Paddling 3-4 times a week, all year around, I tend to be hard on sprayskirts. My Bushsport has given up the ghost (had it about a year and a half), and I'm now looking at ones with Kevlar reinforcement. I'm familiar with the one by Snapdragon, which is good, but very expensive. Has anyone had experience with sprayskirts make by "Seals" (http://www.sealsskirts.com/)? They make a kevlar model. Both the Snapdragon and the Seals skirts are designated as whitewater skirts, but they will fit on my NDK Greenlander Pro. Thanks, Josh Ra'anana, Israel *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Josh, Can't vouch for Seals' heavy duty sparyskirts, but I own one of their touring skirts made for a Folbot Cooper. Workmanship is good. Same for materials. You might also check out Brooks: http://www.brookspaddlegear.com/paddle_gear.html Their site is down right now, but I expect it will come back later today. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Josh: My degree of usage doesn't correspond to yours, so my recommendation may not be on all four. But I got a Snapdragon Ocean Touring skirt for my Greenlander Pro in order to keep the cockpit as watertight as possible during surf or extended rolling sessions, and I'm very happy with it. It is strong and pretty darn leakproof. Tom _____________________________________________________ <Josh wrote:> > Paddling 3-4 times a week, all year around, I tend to be hard on > sprayskirts. My Bushsport has given up the ghost (had it about a year and > a half), and I'm now looking at ones with Kevlar reinforcement. I'm > familiar with the one by Snapdragon, which is good, but very expensive. Has > anyone had experience with sprayskirts make by "Seals" > (http://www.sealsskirts.com/)? They make a kevlar model. Both the > Snapdragon and the Seals skirts are designated as whitewater skirts, but > they will fit on my NDK Greenlander Pro. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Josh...I paddle daily, and have found that the #1 best sprayskirt for me for rolling and paddling in heavy wind/waves with a completely dry cockpit is (1) Mountain Surf, and (2) Seals, which is very close but a lot less money. Both last forever and provide a very tight cockpit fit. They are cut to curl over the cockpit lip...not simply flat and cinched down with a bungee. I've had my Mountain Surf over 2 years now and it looks like new, and the Seals is over 1 year old now and likewise is like new. I found Snapdragon is a total waste of money for me....didn't even last a year and leaked badly. Ken *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Josh...I paddle daily, and have found that the #1 best sprayskirt for me for rolling and paddling in heavy wind/waves with a completely dry cockpit is (1) Mountain Surf, and (2) Seals, which is very close but a lot less money. Both last forever and provide a very tight cockpit fit. They are cut to curl over the cockpit lip...not simply flat and cinched down with a bungee. I've had my Mountain Surf over 2 years now and it looks like new, and the Seals is over 1 year old now and likewise is like new. I found Snapdragon is a total waste of money for me....didn't even last a year and leaked badly. Ken Hi Ken, Can you be so kind and tell me, the coaming size (1.4?) and type of your Seals sprayskirt? I paddle, as you do, a Performa L and if it fits well for you it will fit well for me. Thanks a lot Rafael. Mexico *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have completed the move from South Florida (Water temp 80-88) to Santa Cruz (55) I suspect I will need more than a t-shirt and bare feet. I visited two of the local kayak shops yesterday asking about water wear. I was told by one that a capaline shirt would be adequate and that their students were taught not to stay in the water too long. The other suggested a bib style wet suit and paddling jacket. I haven't been wet yet, but I assumed I'd be looking for either a dry suit or something to complement my Gore-Tex Kokatat semi dry top (which I only wore once in mid winter). Any suggestions from cold water paddlers? Thanks Bob www.sinkthestink.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > I have completed the move from South Florida (Water temp 80-88) to Santa > Cruz (55) I suspect I will need more than a t-shirt and bare feet. > > I visited two of the local kayak shops yesterday asking about water wear. I > was told by one that a capaline shirt would be adequate and that their > students were taught not to stay in the water too long. The other suggested > a bib style wet suit and paddling jacket. I really like the advice from the first shop. I'd like to see how they teach their students not to stay in the water too long. Better still, do they teach them how to stay out of the water altogether? I'm envisioning something along the lines of Wiley in the BC comic who has learned to tread air a few inches (cm*2.54, eh?) above the surface. Farmer John and paddle jacket, I'd say. Or Fuzzy rubber top and pants. But I tend to overdress. -- Steve Cramer Athens, GA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 02:31 PM 6/9/2005 -0400, Steve Cramer wrote: >Bob Denton wrote: >>I have completed the move from South Florida (Water temp 80-88) to Santa >>Cruz (55) I suspect I will need more than a t-shirt and bare feet. >>I visited two of the local kayak shops yesterday asking about water wear. I >>was told by one that a capaline shirt would be adequate and that their >>students were taught not to stay in the water too long. The other suggested >>a bib style wet suit and paddling jacket. > >I really like the advice from the first shop. I'd like to see how they >teach their students not to stay in the water too long. Better still, do >they teach them how to stay out of the water altogether? I'm envisioning >something along the lines of Wiley in the BC comic who has learned to >tread air a few inches (cm*2.54, eh?) above the surface. Santa Cruz is a very popular surfing spot and they stay in the water much longer than a kayaker would. I wonder what kind of advice the local surf shops would give (O'neils is one of them). >Farmer John and paddle jacket, I'd say. Or Fuzzy rubber top and pants. But >I tend to overdress. Having spent a considerable amount of time body surfing in those waters as a ute that would probably work well. John Fereira jaf30_at_cornell.edu Ithaca, NY *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bob, two main ways to go, depending on your style: Three mm Farmer John and goretex drytop (with latex at the wrists and a good closure at the waist; latex at the neck optional). Full-on goretex dry suit with latex at the wrists and the neck; goretex booties at the feet. Kokatat makes the best, but they ain't cheap. Get a relief zipper. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Thanks everyone for your input. I'll probably start saving for a dry suit and use my scuba polartec with my semi dry top to stat. It's the coronary on my first roll, I'm afraid of! Cya Bob *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Full-on goretex dry suit with latex at the wrists and the neck; goretex > booties at the feet. Kokatat makes the best, but they ain't cheap. Get a > relief zipper. > Check out the Palm brand. They are nicer than the Kokatat and a hell of a lot cheaper. Yes they are a generic goretex. I have seen them for as little as $350.00 for a brethable you cant beat it. Also they use a diferent zipper as opposed to the clasic on on the Kokatat. I think it might be a better product in the end. a quick search turns up: http://www.paddleshack.com/clearance_wet_drysuits.htm best deal going for a drysuit. the ususal disclaimer, I dont sell, own, work etc etc for them. michael *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On 9 Jun 2005 at 10:41, Bob Denton wrote: > I haven't been wet yet, but I assumed I'd be looking for either a dry > suit or something to complement my Gore-Tex Kokatat semi dry top > (which I only wore once in mid winter). > > Any suggestions from cold water paddlers? Georgian Bay is considered warm if the water temps below surface are 57F. The surface is usually quite warm in summer, but you go down a couple of feet and the temp is quite chilly. Swimming means floating near the surface unless you're fairly close to shore (where it gets warm deeper). So my experience is with these kinds of water temps (or colder) a lot of the time. Given this water temperature, paddling attire depends more on air temperature. If it's _hot_ out and swimming weather, you can get away with just a bathing suit and T-shirt _IF_ you are sure that you're not going to be out of the kayak in deep water for long. Note the _IF_. This also assumes you are not going to have a heart attack if you hit cold water (i.e you are healthy). I've practiced wet exits in these conditions with just a bathing suit. While not comfortable, it isn't debilitating and you warm up quickly once back in the kayak. If you're with other good paddlers who know their rescues or are quite adept at rolling and self rescue, you can dress lighter. However, if not, then a 3mm FJ is good. Do bow dunks or roll to cool off as required. If the air temps are cooler, then 3mm FJ plus a drytop is good. I use that combo well into the fall and even late winter if I'm with others. If it's particularly cold, I augment the FJ with fleece sweaters and long johns (thick polypro - wool-like - cycling tights). I only use my drysuit if I'm going to be in the water for a while (like instruction this month) or solo in colder months or with others when the ice is on the lakes. A drysuit in July or August is way too hot. I'd recommend you start with a 3mm FJ and see how you feel. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>Santa Cruz is a very popular surfing spot and they stay in the water much longer than a kayaker would. I wonder what kind of advice the local surf shops would give (O'neils is one of them). Wetsuits are actually designed to work IN the water, which is, um, probably why they are called - wet suits :-) Once you have been swimming and have gotten out of the water a wetsuit can actually become quite cold and uncomfortable in cold weather, especially if you stop working, or paddling, as the case may be. So most surfers and divers like to get out of their wet wetsuits as quickly as possible when they leave the water. Just something to consider. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Bob, I find that a Farmer John wetsuit, Hydroskin rash guard, Mukluk Lites, and Gore-Tex paddling jacket, work well for me in 55 deg water. I'm located in Southern CA and our water is a little bit warmer than yours, but not much. Last weekend it was 58 deg and 70 deg air temp. I wore a shortie Farmer John, and a polypro rash guard. Left the paddle jacket and Hydroskin off. Even went for a swim after several missed roll attempts, and my paddling partner didn't get his bow to me. Steve > -----Original Message----- > From: Bob Denton > > I have completed the move from South Florida (Water temp > 80-88) to Santa Cruz (55) I suspect I will need more than a > t-shirt and bare feet. > > I visited two of the local kayak shops yesterday asking about > water wear. I was told by one that a capaline shirt would be > adequate and that their students were taught not to stay in > the water too long. The other suggested a bib style wet suit > and paddling jacket. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
[Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (including headers/footers/sig lines/extraneous text from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material in addition to removing header/trailers when replying to posts.] Hi Bob, I paddle in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Cruz and Monterey constantly. Yeah the water can be surprisingly cold thanks to the Japanese Current bringing frigid water and air from far up north. I wear a kind of bib type wetsuit, with a thin long-sleeve polyester shirt under a semi-dry top. Members of my club (Western Seakayers), wear a wide combination of outfits with many of them using complete drysuits all the time. I'm always seeking a compromise between being too hot because of the atmospheric temperature versus dressing too lightly for immersion. To make matters more complex, weather changes can be very quick in this area. The outfit that worked fine at the beginning of a paddle may prove to be a sweltering sauna or a freezing food locker in the middle of a paddle and then suddenly change again towards the end of a paddle. The advice that the shops gave you is sound. We don't spend a lot of time in the water. In fact, we practice doing rescues as quickly as possible (I can do a paddle float rescue, start to finish, in under two minutes). Nevertheless, Northern California is one of the great paddling areas of the world. Welcome. Raphael *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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