Winter's coming: SAFETY!

I came across this link and thought I'd share it for the common good. 

http://www.ultimatekayakfishing.com/home/content/view/49/27/

This story put a good perspective on putting yourself in the situation, as opposed to thinking about it from a warm recliner in your living room.  Think about everything upside down, wet or non-functioning, distances and so forth.  Keep in mind this guy was a Navy diver too.  I doubt any of us have that many water-hours and equipment experience as he does!

Allen, can we have a dedicated place for a comprehensive list of equipment for our PNW weather conditions?

Anyway, I think I'll invest in a dry-suit.  Any opinions on make and model would be appreciated.

I gotta say you absolutely can not go wrong with a kokatat gore-tex front entry dry suit with a relief zipper (for fast bladder relief) and built in gore-tex socks.

I am in mine 3-4 times a week for the last two years and it is amazing. I've also tried some of the less expensive nylon suits, and they just don't breath.

The price of the kokatat suit is going to sting a bit (mine cost more than my business suit), but what is your life worth? Kokatat also backs the suit with a lifetime warranty, and they're located in Arcata, CA, so repairs etc. don't cost to much to ship or take to long to get there.

check out www.shop.aldercreek.com for online dry suit shopping.

-J

LINK does not work.

  Locally, the kayak shop on S. Tacoma Way has Kokotat drysuits, as does the kayak shop on Westlake on Lake Union --NWOC. 

http://shop.aldercreek.com/Outerwear-Apparel/Drysuits-c69.html

NRS has a dry suit with relief zipper on sale right now. Still expensive but the best price i've seen for a quality apparel.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2251&deptid=1174

LINK does not work.

  Locally, the kayak shop on S. Tacoma Way has Kokotat drysuits, as does the kayak shop on Westlake on Lake Union --NWOC. 

And there is always Kayak Academy in Issaquah.  George is an expert when it comes to sizing as well as some customization.  I would have needed a customization to get the best fit, but it turns out he already had one in stock with the exact customization I needed.

-Allen

NRS & Stohlquist make a good suits, but I'll second Kokatat gore-tex suits. I've used them for years, and have never had anything but good to say about them. They are pricey, but more than worth it in my opinion, especially as it gets colder. The durability of the fabric has also impressed me, along with the ability to customize if needed.

Also, as an FYI, Kokatat has an angler suit coming on in early January. It's a modified version of the front entry suit, using a 3-layer Tropos fabric, and Cordura reinforcements on the lap, seat, knees and elbows. Looks like retail is going to be right around $600.


Brian

Wonder if that angler suit has the modified collar??  I have a Kokotat dry top with a modified neck, it has a foldover velcro-closure at the neck, instead of the choke gasket.  MUCH more comfortable, and if you go swimming, pretty nearly as dry as the gasket.  I wear the Kokotat Tropos "paddling" jacket with a double skirt that fits over my Farmer John wetsuit bottom.

   Wearing a dry suit with latex neck gasket is like being strangled  for several hours by a guy with weak hands....

Also, as an FYI, Kokatat has an angler suit coming on in early January. It's a modified version of the front entry suit, using a 3-layer Tropos fabric, and Cordura reinforcements on the lap, seat, knees and elbows. Looks like retail is going to be right around $600.

I've seen these and they're nice. Kokatat did their homework and enlisted some hard core kayak fishermen during R&D of these. Also look for their PFD's. Simple but effective gear that just works.

Z

Yes, it does have the punch-through neoprene neck gasket, along with latex wrists and Tropos socks. Sorry, meant to mention that the first time around. I'm with you on the latex neck gasket. I'll do almost anything to avoid them, especially for ocean paddling.

Wonder if that angler suit has the modified collar??  I have a Kokotat dry top with a modified neck, it has a foldover velcro-closure at the neck, instead of the choke gasket.  MUCH more comfortable, and if you go swimming, pretty nearly as dry as the gasket.  I wear the Kokotat Tropos "paddling" jacket with a double skirt that fits over my Farmer John wetsuit bottom.

   Wearing a dry suit with latex neck gasket is like being strangled  for several hours by a guy with weak hands....

Yes, it does have the punch-through neoprene neck gasket, along with latex wrists and Tropos socks. Sorry, meant to mention that the first time around. I'm with you on the latex neck gasket. I'll do almost anything to avoid them, especially for ocean paddling.

Wonder if that angler suit has the modified collar??  I have a Kokotat dry top with a modified neck, it has a foldover velcro-closure at the neck, instead of the choke gasket.  MUCH more comfortable, and if you go swimming, pretty nearly as dry as the gasket.  I wear the Kokotat Tropos "paddling" jacket with a double skirt that fits over my Farmer John wetsuit bottom.

   Wearing a dry suit with latex neck gasket is like being strangled  for several hours by a guy with weak hands....

I have a neck ring that holds the choke collar away from my neck.  It's something they make at the Kayak Academy, made of stuff plastic hosing that you can get at any hardware store.  They use a dowel on the end in order to form a loop.  When the weather gets snotty, I pull it off the ring.  Or if you tip unexpectedly, it takes a split second to pull it off the neck.

Also, you can cut the ring down to make it bigger.  I've used one all day without feeling overly constricted.  Usually I use the ring when it is hot out, not because I'm feeling choked.

-Allen

Alaskakayakschool.com has sale on slighlty used drysuits:

Kokatat Drysuits kokatat.com (all breathable)

Woman’s Gore-tex  front-entry suits w/ drop seat and socks (WGFED), 2008 light use, plum and black
Small, New $924, Sale Price $575*
Medium, New $924, Sale Price $575*
Large, New $924, Sale Price $575*

Unisex Gore-tex front entry suits w/ relief zipper and socks, 2008, light use, radish and black
Medium New $880, Sale Price $525*
Large New $880, Sale Price $525*

Tropos Meridian Drysuits, lightweight and completely functional drysuits with skirt tunnels and socks, these particular suits do not have relief zips or drop seats, and the pricing reflects this.
(no drop seat of relief zips), used and in good condition
Unisex Large cobalt New $550, Sale Price $300*
Unisex XXL cobalt New $570, Sale Price $300*
Woman’s L mango New $570, Sale Price $300*

Palm Drysuits  palmequipmentusa.com (all breathable)

Sidewinder Classics – unisex suits, simple, but functional,
front entry, w/ socks, no relief zipper
Medium, used in good condition, $350
Large, used in good condition, $350
Extra Large, “is new”, new $499, sale price $399*

Torrent (blue)
– men’s suit w/ relief zipper and socks
skirt tunnel and rear entry, a student favorite !
Large or medium, used and in excellent condition, new $649, sale price $450

  Their site:

http://www.alaskakayakschool.com/