semi drysuit

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

I was wondering if the semi drysuits keep you warm in just above freezing water? Because i have been looking at a couple semi drysuits and I live on Lake St. Clair, in Michigan, and the water isn't warm until July.

GatlinGun · Newbie Joined: 17 Oct 2006 Posts: 34 City: Bonneau

I don't know about semi drysuit.I have a Gladiator drysuit,and it works good.If I was you living up north I would buy the real drysuit.

Be Good Cool

DRAGON88 · Posted: Apr 14, 2007 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: semi drysuit

LFADAM · Posted: Apr 14, 2007 5:14 pm Post subject:

I think you mean a hybrid drysuit. I have one, an Oneill Assault Hybrid. To be honest Im puzzled at how they work. After a set, my upper body is more wet than my lower body. This is strange because the upper part is like a drysuit. The only reason that it gets wet is because my neck seal isnt tight enough for me so water comes down it on falls. The lower half is wetsuit material. It obviously doesnt seem like it would be waterproof but I guess it is because after I take the suit off, my boardshorts are always dry. Im puzzled. Anyone have an answer to this?

But to answer youre question, if the seals are tight enough they keep you just as warm as a drysuit. Ive been in 38 degree water no problem and 45 air/water wakeboarding and besides my hands and feet going numb I was fine.

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

thanks a WHOLE bunch! That's the answer i have been looking for!

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

wetsuits are made out of a rubber material and that material is waterproof. the only places water gets in in a modern wetsuit is around the arm, leg, and neck holes and at the zipper. a good wetsuit will keep you pretty dry most of the time.

Epic · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 765

bscott · Newbie Joined: 12 Jun 2005 Posts: 2 City: Bolingbrook

Semi-drysuits are ok. Better than regular wetsuits, but not nearly as warm as a drysuit. It's basically a wetsuit with drysuit seals, so you still get wet, but the water does not flow in/out as much as a wetsuit.

I would skip the semi-dry and go straight for the drysuit.

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

thanks for the tips guys

Elysia · Outlaw Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 105

this is off topic but....icanollie121, your profile picture is ROFL
i just cant stop laughing and throwing up the W-T-F flag...

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

i thought that was pretty funny too!

blaydeman · Outlaw Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 119

just get a 7mm wetsuit. keeps me warm in 38f water. im 185 5'10'' and large is what i wear.
http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_category_101

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

i hope your joking. 7mm is way overkill. that will absolutely kill flexibility.

bmartin · Addict Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 794

Based on my kayaking days - semi dry = wet. I would go with a good wet suit or a dry suit. Dry suits definitely keep you warm and you can wear whatever you want underneath.

blaydeman · Outlaw Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 119

how much flexibility do you need? just think of it as a better workout. and when you wakeboard in 38 degree water a little trade off for warmth doesnt matter

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

blaydeman, where do you live that you are riding in 38 degree water. wouldnt there be ice patches at those temperatures. Not to mention that the extra thickness isnt gonna make that much of a difference, its better to have a wetsuit with better seams than an extra couple mm.

blaydeman · Outlaw Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 119

i live in alaska. it was snowing when i went out yesterday. i wakeboard in a channel so the ice moves out pretty fast. the seams are just fine on this suit. i might have been fine with a thinner suit but i didnt want to take the chance. the lack of mobility doesn't bother me.

Epic · Addict Joined: 21 Aug 2005 Posts: 765

pooser · Wakeboarder.com Freak Joined: 13 Jan 2003 Posts: 4738

Epic, scuba suits are not very well suited for wakeboarding. When scuba diving flexibility is not an issue and you are completely submerged for extended periods of time. Wakeboarding flexibility is and issue and you are spending very little time actually in the water. For those really comitted to riding in temperatures that cold a dry suit is really your best option and if you must get a wetsuit, surf suits are far better for the application. surfers need flexibility too and are not submerged in water.

icanollie121 · Criminal Joined: 23 Jul 2006 Posts: 53

thanks for the advice guys!