Recommendation for Waterproof Clothing

My next purchase will be some waterproof clothing. I have a long john ( I'm not boasting, it's a wetsuit ) which is great for short outings, but when I plan to be on the water all day I would prefer something a bit dryer. I can't really justify the cost of a dry suit so I'm thinking separate pants and jacket. Gor-tex seems to be the way to go but does anyone have any advice on the most suitable gear for our line of buisness ? Have you given your new gear a go yet Stringy ?

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

What! Don't tell me you returned your jacket!
I guess you should have ordered yellow so it wouldn't clash with your AI!



Last winter I used my Goretex Paclite jacket and pants a couple of times in rain and they worked well. I stayed dry even when I was sitting in water. My feet still got wet though. I have wetsuit booties but find them uncomfortable unless it's really cold. I have just ordered Sealskinz waterproof socks. I'm hoping this combination should keep me dry, even at speed in the AI.
Our JB trip should be a good test.
The advantage of the Goretex jacket/pants is that you can use them for other activies such as bushwalking and MTB'ing as well.
A drysuit isn't that versatile IMO and not really necessary with our mild climate here. Plus you look like you've just stepped out of Startek. Still if your brave enough to wear that jacket you probably don't mind looking like a Treky!

You have got far too much time on your hands.

How thick is your jacket and pants. I see them online as 2 layer and 3 layer but just wondering if they can be too thick or too thin for what we do. My son has some ski pants which I thought would be good but after giving them a go they were far too bulky and I couldn't wait to get them off.

( I've gotta get up to speed with Photoshop. Payback will be sweet. )

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Actually it only took my daughter a couple of minutes once I gave her the pics!

Here are the details on Paclite. It is very comfortable but probably not as durable as 2/3 layer. Seems tough enough so far though!

http://www.gore-tex.com.au/www/348/1001 ... 01280.html

A kokatat Supernova "Paddle Suit" is called a semi-dry suit, light and breathing and not overkill in the middle of Winter even on the Mid-North Coast, much cheaper than a cold clime Dry Suit but still waterproof even in immersion.
I use one 'cos I feel the cold in my dotage and with it I can stay on the water all day, good pants and jacket should work just as well except if you fall in.

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Fair Skies, Max.

Thanks for the feedback fellas. That Paclite really looks like it would suit what we do.

So why do they call it a semi-dry suit skymax. Is it that the connections arn't as waterproof at the extremities ie: neck, wrists and ankles as they are on the dry-suits. If so I could live with that. Or is it the material is different ?

This looks OK.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... K:MEWAX:IT

With matching pants from the same supplier I would save on postage which would make for some fairly reasonably priced gear.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Hi Slaughter - You might want to read this thread
viewtopic.php?f=69&t=12162&start=15
Maybe it's because I am further south than you guys, but I am convinced the only satisfactory solution for cold, wet, windy activities - like AI-ing in winter - is a drysuit.
Other alternatives will block the wind (chill factor) but once you get wet your body temp drops.
It feels much more comfortable than a wetsuit - although I still need to adjust the neck gasket on mine as it's too tight at present. The significant thing about them is that they don't keep you warm - just dry. Having said that, I wouldn't wear it in anything other than winter down here.
I have a STOHLQUIST bPOD I bought online from Murray's Marine when it was on sale. Looked like a good price, $440 at 1/3 off. For more info or to buy your own:

http://www.murrays.com/mm5/merchant.mvc ... gory_Code=

Very fast and good to deal with. Postage is pricey however

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Mickey
2016 AI Hibiscus
purchased NEW Nov 2021 - My 5th
Adventure Island Sailing since 2008

Thanks Mickey. Great info. It's a decision that I don't want to get wrong.
And what ever I get, I think I'm going to need it in a few weeks time.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Slaughter,
I'd be checking how the different types of Goretex feel comfort wise. Check them out at your local outdoor shop.
I've tried 3 layer and find it uncomfortable compared to Paclite.

Yeah, I think you're right. I was think'n that 3 layer may be too restrictive. I'm holding off until I can get to Katmandu or similar to try on the different types. It's no great drama. I have some wet weather stuff to get me by for the JB trip.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Yeah I tried the rain gear and it works fairly well for cold weather. The problems I experienced using this setup, staying dry under the rain gear while launching and landing, taking a piss, and flexibility. The bib pants work well but dont provide protection from waves surging up into the pants and over the boots or landing in shore break. I almost bought a skiff suit but ended up saving for a dry suit. I recently got the Kokatat Angler suit and it was totally worth the money.

Semi-dry means it has a neoprene collar that may allow a few spoonfulls of water to trickle in if you are completely submerged, (head under water), in a PFD your neckline would not be submerged.
Neoprene collars are much more comfortable to wear for extended periods than tight Latex ones, the Cuffs are still latex so water-tight.

My Kokatat Paddle Suit DOES keep me warm 'cos i also bought the Kokatat Fleecey Longjohns to wear under it in Winter, in Summer just a T-shirt and Speedoe's and sox are fine.

For non-dry wear its hard to beat the Aussie, "Sharkskin", water-wear which will protect you from cold and wind and is extremely comfortable.
http://www.sharkskin.com.au/

I now am happy to Sail in pouring rain and compared to the amount we spend on our boats and other accessories it's not that much of a cost.

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Fair Skies, Max.