Womens Wetsuit Recommendation

I want to buy a Wetsuit for my crew. I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations on what to get her. I have a spray suit and a shorty wetsuit that she uses now, but I want to get her something for the colder weather. Something full length. She gets cold, so I want to get her something warm, but something she can move around in. I see the GUL LADY 5/4/3MM B/S TI-2 STEAMER. Seems pretty warm, but will she be able to move?

She will wear the spray suit when she is wearing the wetsuit

I was going to get us both dry suits for next season, but I would not have even used one once this season. The water got warm so quickly. Do you guys think I would be better off just getting her a dry suit?

As always, thank you for your help.

Matt

I think we are going to need pictures of said crew to give any meaningful recommendations... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Seriously, if you're going to buy her a dry suit for next season, why not just buy it now. That, or buy her a cheap wetsuit...chances are she won't want to use the full length wet suit next season after she gets the dry suit.

I bought my girl a like new Body Glove full length wet suit off ebay for $15. It's perfect for her in cooler weather. FWIW, I bought her another one before I found the one she has now, but it was too small (short) for her. It's also a Body Glove and is basically new, minus the tags. It's a size 7/8, if you think it might fit your crew you're welcome to have it for $20 plus shipping. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I am only going to buy one or the other. I thought the wetsuit would be workable, but if the dry suit is the way to go that is what we will buy.

That makes much more sense.

There's a big price difference between the two as I'm sure you know. From what I understand, if you decide to go drysuit, don't skimp buy getting a cheap one. I hear it's basically all or nothing when it comes to dry suits. If you have the $ to spend and you think it's justifiable, a good dry suit is the way to go.

On the other hand, Id think she'd be fine with a spray suit over a full length wetsuit. This is a tough combo to beat for the $.


Just my 2 cents.

If this helps:

This will be for water temps between 53-65 degrees F and air temps less than 70 degrees F. I think the spray suit/shorty covers the higher temps.

Thanks for the posts wet. Like I said, I use the wetsuit/spray suit combo. We were planning on changing for next year, but really we would not have used them twice this whole year even if we had them. So, it may be unnecessary. I really just want her to be comfortable.

Whichever you choose, check out www.nrsweb.com . They are a first class operation, and while they are a paddler's supply, many of their products are excellent for sailing. They offer both men's and women's wetsuits with relief zippers, and men's dry suits with them. I've yet to pee in my wet suit, so I really apreciate that! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> The folks that take your order at NRS, also use the products they sell, and are very helpful. Let us know what you get, and ahve her give a review!

For flexibility, I went with the layered approach:

- Fleece long underwear
- Fleece warm-up pants & jacket
- Spray jacket and pants with snug fitting cuffs

With the harness on and ankle/wrist cuffs snug, it kept me warm and dry even after I went over the side for several minutes (the legs got wet up to the knees, but the harness kept water out of my torso)

Granted, this was on a buoy course in 70 degree water, but the air temps were lower 50s and blowing like stink. If I had a wetsuit on, it would have really been cold.

The layers help with abrasion resistance, and had greater flexibility than a snug-fitting wetsuit. Also good for perspiration when the sun came out. Fleece is nice because it doesn't absorb water and stays warm when wet.

Breathable drysuit is awesome. I wore it for both statue Races I've done. I wised I had it on for the first leg of this years c100.

I started by buying a wetsuit (25 years ago), then transitioned to spraysuit with fleece underneath (about 20 years ago). The Spraysuit was vastly superior to wetsuit for comfort in all conditions, especially after getting out of the water from going over. Then I bit the bullet for a goretex drysuit (about 6 or 7 years ago)and I wear it in all conditions now. When the temp is in the high 80's, I just wear thin "wicking" long johns underneath. When temperatures get below 70, then I am wearing fleece inside the drysuit. The goretex drysuit (Kokotat) will allow me to get chilled easily if I don't layer properly, but it keeps me dry. Also, when ordering the drysuit, get the goretex booties option. Your feet never get wet!

Get the drysuit and don't look back. I tried all three options and regret I didn't get the Kokotat sooner.

I second (or third or fourth) the fleece under spray suit recommendation. MUCH more mobility than a wetsuit and as warm or warmer. I sold all my wetsuits.

Does that provide any protection if you go swimming in 50 degree water? That is the only reason I wear a wetsuit. I almost never get hot or cold. I have tons of fleece so maybe I could wear that!

Ohh, wait this thread is not about me…

When you are in the water, the fleece does not add any warmth. As soon as you get out of the water, the water seems to drain from the fleece and you feel warm very quickly.

While I'm sure fleece under a spray suit is comfortable and warm out of the water (hell, I wear fleece most of the winter regardless), it does little to nothing while you're in the water. Unless there's very little chance of something happening on the water, I think it's foolish to not wear either a wet or a dry suit in cool water / weather conditions. You never know when you could end up in the water for longer than you'd like. Even a thin 3/2mm wet suit can make the difference between life and death in cooler conditions. Now if you're out in light wind with 10 other boats around, I agree the fleece and the spray suit would be fine...

Definitely have a point there. I guess if you get separated from your boat in very cold water (under 60), you have a good chance of cold injury if you are wet (and even if you aren't), so a drysuit in those conditions would be preferable.

Don't know if the water's ever been that cold in FLA, so until I can afford a drysuit (which will be worn perhaps three times per year), I've been able to get by with the fleece/spraysuit combo.

When it does get cold, it is usually much lower air temperature than water temperature, as the cold temperatures don't last long enough to cool the water down too much

Very cold water temp is under 60? wow..That's downright balmy..

If memory serves, we have had 5 deaths from hypothermia in SouthWest Florida waters. In one case, two sailors from Marco Island, sailed up to Sanibel on one of those gorgeous February days. And didn't make it back! On the return trip, they got caught by a cold front, were swamped at night, and found dead by the Coast Guard the next day. The boat was fully servicable and intact. They were in the water, tethered to the boat.

Within the last year, a power boat sank and a woman drowned because she could no longer hold on to the large ice chest she and her husband were using as raft.

If the sea water is less than your core body temperature, you are at risk for hypothermia. Conceivably, you could die of hypothermina in a warm bathtub.

What do you recommend,i.e. specific brands?

60* water sounds fairly warm, but it doesn't take long to wear you down. An average size adult can be unconscious within 2 hours in 60*F water and dead within 3 to 6 hours. Even having a thin full length 3/2mm wet suit on can drastically extend these times... fleece and a spray suit wont help once you're in the water.

I have a gul breathable pull-over top with gasketed wrist, neck, and waist bands. I then have a gul bib/trousers with shoulder straps that I wear under that. As far as the fleece goes, I usually buy a piece or two from sierratradingpost.com - really good prices but sometimes you don't really know what you are getting.

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="" />

Unfortunately, yes, numerous times! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />