C-Forum

How about a report on what kind of boat you have chosen for yourself. I'm hping to hear that you're all set up for the coming season.

And, here's something you might be interesterd in. Just posting it again so you are sure to see it, from recboatspaddle.

Subject: FS - Kokatat Meridian drysuit
From: s000bee@aol.com (Sue)
Date: 2/16/04 9:53 AM Mountain Standard Time
Message-id: <87868ad6.0402160853.2f3e5b02@posting.google.com>

FOR SALE - LIKE NEW $150 obo - Kokatat Meridian drysuit, size women's
medium, w/attached neoprene booties, cobalt blue. This suit has been
worn less than 5 times and is literally like new. Neck and wrist
gaskets have been regularly treated with 303 protectant and are in
excellent condition. Located in Dayton Ohio, but will ship anywhere
in US. If interested, contact me at s000bee@aol.com

Thanks for the page. I've already emailed the person about the dry suit. I may just end up doing a dry top and pants combo. I'm hesitant to go for an all nylon suit. We'll see what the photo looks like. As for the boat I have chosen, I am still undecided. There are so many options out there. I'm hoping there will be a couple of boats to try this weekend at the Toronto Outdoor show this weekend.

Anna

Hi Anna,


I would really strongly suggest that as an open boater you DO NOT get a drytop and pants combo. They are nowhere near as waterproof as a proper drysuit. I have yet to see a drytop and pant combo that does not leak at the gasket where the drytop and pant meet. They are o.k. in a decked boat, where you are sealed off by the spray skirt so that actually only very little water gets to the seal area, even when upside down (swimming is another story ), while in an open boat, particularly in bigger water, this area will be constantly wet, even more so when you are upside down. I personally would NEVER use a drytop pant combo in an open boat.

If you want to give my Prelude a try, I will be going to 3 more pool sessions in Toronto. They are at Glendon College (Bayview and Lawrence) in the Proctor Field House Pool.
They are on Saturday afternoons from 4:00pm to 5:30PM, cost is $10.
I'll be there on February 27, March 6 and 27. Let me know if you are interested, as I may not always have the Prelude with me.

martin

Hi Martin,
I would most definately be interested in trying out your prelude. What time are these sessions? Would it be ok if I brought two other people along, or would that make the pool too crowded?
As for the dry suit, I was looking into it and it's just too expensive. I don't really want a nylon suit as I find nylon gets so disgusting. I was thinking that I could get a really good dry top made of Gore Tex and then nylon pants. I don't know what other options I have given my budget?
Thanks for the offer to try out the boat. If you have any other insights into dry suits let me know.
Thanks,
Anna

Ooops, you already told me the time. That's what exhaustion will do to the mind.

Anna

Hi Anna,

I'll ask the guy who organizes the sessions if he is o.k. with it if you bring 2 more people to a pool session.
I'll let you know what he says.

Concerning the drysuit, I think that goretex is usually a bit overrated in this application. Goretex works only well when the outside of the membrane is fairly dry, otherwise the humidity will not be able to get out. This is not the case when paddling whitewater.
Also most of your upper body is covered by the PFD, which prevents the goretex from working in that area.
No matter whether you wear a goretex or a regular drysuit, you will always be sweaty in there when paddling hard.
If you wear a regular nylon drysuit, you will be a little sweaty inside, but as long as the gaskets are o.k., you will be warm.
If you wear a 2-piece drysuit with a goretex drytop in an open boat, you will maybe be a little less sweaty, but over time cold water will come in and you will not be warm any more.
And helping you stay warm is the main job of a drysuit.

If that Kokatat meridian drysuit mentioned in that ad is still available and if it fits you, get it! US$ 150 is a great price for it. I have the same drysuit myself and am very happy with it. New they go for about can$ 600.

martin

Thanks Martin,
I didn't ever think of the PFD issue in regards to a Gore Tex top. It makes a lot of sense that there won't be much breathability. I think I will go for that Meredian dry suit if I can make a good enough offer on it. We shall see.
I'll let you know which pool session I can make as soon as I get me work schedule.
Thanks for the help,
Anna

Hi Anna

Just a quick word about dry pants - I agree with Martin that they're not worth it for open boating. On the other hand, I think Kokatat drybibs work well if properly sealed to the drytop (they have a video on their website showing how to do it the right way).

If the drysuit falls through and you're still looking for something, I have some medium Kokatat nylon Drybibs for sale - they're basically new as far as I can tell: I bought them used and then found a killer deal on a full drysuit so I picked that up and have never used the bibs. They're not as good as a full suit, but far far better than drypants.

I tend to disagree about sweating in Goretex drysuits though - I have a Goretex suit and find I'm normally basically dry when I get off the river. My wife has a nylon suit and she finds she gets pretty damp in it, even though I'm the one that normally has trouble with getting too hot and sweating. She does stay fairly warm still though. I can see the point about the PFD covering much of the surface, but I've not found it to be a problem.

Anna,

Doug, the guy organizing the pool session in Glendon College sad that he is o.k. if you bring 2 more people out .
Let me know if and when you intend to attend, as I may not always have the Prelude with me.
You can contact me buy PM or e-mail.

martin