Steam or Boil in the Bag?

[Neil C.]

It's getting a bit parky up this direction lately. I may be forced to invest in some autumn / winter sailing clothes. The question is which is better: a 5mm steamer wetsuit type thing, or a drysuit with thermal teddy bear suit?

Compare and contrast etc......

[john_hamilton]

wetsuit = more manouverability
drysuit = warmer (with right under garments), but pesky when it rips on that little carbon splinter/ split ring that you know you should have taped up, but didnt

[ross_burkin]

I'm a wetsuit guy. Partly because I like the feeling of damp neoprene, but mostly because I've ripped a dry suit while sailing and it's not fun.

I've also never used a completely dry dry suit. I've had the same Gul wetsuit for 3 years now and it's still gong strong. Not bad for £100. It's 5mm on the body and 3mm on arms and legs. When buying a winter wetsuit be sure to get one with sealed seams.

[roland_trim]

Yesterday it was parky at Chew, I was boiling in my shorty - 3mm all over - shorty sandwich.  Hayley didn't appreciate my way of cooling down.

I tend to boil in the dag when it gets to 1-3 degrees in the water, but my bag is good fitting.