Spray Suit Recommendations

Im in the Fl Panhandle and am looking for a reasonably priced spray suit. I'm planning on getting together with some others in the area for some cool weather sailing but not when its really cold..

Anyone have some ideas for a decent suit that doesnt cost too much?

Thanks for the help!

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It's such a fine line between stupid and clever.

86 H16

How cheap? How many uses?

A $5 Tyvek chemical suit and a spray can of water repellent. It's a one time use deal though. Buy one 2X larger than you normally wear so you don't bust the knees out.

Or one of these polyester clean room garments, that's been waterproofed
http://cgi.ebay.com/PRUDENTIAL-POLYESTE ... 3352f3bcb7
would work for casual use. Light weight, reuseable, loose fitting, easy to move around in. A can of Scotchguard and you're there... Just don't pitch pole the boat

Other than that, a rash guard that's been sprayed with water repellent or a wet suit. New 1mm wetsuits start at $45 on ebay and would probably be your best bet though.

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TC

Honestly, do yourself a favor, spend the money and get a decent drysuit, you won't look back and you will never regret the purchase.

Check out the web sites for Gill, Helly-Hansen, Slam. I know Gill has a close out section. I purchased a quality spray top there this year for $45.

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Chris
'88 H18SE Arís

I don't know that you need a drysuit, but Stohlquist has good quality and durable spray gear with a variety of coverage options.

There are several good options. I would suggest a separate spray top and bottom for more versatility. A breathable top is best, less so for the bottom. I use mine in combination with a farmer john wet suit and if warranted, a wetsuit top. Neoprene cap and booties round out the wardrobe. Mix and match as weather and water conditions necessitate.

^^^^What he said^^^^

I bought a drysuit and used it the first time this fall. Warm, dry, comfortable. In a word, awesome.

I find a dry suit too limiting on temperature control. When I'm on the water there are times I want to add/shed clothing without going to the beach. Using a wetsuit/spray suit combination I can do just that. The extra clothing goes into my fat bags.

A good front entry drysuit will allow you to shed layers underneath, no real difference to a jacket apart from being attached to the pant. I used to shed layers with my rear entry which is harder than front entry when out on the water.
The main difference is if you end up in the water, a dry-suit will add easily twice the thermal protection.

I'd like a dry suit, but for some of us, that's more then a "little" extra money. Those things are expensive.

If you're not looking at a drysuit, fastcat has the right idea. Buy a variety of gear that you can mix and match for the conditions. I have different weather then you do in Florida, but I mix and match the following pieces based on weather and water conditions:
-Wet suit shorts
-Wet suit vest
-Full wetsuit, (covers to wrists, and ankles
-Rubberized hat type thing (covers my head like a hood, looks like a divers wetsuit cap
- Neoprene gloves
- Neoprene Socks
- Crocs shoes

That keeps me warm in Canada throughout the sailing season. You're looking for spray gear not warm gear, but the system of multiple pieces works great for me. Shorts and maybe a vest in the summer. Wetsuit when the water is cooler, full hood and socks and gloves when it's colder still.

Try to buy stuff that won't become obsolete with the purchase of other items. All of my gear is useful without cancelling out the need for other stuff. The total price of most of the above is under 400 bucks Canadian for quality gear, that's a lot cheaper then a dry suit, and serves the same purpose to me. The purpose being that I'm able to get out on the water in less then ideal conditions.

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That's exactly what I used to say.

Best boat related purchase I've made yet.

Keep your eyes peeled for deals, I got a pretty nice Palm kayaking drysuit for less than $500 in the middle of the summer.

I tell ya, I have used my dry-suit for so many things. Going away I put it in the car (specially winter) in case of flat in the rain and have had to use it for that very reason, walking the dog when it pissing down, fishing off the beach or pier, 4x4 checking creek crossings, out sailing the AI. The only problem was that I left it in the car with the latex seal exposed to the sun and have perished it, now I need to replace the neck seal.
I have so many different wetsuit/spray jacket configurations that I can use from my diving and 4x4/hiking gear + bought some specially for the kayak and very rarely use it, only wear long-john in the peak of summer or wetsuit when I am diving off the kayak and even then in winter have put the dry-suit on over it to block the wind after a dive.
Even with the best configuration it never came close to the comfort and safety of the dry-suit. Yes the are exy but worth saving for.

I've never used a wetsuit or drysuit but live and sail in Wisconsin and want to extend my sailing season. My son asked if a "dry" wetsuit (not yet immersed in water) would keep you warm in chilly weather--50s (farenheit) and windy.
Also, if you did immerse in the water and then got back up on the boat in the same weather as above, would the "wet" wetsuit keep you warm?

Bought a breathable drysuit last spring. Used it for the first time last Sunday on the boat. Very nice. After sailing I went and did a little swimming to "test" it. I loved it and as Karl said; Best money I spent on boat related equipment in a long time.

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1989 Hobie 18 Worlds Boat, Magnum Wings & Spinnaker
1987 Hobie Holder 20 #273

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