Ok I live in the Southern USA and while we do not get as cold as some it is pretty cold for this Southern boy. But I still want to be on the water. So wondering what type of wetsuit i should get? Looked at a lot of the diving ones, and that just got more confusiing. Any help would be great. Thanks

Jody Abrams
H16 Modified 59467

I've got a Ronstan Skiff Suit and top that I use in cooler-cold weather. I like it a lot.... it's reinforced in the right places for sailing.

Will R

I live in central NC, and a full 4-3 winter suit will work around here.

Also wear a spray jacket, just for an extra layer of protection

Wetsuits come in all types of flavors. Generally, you start with the thickness of the suit, in mm. Often, they are a combination. Here in Socal, the water ranges from mid (sometimes) high 60's in summer to mid 50's in winter.

I surf in the winter in a full suit that is 4/3 (4 mil chest, 3 in the arms). Very cozy. I rarely use that suit for sailing in winter; mostly I sail in a full suit that is 3/2.

You can also buy Spring suits, which are short sleeve and legs. They are usually 3/2, sometimes thinner. I wear a Spring in the summer.

Dive suits tend to be too restrictive to sail or surf in.

I always wear wetsuit booties.

What you buy depends upon your local conditions. Remember that a wetsuit works by allowing some water to get in and warm that water. You can also consider dry suits, breeze suits, etc.

Hope this gets you started.

Sheldon

Here in Calif. I use 2 different wetsuits:

3/2 (3mm torso; 2mm limbs) full suit for ocean sailing and a 2mm shorty (short sleeve, to mid-thigh) for summer mountain lake sailing. I use my 3/2 for surfing also, but that gets chilly in a hurry anywhere north of Santa Cruz. A 4/3 suit would definitely be too cumbersome for sailing. If you're going to be in conditions cold enough for that thickness (doubt it in SoCal), it's time to check out drysuits. Dive suits probable will be too thick and may not have flexibility panels where you need them. I'd stick to surf shops and sailing shops when looking.

I also use booties at all times that have a split toe design. These keep the tootsies toastie and provide good grip when out in the trap. There're not as bulky as boots, so I like the feel much better. You might also consider a gor-tex spray top to go over your wetsuit when the air temp. is cold also.

The 4/3 suit is not to cumbersome

Jody, you might want to check out Ebay for your wetsuit needs. As racing crew I tend to tear up my gear and if I don't pay much for it I don't feel so bad. I don't think I've paid more than $30 for a full or short (shorty) suit. A "spray top" to do away with evaporative cooling is in order for sure. Good Luck