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Winterwear on the Yak ???

Printed From: The Fishing Website
Category: Saltwater Fishing
Forum Name: Yak Yak Yak
Forum Description: The forum for Kayak enthusiasts
URL: https://www.fishing.net.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4897
Printed Date: 16 Jun 2026 at 10:57pm


Topic: Winterwear on the Yak ???
Posted By: pland
Subject: Winterwear on the Yak ???
Date Posted: 23 May 2004 at 2:42pm

Guys

As we are starting to approach brass monkey time , and the fishing can't stop - any suggestions on the best approach for winter fishing off the yak , clothing wise ?

Am thinking about a wetsuit - any thoughts on type , thickness etc.

pland



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pland




Replies:
Posted By: DogFish
Date Posted: 23 May 2004 at 10:17pm

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

 



Posted By: HELLFISH
Date Posted: 23 May 2004 at 10:30pm

Gidday Gents,

Dogfish has it figured out. I wear a farmer john style wetsuit with 2 T-shirts and a paddlejacket. This is my first winter paddling in NZ so far I have been okay on the brisk mornings.

The places you lose most of your body heat are through your head and around your waist. Keep them covered and insulated.

Next thing, choose your days and stay in your boat. if you're in a SOT Kayak like most of us, it might be worth your while to put down an extra pad of closed cell insulation on your seat.

A full diver style wetsuit will kill you in more ways that one. They are like paddling against a rubber band. Will chaffe you to the nub, and exhuast you when you need your energy the most.

I have worn a sweat**** under the paddle jacket but you can run into a safty problem if you need to remove your vest, etc to remove clothing layers.

Cheers

HF

 



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I reckon thys hir litel fishin hole jaust aint wut it yuzta bae...


Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 8:53am

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



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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 11:31am

Thanks guys - will do some shopping at the boatshow. Beanie is already in possession.

 

pland



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pland



Posted By: Bender
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 1:07pm
Real men would wear a g string only.

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Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water.




Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 1:12pm
LOL @ Bender.....A sight for sore eyes that would be

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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 1:52pm

Would leave a lot more space for the fishing tackle !

 

pland



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pland



Posted By: HELLFISH
Date Posted: 24 May 2004 at 4:40pm

I Dunno about you guys...



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I reckon thys hir litel fishin hole jaust aint wut it yuzta bae...


Posted By: CanadianJohn
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 3:21pm
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.

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Posted By: HELLFISH
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 3:42pm

CJ,

I'm a heafy fella so yeah I sit in a puddle of water. The only Kayak that I have ever paddled that was a dry ride was the Cobra FishnDive. Sadly the boat is too slow and clumsy for our paddling conditions



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I reckon thys hir litel fishin hole jaust aint wut it yuzta bae...


Posted By: Bender
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 3:51pm

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.

 



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Nobody has ever come up with a great idea after a second bottle of water.




Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 3:54pm

Always a puddle somewhere and not always water. But hey , all goes with the territory.

 



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pland



Posted By: The Dog
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 4:17pm
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.


Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 4:30pm

Dont ya just hate it when ya get in all careful like paddle out all careful like and start to fish, maybe get distarcted by bites or the like and WHAMO over the side comes a nice arse wetting slop of a wave

nutthin quite like ya fruit and nuts sitting in a puddle for hours on end



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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: DogFish
Date Posted: 26 May 2004 at 11:05pm

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)



Posted By: HELLFISH
Date Posted: 28 May 2004 at 11:25am

For the feet,

Havent tried this one yet, but Cabela's USA makes some electric socks for the poor old ******* thats hunting a deer in the Canadian Forest.

A Thought.

I like the practice goof ball thing!



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I reckon thys hir litel fishin hole jaust aint wut it yuzta bae...


Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 28 May 2004 at 12:56pm

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 ???????



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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: The Dog
Date Posted: 28 May 2004 at 1:03pm
Dogfish what i do to keep the feeling in my feet when i am out on a long yak mish is ,i put my zip up type dive boots on the yak and KEEP THEM DRY,i launch the yak and jump on wearing the jandels when on the yak i paddle out a little and then i DRY my feet wif my fishin rag and then put the dry boots on da dry feet,also carry a little strip of high density foam rubber which i drop under where my feet go in the yak to stop water getting in the boots have found this works sweet the key is to keep the inside of the boots as dry as poss for as long as poss.give it a go and let me know what yah reckon.


Posted By: DogFish
Date Posted: 28 May 2004 at 10:07pm

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

DogFish

 



Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 05 Jun 2004 at 8:54pm

Thanks for the input guys - had a look at a few options but Walrus seemed to be reasonably priced & convenient (must have driven past that place a million times).

Popped into the shop on Friday and tried on the Sailing Longjohn with reinforced bum and knees. Fitted well but shoulder straps were too tight. No probs for them , came and measured what was required and extended the straps to ensure perfect fit within a couple of hours(at no extra charge). Sent the missus into collect mine, and picked up one of the windsurfing longjohns for herself.

After 5 hours on the water today and a squall or two, extremely happy with the purchase.



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pland



Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2004 at 10:54am

How did you get on on the water Pland ? what time were you out ?

We went out yesterday avo and got pelted with rain....fishing wasnt that flash either

still im about to have snapper for lunch so it aint all bad



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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2004 at 8:18pm

Fatso - check my post in the Reports section 'I got a feed today'.

Didn't bother today but still had fish for tea. Lets hope tomorrow is better.



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pland



Posted By: DogFish
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2004 at 10:11pm

You guys are lucky you can get out. Down here in the Naki the winds blowing about 60k and the swell is 8-10 metres

Still there's always next weekend... hopefully.

Dogfish

 



Posted By: Phats
Date Posted: 06 Jun 2004 at 10:53pm
Bummer dog...think its not far off 60 right now on the shore...roofs nearly lifting off.....damn it

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A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.


Posted By: The Dog
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2004 at 5:26pm
Pland do you think walrus would put a valcro knob pressure relief flap in the front of the long john for the long john to get an airing from time to time,what i am saying is i was real happy wif my walrus suit until i was busting for a piss then came the yoga manouvers to get the lizard out and over the side have never liked the "marinade" idea,so i was thinking of asking them to put a knob flap on mine for me,but arent too sure if itll mailto:f@#k">f@#k the wetsuit and am a little bashfull to ask their sweet receptionist about my idea as she may require too many details or worse still dimensions and it could just all get outa hand...Just wondering what all you fellas do with the used lion red when out on your yaks..


Posted By: pland
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2004 at 6:33pm

TD

They were bloody accomodating with me so I don't think they will have a problem. Give them a call , they wheeled in a matronly figure from the back to measure up the changes for mine.



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pland




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