Start up gear/safety gear. Need recommendations

I agree - PFD is a must. Also do not forget about leashes - in case if you drop your paddle or rod.

I agree - PFD is a must. Also do not forget about leashes - in case if you drop your paddle or rod.

Not "if" you drop it.  It's *WHEN* you drop it!!!  DAMHIK 

Jim

Another important piece of important safety equipment is common sense.  This tool is much more effective when used in conjunction with robust wind and swell prediction tools. 

-Mark-

Just to throw it out there, but the Kokatat Hydrus 3L SuperNova Angler Suit can be had for around the price of a dry top/dry bottom combo (esp. if on sale). It's a semi-dry suit, meaning it has a neoprene cinch collar you can adjust.

I was going to grab one of those but ended up with a NRS Crux instead, which was on sale for a similar price. I'll regret that decision until I successfully modify its neck gasket to the point it's not trying to choke me to death.

Another important piece of important safety equipment is common sense.  This tool is much more effective when used in conjunction with robust wind and swell prediction tools.

Mark Twain said "Good judgment is the result of experience, and experience is the result of bad judgment."  But I would like to think that you can develop some good judgment by reading posts on this forum and talking with members of this forum, and thus avoid some of the excitement which can result from bad judgment.

Arctic and Antarctic explorer Roald Amundsen said "I may say that this is the greatest factor: the way in which the expedition is equipped, the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and everything in order, luck, people call it.  Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time, this is called bad luck."  Amundsen also said "Adventure is just bad planning."

Just to throw it out there, but the Kokatat Hydrus 3L SuperNova Angler Suit can be had for around the price of a dry top/dry bottom combo (esp. if on sale). It's a semi-dry suit, meaning it has a neoprene cinch collar you can adjust.

I was going to grab one of those but ended up with a NRS Crux instead, which was on sale for a similar price. I'll regret that decision until I successfully modify its neck gasket to the point it's not trying to choke me to death.

And you can have one at a good discount, support "Heroes on the Water", and have a custom NWKA logo on it... but you have to act soon.

http://www.backcountry.com/stohlquist-ez-drysuit

I was looking at getting this stolhquist dry suit. Its 399$ with the 20% off any 1 item coupon code. It seems to have very good reviews and fits my budget. Any recommend this or have any input on it?

Thanks!

http://www.backcountry.com/stohlquist-ez-drysuit
I was looking at getting this stolhquist dry suit. Its 399$ with the 20% off any 1 item coupon code. It seems to have very good reviews and fits my budget. Any recommend this or have any input on it?

The drysuit has all the elements I look for, except latex gaskets (I prefer latex to neoprene because it's more waterproof) and color (I prefer bright colors for safety reasons), at a very good price.  Ask if you can get the drysuit in a bright color, although the advantage of a black drysuit is that it won't show grime from fish goobers and slime like a bright drysuit. And do some googling to see if you can find any indication that users have had problems with that fabric.  There are a lot of different drysuit fabrics in use by various manufacturers, and not all of them hold up well. 

But the bottom line is that it looks like a pretty good drysuit at an excellent price.

http://www.backcountry.com/stohlquist-ez-drysuit

I was looking at getting this stolhquist dry suit. Its 399$ with the 20% off any 1 item coupon code. It seems to have very good reviews and fits my budget. Any recommend this or have any input on it?

Thanks!

I know someone who uses the Stohlquist EZ and is quite happy with it.  He's had it a while and it's holding up just fine.  It's only available in black, so when you buy your PFD get one in an extra bright color.

Wish I'd remembered the EZ earlier in the conversation.  Duh!

Some good reading here:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=27534.0

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=68671.0

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=5985.0

Another important piece of important safety equipment is common sense.  This tool is much more effective when used in conjunction with robust wind and swell prediction tools. 

-Mark-

That was covered way back in post #5.  What were you sleeping? 

This is my step one go to safety check before I do anything. 

Another important piece of important safety equipment is common sense.  This tool is much more effective when used in conjunction with robust wind and swell prediction tools. 

-Mark-

That was covered way back in post #5.  What were you sleeping? 

This is my step one go to safety check before I do anything.

Wait ,what! You mean to tell me your favorite phrase isn't " hey guys watch this" ? Mine neither but I know a few people that applies too just not on here.