Re: [Paddlewise] Budget cold water clothing

If you have a dive tour or instruction shop nearby,  check to see if
they have any used rental/issue neoprene gear for sale.  I still get
some use out of a 6mm thick Farmer John, which I bought at least 4
years ago for $50.  At the time, its major flaw was that someone had
apparently leaned against an unshielded exhaust stack until they felt
the heat, producing a scorch about the size of my palm on one side,
with a hole smaller than a dime on the lower thigh.  That area fits
snugly, so little extra flushing occurs through the hole.  The 6 mm
neoprene is a little less comfortable then 3 mm, but not much, and
clearly warmer (in the water--difference may be less obvious when dry).
 Presumably this suit, with jacket and hood of course, was used many
times for SCUBA in 50 degree water before I bought it.  The extra
thickness, under a equally thick sprayskirt tunnel and other gear, does
stiffen the waist enough to affect my rolling a little, but otherwise I
have no complaints.

With this I usually use a semi-dry top (double waist, latex wrists,
neoprene velcro neck since latex necks make me gag, about $140);
Coolmax or other polyester or polypro long sleeve T-shirt and long
johns ($10-20 each) under FJ; old wool sweater or fleece jacket over
FJ, unless air is warm (free, everyone already has this, I trust);
booties ($25-30); gloves ($10-20) or pogies; and fuzzy-rubber beanie or
hood (about $25, and worth its weight in gold in sudden immersion IF
you are WEARING it!).  If you have to choose between the booties and
the hat, I'd take the hat.

I've never had a severe swim.  My longest swim in this get-up was about
3 minutes (after 3 missed roll attempts) in surf at La Push, Washington
coast, in January 1999.  Water temp. ?, presumably no more than 50
degrees, overcast, light wind, air also about 50 degrees).  I reached
the beach embarrassed but comfortable, and remained so while standing
around on the sand for 10-15 minutes chatting, and trying to look
casual.

Also had a short swim about a year earlier in my first, abortive
attempt at a class III river.  Less than one minute, but cool air and
high on a snow-melt river in early or late winter, water temp probably
39-40 degrees.  Again got out feeling fine, but decided that the car
was the best route to the takeout until my rolling was more solid.

This outfit is not pretty, but it is rather effective, fairly resistant
to abuse, and has the advantage over an uncoated dry-suit that when the
air is warm and calm, you can put away the dry top and paddle in
reasonable comfort, while retaining a fairly decent level of immersion
resistance.

If you are solo paddling in 40 degree water, I would plan on attracting
lots of attention at the start of a swim.  Carry several of those small
smoke grenades in your PFD pockets as well as your flares.  The smokers
should be more effective unless the wind is howling, since they last
much longer.  I suppose the swim scenario assumes enough wind to blow
the boat away, but they're worth a try anyway.  I would light a smoker,
fire a flare, swim a minute, repeat, until out of signals.

Obviously, you should practice wet-exits and re-entry right by the
beach WITH a helper at hand, before you trust any of this gear.

Mike Wagenbach
Seattle

"Watch out, those monkeys bite!"

--- Christine Allison <sailnut_at_asan.com> wrote:
> Here's a question for you experts.
> 
> For paddling in water at a temp range of 40-55F.  Bay condtions,
> with-in 500
> yards of settled land. With a budget of $350.  What items of clothing
> would
> you buy?
> 
> Richard Smith
> 



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