FWIW, and I have no commercial interst, EMS (eastern Mountain Sports) has Kokatat Dry suit with Gortex booties, and relief zippers on sail for $730, which is the cheapest I have seen yet.

agree with the comments on dry suits. if your bent on a wetsuit. victory wetsuits have a more "curvy" cut than most brands

My advice is to always dress to survive immersion until rescue. ("Dress for the water.") When your boat is alone and off shore in water less than 80 degrees, the only way to be comfortable doing that is in a breathable dry suit with breathable underlayers.

Agree with Glen on dressing for the water. This includes going out in a shirt on a small lake (beach close enough to swim) on a balmy day (no danger of capsizing) and very warm water. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I have just bought dry suits for my girl and me (Musto MPX Gore-Tex). They were expensive, but also a great investment.

You rig up the boat on a warm day, the Gore-Tex dry suit feels as if it is not there. If it is really hot, you can take off upper body part and stuff it into the legs. If conditions change, you drag it back on in three minutes. Wear a layer of fleece under it and a fleece cap on your head, and your sailing season extends a couple of months.

Gore-Tex booties sound great. Are they sturdy enough, though?

My Goretex booties have withstood three tybee 500s and many regattas inbetween.

I have had no issues with mine. I have replaced the seal at the neck and made several small repairs for rips in other parts of the suit. I think I have worn it in every race since I got it. I believe the Kokotat has been an EXCELLENT investment and would do it again.

This is supposed to be a thread about a wetsuit (or other cold weather sailing gear) recommendation for a woman, but I don't think I have seen any women on here making recommendations.

I hope you are asking for input from the woman for whom you are making the purchase. Otherwise, proceed at your own peril -- and possible financial loss. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Thank you all for your recommendations. We are going to go with the dry suit option.

hey Matt,

Just to give a feeling that you are making the right decision - Drysuit is definitely the way to go. I sail with my wife and have found that her enjoyment is directly related to her comfort. While a wetsuit works, it is fairly constrictive and not the most comfortable. A drysuit is certainly atleast twice the price, but it will be well worth it when you have a happy crew. I usually buy my wife all the top gear but $600 for a drysuit was hard to stomach so I bought her a 4/3 steamer and she's worn it twice. won't go sailing now if it is needed. I shoulda just bought her a drysuit in the first place. Now, she will only consider going if she can wear my drysuit. Lesson learned - her comfort is more important than mine.

Good luck!!

TB

Any women using a Kokatat dry suit with the drop seat zipper? I'm just wondering if the harness will get in the way?

Jake, I take it that your booties are separate from your Gul Spray bibs. True?


Others, is it better to have removable booties or those that are sewn right into the DrySuit?

The booties are part of my drysuit. With the bibs I wear some shoes and socks (that get wet)

Feet stay (reasonably) warm?

Thick fleece socks - toasty.

I LOVE the sewn-in booties! My feet never get wet! I stay comfortable. I have never tried removable booties.

Have you guys tried righting with all this stuff on? I have a tough time hauling myself back aboard with out it!

Not too worried about feet getting wet...more of -- are they warm <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Which I think I got answered from Jake--

Good enough for me!

Lol <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />!

New PFD? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />