Hiya pland,

My approach is to dress for the water conditions as a first priority and then add apropriate over clothing to provide wind chill and/or sun protection.

Rather than wear a single steamer type full wetsuit. I use a combination of wetsuit types that allow me to be comfortable for most of the year.

For summer I generally wear short leg 3mm wetsuit pants, collared rash vest & rubber soled reef shoes. A wide brimmed hat takes care of the head and neck for protection from the sun. I also take a Mac-in-a Sac nylon rain jacket and nylon over-trousers with me in the kayak for additional sun or wind protection if required.

Autumn and spring I wear long leg 3mm wetsuit pants and dive booties, with a sleeveless 3mm wetsuit vest and long sleeved polypropolene top under a Rasdex paddling jacket. As the water gets colder I put the waterproof nylon over-trousers on as well to keep me bum dry and stop water wicking up my back. I find this combination the least restrictive for cold water paddling and just add or remove layers of polyprop to suit the temperature conditions. So far I've found a beanie cap sufficient for keeping the head warm.

Pull down wetsuit pants allow you to answer the call of nature without having to piss in you own pocket (so to speak), although it can require some delicate balancing in the kayak. I believe that Bodyline Wetsuits in Auckland can supply to special order their "Farmer John" style full length sleeveless wetsuits with a comfort flap fitted in the crotch.

Be wary of any wetsuit tops with sleeves, as I found them OK when wet, but they gave me bad chaffing of the armpits when used dry, as in paddling.

Hope this info helps you out.

DogFish

 

Picked up Long johns from Dive Centre on the shore cheap as $80 - from memory and they work a treat , like the guys say I think the Long johns are the way to go as they leave the shoulders and arms free to paddle.

The ones I got also have padded knees etc. Good if your getting out on the rocks or the like.

A forum members beanie is a must....cant wait till mine arrives

Real men would wear a g string only.

Would leave a lot more space for the fishing tackle !

 

pland

when you guys are in your kayaks do you sit in an cm or two of water? that was the one thing that i didn't like about my yak and wondered if they are all like that. would definately address this issue if i was to buy another kayak.

I had a friend who solved that problem by putting a plastic rubbish bag in the sitting area before placing his ass in, which allowed the water in and out but not to contact the nether regions. Haven't tried it myself because a kayak is a summer toy, IMHO.

I bought special drain hole plugs (from Ocean Kayak or Johnsons as they now are) for the rear drain holes which keeps the sitting area pretty dry so long as the yak doesn't ship a wave aboard - the front  holes remain clear and will drain any water deeper than about 5 inches, which is OK in an emergency.

The drain plugs are closed cell foam and you can push them out the bottom to clear the drain holes if things get gnarly, so they don't compromise safety to any great degree.

 

Pland i have the same yak as you and i have blocked all my scupper holes with polystyrene and it is much drier only get a wet arse if a wave comes over the top mind you i also have a piece of 20mm high density foam for a seat  and this tends to keep yah dry on the long hauls ,i use a walrus windsurfing longjohn type wet suit which has straps over the top so no chaffing the company that makes em is in carbine road Mt wellington if you ask them they will put a valcrow flap in the groin so you can dispense burley when required.theyll also pad the knees for those rock landings,am going to ask them about a leather patch on the butt so i dont wear it outsitting on the rocks.

Hey fella's

That's why I wear nylon over-trousers in the colder conditions - my bum and upper legs stay cosy dry and no fish slime & blood on the wetsuit!

I've also made some scupper hole plugs using those yellow foam "limited flight" practice golf balls yah get at the Red Shed. Poked a loop of cord through them to make them easy to pull out as they force-fit into the scupper holes quite firmly. I found that even if you get a bit of water under you bum, when the scupper holes are blocked, the water warms up from body heat and you stay fairly comfortable.

The biggest problem I now have, is keeping my feet warm even with dive booties on. Anyone got a good solution?

DogFish

(A founding member of the Taranaki WHITE-Baiters Club)

yeah good plan with the "balls" Dog...have been mulling over what to use for a while....your idea sounds a goody

you should patent it.

peace out.

sorry to here you leavin our fair shores hell....whos gonna get me to the barrier now ???????

Thanks for the suggestions Dog. I'll try your method and also see whether plastic bags taped over my feet works.

DogFish