Wetsuit or Drysuit for Corpus Christi Area?

The water temperature around here can get down into the low 60's. Last winter it even got into the 50's. Air temperature typically doesn't stay in the 30's for very long, so I can pretty much plan on air temperatures in the 40's and even 50's during the winter time.

I don't really have much in the way of cold weather gear, or warm weather for that matter, so I want to spend my money as wisely as possible, hoping that I can get gear that can be used on the coldest days, and then be mixed and matched for days that aren't as cold.

I was considering the following strategy:

I am looking at a Gul Long John Paddle & Sail Front Zip 3 mm wetsuit, either a Ronstan 0.5 mm Neoprene Long Sleeve Top or a Stohlquist 1.0 mm Neoprene Top (but not necessarly both because these are expensive), and a Gul Ballistic Breathable Wind Top. Would this combination be enough for the conditions described above? When it isn't as cold maybe I could go with a rashguard instead of the neoprene top. Could I get away with the farmer john and neoprene top, or would I need a full wetsuit, or even a drysuit? Could I wear this particular farmer john with a light rashguard in warmer weather, or would this famer john only be useful when it is cold?

What kind of footwear do I need for these conditions? Could I get away with a cheap zip up neoprene boot that lets water in?

What about gloves? Are half finger gloves enough or do I need full finger neoprene gloves for this area?

Would something like the Gul Surf Cap be overkill for this area?

We use 'the rule of 120'.
Add water and air temps in F, is less than 120, use a wetsuit.
And err on the side of caution, bearing in mind the wind-chill effect, spray, how wet you will get etc.

I don't know all the brand names. In those conditions, we wear a Farmer John wetsuit, long sleeve rashie, kayak style spray top, 1/2 or 3/4 gloves, and regular water shoes. As it gets colder, I add a wool T Shirt next to my skin, and scuba booties. And sometimes, we are still cold. 5mm full wetsuit plus a spray top would probably do the trick.

Try a search on this Forum, lots of folks have commented on this over the years.

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

John,

I get the impression that most of the discussions for cold weather gear are for areas that are quite a bit colder than Corpus Christi. I don't want to dress for the Great Lakes or Maine. When you say "as it gets colder", but around here it doesn't get any colder. But, it gets cold enough to take your breath away if you go in the water, and cold enough for hypothermia.

But I think you are saying is that what I described above would be enough for my area. Thank you for that. I am trying as much as possible to avoid learning by trail and error when each trial is expensive.

Agreed, sailing in Canada (where I live) and sailing in the Sun Belt (where you live) can be very different.
However, the very real danger of hypothermia exists in both areas.

So in addition to protective clothing, think about a Cell phone in a Pelican box or a waterproof vhf radio or 'a something' that you can use to summon help, depending on where you are sailing.

Where we sail, most folks pack things away around Labour Day, so any Sept or Oct sailing means the river is largely deserted, not like in summer. When a cold front comes through in summer, I am not that concerned 'cos there will be folks nearby. In the Fall, the situation changes... so my suggestion is that you 'tailor' your sailing according to your conditions.

Based on my experience of sailing in December in Delray Beach in Florida, a wet suit and a spray top should be good.
Most of our stuff we bought used or on Kajiji or inherited from buddies..... we don't look great, but we are warm!

_________________
2015 H16, with spin,
SOLD 1989 Hobie SX18 Sail # 1947 "In Theory..."
'Only two things are infinite, the universe, and human stupidity. But I'm not sure about the former.'

Today we have 48 F air and 57 water. This is central BC, Canada. This is not even as low as you described, but it will go much colder as expected. Most of folks here are turning into other than boating activities, by now. Skiing season will start within a few weeks.

Your approach will work well to up to combined 90-110 F as per John 120 rule. Just make sure you have good booties (3-5 mm) and neoprene gloves (2-3 mm), and a some sort of a headwear. Your body "ends", hands, feet, and head, will get cold first, so it is important not to neglect them.


I am using farmer john 3 mm, 1 mm neoprene shirt, spray jacket, 3 mm booties, 2 mm socks, 2 and 3 mm gloves, and a light paddling hood. I like multiple pieces option to adopt to actual conditions. A full wet/drysuit is much less versatile and generally more suitable to colder conditions, you described.

Also make sure you neoprene fits well. It should be pretty snug, but not painfully so. Neoprene only works if it is close to to the skin. Also your neoprene will kind of swell when wet, but you want to be comfortable when dry as well.


Here is a good guide to wet-suits:

http://360guide.info/wetsuits/water-temperature-chart.html#axzz3IbywUs5c

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H17

If you buy a wet suit, be sure it has a front zipper that will allow you to relief yourself if necessary. Some of the more stylist wet suit do not address this at all....maybe they expect you to "wet" yourself.... ........ not me.

Comfort is must more important to me than some logo across my chest.

My Gill booties are 20 years old and work great.

I like the NRS wet suits as they are sized to fit many body shapes not just the "trim" sailors........

And Hobie makes a really nice spray top. I have a couple of their red tops but now they offer a great looking orange top that I plan on buying some for my crew. Functional and high quality is what Hobie sells......

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Bill 404 21SE

The wetsuit I am looking at zips from the top or bottom, on the front. That allows the opportunity to do what I need to do without pulling the wetsuit all the way down. A major plus in my book.

The Zhik farmer john suit that I have has a flap in the crotch for the purpose described.