Wetsuit/Drysuit Question

Hello All,

I currently own a wet suit (4/3) with booties and a hood .  This has served me well in California and is common among kayakers  down here.  I have used it in the ocean and have jumped in to cool down and felt like it kept me warm.  I will be moving to Oregon next month and want to get out on the water.  One of my first places i would like to fish is the swan island area. 

Anyways, i want to start by saying, I would absolutely love to own a dry suit, however the price point is really high and after having my first child and making the move i do not see me having funds in the near foreseeable.  My question is, will the wet suit be okay for the time being.  I am comfortable in the water and am able to flip my kayak over in the water and get back on top.  I have a great PFD and VHF radio to assist in emergency situations.  Would it be frowned upon by other kayak anglers if i were to join a group and only had a wet suit (whether it be river, ocean or lake)? 

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

A 4/3 with booties and hood is perfect.  That's my set up for surfing most days.  I've been out for at least 6 hours some days and almost always was plenty warm.  A dry suit is a great option but not entirely necessary.  Have fun!!

Thanks!  It appears everyone up in Oregon (my hometown state  ) uses a dry suit, so that is what had me concerned.  The wetsuit is a little snug so i have been watching my weight lol.  I am glad to hear that it has worked for you!

I prefer my farmer john wetsuit (3/2) for inland waters, sometimes with a splash jacket over it if the wind is up and air temp is low.  But usually the pfd and wetsuit are plenty warm.  And cooling off is easy with a splash of water.   I easily overheat in my dry pant/dry top combo if I'm paddling for any length of time and find it harder to cool off than in the wetsuit.

I have a 2/3  3/4 and a 5/4/3 hooded. But thinking about a dry shell. For the cold windy days. But a wetsuit is fine.

I use a 4mm wetsuit but I don't fish in the winter time , arthritis is a bitch in the cold!

Wow, thank you for everyone's feedback. I am glad it will work for the time being. 

Once you finally get a drysuit, you'll never use your wetsuit again.  Drysuits are way more comfortable!

I bet that they are way more comfortable.  My wetsuit also runs a little small so i am looking forward to the day i can put on a drysuit.  I would like to get a fish finder first and will then save up for a wetsuit.

I use a wetsuit/rain suit combination in the rivers and the lakes.  The rain suit is to keep the wetsuit drier, because I get chilly when the neoprene is wet and the winds are up.  The only complaint I have is that my toes are wet all day.

I use a drysuit in the sea.  It took me three years to get a drysuit, and as pmmpete said, I've never looked back.

It's a personal choice, and I still wear the 4/3 wetsuit in inland waters.

Thats a great idea to add rain gear on top of the wetsuit!  I will do that in the future.  My booties fo the wetsuit are thick so i am thinking they will keep me warm.  Why do you prefer the wetsuit for inland waters if it is less comfortable?

Thanks for your input!

Thats a great idea to add rain gear on top of the wetsuit!  I will do that in the future.  My booties fo the wetsuit are thick so i am thinking they will keep me warm.  Why do you prefer the wetsuit for inland waters if it is less comfortable?

Thanks for your input!

For some people a dry suit is more comfortable, I find the wet suit more comfortable than a dry. YMMV  But the dry is better in some conditions regardless of which is more comfortable.

Thanks for the clarification!  I am happy that my wet suit will work for now.  That will allow me to get out on the water and save up for a fish finder.  I have seen some on Craigslist for a decent price but am not quite comfortable buying a dry suit on Craigslist.

Always try what you got first, if that don't work buy what you need.
Just don't go alone till your proficient.

Always try what you got first, if that don't work buy what you need.
Just don't go alone till your proficient.

Good advice!  I dont like going alone i have only done it a hand full of times and i enjoy sharing the moment with other people.  Its not as fun when i yell in excitement if no one is around to celebrate with