New Kayaker,Need safety gear audit

I'm new to Ocean kayaking and just purchased Hobie Revo 13. I currently plan to fish/crab in the bays on the NW Oregon coast.  Rock fishing in Pacific city is also something I may try.   

I'm putting together my safety gear list and realizing there is a lot to think about in terms of being prepared in case something goes wrong.  Here is what I have going on so far.

HX870 Radio (ordered)
Kokatat Bahia Tour PFD (plan on ordering soon)
Spyderco Pacific Salt Knife (plan on ordering soon)
Paddle Leash (Own)
Kokatat Hydrus 3L Tempest Pants w/ socks (own)

I need to flesh out the rest of the cloth to prepare me for immersion in cold water.

Would it make sense to buy a 3mm Farmer John wetsuite and wear it under the Kokatat pants?  Then maybe add a Kokatat Dry top?

Would that combination provide sufficient warmth upon immersion in NW Oregon coast waters? 

Corey

don't do a wetsuit under a dry suit. you'll roast.

get a dry-top, and layer appropriately undernearth. no cotton. dry-fit/wicking stuff is good.

There are lots and lots of posts about this, so take a moment to search NWCA for other answers to the same question(s).

I have the Kokatat Hydrus pants.  They were called "paddling pants" when I bought them, and they are NOT dry pants.  You can't get them to form a tight seal at the waist to keep the water out.

BUT NOTE that I've never tried them with a dry top, so you might ask if the rather bulky and relatively low waistband on the Tempest pants interferes with the latex waist gasket of a dry top.

For minimum effective safety gear, you might want to read the 2016 ORC rules:  http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17857.0

based on my experience, in coastal rivers, tidewaters, and the ocean, I suggest a dry paddling suit with thin wool base layers under, adding an extra warmth layer if needed.  these suits not only keep you dry during immersion but also keep you dry in the rain...during one of my self rescue practice days, in 48F water, I spent a good 45 minutes getting in and out of the water and remained totally dry in my suit.

https://kokatat.com/product/hydrus-3l-supernova-angler-paddling-suit-dsuhsa

A whistle or horn can come in handy.

I have a pair of Kokatat Hydrus Tempest dry pants, and like them very much.  They provide excellent splash protection, keep my butt dry, and keep my feet dry and warm when I hang them over the side of my kayak.  They fit snugly around my stomach, but I know that they won't keep my legs dry if I end up in the water for more than a couple of seconds.  If you are kayaking in cold water in any situation where you might end up getting dumped out of your kayak, and in particular if you are fishing in the ocean, you need a full dry suit.  A full dry suit with latex (not neoprene) gaskets will keep your clothing dry even after extended periods in the water, and if you are wearing an appropriate amount of clothing under the dry suit, it will keep you warm and protect you from hypothermia.  And it will allow you to kayak in comfort even in cold, rainy, and windy conditions, if you wear the appropriate amount of clothing under it.  I suggest that you invest in a full dry suit, rather than getting a dry top, and reserve your dry pants for use in good weather and not-too-cold water inland.  If you buy a dry suit, you won't be sorry.  It's about the best investment for comfort and safety in kayaking which you can make. Get it plenty loose so you can layer up a lot of clothing under it for warmth; you will be sorry if you go for a trim stylish tight-fitting look.  If it doesn't have a pee zipper, you will be very very very sorry.  Attached dry socks are greatly superior to ankle gaskets, because you can layer up warm fuzzy socks under them and keep your feet warm and dry when you're on the water.  Your feet spend a lot of time in the water when kayak fishing in a sit-on-top kayak.  Breathable fabric is a definite plus, because it will prevent condensation from forming inside the dry suit.

Then, assemble a collection of polypro, pile, acrylic, and/or wool layers which you can wear under your drysuit.  This doesn't need to be expensive or attractive clothing, it just needs to provide insulation and not absorb water or sweat, and it needs to layer up well.  You can get pile clothing cheap at discount or athletic stores. In the spring, when winter clothing goes on sale, pick up a couple of acrylic sweaters.  Acrylic is almost as good as polypro with respect to not absorbing water, sweaters can have a lot of loft, and sweaters layer up well.

Don't ever wear any cotton when kayaking, or when doing any other outdoor activity.  See http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/why-cotton-kills-a-technical-explanation-1688286083 .

Then, assemble a collection of polypro, pile, acrylic, and/or wool layers which you can wear under your drysuit.  This doesn't need to be expensive or attractive clothing, it just needs to provide insulation and not absorb water or sweat, and it needs to layer up well.  You can get pile clothing cheap at discount or athletic stores. In the spring, when winter clothing goes on sale, pick up a couple of acrylic sweaters.  Acrylic is almost as good as polypro, and sweaters layer up well.

Don't ever wear any cotton when kayaking, or when doing any other outdoor activity.  See http://indefinitelywild.gizmodo.com/why-cotton-kills-a-technical-explanation-1688286083 .

Icebreaker almost always has camo 200 weight merino wool baselayers at 75% off (and free shipping on orders over $49), I have been using the "Ika" models for over a year and love them:

http://www.icebreaker.com/en/mens-baselayers?prefn1=discountRankUS&prefv1=75%25%20off

no cotton!
 

Icebreaker almost always has camo 200 weight merino wool baselayers at 75% off (and free shipping on orders over $49), I have been using the "Ika" models for over a year and love them:

I've been satisfied with the polypropylene base layers I've been using, but wanted to try wool to see if it's more breathable.  Those are terrific prices for wool - I just ordered a set.  Thanks, Roger!

I use the Tempest pants in lakes and rivers, like pmmpete, but got a Kokatat Angler's (semi) dry suit before I went in the ocean because: http://www.coldwatersafety.org/WhatIsCold.html

Stay warm = stay safe. 

Thanks for all the input.  I think it makes sense, based on the discussion, that I get a dry suit and add a non-cotton insulating under layer.

The HYDRUS 3L SUPERNOVA ANGLER PADDLING SUIT looks like a reasonably priced option.  I'm just curious why the Kokatat website shows the icon of "semi-dry" highlighted for that suite rather than "dry". I think Rogerdodgers experience with this dry suite is re-assuring.

Looks like I need to do some research on selecting which Kokatat suite to purchase.   

semi-dri usually means the neck is neoprene instead of latex.

fwiw i wore a dry top paired with dry pants for a while and they worked great. pretty much bone dry when submerged, and much cheaper than a full dry suit.

semi-dri usually means the neck is neoprene instead of latex.

correct, 'true' dry suit has latex neck gasket.  neoprene neck is comfortable and has a velco adjustment so you can adjust how tight it is...mine does not seem to leak at all...

Learn how to read water, get hrs on the water and practice getting in and out of your yak.

Thanks for all the input.  I think it makes sense, based on the discussion, that I get a dry suit and add a non-cotton insulating under layer.

The HYDRUS 3L SUPERNOVA ANGLER PADDLING SUIT looks like a reasonably priced option.  I'm just curious why the Kokatat website shows the icon of "semi-dry" highlighted for that suite rather than "dry". I think Rogerdodgers experience with this dry suite is re-assuring.

Looks like I need to do some research on selecting which Kokatat suite to purchase.

The Kokatat angler suit is a great choice.  The legs are covered in heavy duty cordura to protect the waterproof fabric from hooks and toothy/spiny fish.  The Hydrus 3L fabric doesn't breathe as well as Gore-Tex, but you aren't paying Gore-Tex prices for it either.  The angler suit's neoprene neck cuff has an elastic draw cord to cinch it up around your neck, and it does a pretty good job of keeping water out for the couple of seconds you might be submerged after falling out of your boat.  Once you're bobbing up and down, your PFD keeps your neck above water.  If you have to swim far, or if you're practicing recovery and going in the water repeatedly, you can expect your upper body base layers to get damp. 

Learn how to read water, get hrs on the water and practice getting in and out of your yak.

Practice practice practice!  A group of us went out this morning in Idaho on really calm water to practice getting back into our boats.  It was amazing how difficult it can be.  Learn to use several techniques for  reentering your yak. 

I have many hours on the ocean as well and getting back into the boat with swell and wind is even more challenging.





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If you're still looking for a dry suit and want a different option other than Kokatat/stholquist and those guys, check out Mythic Gear. I've had no issue out of mine (I bought the Enki relief drysuit). Is it as breathable as a $1000 drysuit, No. But it does breath a bit and it keeps me warm and dry.

http://www.mythicdrysuits.com/collections/drysuits