Freestyle Dry suit vs wet suit

[BruceSki]

i was gonna say....... my 4/3 says its rated to 50 degree water. I think its a body glove suit. Cost me 130 or 150 on ebay.

if i fall in or do an inverted stab and shoot water down the suit im freezing in 50 degree water. thats with gloves, booties, wrestling shoes, gloves and helmet on.

I can last about an hour or so before my hands quit working like they should riding in 50 degree water.

I have a hard time going out and putting around in circles staying dry. I'll leave the ski in the garage for that.

 

[Matt_E]

Being able to ride in the conditions is one thing, being stranded in the water is another. You have to be able to stay warm if you're entirely submerged and a 4/3 will not handle 40F water, no way.

From personal experience, know that short immersions are no problem (for 10-20 minutes at a time) if you're using a quality suit meant to handle those temperatures. I have no doubt that I would be fine for quite a bit longer than that, but I make a habit of not just floating around in water that cold.
Also, I never stray further from shore than I can swim in 5 minutes, in those temps. You shouldn't be getting yourself into situations that have the potential to be stranded in 40 degree water for longer than that.

 

[BruceSki]

thats why I don't...lol I just threw in the towel last week.

Broke two motor mounts and both my flame arrestors. Don't feel like spending money so I told myself its getting cold. hah

 

[RedTurboMr2]

Being able to ride in the conditions is one thing, being stranded in the water is another. You have to be able to stay warm if you're entirely submerged and a 4/3 will not handle 40F water, no way.

Umm, i guess you're right if you get stranded, but i'm not sure why you'd go so far out in the lake when it's this cold. I ride in a lil bay area, where, even if i have issues, i can swim back. As for a 4:3mm suit not keeping you warm, I guess i can handle the cold more than others, but like i said earlier, my body was not cold at all. All you have to do, is let a lil bit of water in and your body will warm the water. I'm not a big guy either. I weigh 145lbs.

 

[Matt_E]

Yah, I hear that. My starter relay broke last ride out and I need to replace my pole bushings.
I think I might be done for the year. Nobody really to ride with at the moment and the novelty of winter riding is really just a stunt I used to do when I was younger.
It's fun, but not that much fun.

 

[Matt_E]

Umm, i guess you're right if you get stranded, but i'm not sure why you'd go so far out in the lake when it's this cold. I ride in a lil bay area, where, even if i have issues, i can swim back. As for a 4:3mm suit not keeping you warm, I guess i can handle the cold more than others, but like i said earlier, my body was not cold at all. All you have to do, is let a lil bit of water in and your body will warm the water. I'm not a big guy either. I weigh 145lbs.

There's a HUGE difference between a $75 Big Five 4/3 suit and a $300 4/3 surf suit. I'm not pointing my finger at you, but I just wanted to make the general comment that one can't just categorically say that no 4/3 suit is good for water temperatures below XX degrees.

 

[RedTurboMr2]

There's a HUGE difference between a $75 Big Five 4/3 suit and a $300 4/3 surf suit. I'm not pointing my finger at you, but I just wanted to make the general comment that one can't just categorically say that no 4/3 suit is good for water temperatures below XX degrees.

i understand that certains brands are better quality, and that is why i put the name of my wetsuit "jetpilot chamber" $300+ suit

 

[sportfish258]

Kevin, I found the perfect lube to help you in and out of your drysuit AND there's a bonus feature - it makes you warm.
http://www.astroglide.com/product-astroglide-warming.html

It's just for warming up cold p:censored:ssys - when the temps drop below 45 degrees, lol.

TUFF GUY ALERT !


I knew it .... i knew it .... i knew it . The temptation was just to great . Great information ..... then here comes the " Great north woods wise guy " I layed it out there ... made it to easy . Please refer to the first post .

"Let me also state that I don't want to hear from tough guys . I'm fully aware there are some that can take the cold and ride frozen lakes wearing only leopard print speedo's ...... you guys please refrain from posting .... ". By the way , anyone with " snow " in their screen name is automatically excluded from a " keeping warm "conversation .


To all : Thanks for the pros and cons , And thanks mostly to Snowxr for sending me a pic of his cold weather gear .

 

[wydopen]

Says the man with 23,735 posts ..... What about the heaver 5/4 as far as flexibility ....... did I mention I hate being cold , in fact I just won't stand for it . I think we are going to break 23,736 tonight .

for 45deg water you want to wear a 5/4 or 6/5/4 with a built in hood and 7mm booties...if they are flexible enough to surf in its flexible enough for a jetski...

 

[wydopen]

There's a HUGE difference between a $75 Big Five 4/3 suit and a $300 4/3 surf suit. I'm not pointing my finger at you, but I just wanted to make the general comment that one can't just categorically say that no 4/3 suit is good for water temperatures below XX degrees.

if its below 55deg my 4/3 is not enough for surfing or kiting..jetskiing its doable but if its 52 or so most people will be very cold...brand new ebomb...most guys bust out the 5/4 for anything below 53-55..i have a WEST 4/4 suit with a hood that i wear if its really cold but its not very flexible..i have a xcel 5/4/3 thats a few years old that is super warm..too warm for around here

 

[Weber guy]

i am interested, but the listing you have on watcon.com for the drysuit absolutely... BLOWS.

i would NEVER buy something based off that listing alone.

you want to push product, have a look at our website: http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/StoreFront.bok

video reviews and many details pictures for ALL apparel related items.


how do they run for sizing? bigger / smaller than marked?

any more pictures?

booties included but are they sealed / attached to the suit?

Roo,
Nice push for your own site! I looked, but couldn’t even find drysuits on there.

Watcon is a small company, and is based on having a reputation of supplying quality products to dedicated enthusiasts. The Jet Ski industry is a small close knit community. It relies heavily on referrals and recommendations from other riders. Watcon has always been a small company, and it’s easy to e-mail or call with any questions. I chose to pass the company on to Zig, as he also has excellent customer service. Okay, sorry for the rant!

The drysuits are a "custom" configuration that I had developed over the years. The front zip suit makes accessibility easy, and the material is thick enough to resist snagging or tears. The cuffs, booties & neck seal are extremely durable, and will last for 5+ years if you maintain them correctly. The booties are designed to be stuffed into wrestling shoes, Nikes, etc. I chose to sell "Black only" as it doesn’t show the grease, dirt, etc that seems to accumulate when you store it in the truck or trailer on the way home. The suits are manufactured in the USA, and are made to spec when you order them. Repair is reasonable, and takes approx 14 days. Maintenance is the key to long life, and John offers the correct "seal saver" to keep the suit in good condition. He also offers free advice for fitment, and he will always contact me if he has a difficult question.

Best regards,
Randy (formerly Watcon)

 

[227]

Kevin, I have never used a dry suit but it is my understanding that they do not cover your hands. I have found that when my extremities are warm, especially my hands, my whole body tends to feel warm and I can ride comfortably in colder conditions than normal. This being so, whatever Dry suit you choose, be sure and run a hot hands setup on your ski.

 

[SXIPro]

Don't forget your head!! People keep chiming in about hands and feet, but once your face and head are frozen, it sux. Hoods people, hoods.

 

[BruceSki]

Helmets!!

 

[tipafew]

John,
I have found that my hand warmers pretty much warm up the entire bottom half of my body from the overspray. Love my hand warmers!

Sportfish, I am with you. I am a wuss and would much rather be warm than cold. My dry suit leaks bad so I have been trying to decide what to do next. I would like something with more mobility. Right now I am wearing my wet suit under my dry suit. It keeps me really warm, but it wears me out quick.

Kevin, I have never used a dry suit but it is my understanding that they do not cover your hands. I have found that when my extremities are warm, especially my hands, my whole body tends to feel warm and I can ride comfortably in colder conditions than normal. This being so, whatever Dry suit you choose, be sure and run a hot hands setup on your ski.

 

[Freakrider]

partial hoodie under helmet... a semi dry suit works great in 50 degree water
and it keeps the wind from penetrating.

 

[snowxr]

TUFF GUY ALERT !


I knew it .... i knew it .... i knew it . The temptation was just to great . Great information ..... then here comes the " Great north woods wise guy " I layed it out there ... made it to easy . Please refer to the first post
"Let me also state that I don't want to hear from tough guys . I'm fully aware there are some that can take the cold and ride frozen lakes wearing only leopard print speedo's ...... you guys please refrain from posting .... ". By the way , anyone with " snow " in their screen name is automatically excluded from a " keeping warm "conversation .


To all : Thanks for the pros and cons , And thanks mostly to Snowxr for sending me a pic of his cold weather gear .

So, you like my sweater? Sorry the vest is blocking most of it from view. It's really a glorious site, and makes women weep.

 

[D-Roc]

I have not used a dry suit because the price i have seen was too high. I just haven't seen a good deal on one locally. My buddies all have them, and they keep them warm until hey leak. When the cold water gets in, and makes them wet, they get cold. With the wetsuit approach you are always warm, wet or dry. I have a 7mm diving suit that I got for 100 bucks at a dive shop used. it was in perfect shape. I shart when I try to put it on because of the tight fit. That part suck about it, but i am getting better at suiting up. I am a man that hates being cold so I deal with putting it on and off. I exchange my man card in to wear tight body suits. Its worth it. I use booties and have a cap for my head and I stay warm in water that is just above freezing. I feel safe in it and well protected from hypothermia. I am happy i got this semi-dry wetsuit because I have been able to extend my ride season by 3-4 months. I apologize for being a tough guy from niagara that does not have a drysuit and wetsuit, but i hate the cold and thought i had something to share about my wetsuit.

 

[Frosty]

I bought this drysuit several years ago and only wear it in spring and late fall. I love it and have no problems with leaks. I hate cold, so this is perfect. Fits like a wetsuit, but tight around the wrist, ankles and kneck. and I usually need a buddy to zip/unzip the heavy duty YKK zipper across the back.

Well worth the money I spent on it...

some info:

I have used this in 37 degree water wearing only a rash guard and boxers under it. PFD fits over it just fine. while riding, feels like a wetsuit.

http://www.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=11183&pdesc=Sahara_Mens_Dry_Suit

btw, my avatar pic is with this suit on... last fall, air temp in the 40's water temp in the 40's

 

[Freakrider]

I talked to a veteran surfer at a big Watersports store who sold me a semi dry suit for the following reasons. He said that if you are mostly above water like wind surfers you need a rubber outside coating to protect against wind chill... he said that a thick wet suit is for being in the water and would restrict movement for our sport... a semi dry 4 / 3 or a 5 / 4 is very warm because water can only enter through the seals on your extremities, which is very little water when you fall off your ski. Additionally, no wind goes through the suit while riding... JamesG and Chasingdaylight can also attest to how great a semi dry suit works. The semi-dry combines the best from both suits...