Cold weather sailors - question...

I do have a drysuit but it's incredibly uncomfortable. It's a Bodyglove with zipper across the shoulders. I was thinking about upgrading but had a thought. Has anyone used a combination of a standard wetsuit with a spraysuit ? It would be more comfortable than a drysuit and warmer than a wetsuit. Thoughts ?

I'm heading out at noon with a friend who owns a H18 Magnum. Supposed to be blowing pretty good - i'll post pics later ! I will be wearing the drysuit....

It does work - but the wetsuit when dry damages the splashsuit on the inside - the sealing material. When bending your leg, you can split the sides of the splashsuit.

Better combination is a wetsuit plus a spray jacket - no issues there.

My wife uses a kayak spray shirt over the top of her 2-3mm wetsuit. Helps go another couple weeks, but not the answer.

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H18, H17 & Various motor boats

i quite often go out in the winter with wetsuit (shorty), a layer of lightweight Fleece then the spraysuit... works quite well as long as you stay out of the water...

I bought a breathable drysuit from Bellingham Kiteboarders. Front zipper...very flexible...I like it.

I bought in july Maui Magic 5mm wetsuit - duraflex neoprene. It may be decres vaporize of water and heating discharge. Anyway its able to use while air temp is above 10°C. My friend sail with Gill marine drysuit all season. Winter too. 4°C water and air temp no problem. I will buy this drysuit as soon as posible!

.... KOKATAT ....

Yes, they are expensive but .... when I want to go sailing and dodge "pack ice" .... ( that means the water is 0*C/32*F, and that's no joke cause we do get some every few years on the Chesapeak Bay) .... I wear my Kokatat Drysuit w/ booties .... and relief zipper w/ a layer of mid-wieght polypro thermals/socks and a second pair of wool socks ....and fleece pants and sweatshirt, all inside my drysuit. I wear neoprene booties on the outside of my drysuit ....

The secret is to keep your hands and feet warm ... if they are warm, then you are a "happy" sailor .... if not, you are miserable quickly.

I usually don't wear gloves since they tend to make my hands cold ... just holding moist cold leather next to my skin ... I have to find a glove that works ... sometimes I just tie a hand towel to the boom so I can dry my hands ... they seem to stay warmer that way.

I never wear a wetsuit, after I purchased a "Drysuit" ... I have a perfectly, almost new O'Neal "wetsuit" that I pulled out several years ago after years of wearing Drysuits .... having forgotten what wearing a wesuit was like .... I thought they can't be as bad as I remember .... it didn't take long for my memory to be refreshed .... that O'Neal Wetsuit is back in my gear bag ... for my "pick-up" crew to use ....

This is a perfect example .... on money well spent .... follow the examples of the white water Kayakers, as almost all my Kayaker friends wear .... KOKATAT ....

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HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11

I found cheaper drysuit
http://www.sailgb.com/p/Trident_TR40_Ad ... Front_Zip/
have anybody experience with this one?