re. wetsuits and drysuits?

Question

Wetsuits are made out of neoprene are drysuits the same. I want to take up sailing and am told wetsuits are no good and I should have a drysuit but my investigations suggest the two are the same textile Neoprene. This flexible stretchy stuff Is there any one with any sensible answers please Thank you

Answer 1

They are both made of neoprene (generally), but work in different ways. A wetsuit relies on a thin ayer of water against the skin, which your body warms and which then insulates you. A dry suit is dry - it keeps the water completely away from your body and relies on the warmth of the neoprene and an insulated undersuit you wear. For sailing you need a dry suit, which will prevent you getting wet and therefore potential exposure risk.

Answer 2

A wetsuit is designed to work while in the water - it works when a layer of water is held between the neoprene and the body. As such, it needs to be in water. Once out of the water again, for example after a capsize and re-right of the craft, once you get back on board the water drains out and you lose a lot of the warm water layer and you risk the wind chill factor. As such it can feel really cold when you get back into the water. Not something I would recommend for sailing.

The drysuit on the other hand would be better. They can be made of neoprene or lighter more flexible materials. Neoprene drysuits would be too restrictive and bulky for sailing. The "membrane" drysuit on the other hand is ideally suited for sailing. Flexible in use, and keeps you dry and warm too.

There are undersuits you can get specifically for use under membrane suits, or just keep your party cloths on and do the James Bond thing after you get to shore! Might have to do your hair first though!

Answer 3

As robmad87 said wetsuits and dry suits are huge differences. This depends on where you live or if you're in love with extreme heat. Ok what you need to decipher is are you interested in surfing in places like maryland or maine or even alaska if you're crazy in my opinion. I personally only use a wetsuit when forced to by my dad. I live in florida though, you could live in some place like south carolina or north carolina where the water gets cold. In the carolinas you'll need a wetsuit not a drysuit, in another area like southern California get a wetsuit. In northern California for winter surfing dry suit, summer surfing wetsuit. To answer your original question though, a dry suit is better. Drysuits contain more heat and are more than likely the suit of choice for people in cold areas. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

your research is correct. Although dry suits can be made out of other material. the main difference between a wet and a dry suit is the way it keeps you warm. a wetsuit traps a small amount of water between you and the clothing, retaining a small amount of body heat. a dry suit traps a layer of air between the suit and you, and it keeps the wearer warmer. a wetsuit keeps you wet, hence the name. while a dry suit keeps you dry as both neck and hand holes are sealed with elasticy seals.

dry suits can be bought for scuba use with an air inlet from the scuba tank or can be bought for things like sailing where air intake is not needed and no inlet valve is needed.

Answer 5

I would wear a dry suit if the weather is cold and a wet suit during the summer. If you are sailing in a 15 footer or smaller, you want to stay warm and dry because u will get wet from the waves and also if u dump the boat.