Re: [Paddlewise] Patagonia's Nemo dry top

>Date: Sun, 10 Oct 1999 20:31:06 -0700
>To: Elaine Harmon <eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu>
>From: Doug Lloyd <dlloyd_at_bc.sympatico.ca>
>Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Patagonia's Nemo dry top
>
>At 04:37 PM 10/10/99 -0400, you wrote:
>>Hi guys, that reminds me: If you wear a dry top with a farmer John
>>wetsuit, how good is the seal at the waist? Are you substantially better
>>off with a dry top than with a neoprene jacket, that is? e
>>
>>Elaine Harmon - eilidh_at_dc.seflin.org - eharmon_at_cs.miami.edu
> 
>
>Elaine,
>A dry top has advantages that far outway a normal paddling jacket with
neoprene wrist seals, if that is what you are talking about. A good dry top
seals at the wrists much more effectively than neoprene or velcro
arrangements. For winter paddling, keeping water from entering up the
sleeves is important. The neck seal is obviously better with a dry top's
latex seal, rather than other arrangements, but may be a bit much for
touring. A popular jacket these days has become a dry top with a good waist
seal, latex wrist seals, but a regular neck seal, so providing more
comfortable recreational paddling.
>
>For immersion protection and/or whitewater type kayaking pursuits, the
better waist seal of a dry top is superior, but water will eventually get
by the seal between the jacket and the Farmer Jane. A dry suit is better in
this regard, as is a two piece dry suit which better mates at the waist.
>
>Oh, another thing to consider with dry suits: some of the newer models
have zipper arrangements whereby the seated paddler can and may unzip
easily due to the front entry, and drop the top portion down around your
waist if things get too hot -- like when a high class female model paddles
up near Ralph in NY Harbour :-) The older, rear entry dry suits did not
facilitate this option. Whether this is a wise manouver is a different
question. 
>
>I don't wear a dry suit, as Vancouver Island is riddled with barnacles,
and a tear in the suit, if I were to bail, could pose a serious problem, as
could a blown gasket. 
>
>While were on the subject, does anyone reading this post know about
Titanium flecks in wetsuits. They are supposed to reflect more heat back to
the wearer. Is this a marketing ploy, or do I need to ask?
>
>BC'in Ya
>Doug Lloyd 
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