Wet Suits for the PNW

[WA6BTK]

We would like advice on the kind of wetsuits to buy that will allow us to go into the water to clear a fouled prop, or to wear in an emergency situation to protect us from the elements. We want a wetsuit that is easy to put on and take off. We don't intend to use the wetsuits for diving. Any advice on the brand, style, and where to buy them is appreciated.
Thank you,
Sue

 

[RProffer]

Many years ago, when flying in the Navy, we were required to wear "poopy suits" when flying over water in the winter. It was a dry suit that was tailored to the wearer and consisted of an insulated inner liner and a rubberized outer shell that was water tight. It was meant to keep the person warm enough to crawl into a life raft. An alternative would be what we called a "quick donner", which was a water tight,loosely fitted rubber shell with no inner liner. Again it was designed to keep you warm enough to crawl into a life raft. (The poopy suits are not to be confused with the one piece coveralls the Navy now wears.)

If you watched "The Deadliest Catch", they had emergency suits that they had to wear in the event of the ship sinking. I forget what they called it.

On Defender, they have Immersion Suits, and they are not cheap, but when you compare it to you life, it might be very inexpensive. Here is a link http://www.defender.com/category.jsp?path=-1|6267&id=368254

 

[baz]

We would like advice on the kind of wetsuits to buy that will allow us to go into the water to clear a fouled prop, or to wear in an emergency situation to protect us from the elements. We want a wetsuit that is easy to put on and take off. We don't intend to use the wetsuits for diving. Any advice on the brand, style, and where to buy them is appreciated.
Thank you,
Sue

How much are you willing to let go for this...

See http://shop.surfisurus.com/p/i-evade-434-hooded-fullsuit

 

[Crewdog]

When Nicole and I were on our honeymoon in New Zealand, the Dolphin Encounter in Kaikoura used 6 mm wetsuits for all the tourists. The bibs overlapped with the tops so core was nice and warm for the 45 F water. And we used 6mm hoods and booties as well.

We could attempt to cavort with the wild dusky dolphins as long as our energy held out.

Best of all, the boat crew had a hot water hose waiting for when we got out of the ocean.

Just remember a person can get hypothermia at any temperature.

Bill

 

[ozoner]

You are going to want a 6mm or 7mm suit for doing this maintenance in the water. 6mm will give you a bit more flexibility but let you lose body heat faster, and 7mm will give you more in-water time at the expense of loss of flexibility.

For a once-or-twice-a-year maintenance tasks, I would check the local dive shops and see if they have any rental suits that they are rotating out to sell. Survival suits are MUCH more expensive, and are not really suited for maintenance tasks: they are meant to preserve body heat and keep you alive.

 

[Pete]

Agree, your priority - in water maintenance or emergency/survival - has a big impact on choice. And on a small boat I can envisage emergencies that would give you very little time to get into a survival suit. We carry a life raft.
Pete

 

[knotflying]

Keep in mind that a wet suit that will keep you warm will also make you buoyant, making it a bit difficult to stay below to do work. You may want to also try a weight belt to equalize the buoyancy .