloves, so only bother on the coldest easterlys days. Although last year I wore ski gloves a few times, you just have to kep yar hands out the water. If neil recons they work I may try the dry boots however.

Hey Chris,
Sorry didn't fancy it Monday, it looked cold and wet. I'd only end up sitting in my van getting "Van Fever!"
This is my 3rd week off in the last 5 and I've done nothing. I think I've got Seasonal affected disorder! i'll keep an eye on the weather and may come over tomorrow.
Later
Dunkl

if you get a sail have a good one. i'm inland for the rest of the week.

i thought the winter was meant to be windy???

I bought a dry suit last week and tried it on Saturday....it is without doubt one of the best items I have ever bought, only trouble is I got a medium and should have got a medium tall.
I paid £200 for it but will sell it for £160 if anyone is interested.

Have just joined "Team Typhoon" after reading the forum reports on drysuits and having felt cr*p all this week after playing in the cold sea at Blackrock last week.

Just tried it on in the house and still "sweating me taitters off".

With a new gimp mask too I should look a real picture................

Last one I had I holed it in while the middle of Llangorse lake - had to paddle back to the side with a leg full of water !!

like lambs to the slaughter. i'll be laughing when you rip open and michelin man fill up with icy water, can't swim, kite down, hypothermia sets in and slowly you all lose the will to keep fighting and give yourselves to neptune.

death in a bag.

oh you doubting thomas ; they are great Wills , big bonus is not having to dry them out in the van. see yu on the water in yer wet suit!

yeah i'm just jealous, just forked out for a brand new top o the range suit!!!

I tend to agree Wiil, Like I said , I've had one for a long time. If I do wear it this year it prob be over a wetsuit.

They're an a#se to get anywhere if you've got to swim a long way. Having had a long swin in January with a broken leg I'm not so sure...... each to there own.