Re: [Paddlewise] DRY SUITS #2

sorry for double post, i glitched and mailed prior to finishing
here's the complete version:

philip wylie wrote:
>Does anybody own a 'KOKATAT'- Gore-Tex Front Entry >Drysuit?(snip)
>My questions concern: (1) how convenient are the front >(optional)
>crotch zipper works (for bladder relief-men & women)?

completely convenient for men,  a significant number of women use it with
plastic "feminie funnel", but not "convenient" for others. kokatat offers a
drop seat option which is very convenient to use, some people find the
dropseat zipper an annoyance when sitting in your boat

>(2) how reliable and comfortable is this suit and is
>overheating a problem on the Pacific Coast line?

if you like to practice your roll overheating is not a problem even in
midsummer(aka rotary cooling). if rolling is not your cup of tea there was a
discussion of neck rings a while back to allow ventiltion in warmer weather

>(3) Is the full Dry Suit better or equal to the 'Farmer John"
>combination with a Gore-Tex TecTour Anorak 2.1oz ripstop
>nylon 3-layer Gore-Tex laminate?

i'm interpreting this as meaning a farmer john wetsuit with the anorak over
it. if so, no, this does not approach the full dry suit in either comfort,
nor, more importantly, cold water protection, as the drysuit will, with
appropriate insulation underneath, keep you warm and dry in all water temps.
the anorak does not have a neck gasket, so while keeping you dry in rain and
splash, will allow water inside if you roll or wet exit.  prior to getting my
drysuit i used the wave drytop with a farmer john, worked fine for rolling and
surf, with a little seepage into boat past skirt, but as noted above, not
really a survival outfit in cold water

>(4)Now the full wet suit is waterproof to thirty feet
>(not that I intend to go diving) is there much or anyleakage
>with the farmer John combination?
see above, or if by this you mean the combination of a wave drytop and a
whirlpool bib, which are designed to interdigitate and create a dry outfit: it
works if you roll the two pieces together carefully, especially if you wear a
neoprene skirt over it all which works to compress the rolled up sectons
together and make a tight seal. for my money the one piece suit is easier to
use, and i think more reliable. others though really like the versatility of
the combo

george ruta
northcountry kayak
518-677-3040

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