Re-thinking my yak attire...

I just love this forum .......

I know right!

For those of you that currently own the Kokatat 3L Angler dry suit, I am currently looking at purchasing this dry suit. Have anyone that currently own the Kokatat 3L Angler dry suit has the neoprene neck collar been an issue as far as you getting wet when getting dumped in the surf. So far I have remained vertical when going through the surf but I know it will be just a matter of time. This has been a very timely topic. I just love this forum .......

Going out, no.  Coming back in, you can get water down the back of your neck if you spill and don't dismount at a good angle.

That said, I would not recommend a latex gasket just to avoid a few ounces of water at the end of your day.

Just for grins, I put mine to the test on a warm day by snorkeling for about 20min.  I did get about a cup or so of water into the suit thru the neck.  It seemed like 90 percent was from the initial burp.  Once it had vac packed onto me I didn't notice any additional leakage.

These suits have a Velcro tensioner on the neck seal.  I usually tighten this down in riskier situations and loosen it back up for general fishing.

-Spot-

That's good info to know there...

I don't even notice my latex gaskets. The latex is designed to be trimmed to desired fit. I am happy knowing that zero water will enter my suit especially during much cooler days, as even a cup of water down your neck will make for an uncomfortable and unfortunate end to your day. What happens if its more than a cup! Unless allergic I would suggest latex and enduring the first few constricting days until adjusted to your comfort level.


-Rodney-

I don't even notice my latex gaskets. The latex is designed to be trimmed to desired fit. I am happy knowing that zero water will enter my suit especially during much cooler days, as even a cup of water down your neck will make for an uncomfortable and unfortunate end to your day. What happens if its more than a cup! Unless allergic I would suggest latex and enduring the first few constricting days until adjusted to your comfort level.

I agree with Rodney.  If you want to stay dry, get latex gaskets.  There is a reason why the overwhelming majority of dry suits have latex gaskets rather than neoprene gaskets - latex gaskets keep you dry.  Paddling gear with neoprene gaskets is usually referred to as "paddle jackets," because it doesn't keep you dry.

Stand in front of a mirror.  If your neck is as wide as your head, a latex gasket is going to be really uncomfortable.

Also, my wife says if you have long hair, putting on and taking off a latex gasket is a real bitch.

For those of you that currently own the Kokatat 3L Angler dry suit, I am currently looking at purchasing this dry suit. Have anyone that currently own the Kokatat 3L Angler dry suit has the neoprene neck collar been an issue as far as you getting wet when getting dumped in the surf. So far I have remained vertical when going through the surf but I know it will be just a matter of time. This has been a very timely topic. I just love this forum .......

when I did my PA12 re-entry testing in my Kokatat Angler 3L, jumping in and climbing back on-board about 10 times, with lots of swimming/in-water time, I got perhaps a few tablespoons of water through the neck gasket.   the neoprene collar works great, you can tighten it up with the velcro tensioner or loosen it and roll it down for comfort in more relaxed situations.

I don't agree with or understand the comments from pmmpete, who seems to be comparing a Kokatat 3L supernova suit with a paddle jacket?  I don't get that.

cheers, roger

I don't agree with or understand the comments from pmmpete, who seems to be comparing a Kokatat 3L supernova suit with a paddle jacket?  I don't get that.

Kokatat's website lists the Supernova in its "paddling suit" page, not in its dry suit page.  http://kokatat.com/products/paddling-suits.html .  NRS advertises the Supernova suit in its "semi-drywear" category.  http://www.nrs.com/category/2570/men/semi-drywear  .  A number of retailers call the Supernova a "semi-dry suit" or a "paddling suit," not a dry suit.  I own a couple of paddle jackets with neoprene collars or neck gaskets which I use for whitewater kayaking in warm conditions.  They are kind of splash proof, but definitely not waterproof.

However, it sounds like Roger gave his Supernova a pretty good immersion test, and he says it did a good job of keeping out the water.  So perhaps the Supernova is a viable choice for kayak fishing.  I'd be interested to hear more reports from people who have gone swimming in a Supernova.

There are three different fabric types that Kokatat uses. Tropos, Hydrus 3L and Gore-Tex. Tropos is a 2 layer breathable fabric and thus considered a paddling. Hydrus 3L is Kokatat's three layer fabric similar to Gore-Tex, 80% of the breathability and durability at 60% of the price.

I don't agree with or understand the comments from pmmpete, who seems to be comparing a Kokatat 3L supernova suit with a paddle jacket?  I don't get that.

Kokatat's website lists the Supernova in its "paddling suit" page, not in its dry suit page.  http://kokatat.com/products/paddling-suits.html .  NRS advertises the Supernova suit in its "semi-drywear" category.  http://www.nrs.com/category/2570/men/semi-drywear  .  A number of retailers call the Supernova a "paddling suit," not a dry suit.  I have owned a couple of paddle jackets with neoprene collars or neck gaskets which I used for whitewater kayaking in warm conditions.  They were kind of splash proof, but definitely not waterproof.

However, it sounds like Roger gave his Supernova a pretty good immersion test, and he says it did a good job of keeping out the water.  So perhaps the Supernova is a viable choice for kayak fishing.  I'd be interested to hear more reports from people who have gone swimming in a Supernova.

It's a semi-dry suit, not a "paddling jacket" or "paddling suit"  The only difference from a drysuit and a semi-dry suit is the neck gasket, and sometimes the materials the socks are made from.

Saying a semi-dry suit is more like a paddling jacket than a dry suit is a stretch.

Supernova is the way to go.  I have been in the water in the surf (dumped) more then once, and in the water just for fun as well with it.  There is very little water that goes down the back of the neck.  If I snug up the neck strap I don't get any down my neck.  Even on days when it is cooler I am glad I opted for the neoprene vs the latex gasket.  The only person I would recommend a latex gasket to would be a stick person... they are just too tight and uncomfortable for me.

The Supernova has suited me just fine until recently. I did some re entry practice when i first got the suit and experienced no problems with leakage from the neck gasket.  Back in December I used my drysuit to wade out on the Sixes river while fishing for late run Chinook. I found out my right leg has slow leak. It made for a slightly uncomfortable day of fishing. I guess I should send it in to be repaired.

Any drysuit, no matter how expensive, can develop leaks.  For example, you could sit on a sharp rock, or jam a sharp stick or a thorn into the suit while walking through bushes. And it's really easy to punch holes in a dry suit while fishing.  Hooks, fish teeth, or fish fins can all do it, particularly while getting a lap dance from a large irritated fish with a large sharp lure in its mouth. 

What isn't easy is finding a small hole.  One technique worth trying is to run a florescent work light around inside the dry suit in a dark room.  Once you find a small puncture, all it takes to seal the leak is a dab of Aquaseal or marine goop, worked into the fabric. A patch glued down with the same adhesives will seal a larger leak or a cut. If you discover a leak while on a trip, if you dry off the area completely, duct tape will seal a leak quite nicely.

The Supernova has suited me just fine until recently. I did some re entry practice when i first got the suit and experienced no problems with leakage from the neck gasket.  Back in December I used my drysuit to wade out on the Sixes river while fishing for late run Chinook. I found out my right leg has slow leak. It made for a slightly uncomfortable day of fishing. I guess I should send it in to be repaired.

I have used my drysuit for a few years and I noticed a couple of slow leaks in the legs.  Nothing major.  I sent it in to Kokatat for inspection and patching and it came back with so many little leaks repaired I was shocked.  I counted 27 little patches just in my left leg. I didn't bother trying to count the rest, but I was impressed with the thoroughness of their inspection.  I think a lot of the little leaks came from sturgeon fishing.  I am sure a few holes came from rock fish, too.  If I remember right, it was a little over $80 for the inspection/patching and putting in a new neck gasket.  It was awesome customer service to say the least.  I had heard that they had great service and the fact that the suits were made in America with a lifetime warranty led me to purchase from them.  I have the Goretex Meridian.  I wish they gave the option of switching to a neoprene gasket.  I would have done so if that was available.  What I ended up doing was trimming the gasket quite severely.  I think there may be only one or two trim lines left on it.  It is much more comfortable now.

It was awesome customer service to say the least.  I had heard that they had great service and the fact that the suits were made in America with a lifetime warranty led me to purchase from them.

Now see that right there is what I like to hear a good AMERICAN company that treats its customers right... I had seen the lifetime warranty thing on Kokatat's web site but didn't know they were based in USA...

Also I thank all of you for the out pouring of knowledge and comments and everything else, I think im gonna take ballardbrad's idea of goin and renting the suit im lookin at getting at kayak academy then testin it out on lake Sammamish

What I ended up doing was trimming the gasket quite severely.  I think there may be only one or two trim lines left on it.  It is much more comfortable now.

You need to be very cautious about trimming neck gaskets.  Trimming reduces the width of the area which sits flat on your neck and seals out water, and if you trim too much, the gasket will have a poor seal initially.  Then as it loosens up over time as the latex deteriorates due to UV radiation, sweat, suntan lotion, and stretching, the neck gasket can get really flabby.  If a new neck gasket is too tight, a better way to loosen it is by leaving a big can or bottle in it for a couple of days.

Kokatat only sells size small and size large neck gaskets, and claims that it has designed its neck gaskets to be trimmed.  However, other manufacturers sell a bigger range of sizes of neck gaskets.  For example, OS Systems in Scappoose, Oregon, sells seven different sizes of neck gasket, ranging from XXS to XXL, and lists a recommended neck size for each size of gasket.  http://ossystems.com/maintenance-repair/drysuit-seals/ .  If the gasket on your dry suit is too loose or too tight, consider replacing it with a gasket which is just the right size.

What I ended up doing was trimming the gasket quite severely.  I think there may be only one or two trim lines left on it.  It is much more comfortable now.

You need to be very cautious about trimming neck gaskets.  Trimming reduces the width of the area which sits flat on your neck and seals out water, and if you trim too much, the gasket will have a poor seal initially.  Then as it loosens up over time as the latex deteriorates due to UV radiation, sweat, suntan lotion, and stretching, the neck gasket can get really flabby.  If a new neck gasket is too tight, a better way to loosen it is by leaving a big can or bottle in it for a couple of days.

Kokatat only sells size small and size large neck gaskets, and claims that it has designed its neck gaskets to be trimmed.  However, other manufacturers sell a bigger range of sizes of neck gaskets.  For example, OS Systems in Scappoose, Oregon, sells seven different sizes of neck gasket, ranging from XXS to XXL, and lists a recommended neck size for each size of gasket.  http://ossystems.com/maintenance-repair/drysuit-seals/ .  If the gasket on your dry suit is too loose or too tight, consider replacing it with a gasket which is just the right size.

exactly, compared to latex, there are some big advantages to an adjustable neoprene neck gasket- easy to pull on over your head when kitting up, easy to tighten up almost instantly when you want almost no leakage, easy to loosen and even roll down the collar for comfort when you are not concerned about going swimming, and no concern about stretching out over time and not sealing as well...cheers, roger