C-Forum

I'm a newbie going to run the nantahala for the first time this month, maybe at GAF. What are oc'ers wearing right now. I know the waters cold, I ran the hiwassee last week and could still wear shorts and t. Full wetsuit yet?

I wore a farmer john with a Kokotat reaction top weekend before last and was fine-even after a long swim at Patton's.
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I've never seen that many "hard" boaters wearing full wet suits - I think a full wet suit top just doesn't allow adequate flexibility. You'll see a lot more folks who do use a wet suit configured like Carter1. I know many C-boaters don't find the material that bunches behind the knees to be uncomfortable - some thinner suits or those made with relief behind the knee are more suitable.

I never went that route, being a Southern Appalachian paddler I was able to get by with poly-pro and fleece topped by first rain gear then paddling splash gear. Being a hot natured sort, I could even swim chilly rivers without getting that cold. That worked for me through a couple of winters, with the splash top being replaced with a proper dry top and the rain pants being replaced by good paddling pants (that tucked well into the top).

Keep an eye out at GAF for deals on that gear! We'll be there - I'll be the one shopping for kids stuff...

Alright Dude....That kinda water is more of what that boat likes....
Hope you are having fun with the "Pepper"....

If you are going to do alot of late fall thru spring paddling on water like the Nanty, invest in a good drytop and/or suit. My IR X jacket, shorty wetsuit w/ and splash pants are the bomb in my OC's in cold water/weather....

If you go the wetsuit route for fall thru spring paddling, make sure it is full, quality, and thick....I have had one or two miserable days when I was underdressed for the conditions....

You can get by with almost anything May thru September....

Thanks for the replies. I hate to do it but I guess I'll have to shop for more gear at GAF while I'm there

in an open boat-i would wear hydroskin pants with a splash pants on top and a good quality drytop- I'm a little lazier now and exlude the splash pants in the c1- if you swim you will get wet, no matter what you have unless you get a drysuit- non breathable suck, you will sweat at first then be cold the rest of the day- I havent shelled out the $900 for a good suit yet, but the $450 good for non breathable are still a waste a money- I also carry spare clothers in a drybag, and a goretex bivy sak in the winter- you will be the last one ready but if your friends get cold its nice someone has extra provisions, and who knows the benefits if something serious were to happen

ironically the Nanty can be warmer than other natural flow rivers mid winter-

In my part of the country (Missouri) our boating season normally runs from mid November thru mid May so a lot of boating is done in the winter. Nothing beats a full Gor-tex drysuit with attached socks and a relief zipper. If you plan to boat in the winter you can't spend your money any better. If it is sunny I wear one light layer under it. Cloudy or rainy or very cold I will wear a thick fleece bunny suit. Being able to step in or out of your boat or to dump water and still have dry feet is fantastic. The same is true if you roll or fill your boat up, dry feet! With a drysuit you are also better prepared if you have to do an in water rescue.
Back to your origanal question I paddled the Nanny last Monday with neoprene shorts a T shirt and short sleeve Gor-tex paddle jacket. Spent the rest of the week at the Ocoee wearing just shorts and a T shirt.

I agree completely. I agree my full Gore-tex dry suit in the winter. In the summer I usually under dress but then I am used to swimming ang getting out wet.

At GAF I will prolly wear long sleeve, long pants fuzzy rubber with gaskets; almost as good as a dry suit. Fuzzy rubber is much better than neoprene. Chris Kelly

I have one- it is breathable, has booties, and a neoprene gasket that is much more comfortable than latex. The price is right around $500. It does not breath quite as well as Gortex, but for the price, it is great. Also Stohlquist has a new vender for modifications/repairs who are great. I had to have the legs shortened.