Silly Noob Question

I'm thinking I should buy a drysuit. How does a harness, and PFD work? I've never paid attention to people who do wear them. Does everything go underneath, over? I feel dumb asking but honestly don't know.

everything over.

Karl,

Don't feel dumb. You wouldn't believe some of the questions I get asked in the store!!

Wear your drysuit like you would a wetsuit, underneath your harness and PFD. Generally, your PFD on top of all, though some people do prefer to wear their harness over their PFD. Some people like to sail McGregor's too <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I think the new Gul Code Zero Drysuit is the cat's pajamas. Breathable, dynat zipper, glideskin seals, trim fit made possible with the use of stretch panels. Check it out at www.gul.com. I'm pretty sure that the CatHouse has them, not sure who else in your neck of the woods. You could always pick one up at the FX-1 NAs in BC. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> (You'll want one on Harrison Lake)

But drop the trailing period from the URL.

I have always worn my'PDF' under my drysuit - much tidier.

Surprisingly, I have never been questioned by the race committee whether I am wearing one. It is a racing rule here.

p

That's kinda what I thought, but wasn't sure. Everytime you see a picture of someone wearing one in a catalog they're on a dingy of some sort that doesn't have a trapeze.

What is the water tempature you are sailing in? Are you wearing the PFD "in/under" the drysuit because it "Bulks" you up holding more heat? Ex: birds "fluff" up to help stay warm.

I compete in closed course bouys races and "big boat" open course distance races.

My "Lifejacket" has pockets that in I keep: several sm shackles & clevispins w/rings, a Pocketknife/multi-tool, sm flashlight, BIC Lighter & money in a watertight container, and my cellphone in ziplocs baggies. My basic "emergency kit" ... On the jacket I have at the shoulder, a spare/back-up watch, and a PERSONAL SAFETY STROBE.

If this was "in " the drysuit how would I access these items when one is floating around ,,, just a bobbing up and down ... in cold water!!! I ain't opening that watertight zipper .. no I ain't!!!

I'll wear my PFD on the outside ...

Karl: Size the suit large enough to "layer up" and don't forget the BOOTIES!!! If your feet are cold you are miserable!!!

HarryMurphey
H18mag/#9458, Fleet54, Div11
P19mx w/spin /#86, CRAC

I used to wear my life jacket under my trapeze harness, but after hearing about people sometimes being trapped underneath boats because of their life jacket, I decided I always want it on the outside of everything so I can get it off fast if I need to. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

I wear the harness on the outside for the opposite reason. If I get hung up on the hook, I want to be able to get out of the harness quickly.

I wonder if this is why they have the quick disconnect hooks now. I personally put the life jacket on after everything else except the gloves and waterproof ipod.

I've never gotten hung up with the hook, but I seem to hear more stories of that happening vs. getting stuck under the boat because of flotation. I personally like to have the PFD on over everthing else, but early on someone told me about getting hung up, so I wear my harness on the outside.

I hadn't had the hook get hung up. Then I switched to the Key Hole set up for the last two years, they work great.

Then in November while out sailing the Tiger, which isn't the regular boat so it has the hook set up, and we capsize.

What do you know, the hook snags the shroud and it is pushing me under. Well got it came loose. But I am putting Key hole set up on both boats.

I am a fan of the Key Hole set Up. It just takes practice to get used to, like any other aspect of sailing.

One more question. Kokatat looks like the only one that has a zipper for draining the little guy. Is this true? I'm ok with pee-ing in a wet suit, but kinda defeats the purpose if you're in a dry suit. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> The Gul Code zero does look like a winner minus the zipper. Cost is somewhat of an issue to. I'd rather not spend almost a grand on this. That and I don't really care for the colours of the Kokatat.

Two questions I guess. Does anyone know if one can be talored, or order one custom sized? I've got really goofy proportions. I'm 6'2" 160 lbs. Really long legs and arms, like freakishly so. Small everything else, waist hips, chest etc. Thanks God. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to hear that! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

I know Kokatat can do custom sizes. I'm also pretty sure you can add a relief zipper to just about any suit. I think Kokatat has had enough requests to do it that they just added it as a more mainstream (pun intended) option.

The cost of getting into Kokatat suit seemed high until I got it. I now think it's about the best investment I've made in gear, and have found that the breathable suits are great even in warmer weather as a comfortable way of keeping the sun off me.

Any suit with a diagonal front Zip is ok for a wee!

Don't worry about the fit because when you squeeze the air out, they all fit fine [As long as they are not too small]

Ask Kirk and Glen <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Might be too late, but I might recommend OS Systems Spirit drysuit(www.ossystems.com, their website is very 1997 but still works, plus you can call - they are very nice).

Prices are less that Kokatats, fully breathable, cloth socks (best thing ever, compared to those damn rubber ones), covers over all the seals including a zip-up around the neck, Cordura bits so you don't wear through...I think they are now doing neoprene padding on the knees and shins between the base fabric and the cordura (thanks to a friend and coworker of mine who white-water rafts with the owner of the company and had them special-make a padded set which caught on).

Best thing is they make tall and short sizes! No more swimming around inside one that is tall enough but built for someone twice your weight. As was stated before, the cloth will suck down tight when you are in it, but too much bunched cloth is uncomfortable and bulky under your PFD and harness, and every layer of folded cloth cuts down on the breathability.

I checked out the OS Systems Website. They aren't cheap either. I figured about $1100, but that was having one custom fit. Which so far I couldn't find any info on other companies doing this. Even the talls aren't skinny enough, or the foot size is too small. Another thing I got size 12 feet. 8 week turn around on custom built suits, ouch! I should've done something about this a month ago.

Well, most (all?) dry suits are made such that the wrist, neck and ankle seals are replaceable. Booties are essentially closed ankle seals.

What this means is that you can buy a suit with ankle seals, or stock booties built in, buy replacement booties in the size that you need, and replace them yourself (or have a local shop do it which would cost more).

Mike