Wet suits

The post encouraged me to ask...

I love the water, but handle the sun horribly. I don't mind my lower legs/arms exposed but I HAVE to cover my shoulders, upper arms, back, and chest. I've never bought any type of wet/dry suit before and don't know what to look for.

Do you wear you reg suit under the wet suit?
Is it hard to get on and off?
Do you just pick a close size...the place by my house doesn't appear to have dressing rooms.
What should I look for to stay cool (temp, not personality, I'm way beyond ever hoping to be cool by this point)?

If you are mainly worried about keeping the sun off of you and staying warm is not your primary goal, I would get a rashie. You can get them from Hobie, NRS, Murray's, etc. It will keep the sun off of you without causing you to overheat.

If you really want a wetsuit to keep you warm, your best bet is to try them on. You want it to be snug, but not too tight. go commando under the wetsuit, but I usually wear an old pair of trunks or quick-dry pants over them to keep from wearing the seat out too soon.

One thing to remember, you need to keep the suit wet. If not it will be very uncomfortable. Plan on pulling any body hair you have out.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

It may be unconventional, I don't know, but the few times I've worn the full wetsuit here in NC I also wore the Gill I2Light underwear and long sleeve shirt. Much easier to get in and out of the wetsuit and very comfortable when sailing as it wicks away moisture from your skin. I was pleased.

_________________
James
86' Redline Hobie 16
Sail # 76909

The few times I have worn something under my wetsuit, it ended up bunching and becoming uncomfortable.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

Hey thanks Nick

I think that will work great, I'm going to hit a couple places this weekend and see if I can find a shirt.

After a winter in Canada, guess how lily-white our skin is?

Sooo, after a couple of years of baking ourselves as red as lobsters, then cursing, then peeling, then doing it all over again, we headed off to the Mountain Equipment Coop. Yes, they are on line, and they are wonderful.

We bought what look like long sleeve T Shirts, but in a fancy uv blocker fabric, sort of a swimsuit fabric. Are these what you call rashie's? We are paying around CAD$25 - 30 each. They are cool in both senses of the word.

Our 13 year old son, now in his 6th year of sailing camp at Nepean Sailing Club (check 'em out at www.nsc.ca ) wears one 24x7 every summer. His neck is burnt, as are his cheeks, his nose etc, but the body and shoulders are just fine.

Wet suits are great, but they can cook you! Try a rashie or one of these UV shirts first, in 20 minutes you'll know if its for you.

_________________
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.'

I just got a wet suit that was about my size from the Wakeboard shop and it happened to fit. It is a little loose in the but.

Wet suits are not designed to have things worn under them, you will regret it if you do. I usually wear a wet suit and a pair of board shorts over it when I go wakeboarding.

For what you want a long sleve rash guard will fit the bill. You can get them in different thicknesses at any decent surf shop (if you live somewhere that might have a surf shop, ron johns has an online store). A rash guard is basically under armor only a little thicker than the summer under armor but thinner than the winter under armor. It offers more SPF than under armor as well.