Quick question about wetsuits

cfitz

I am a beginner dinghy sailor.

I can get a 5/4mm wetsuit for 75 pounds, or a 3mm wetsuit for 50 pounds. I have to purchase some other sailing gear as well and cost is a big issue for me at the moment. Which wetsuit do you think I should go for? And how significant is the difference between the two thicknesses?

Thank you!

crashplan

If you are mainly going to be sailing during the summer months then the 3mm wetsuit would be fine.

Pigeon Reaper

3mm will be fine for Summer but try to get one with sealed seams to stop water flushing through it. 5/4mm will be warmer but 4mm might be a little thick on the arms. If you're planning on sailing through to sept/oct go for the heavier one.

BenEadir

Hi all,

I want to get 2 wetsuits for my kids (girl 5 & boy 9) who will be taking some sailing lessons and generally spending a lot of time on the south west coast this summer. With the unpredictable weather I want to make sure they have enough protection to be able to mess around on the beach and do some canoeing/sailing throughout the summer and not just on the odd day the sun is splitting the rocks.

I'm looking for advice on what I should get for them. I've been told to get winter dinghy sailing wetsuits but I'm not exactly sure whether thats 3/4 or 5mm and I also don't know what brand I should be looking at, where to buy etc. I buy a lot of stuff online but I guess I really need to have the kids try them on before buying??

Like everyone I'm looking for the best value for money possible but I don't want to save €20 and end up with either the wrong product, the wrong size or a piece of crap which doesn't do the job.

All feedback and suggestions much appreciated.

Ben

the keen edge

A 3/4mm wetsuit is fine for dingy sailing/kayaking all year round IMO.

The thing to remember is that the suit will be used for an activity that is, mostly!, performed out of the water. And as the participant improves their skill and progress's upward in either sport, even less time will be spent immersed in water, due to a lessen risk of capsizing etc.
Also the 5/6mm wetsuit is considerably more bulky.
With these factors in mind, the 5/6mm suit will quickly become more of a hindrance that a comfort.

The addition of a cag and/or salopettes will keep wind chill to a minimum in winter months.

The most important thing though, is to buy a QUALITY wetsuit. The wet suit sold in some of the discount supermarket are ill fitting and will let gallons of cold water through the cuff's and around the neap of the neck. There is an Irish brand, Portwest, which I have found to be the same.

The best advice I could give anyone is to spend the extra couple of quid, or hold of buying anything until you can get the money together, and purchase a decent wetsuit by Billabong, Hurley, O'Neill, Rip Curl, Quicksilver,Roxy Etc.

BenEadir

Thanks TKE, that's excellent advice.