Re: [Paddlewise] Sprayskirt Question

   I usually paddle flatwater and have a waterproof sprayskirt and
no holes in the hull, and yet usually wind up with wet clothes by the
end of the day. I have no reasonable explanation to date. Possibly
the skirt has been punctured by sharp-finned bottom fish, but no
holes are evident.

BRC


Quoting "mjamja_at_earthlink.net" <mjamja_at_earthlink.net>:

> Over the past 8 years I have used 5 different neoprene sprayskirts   
> on 3 different kayaks. With all the skirts (even when new) on any   
> paddle more than 1 hour in length I come back with my swim trunks or  
>  hydroskins (waist to feet) soaking wet.  This happens on flat-water  
>  paddles about the same as paddling in waves.  It happens even when  
> I  do no rolling or deep edging.  I just assumed this is the way   
> neoprene skirts worked, but recently in talking with some other   
> paddlers I find out that they are much drier.
>
> I paddle with a GP and do dump a lot of water on the front of the   
> skirt from just normal paddling.  Also the 3 kayaks were all very   
> low decked and there is very little (if any) room between the bottom  
>  of the skirt and my clothing at my hips.
>
> 1. If doing no rolling or deep edging should I be dry in the neoprene skirt?
>
> 2. Could clothing contact with the bottom of the skirt be causing   
> some kind of wicking action?
>
> 3. Is there a wrong way to wear a sprayskirt that would cause water   
> to be wicked under the skirt?
>
> 4. Should a properly fitted neoprene skirt keep you completely dry   
> when doing edging with the cockpit rim under water?
>
>
> Thanks for any help you can give me.
>
> A dripping wet Mark.
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