To date all of my paddling has been during the warm (i.e. water temp) months, and I would like to extend my time to these spring weeks in Long Island Sound and the bays on the north and south shores of Long Island. The temperatures are now around 42-45 degrees F. Would a 3mm wetsuit with appropriate layering be sufficient, or does this temperature call for a full drysuit? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
This is a subject that you may get a lot of opinions on, but I've found that the best way to answer it is to simply put on your wetsuit and other paddling clothing and then take a 10 or 15 minute dip in the Sound (might not be a bad idea to have a friend nearby along with a nice warm car) - you'll know after that whether it'll work for YOU in the conditions in your area. My drysuit is the garment of choice almost nine months out of the year up here - and sometimes even during the "summer" (when 60F air temps and 50F water temps are not uncommon). Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska > -----Original Message----- > From: hkp_at_optonline.net [mailto:hkp_at_optonline.net] > Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 1:47 PM > To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subject: [Paddlewise] Wetsuit vs. Drysuit > > > To date all of my paddling has been during the warm (i.e. water temp) > months, and I would like to extend my time to these spring > weeks in Long > Island Sound and the bays on the north and south shores of > Long Island. > The temperatures are now around 42-45 degrees F. Would a 3mm wetsuit > with appropriate layering be sufficient, or does this temperature call > for a full drysuit? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 3/22/00 5:53:34 PM, hkp_at_optonline.net writes: << The temperatures are now around 42-45 degrees F. Would a 3mm wetsuit with appropriate layering be sufficient, or does this temperature call for a full drysuit? >> You can answer your own question better than anyone. Get all guessed up in your best cold water paddling outfit and WITH someone to help go out and swim in the water for 10 minutes. If you just huddle you won't get anywhere nearly the answer that movement will give you but you'll have an idea. Have someone else there with you just in case it is so cold that you can't even get back to the shore with ease. I don't think you need the tether and winch suggested to me last year but someone to hold the dry towel for you really is a very good safety plan. they can tell if you are okay better than you can if you do get hypothermic. Joan Spinner *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Although I am just starting kayaking I sailed a Hobie-16 on South Oyster Bay and Great South Bay (Long Island) for several years. You really get wet on a beach cat so I suspect that I am giving a pessimistic view here. For what it's worth; I found it is necessary to wear a light weight wet suit until mid May. After that the shallow bay water warms enough to make that unnecessary. On the other hand the waters of Long Island sound stay cold right up to July so you would need a good wet suit through June. However if you stay within the confines of Oyster Bay or Northport/Huntington harbors you should find conditions are more moderate. Richard Smith ----- Original Message ----- From: <hkp_at_optonline.net> To: <PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 22, 2000 5:47 PM Subject: [Paddlewise] Wetsuit vs. Drysuit > To date all of my paddling has been during the warm (i.e. water temp) > months, and I would like to extend my time to these spring weeks in Long > Island Sound and the bays on the north and south shores of Long Island. > The temperatures are now around 42-45 degrees F. Would a 3mm wetsuit > with appropriate layering be sufficient, or does this temperature call > for a full drysuit? > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not > to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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