Dry top or suit

Been looking at tops and suits. If I don't intend to go far... 50 yards from shore...do I need either?

If the 'shore' is the bank of a small lake and there is no wind, then sure, you don't need one.

If the 'shore' is the Westport Jetty, then yeah, you definitely need immersion gear. 

I saw a couple of Kokatat dry-tops on sale in the Alpine Experience in Olympia, they were around 60 bucks. .

Dry-top + waders is less expensive than a full drysuit yet provides pretty good protection. One problem with the dry-top + waders combo though is that it is very difficult to hike the waders down for "relief".

I would not go out (or recommend going out) to Westport, or anywhere out on the coast in less than full immersion gear.

So, I have a good set of waders. But no top to go with it. I found a dry suit for under 400, but that isnt gonna happen right now. What is the difference between a drytop and a splay top? Or semi dry top for that matter. Heck figuring out kayaks was easier them figuring out the clothing. Add to that I am a xxl and it makes it more so. I don't think I'm picky either... I have even looked for used stuff.

Semi-dry vs dry is down to the neck gasket material.  Semi-dry uses neporene, full dry uses latex. 

Latex seals better, but also is not as comfortable.  Neoprene works well enough for our uses as we're not diving or (intentionally) spending long periods above our necks in the water. 

When I've purposely dunked myself to practice self rescue I've gotten maybe a few drops in through the neck gasket on my semi-dry suit.

When I looked into it, it seemed to me that a splash top was more to keep you dry from spray, but is loose at the waist kind of like a normal rain jacket.  So it wouldn't seal you from getting soaked during immersion.  Whereas a dry-top has the waist gasket to seal out water when you get dunked.

Give this thread a read (and the links in it) and then ask any specific questions you still have.  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=3276.0

Being an XXL I would think you should be able score a good deal.  Everytime I think I found a great deal on a drysuit, I would find out they were closeouts. Only smalls and XXLs were available.  The relief zipper is worth the money of a dry suit.    That and and combined with a pfd it is cheap life insurance.

The problem with life insurance is that is doesn't keep you alive - it just gives your widow some $$

Thanks for the links - I will keep my eyes peeled for xxl... haven't seen any great deals so far.  I did try on a kokatat super nova angler... so I know that is the size I would need... but $500 is just more then I can do right now... maybe after I sell my 12 aluminum boat and trailer.  If you all see something, please think of me and let me know.

I found a good price for the 2011 Kokatat GFER Gore Front Entry DrySuit Men's

http://www.kayakproshop.com/Koktat.html?gclid=CJrs36KF0q8CFSQbQgodlDTyEQ

Thanks for the links - I will keep my eyes peeled for xxl... haven't seen any great deals so far.  I did try on a kokatat super nova angler... so I know that is the size I would need... but $500 is just more then I can do right now... maybe after I sell my 12 aluminum boat and trailer.  If you all see something, please think of me and let me know.

You had mentioned in another thread that you were looking for a second kayak.  IMHO you'd be better off spending that money on quality immersion gear rather than an extra boat. 

You had mentioned in another thread that you were looking for a second kayak.  IMHO you'd be better off spending that money on quality immersion gear rather than an extra boat. 

+10

Agreed... but why choose just one.