Junior Dry Suit advice

BenEadir

Hi all,

I got some great advice on this forum a couple of years ago when my son (after taking some sailing camps with INSS) decided he wanted to commit to sailing.

He's now aged 11 and needs "proper sailing waterproofs" which I understand means a junior dry suit and boots. I have no knowledge or experience of sailing whatsoever and as he's still only 11 I need a bit of guidance please as to what exactly I should be getting him.

Links to products, on line shops, local shops etc would be much appreciated. Given he'll be growing at a pace of knots I'm also happy to buy 2nd hand. I'm looking for the right gear but I also want the best value for money possible. Who doesn't :rolleyes:

Thanks in advance.

Ben

fergal.b

You could try these
http://www.marineparts.ie/clothing/drysuits/gill-junior-dry-suit.html

http://www.dinghysupplies.ie/

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/GILL_MARINE_SAILING_GEAR.html





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BenEadir

Hi Fergal,

Thanks for the links. Wasn't expecting a bill for €250 but I guess that's the best deal on the market. http://www.marineparts.ie/clothing/drysuits/gill-junior-dry-suit.html

Cheers,

Ben

fergal.b

You might also get one on ebay a bit cheeper.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Crewsaver-Cell-JUNIOR-Drysuit-New-201-RED-6507-/260909834023#ht_1553wt_985

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Crewsaver-Cell-Drysuit-Small-/260961247601?pt=UK_SportingGoods_Wetsuits_WatersportsClothing_CA&hash=item3cc280a171#ht_732wt_752

Pigeon Reaper

There's no real need for a drysuit. A wetsuit with good kag and over trousers will do the job almost as well and is cheaper.

BenEadir

Hi Fergal,

Following extensive Googling (as you do) I stumbled upon www.tridentuk.com. They seem to offer different grades of dry suits at competitive prices and they also offer a service whereby you can buy leg and arm extensions which allow you to get a few more years out of the suit, assuming it's still in good enough shape by then. That's an attractive option given my sone will probably shoot up from 140cm to over 185cm in the next 5-6 years.

They basically offer two grades relevant to my sons needs the TR40 and TR60 range. The TR40 http://www.tridentuk.com/sailing/product-Trident_TR40_Junior_Drysuit-TC_740C.html is the lighter weight product but specifically says it's designed for "Keeping Junior sailors dry and warm whatever the weather". I can get a Junior XL (for 11 to 12 year olds) + a pair of boots + a full length body fleece for wearing under the dry suit for £198/€235 + delivery.

The alternative is the heavier TR60 http://www.tridentuk.com/sailing/product-Trident_TR60_Junior_Drysuit-TC_760C.html which is £25 more expensive but I guess harder wearing.

Are these products on a par with the Gill from Marine Parts? http://www.marineparts.ie/clothing/drysuits/gill-junior-dry-suit.html I'm all into supporting the local economy and all but value for money comes first so am I better off getting a Trident dry suit + boots and a fleece for +/- €250 or just the Gill dry suit alone for €250 and get boots etc separately?

BTW I know price and value for money are two different things so I do want to get the "right" product, not just the cheapest.

Also, if I have a choice of front or back zip which is best to go for given my son's age? (he's 11)

Really appreciate your advice on this.

Ben