Kokatat T-3 Angler Suit Review

That's pretty much what I found, just don't wan't anyone leaving my review with the impression that this is a "dry" suit.

Liability would have it called a "paddling" suit rather than "dry" suit.

Word is fron Kokatat that they can alter the ankle cuff and sock to make it larger to get your foot into. They're calling back with a price for that alteration, and the exact specs of alteration. They did say turn around time would be 6-8 weeks.

Jason

 Thanks for the info.. Will try one on then go from there if it's a problem..
   Seem's like a good company that will work with me.. Royg

Great company, great service, great warranty. Quick turn around times as they are based in Arcata, CA.

Thanks for chiming in with your own review of the suit, demonick...
... My ears perked up to hear that the neoprene neck gasket kept water out, without even being cinched.

Stop, I'm blushing.

The neck gasket was not cinched but it was not loose around my neck - some stretch was engaged. 

Just in case, I think I'll point out that I believe Nanook and I are reviewing different Kokatat T-3 products.  

It's the T-3 supernova angler suit with the neoprene neck gasket, latex wrist gaskets, built in socks. basically the same suit as the T-3 supernova paddling suit.

If water, any water comes in, it is not a dry suit, but instead a paddling suit.

If you were separated from your boat and adrift in fowl weather for an hour or more, those two table spoons coming in around the neck every five minutes will add up to enough for problems. Is this likely? Probably not. But a latex neck gasket dry suit that does not allow any water to come in is a safer choice for offshore ocean fun.

This is a great suit for everything except offshore, PNW ocean fishing.

J

I'm a bit confused I was under the impression that the T3 Super Nova Angler is a safe choice to use in cold ocean water conditions??
I just purchased the suit and will be receiving it any day now! After reading some of the posts I'm not sure if this was a wise choice?
Do you guys think I souled return it and spend a bit more and buy this suit?
http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DID=91&PDID=9&SKU=PDS_KTTMDM

Oh and buy the way I am the proud owner of a yellow OK T13 Kayak!!!!
I'm still looking for a good PFD and paddle!!
Thinking of taking it out on Lacamas Lake in Camas WA  with in the next week or so!!

I'm a bit confused I was under the impression that the T3 Super Nova Angler is a safe choice to use in cold ocean water conditions??
I just purchased the suit and will be receiving it any day now! After reading some of the posts I'm not sure if this was a wise choice?
Do you guys think I souled return it and spend a bit more and buy this suit?
http://www.outdoorplay.com/store/Product.asp?DID=91&PDID=9&SKU=PDS_KTTMDM

Oh and buy the way I am the proud owner of a yellow OK T13 Kayak!!!!
I'm still looking for a good PFD and paddle!!
Thinking of taking it out on Lacamas Lake in Camas WA  with in the next week or so!!

The supernova angler and paddler are totally fine, and more than safe for NW saltwater kayak fishing.  Would I want a traditional gasket for SIK touring over long distances far from help, where I might need to Eskimo roll etc. etc. sure.  But that's not SIT kayak fishing, we need short term immersion protection and protection from the elements while fishing. It not like we are out trying to survive in a force 10 gale, most if not all salt yaking is done on relatively calm days with minimal wind (more than this and you can't fish anyway)...  With the supernova, and wearing  a life jacket, your neck seal would be well above water line ( I have tested this offshore) and only subject to minimal water from splashing etc. I have had mine in the water many times  under actual personal use (easily 20+ time in the salt this summer), in varied conditions and it works great, the tiny bit of water that may sneak by the neck seal (snugged firm) is hardly an issue. On a long hard paddle I sweat more water into the suit than has even leaked in around the neck, even in heavy surf hulis.    Is it a "Dry Suit" no is it more than safe and a good choice for all but the most extreme (whatever that is) offshore kayak angling, yes.

That's like saying, "I'm just driving to the grocery store. Do I really need a seat belt?"

Do I use this suit? yes

Is it great for everything but offshore? yes

Is it a dry suit? no

Ditto SwiftDraw's post.  I am not trying to sway your decision, just giving you some feedback on my personal decisions and considerations.

I use the semi-dry T3 Super Nova Angler suit often in the salt, Puget Sound.  It has kept me warm and dry.  My re-entry drills were dry and warm despite cold water.  The neck will admit a couple ounces of water if submerged.  It is not a dry suit in that regard.  Once I was at the surface it did not leak.  Will it keep you alive for 48 hours bobbing around in 45F water?  Probably not.  Will it keep you alive for hours?  Yes, provided you have proper underclothes/headgear.

Remember, your safety is a probability game based on a system which includes suit, underclothes, PFD, radio, etc.  If you flip or fall off the boat far out of the surfzone, your PFD will bring you quickly to the surface.  A few ounces of water in the neck would be no big deal and once your PFD brings you up, your neck is out of the water.  It would be at this point I would cinch the neck to its max.

It may also depend on where you fish.  I am not heading alone miles into the Pacific Ocean, and have no plans to do so.  I fish busy Puget Sound during the day, in which almost invariably boats are within sight, and in which the channels are at most about 5 miles across.  The probability is that if I get separated from my kayak, I'll not spend many hours in the water.  Obviously, since this is a probability game I could lose.  I could get hit and abandoned like that poor kid in the lake.  I could fall off and be swept out and/or simply go unnoticed.  I could get knocked out and float face down and drown.  Some events a suit will mitigate, some things not.  

This is just my opinion, so take it for what it is worth, but under my fishing conditions I think the safety difference between a true dry-suit and the T3 Angler would be mitigated by a waterproof personal GPS/VHF radio - single unit or combination.  For the most part, whether you are in a dry suit or a semi-dry suit it is time in the water leading to hypothermia that will kill you.

I have a OK T13 Angler too.

I'm not saying the suit is unsafe, I think it's great. The technicality is that it's not a dry suit, and the only thing as safe as a dry suit for offshore is a dry suit.

There was a thread not to long ago about a guy at a tournament with 50 kayakers around who's boat took on water in 3ft seas.

He was in the water for 20 or 30 minutes WITH all those people around to help. Can take less than 15 minutes in water below 70F to get hypothermia.

I could tie a rope around my waist while driving and that will work pretty good most of the time, but it aint a seat belt.

I'm just trying to be clear so people aren't confused. You want protection from the elements, the Super Nova suit is great. You want protection from the ocean, better get a dry suit. Supernova will save your ass in all but the worst situations.

I'd wear it in the bay, estuary, river, lake, sound but not the ocean.

I'm in agreement with Nanook here, which is why I wear a full dry suit.

But I do understand the other side of the debate.  In the end, I think it may be a personal choice related to risk tolerance.  As long as you understand the pluses and minuses, have at it.  I think I'm more risk adverse than most.  Safety first.  

-Allen

Well said PP

I find myself in agreement with pole and pelagic here. First, understand the day's conditions and risk involved. If you wanna go out on the blue with boardshorts and a splash top, have at it. It wouldn't be my choice but if you understand the odds and want to roll the dice that's your freedom... but be prepared for lots of comments.

The SuperNova angler is surprisingly watertight. I've bailed through the surf and took quite a few 5' waves to the head and it didn't leak. Good enough for me for ocean conditions

Z

Thanks guys I value each and every comment discussed on this topic and others as well and it has been very helpful!
This helps for me to make a informative decision and being a yak newbee it's very important!
This site is great...keep it up guys!
I hope to meet and fish with most of you some time soon...

Thanks again
Chuck