Other than the crazies

[specialk]

Other than the crazies, what temp do you wait for until you get in. I am using the modified "Hundred plus age rule", at least that is what I think now, never used it before. I think I can tolerate 60 water with 80 degree air, I bought a 3mm shorty wetsuit to help, but I know you have to fill with water, then have your body warm it up before it is affective. By that time I will already be in and out. Also got a boat heater. Since last year was the first year to ever boat/wakeboard ect. I thought the water was intolerable at 70 with 70-75 air. But, being couped up this winter has made me question that.

So what water and air do most season, non crazy, people usually wait for, and do you go out at all before that and just cruise.

[larryueckert]

Other than the crazies, what temp do you wait for until you get in. I am using the modified "Hundred plus age rule", at least that is what I think now, never used it before. I think I can tolerate 60 water with 80 degree air, I bought a 3mm shorty wetsuit to help, but I know you have to fill with water, then have your body warm it up before it is affective. By that time I will already be in and out. Also got a boat heater. Since last year was the first year to ever boat/wakeboard ect. I thought the water was intolerable at 70 with 70-75 air. But, being couped up this winter has made me question that.

So what water and air do most season, non crazy, people usually wait for, and do you go out at all before that and just cruise.

it matters on how bad you got to pee

[jhodnett]

Come on warm weather!!!!!

I don't know if we are considered crazy or not, but 60 degree water along with 70-77 degree air isn't too bad. I don't know that I'm tough enough for the 100 degree rule unless I invest in a drysuit. We've been out 4 times so far this year. The water took my breath away at first, but my driver got me up quickly. The 3rd time out, I borrowed a wetsuit and noticed a huge difference!! I wasn't shaking uncontrollably when I climbed back into the boat......it was nice

[MTtigekid]

we go out and cruise as soon as the ice is off.. normally we wait till the water is atleast 60+ but i have been in the water when it was closer to 40.... really it just depends on how bad you want to ride/ be one the boat

and as for the wet suit problem....... youve got your own built in wetsuit heater, why not use it??

[Booms]

In WI i will talk any day over 70 and will try jumping in the water. 4 yrs ago second week in May the air temp was 75 and the water was 42. Wet suit did not help. I think my nuts are still in my chest from that session.

[Carter13]

Booms,

That last comment made me chuckle.

[dogbert]

it matters on how bad you got to pee

x2

[Matt Garcia]

In the winter we usually ride in water that is in the mid to upper 50s. Air is anywhere between 60-70 degrees. However we all use dry suits so there is a big difference. Also you dont need to fill your wetsuit with water. Water will eventually seep in but I wouldn't bother with filling it. Kind of defeats the purpose.

We start with just heater tops once the water hits the 60s and the air is 60-70+ degrees.

[formandfunction]

Same as Matt, mid to upper fifties but the air has to be warm.When the water gets over sixty is when we get serious.

[gstauffer]

Up in this freezing cold place they call IL I think $400 on a dry suit is a great investment if you want to extend your season by a couple of months. Then the water temp does not really matter.

I would much rather go through the hassle of putting on a dry suit and being too warm than being a tough guy just to say I skinned in cold water to freeze my a$$ off.

Or I guess for some cold water is just more motivation not to fall. We have done ski shows in some very cold water w/out dry suits. You just do whatever you have to not to fall. A few years ago we were in Japan for a show with the air and water temps both in the low 50’s. Not fun! Great place to see and visit but terrible water conditions.

[illiniboarder88]

Anything over 50 is tolerable. 60 and a wetsuit is golden. It also depends what you are planning on doing. I can wakeboard comfortably in much colder weather than I can ski in. Slaloming in cold water with cold air temps gives me a head freeze.

[shake-n-bake]

"Slaloming in cold water with cold air temps gives me a head freeze. "
I bought a neoprene beenie, and that solved the head freaze!

[skyski_tige]

we go out and cruise as soon as the ice is off.. normally we wait till the water is atleast 60+ but i have been in the water when it was closer to 40.... really it just depends on how bad you want to ride/ be one the boat

and as for the wet suit problem....... youve got your own built in wetsuit heater, why not use it??

Big rule: Never pee in your OWN wetsuit! If you are borrowing, pee away!

[samw]

"Slaloming in cold water with cold air temps gives me a head freeze. "
I bought a neoprene beenie, and that solved the head freaze!

I also have a neoprene bennie that are so nice. All I have is a wet suit. I will go out in 40 degree water temp and and air temp above 55-60 is good.

[kko]

my first trip out this "season" was last weekend it was water 72 air 80 and was pretty cold at first but we did get use to it pretty quick.But when the sun started to set it got pretty chilly. I have heard guys mention the "100" rule you know 50air+50water=100 your good to go. for me being from florida and living here for 40 yrs it is the 150 maybe 147ish rule.