Howard Peer wrote:

Does anyone have an opinion on the practicality of using a wet suit as
foul weather gear?

A wet suit will not keep you dry when you are on deck. Usually what
you want foul weather gear for is to keep dry. Staying wet for long
periods of time (hours) isn't usually good.

Being a diver I have a couple of suits, they provide bouyancy and help
with thermal protection. I'm pretty comfortable in them for long
periods of time, and if no one is around to complain about the odor its OK.

Admittedly they do not provide the head and neck support of a PFD but
I'm thinking that they may be a viable, or perhaps more practical,
alternative to a PFD. All things are a compromise, right?

A wet suit does NOT substitute for a PFD.

And of course there is that zipper in the front issue.

Many thanks,

Howard

If I were in a very wet boat where I thought I might go overboard and
had no way to prevent it (like jacklines) then a wet suit under a PFD
might work for me.

That's what wind surfers, and surfboarders and kite surfers wear after
all.

grandma Rosalie