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

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?

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

Many thanks,

Howard