O'Neill Oasis

h...@worldnet.att.net

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Jun 4, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/4/97

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I just finished cruising dejanews with little result, so I hope I'm not
revisiting an overworked topic.
I've got a 4/3 O'Neill Windskin (steamer) that works fine for me. Snug
fit where it's supposed to be, roomy where it's supposed to be, hardly
any seepage except in a big crash or waterstarting in rough seas, love
the horizontal front zipper, use it down to low 40 degree water... But
it's getting older and less flexible.
I'm considering getting an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit, but don't know exactly
why yet. I've never worn a drysuit. Is it that much warmer/dryer/safer?
As comfortable? Is the zipper a significant hassle in regards to
getting the suit on/off, having mobility through the shoulders, or in
maintenance/repair? Is the '97 Oasis a good model (O'Neill has always
fit me well)?
All testimonials/opinions are appreciated, as are suggestions for other
options. A post by Wilzone in the recent past made mention of a 4/3 Rip
Curl zipperless suit as a particularly good choice (but difficult to
find in the USA). Any discussion by the international windsurfing
community about wetsuits not manufactured or commonly found in the USA
would also be welcome and interesting.
Thanks,
Mark Hugel

Craig Goudie

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Jun 4, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/4/97

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h...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
>
[snippage]

> I'm considering getting an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit, but don't know exactly
> why yet. I've never worn a drysuit. Is it that much warmer/dryer/safer?

Yup

> As comfortable? Is the zipper a significant hassle in regards to

Definately not as comfortable.

> getting the suit on/off, having mobility through the shoulders, or in
> maintenance/repair?

I own an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit. The posative points for me are:

It fits very well (you can get'em in the tall skinny variety)
It's very warm (I sail into Dec here in Utah)
It's got good forearm and shoulder room so your arms don't cramp up

The negative points are:

Not completely water tight (but are any drysuits)
Very hard to get over your ankles/feet (I use nylon socks to help)

If it's really really cold O'Neill's are sweet.

Craig ("Go Short or Go Home!") Goudie cgo...@es.com
Heigth 6'3", Weight 175 lbs, Usually sail the high
desert lakes of Utah on my: Starboard 9'4" Course Slalom,
Gem 8'10" Course Slalom, Cross M 8'4" Gorge Bump; with
Hot Awols and Finworks fins.

Jonathan M Richardson

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Jun 4, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/4/97

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h...@worldnet.att.net wrote:
: I just finished cruising dejanews with little result, so I hope I'm not
: revisiting an overworked topic.

I wish everyone would start out by doing that!

: I'm considering getting an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit, but don't know exactly

: why yet. I've never worn a drysuit. Is it that much warmer/dryer/safer?

: As comfortable? Is the zipper a significant hassle in regards to
: getting the suit on/off, having mobility through the shoulders, or in
: maintenance/repair? Is the '97 Oasis a good model (O'Neill has always
: fit me well)?

I hate most drysuits but I like my Body Glove Titanium semi-dry. My
only complaint is that it is too hot sometimes!

As a racer what I want is to be able to unzip something to cool
off. You can not sail with a heavy suit unzipped because it might fill
with water and drown you! Anyone have a solution to this problem?

-Jonathan.

USWA Member #US233
Boards: Seatrend 9'0" and 8'6", Mistral One Design
Sails: Waddell
Spars: Fiberspar

______________________________________________________________________

Tyler P. Hoffman

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Jun 5, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/5/97

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Just bought an O'Neil Oasis - they are surpisingly comfortable, easy to
move around in, shoulders are not restricted, and the zipper can be done by
yourself by attaching a clip to one end and looping the other end around
your roof rack - I have taken mine in 37 degree water with a windskin
underneath and have been very warm

Tyler

Bob Galvan

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Jun 5, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/5/97

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I've gone through several Oases over the years. I think they're great.
You learn the zipper dance with some part of your vehicle.

kasp...@crl.com

Walter Clark

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Jun 5, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/5/97

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My wife owns an Oasis drysuit and a Body Glove Steamer. She prefers the
Body Glove Steamer for warmth and comfort but we dont sail in water under
about 45F anymore. The across-the-chest zipper is a nice touch too (I
have an older BG drysuit with the across-the-back zipper, what a pain).

Walter

h...@worldnet.att.net wrote in article <339534...@worldnet.att.net>...

> I just finished cruising dejanews with little result, so I hope I'm not
> revisiting an overworked topic.

> I've got a 4/3 O'Neill Windskin (steamer) that works fine for me. Snug
> fit where it's supposed to be, roomy where it's supposed to be, hardly
> any seepage except in a big crash or waterstarting in rough seas, love
> the horizontal front zipper, use it down to low 40 degree water... But
> it's getting older and less flexible.

> I'm considering getting an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit, but don't know exactly
> why yet. I've never worn a drysuit. Is it that much warmer/dryer/safer?
> As comfortable? Is the zipper a significant hassle in regards to
> getting the suit on/off, having mobility through the shoulders, or in
> maintenance/repair? Is the '97 Oasis a good model (O'Neill has always
> fit me well)?

Pete Cresswell

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Jun 6, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/6/97

to

>: I'm considering getting an O'Neill Oasis Drysuit, but don't know exactly

>: why yet. I've never worn a drysuit. Is it that much warmer/dryer/safer?
>: As comfortable? Is the zipper a significant hassle in regards to
>: getting the suit on/off, having mobility through the shoulders, or in
>: maintenance/repair? Is the '97 Oasis a good model (O'Neill has always
>: fit me well)?

I've gone to a dual-mode dry suit: conventional neoprene on the
bottom, nylon bag on the top.

Ronnie makes a "rollover" version, Sparton has made a version, and
mine is a recent Bare "Polar".

Tradeoff is comfort/flexability vs durability.

An O'Neil Oasis is, IMHO, about as bulletproof as you can get.
My Bare needs new seals (at $55 a shot...) every year or two...and if
you put off the replacement, guess when the neck seal decides to rip?

However the upper body mobility, softer neck seal, and wider temp
range (depending on what's worn underneath) have made me a convert.
Don't even own a steamer anymore...just wear less and less under the
Bare until it's time for just shorts and a vest.

You asked if the zipper is a hassle. Answer is "Yes", but you learn
to live with it. Can't figure out why windsurfer suits haven't gone
route of most kayaker suits and put the zipper diagonally in the
front...

One interesting new design is the shoulder entry...guys around here
who've bought them seem satisfied...

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