Re: [Paddlewise] drysuits

What an amusing coincidence! I have not read paddlewise for several weeks,
and this morning I log in for the express purpose of selling my drysuit
which is mentioned below by one of my former students, Robert. (by the
way, it's Whilden, not Stevens. How could you forget? :)
 This message was at the top of my list too. Chance and coincidence
works in strange ways sometimes.

So without further ado...

$450 XL Kokatat goretex meridian drysuit, w/ relief zipper, latex socks,
and reflective tape on the arms. It's in excellent shape, since it is
constructed of rare heavyweight goretex (not cordura). It is also a very
rare bright yellow color, which is extremely visible in the sea, on the
river, and on dark rainy days. This suit is so bright, you'll swear it is
battery powered, which, despite ocassional razzing from friends, is an
outstanding safety feature. This is Kokatat's top of the line suit with
all the options... a new one would cost $800+ retail.

The drawbacks are, as with any used drysuit/drytop, the gaskets will need
replacing sooner than a new suit. Neck gaskets always go first, and mine
is starting to show early signs of wear. Still I would estimate at least
one year of heavy use with proper care. The latex socks will probably last
two more years. The wrist gaskets are probably good for 2+ years. The
rest of the suit should last 4-5 years easily, if not more. The
heavyweight goretex is fantastically durable.

Send me email if you're interested. (kwhilden_at_seanet.com)
Cheers,
kevin

ps. Robert, how's it going? Send me an email.




                         -------------------------------
                         |        Kevin Whilden         |
                         |     kwhilden_at_seanet.com      |
                         |   Kayak Academy Instructor   |
                         | http://www.halcyon.com/kayak |
                         -------------------------------

On Tue, 11 Jan 2000, Robert C. Cline wrote:

> Options add a higher initial cost to a dry suit, but probably substantially
> extend its lifetime. Kokatat's dry suit has an option for "cordura" kneepads
> and seat pads.    My WW instructor, Kevin Stevens of Seattle, wore a goretex
> Kokatat drysuit that was entirely covered with another layer of material,
> presumably cordura, like the knee pads, which made the whole suit very
> durable and abrasion resistant.
> 
> I would think that the covered dry suits would be as tough as the neoprene
> wetsuits and many more times functional.  You can wear a drysuit in warm
> weather, and use the zipper to regulate heat when the water conditions
> permit, but if you are not planning to stay immersed, a wetsuit will cook
> you!
> 
> In summary Paul:  Get the one piece dry suit if you possibly can!  Consider
> the add-ons as budget will allow.  You are paddling serious water up there.
> 
> Robert
> 
> > From: Philip Torrens wrote on  11 Jan 2000 08:12:04 -0800 (PST)
> > To: paragrant_at_webtv.net, paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
> 
> > 
> > Although the full drysuit would obviously be the choice were money no object
> > (sigh…), wetsuits do have their place, and some advantages; though wetsuits
> > offer less insulation than an unpunctured drysuit, wetsuits are very tough
> > and continue to offer a lot of protection even if holed in places; a flooded
> > drysuit can turn from an asset into a liability,
> 
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