Dressing for immersion, Oregon style

Wali.


Thanks for the post. I was thinking layers more then anything. Rip stop is suppose to be waterproof and usually about 8 dollars a yard vice the more expensive better (i know ) gortex. but for us who need to start out cheap and want to stay warm.

I am also working on some different style paddle bags other then the bulky gun case type that will still protect the paddle as well as keep it stored safely when transporting it to the water.

Marilyn

Here's a video of the home sewn dry suit being tested in a pool.

$200 in materials and about 40 hrs of labor.

Brian


Thanks. It was informitive along with what Wali sent me. I have a dry top already was thinking of a form of Bibs. to go with it.

Marilyn

Hey Z, I did a quick search and wound up with a lot of hits.  Might this topic warrant it's own Forum?  Seems like it comes up every month or so.

-Mark-

Great idea Spottie. It is done.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3276.msg31683/topicseen.html#new

Z

HHHMMMMMMM, guys, I'm wondering if we shouldn't make  Zee's portion of that a Front Page, Permanent Item, seeing as we have a lot of unregistered visitors and such. look at it as a small step in doing our part in trying  to prevent any more misinformed mishaps that might turn fatal.

Before the Coast Guard had a rating for "swimmers" I was in a pilot program where that's what we did: we were dropped out of helicopters to swim to the people needing recovery in spots where the boats and helicopters couldn't go.  Northern California, not Miami, Florida.

Neoprene is warm enough at depth.  Neoprene, however, is incredibly cold when it's wet and you're out of the water.  I wouldn't want to wear neoprene if I had to get out of the water and into a breeze, even on a sunny day.

For now I've settled on a full 3/2 wetsuit when rowing my wherry in the ocean.  Three-two means that some of the suit is 3 mm neoprene, and the high-flex areas are 2 mm neoprene.  I also wear booties with Teva-type sandals. 

Bodyboarding experience here in Oregon tells me that this will keep me comfortable for an hour in the water.  Therefore I expect it would keep me functional and alive for several hours at least.  Comfortable?  Not especially.  Once I'm through the surf I peel down the top part and put on a shirt or coat.  That allows much easier rowing. 

If I huli (does that word apply to rowboats??) it only takes a moment to push my arms through the sleeves and zip the top up.  I put the top part back on anyway when returning through the surf. 

Of course I wear my trusty NRS PFD with a Personal Locator Beacon in the pocket.  I also carry a knife/whistle combination in the tiny key pocket on the leg of the wetsuit. 

Tinker
Is that a Gig Harbor Boats wherry? Looks like their work....

Tinker
Is that a Gig Harbor Boats wherry? Looks like their work....

No, it is a Wineglass Wherry, from Pygmy Boats in Port Townsend, WA.  It was a kit boat I built last winter.  I absolutely love this boat and have put over 900 miles on her in under a year. 

LOA 14'
Beam 4'
Weight 95 pounds
Easy cruising speed 3.8 mph
High cruise speed 4.5 mph