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| Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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| I just purchased and used my new Kokatat Nova dry suit on sale from KFS for $400. All I can say, is that my $150 bending branches carbon paddle from Appomatox and this suit are the two best and smartest kayak fishing purchases I've made so far! My previous "suit"was a dry top and waders with a waterproof relief zipper I added for a total of $350, $50-$100 short of a much lighter, easier to get on and off and more comfortable complete suit. I wish someone had told me to save my $ or use my credit card to get this suit first, it is simply amazing! It is so light that my paddling and casting are much easier. My only initial problems with the suit was a stiff zipper and tight wrist seals but candle wax and stretching resolved them. |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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i have a kokatat also. it is a luxury but maybe one of the best additions to fishing in a kayak(besides a good stiff, light paddle). the waders/drytop is good to start out with but i would advise anyone else to bite the bullet and get a suit for 150 ducats more. besides comfort; the security,safety, and confidence hitting the water with one on makes the experience much more enjoyable when the water is 43degrees.
nothing worse than a bloated bladder, pulling on a drytop, releasing the suspenders, pulling down the waders(no relief zipper) with you arse in the air to pull out willy in 2-3' in 36degrees and 15kts.
ken c
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Well said ... nothing worse than a bloated bladder and exposing yourself to the elements to take a leak!
Drysuits are definately the way to go for convenience & safety, just remember to insulate underneath with quick drying materials that will still keep you warm when wet (sweating, possible leak, getting damp while getting into the suit).
A safety / water temp check I like to use - If I'm standing at the boat launch and thinking I can comfortably / safely wade out to water over my head and back then still be comfortable I've done a decent job of preparing for immersion, if not I shouldn't head out...
Vic
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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I agree. The breathable dry suit is the way to go for cold water paddling/pedaling. Mine is a new surplus Naval Aviators anti immersion suit. I can attest that it works. In Nov after purchase of my yak, the wind blew me over. Boy was I surprised. Warm, dry and comfy except for face and handw which were wet. Second best yakking purchase I have made, after the Outback and Revolution.
Once you see that no one really wins, The Majic begins. JBuffett |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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I think I talked myself into buying one but then started to talk myself out of it. My only concern is sweating my a$$ off. Because everyone knows sweating when it's cold out is no good. I know they are breathable but I'm still skeptical on just how much they are. Say if I was to wear a base layer to wick sweat and just the suit and it was in the mid 50's out but the water was cold enough to justify wearing one, would I have to dump the sweat out of the suit after a hard day of paddling?
also does anyone know if the one for a grandski's hood is removable??? I like hoods but it may just be one more thing to fill with water if you cant take it off.
thanks,
-Ryan
Sand WS Ride 135 |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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I can't speak for the NRS suit but if I was wearing my Stohlquist, I would be soaked with sweat by the end of the day. I would be more comfortable in a wader/ dry top combo. If you plan on doing any paddling in the winter go with the dry suit. The warmth and safety it provides far outweighs the negatives of a little sweat once in a while.
Ocean Kayak Prowler Big Game |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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| ValFitzAndrew wrote
I agree. The breathable dry suit is the way to go for cold water paddling/pedaling. Mine is a new surplus Naval Aviators anti immersion suit. I can attest that it works. In Nov after purchase of my yak, the wind blew me over. Boy was I surprised. Warm, dry and comfy except for face and handw which were wet. Second best yakking purchase I have made, after the Outback and Revolution.
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Where did you get that?
Ocean Kayak Cabo Tandem Blue 16.3 |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Ocean Kayak Cabo Tandem Blue 16.3 |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Get in touch with Mike Dilts at http://www.switlik.com/. He often has suits for sale to the civilian market. Look under military products. The cwu-62 is the Navys version which is an undergarment. I use mine w/o any over clothing. The cwu-74 is the Air Force version. It is a flight suit and easier to don and doff. Same materials. Best money can buy imho.
And, NO I dont come out of the suit dripping wet even on 70 degree days with cold water in the Spring. Of course I dont pedal races while wearing it either, but a nights fishing at the HRBT is comfy warm.
Once you see that no one really wins, The Majic begins. JBuffett |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Thanks for the info! I'll def look into that.
Does anyone own a Goretex suit? How do they breath?
Thanks!
-Ryan
Sand WS Ride 135 |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Ok so I think I'm going to buy a dry suit before my Trip to Monterey Bay and Harkers. I would like everyone who is reading this who owns one to please let me know what make they have an how they like them. The one's I'm looking at now are....
Kokatat -Expedition
Mustang Tactical Operations Dry Suite MSD575 (I think Jet-Ski Brian Uses this one)
Naval Aviation Suit (previously mentioned in this thread)
Palm - Aleutian EXP Immersion Suit
Whites - Military Dry Suit
Any other suggestions are welcome. I would just like to know that I'm getting a suit that is well made, comfortable, breaths well, and is waterproof. I'm also angling for a hood, just because I'm a fan of hoods.
Thanks!
-Ryan
Sand WS Ride 135 |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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VFA, what kind of footwear do you wear with your suit (to protect the stocking feet of the suit)?
I think I helped you zip up at the June meeting but I don't recall what kind of shoes you wore with the suit. |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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So far Dennis, I've worn a slightly oversized pair of those clogs with the holes.... unless I'm going to wade the bad areas that'll be fine. Otherwise I'd get a pair of wade boots of sorts to go over them.
Hobie Outback |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Dennin_in_VA,
If I wore my dry suit at the June meeting I sure had help in zipping into it. Perhaps it was you. Who really knows. If it was, thanks!
As to what to wear over the booties, I wear water sneekers by Merrill. Havn't lost them even when BNZ took me mudding when I last fished Brunswick GA. Any good water shoe will work, just make sure it/they drain well. Sandles also work. My shoes are one size up from my regular fit.
In the winter I wear silk stockings next to the skin and relatively thick wool socks over the silk. Good quality poly -pro undies are a good base layer for winter. Beyond that what ever you are comfortable in, keeping in mind NOT to wear cloths that store moisture like cotton, particularly cotton, did I mention that cotton garments inside a dry suit shouldn't be work!
There, more than you really wanted to know. Go forth, and be warm and dry all winter.
Once you see that no one really wins, The Majic begins. JBuffett |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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Thanks for the info here guys. Carl, what kind / brand suit do you wear? You gunna hang out with me when I come over in December (Kiptopeke)? |
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| Re: Drysuits, Expensive but worth it! |
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I can't think of the name of it right off. If all goes well, I'll do a Kiptopeke run when you get in the area. I haven't done it yet. I'd not be afraid of the Kokatat outfit. Mine doesn't have the relief zipper and that sux at times.
Hobie Outback |
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