Re: [Paddlewise] Kayak Drysuit for Sailing?

On 2/24/07, Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> Hello
>
> Is there any reason why one would want to AVOID using
> a kayaking style of drysuit for other aquatic
> activities - like Sailing, for example?  Some of the
> lighter weight fabrics might be vulnerable to rips and
> holes, but the more durable fabrics seem quite durable
> to me.
>

Back in the 1970s when I was working offshore on drill ships and sailing on
cold water during my off-time we found some semi-survival jackets by Mustang
(in BC) were excellent. I wore them on helicopter flights to/from Greenland,
Newfoundland, Halifax, and Ireland (at that time many companies did not use
survival suits). These jackets used some dense foam for insulation (which
made them somewhat stiff) but had incredible flotation. But they also had a
crotch strap made from wet-suit material and a hood that one could deploy if
one found one's-self in the soup, so to speak.

I don't know if they still make them but we still have ours and still use
them occasionally. They aren't "dry" but they block the wind wonderfully and
the flotation is excellent.

Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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