Re: [Paddlewise] Dry Suit Questions?

Nick Von Robison wrote:
> 
> There was an article in SK's April issue on dry suits which has me
> intrigued since I'll be looking at replacing my wetsuit either this
> season, or come next fall.  I've never really liked a wetsuit, but until
> 
> now never considered a dry suit because of their cost.  However, I may
> just bite the bullet and go for one.  I solicit all and any comments
> from those of you who have tried both options.  A couple of specific
> questions:
> 
> 1.  What's the life expectancy (percentage-wise) with normal useage of
> wetsuit vs. drysuit, if any?  I'm assuming that Gore-tex fabric wouldn't
> 
> break down in UV light, but does coated-nylon/cordura fabrics start to
> lose their integrity in "X" number of years?  Can they be recoated by
> owner?

The material is quite thick and the coatings very thick.  I can't really
say what the life is, but certainly more than a dozen years
conservatively speaking.  Gaskets go no matter how you use them, store
them or take care of them.  Not better than 3 years on those...i.e.
don't count on much more.  Again, the coatings are incredibly well done
and not easy to delaminate or wear off.
 
> 2.  Is it cost efficient to spring the extra $100-150 for Gore-Tex or go
> 
> with coated fabric?

The extra I think is more like $200 for comparable suits.  I generally
have not been a big proponent of the Goretex but mainly because I don't
have one :-)  Spring for the extra and you get more dryness but do be
aware that while inside your boat and sprayskirt not much breathing will
occur for your torso and legs, just the arms a bit.  But once out of the
cocoon of your boat and skirt, you will start drying off a bit
underneath.  In a coated suit, everything underneath gets soaking wet. 
But you don't get chilled because of the absolute windproofness of the
coatings.  You reach a relative happy humidity underneath.  You will
only sense coldness when you strip off the suit and will have to get out
of your bunny suit or whatever insulation you are wearing.

> 
> 3.  Since a drysuit is not as form fitting as a wetsuit, what about
> snagging the suit on deck fittings during re-entry, risking a tear?  How
> 
> fragile and tear resistant are the fabrics on these dry suits, and can
> they be patched?  By owner, or manufacturer?  I can be a bit of a klutz
> and many bits of my fabric adorn dock fittings around SoCal with blood
> spoor trailing away...

I suppose you can tear one.  But I have never seen this happen.  I have
however turn coated paddling gear such as paddle pants (on a dock nail)
and it was the thickest type of coated pants.  So conceivably it could
happen for coated material or Goretex.  That is why if you are worried
about it, you might opt to wear one of those watersports polartec suits
underneath.  Jack Martin, who frequents this list, advises this and it
it good advice.
  
> 
> 4.  Is there any such beast as a two piece dry suit?  IOW, I'd love to
> have a dry top jacket for days and conditions when I'd not need to swim,

You will get divided opinions on the two piece versions.  They basically
dont work that well and take a lot of care in how you seal the two
together.
> 
> ro
> 5.  Finally, what about sweating?  I'm picturing boiling in my own
> juices in an enclosed bag on a 80 degree day, but thankful I'd be in
> that that bag if I dump in 52 degree waters a'ways out.  The author of
> the article in SK (Kevein Whilden) pays lip service to George Gronseth's
> 
> advice on how to stay cool on a warm day in a dry suit (bracing,
> sculliing, and rolling) but that doesn't seem to do much for the inner
> man/woman enclosed in a shake-and-bake bag.

You will sweat as mentioned above, somewhat more in the coated than in
the Goretex.

The author also gave some advice that I challenged in a letter to the
editor which was printed along with the accident that happened to one
fellow who left his suit relief zip open by accident.  And the author
responded

Basically I found fault with the advice of paddling with the suit partly
rolled down to the waist if paddling in calm conditions and the
expectation that you could just get it all back on if conditions
suddenly got dicey.  I also questioned the advice about using a neck
ring to keep the neck gasket open for airing out if on calm waters.  He
said in his response "but I stand by my suggestion of rolling down a dry
suit as an option, because skilled paddlers can make the judgment of
VIRTUALLY GUARANTEEING THAT A CAPSIZE WILL NOT OCCUR IN CALM CONDITIONS.
(Caps are mine for emphasis)  I sure would like to paddle with that kind
of expert who can make such a wonderful guarantee! :-)

-- 
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Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter
PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024
Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com
"Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag."
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