IMMERSION SUITS

Many thanks to Peter Bick for his fine article THE IMMERSION CASUALTY in the Spring 2001 magazine, issue 170. For the last three sailing seasons I have dinghy cruised 95% of the time wearing an immersion suit. This particular one is a dry suit with integral ankle high sea boots. All cloth panels are totally breathable. There is a front opening diagonal shoulder to contralateral waist zip, horizontal fly zip, and neoprene collar and cuffs.

The disadvantages of the suit are... 1. Mild neck chafe after 48 hrs. 2. Breathable only when a moisture gradient exits; ie the internal moisture only exits if the outside is dry. 3. Disrobing required for a No 2.

The pros... 1. Comfortable in cold and warm dry weather due to breathable material. 2. Fully watertight. 3. Easy do undertake a male No 1. 4. Ability to wear as waist waders due to internal braces and ability to roll down chest piece. 5. Ability to walk ashore dry from a mooring in chest high water.

I find the physical and mental comfort the suit gives while dinghy cruising is profound. You can almost zip in for the weekend. A picture of this suit appears in issue 169 in the Righting Rally Report.

The suit is available from... Ravenspring Ford Road, Totnes Industrial Estate, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5LQ. Tel/Fax: +44 (0)1803 867092 HYPERLINK "http://www.ravenspring.co.uk/ " www.ravenspring.co.uk/ HYPERLINK mailto:sales@ravenspring.co.uk sales@ravenspring.co.uk

A RESPONSE TO AIDAN

I will be grateful if you will allow me to reply to Aidan de la Mare's letter published in the Spring edition of our journal No 170. I am glad that Aidan takes small boat safety seriously and has made the effort to write a letter to the editor. I take pleasure for my personal mention by a fellow sailing enthusiast.

Whenever I set out on the water, I like to think I take my responsibilities seriously, with special regard to myself, my family, my crew, accompanying skippers, other water users and the maritime services. I urge all dinghy users to re-read Aidan's letter. I feel there is a lot to be learnt from his calm views.

Thank you for publishing this letter. Peter Small