Wet suit recommendations?

I have decided that I am NOT going to take it easy this winter, like I did last, and plan on pushing my Hobie as far as weather conditions permit on any given day.

That said, I don't want to die of hyperthermia if I wind up in the drink.

Do any of y'all have a wetsuit recommendation? I am shooting for cost effectiveness and comfort.

You're in Irvine, CA & I'm in San Diego - similar climate.
Most people go with a Farmer John wet suit & a breeze breaker. You can get the Farmer John second hand fairly inexpensively.
For the past 8-10 years I've been sailing in the winter months with a heavy sweat shirt with a hood & a nylon wind breaker. In other words I bundle up above the waist & leave my legs exposed whenever I sail in the Bay or a lake. It works well for me. I never did like squeezing into a wet suit or partially removing it whenever I had to use the rest room. Be certain to wear your life vest in cold weather with or without a wet suit. If you capsize, come in immediately & remove your wet clothes & towel dry. Then put on some spare dry clothes. If you sail in the ocean, I think you'd be better off wearing a Farmer John & a breeze breaker.
Rich

There are a ton of different types of wetsuits to choose from. It all depends on the temperatures (air and water) that you'll be sailing in.
A "Jacket 'n John" has traditionally been quite popular for Hobie sailors, most likely because they are really versatile. You can wear just the farmer john, just the jacket, or both. They're also probably the coldest suits because they have a lot of places that leak. They're usually good in spring and fall, but for winter sailing you'll probably be wishing you had more.

For cold to really cold weather sailing, a full suit or steamer will be considerably warmer. They are one-piece suits that fully cover the legs, arms and body (and might even include a hood). These are the suits that you see many surfers wearing in cold weather. They range in thickness from 3 to 5mm (5 being the warmest). The type of stitching effects how well the suit is sealed and how much it costs. Overlock stitching is low cost, but can leak. Glued and blind stitched or welded seams are virtually water tight. Smooth skin versus fabric coated neoprene is a trade off between less evaporative cooling versus higher durability.

I'd recommend going to one of the major manufacturer's web sites (O'neil, Bodyglove) to check out the different options. If you've got a shop nearby, definitely go in and check out the suits. And definitely try on the suit for fit before buying. The fit is extremely critical. If the suit doesn't fit properly it will either be tight and restrictive or loose and leaky.

One last note, don't forget about booties and a head covering. Getting warm booties makes a huge difference. I'm pretty sure mine are 7mm and they keep my feet toasty even with water in the 40's.

sm

Neoprene wetsuits were originally designed for underwater use where a layer of warm, body heated water separated the diver from the cold. That type of wetsuit provides little protection on top of the water where you get splashed and the wind then blows right through them. Look for the closed cell neoprene "smoothie". Also, there is a difference between comfort and survival in cold weather in case of some catastrophe at sea (demasting etc). If you are sailing in cold weather AND cold water you might consider a Mustang jacket or dry suit.

All new water wear from Hobie
(Inventory will be available to ship in early October)

Click for Size Chart




Click for larger image
HOBIE SPRAY TOP 99.95
3850SM / 3850MD / 3850LG / 3850XL

The Hobie Spray Top can be worn with swim trunks or over a wetsuit. Mix and match layers to get the comfort you desire. Spray and wind protection. Breathable 5000cm3 nylon shell.

Construction Features:
Neck and wrist seals
Neoprene waist seal
Breathable 5000cm3 nylon shell
Offset chest pocket
Arm patch pocket




Click for larger image

HOBIE RASHGUARD - SHORT SLEEVE 27.95
3851MD / 3851LG / 3851XL


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HOBIE RASHGUARD - LONG SLEEVE 34.95
3852MD / 3852LG / 3852XL

Hobie Rashguard for comfort inside your wetsuit and great sun protection when you don't need a wetsuit. This short sleeve design and a high turtle neck style is ideal for any watersport where you need to be more comfortable in your wetsuit, the Lycra material with its 4 way stretch and tight fitting design will let your wetsuit slide on easy when you are getting ready and gives you more freedom when on the water. Raglan sleeve design allows the wetsuit to move so you do not get rubbed and sore - hence the name RASHGUARD - does what it says! The high neck Turtle neck design protects your neck from being rubbed by the suit when in salt water and a sand environment.

UV protection - this top is rated at 50+UPF which gives you the MAXIMUM PROTECTION from harmful UV rays - stopping over 98% of the rays getting to your skin! Ideal for use with board shorts on very hot days in exotic locations - so if you are off to the Caribbean in the winter make sure to pack your Hobie Rash Guard.

Construction - Made from 8oz Spandex Lycra with 4 way stretch and feature overlocked seams which are strong and robust.




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RED / BLACK
HOBIE - SHORTY 2/2 RED/BL 129.00
3853SM / 3853MD / 3853LG / 3853XL

SOLID BLACK
HOBIE - SHORTY 2/2 BLACK 129.00
3855SM / 3855MD / 3855LG / 3855XL

Hobie Shorty Wetsuit 2mm/2mm Great comfort for spring-like conditions. Add the Hobie Spray Top to further extend the cool weather comfort range. Add a rash guard for chafe protection. Vertical back zip entry.

Features:
Anti-choke neck
Armortex seat
Lumbar Flex Zone

Construction:
100% Dura Flex with mesh chest and back panels
Glued, Blindstitched seams




Click for larger image
RED / BLACK
HOBIE FULL WETSUIT - 3/2 RED/BLK 179.00
3854SM / 3854MD / 3854LG / 3854XL

SOLID BLACK
HOBIE FULL WETSUIT - 3/2 LG BLACK 179.00
3856SM / 3856MD / 3856LG / 3856XL

Hobie Full Wetsuit 3mm/2mm For colder days. Add the Hobie Spray Top to further extend the cold weather comfort range. Add a rash guard for chafe protection. Vertical back zip entry.

Features:
Anti-choke neck
Armortex knees
Lumbar Flex Zone

Construction:
100% Dura Flex with mesh chest and back panels
Glued, Blindstitched seams

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

As you stated, wetsuits are made of neoprene. Neoprene is a type of rubber and thus is water and air tight. So the wind does not "blow right through them". Traditionally, the neoprene used to make wetsuits has been coated inside and outside with a thin layer of cloth. When the outside layer of cloth gets wet it retains water. When the wet layer is then exposed to air, the water evaporates and the process of evaporation causes the surface to cool which can make it feel like the wind is "blowing through" the suit.

Many suits now have "smooth skin" neoprene (with no outer cloth layer, so they dry very quickly) in the main body panels to reduce this cooling effect, and some suits are now made entirely of smooth skin neoprene. The disadvantage to the smooth skin neoprene is that it is less durable and much more prone to wear and cuts which generally makes it less suitable for use on a cat.

sm

As shown in the new Hobie suits above...

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The Hobie suits may be a better deal depending upon how many times you plan to sail. However, if you're cheap and the weather isn't horrible you could go for the $5 throw away option. Hose it it down with some Scotchguard or other treatment and you should be good to go....just don't pitch pole...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Kappler-Coverall-Ty ... .m20.l1116

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TC

I really like the Zhik products they are made for sailors. Zhik listens to what the sailors want and what works best for them. Check them out and see what you think Zhik.com

Everyone knows there are a LOT of older Hobie sailors now. Too bad Hobie does not want the 2XL and 3XL business. There are no products out there for we heavies, I think there is a market.

_________________

Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

hobie should make a wetsuit in a 2x and 3 x size i work in a water sports shop and there is a big need for the larger size also the rash guards need to be in the larger sizes since they already run 2 sizes smaller

I love this board!

Thanks for all the great info!

along with larger sizes for both the wetsuit and rash guards, a farmer john style with large arm holes would be great for all that sheeting, long sleeves are binding

Sounds like a focus group developing, Mat, are you listening? Having worked as a product manager in a prior life I know product development teams seldom listen to ideas from outside due to all kinds of legal entanglements, be we just want more sizes of the same products. No harm no foul.

_________________

Frank, sailing '02 Getaway in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney
(Hobie 17 RIP, storm of '05)

Certainly understood. Yes, we listen.

I was also a little concerned when these sizes were chosen. We may have to re-order soon and I will be looking at the larger sizes.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)