VANCOUVER ISLAND WINDTALK

I've moved back from Ontario where I sailed spring to fall with a 4/3 wetsuit - great for the great lakes and an annual fall trip to Hatteras, but I know I'll be too cold here. I'm debating whether to get a thicker wet suit or go with a dry suit. I don't plan to be out in really cold winter weather. I'd appreciate your opinions.

welcome, easterner! dont worry we never get "really cold winter weather". these days it seems like a full or even a halfie drysuit is the way to go, unless you want to surf too - the dry tops are too slippery on a surfboard. Ocean Rodeo makes a real nice one.

I would go with the drysuit if you have the $$. Mega comfy and warm. But even your 4/3 might work fine through the winter here if you avoid the sub-zero NE days, especially if you add a ca $60 1mm neoprene/fleece liner for the body core. I assume you have booties, but you will need those and a hood if your current suit doesn't have one. Bobson sails all winter in a 3/2 or a shortie when he isn't just in board shorts (but we don't expect you to have the same metabolism as him!)

Bobsicle is nuts! I get cold just looking at him... brrrrr.....

I sail spring-summer-fall in 5/4/3 and in dry Bare Polarheat ( blue victoria team issue ) during the winter. I can't say that 5/4/3 is too thick for summer. I tried to sail in it during the winter and first one was actually not that bad, the only problem was multiple layers of neoprene, they made me feel like a Michelin man. Switching to drysuit solved the problem.

Good luck!

Hi Lor:

Here's some links for you that might help:

http://www.bigwavedave.ca/phpBB2/viewto ... ht=wetsuit
http://www.bigwavedave.ca/phpBB2/viewto ... ht=wetsuit

what they said but as long as you have a helmet I don't think ya need a hood....gloves or/and a thermos of warm water on the other hand....well, both hands and pouring a shot into the booties helps too