Keeping wetsuits warm between sets

[pmoomba]

It's almost that time of year. I probably won't make it out until the water is warm enough for just a heater top (what is that like 65+?). Also, just about anybody I will get to take out will not have their own tops/wetsuits/etc, so I want to be able to have something for them to use/share so I can still get out before it's warm enough for nothing.

I know a drysuit is generally pretty good to share and I might get there eventually but don't want to make the investment until I'm sure I'll get the use out of it.

I figure maybe having 2 heater shirts on board that people rotate through would be reasonable enough and am just looking for a good way to warm up the one that's not in use so nobody has to put on a freezing shirt. I have an 06 OBV.

Is keeping pressed up the wall in one of the side compartments sufficient? Or would it be better to find a way to keep it directly in the engine compartment? Maybe make some sort of tray or a way to hang it up?

I've heard some people take out coolers full of hot water for a similar purpose but I was wondering how long something like that stayed hot enough?

[pmoomba]

Well in addition to nobody wanting to share a pee'd in wetsuit, peeing in a heater shirt would be a little awkward

[deepcove]

Putting on a wet wetsuit is the worst. Aside from placing a heater hose into it to warm it up (assuming you have a boat heater) I am not aware of any way of making it any more comfortable. The way I see it if you are nice enough to donate a "community" suit and invite them to ride they should be happy that you have provided them this. On the brighter side after experiencing the wet wetsuit once they will probably be inclined to buy their own!

[pmoomba]

Yeah forgot to mention currently no heater or shower.

[kaneboats]

I'd be tempted to try using a small soft side cooler. Take a gallon container like a plastic mustard or mayonnaise gallon jar and fill it with boiling water. Screw the lid on tight. Then wrap the heater shirts around it and zip up for a while. I'd think it would warm them right up. A whole gallon should stay warm in the cooler for several hours so it could be re-used.

[sandm]

add a hot shower. best solution and not real expensive.
i'm betting a boiling bottle of water would be cool in under 30 minutes, especially after you wrap a wet, cold heatershirt around it.

another option, look for the plug-in coolers that both cool and heat. believe coleman made one. it's portable, can be used for camping, runs on 12volts and would be great in the summer to cut down on ice usage, so you now have a "green" initiative saving the plastic bags ice comes in

[jclevoy]

Personally, I put on a wetsuit when it is dry, and it doesn't come off until I am done for the day. Typically, we don't stay out for a long time...........So I just put the wetsuit on and then put on a cover-up (a hoodie) after my sets. Sometimes, I might peel out of the arms/chest, but that is the extent of it and the hoodie goes on.

[c.rix]

If the wet suit is wet just throw it under the engine compartment for a minute. The nice warm heat off the engine will warm it up quick just make sure it doesnt hit the exhaust or anything really hot.

I do this all the time with my helmet and gloves when snowmobiling in wyoming. With the powder gloves turn to ice, throw them under the hood for a minute or two gloves warm right up and melt off any snow or ice that was on them.

[501]

Dry suits are the holy grail for cold weather riding. I bought one 5 years ago (I'm 5'9" and got a medium Bare) and nearly everyone but my biggest friends use it and love it. No one gets wet or cold and no dripping in the boat after a set. Honestly, it's been the best investment for water sports I've made. We are in Canada though, so it's a bit more justified.

[jester]

If you borrow someones wetsuit and you decided to warm it up by peein in it just do not let them know or they are likely not to let you use any of their gear again.