Re: [Paddlewise] Sea Sock?

Derek wrote:

> I was actually pondering the sea sock as a safety item for cold weather
> paddling.  Air temperatures are finally warming here, but the water is
> still very cold (in 30F to 35F range).  It appears that the sea sock may
> not make that big a difference on a boat with bulkheads.  It could
> actually make things more difficult.
> 
> I found it interesting that there were only a couple of companies that
> actually offered sea socks.  IT appears that they are not a popular item
> right now.  Perhaps they have been made redundant by current kayak
> design and construction?

A sea sock will have very little effect on maintaining warmth within the 
cockpit.  Their major advantage is not keeping the cockpit tidy.  Rather, 
they minimize the water entry in the event you have to make a wet exit, 
facilitating pumpout and hastening reentry.

As to their popularity:  it has never been high, and that is the reason the 
market availability is low.  IIRC, Mariner is an advocate, as is Pygmy, and 
Feathercraft, all manufacturers of boats without bulkheads.  (In the case 
of Pygmy, they tout the safety advantage of a sea sock whether the boat is 
bulkheaded or not.)

In any case, you should be more concerned about the water temp from the 
standpoint of immersion clothing, not what is needed to keep your body warm 
while _out_ of the water, safely in your toasty cockpit.

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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