This is an archived message posted to the Kayak Building Bulletin Board. If you would like to ask a question about building kayaks, you can post a new message.
> I found this site with what seems like good deals on various equipment.
> Electronics seemed a little cheaper, but, I thought the wetsuit and
> drysuit deals seemed exceptional. Any thoughts?
> This is probably better for the "techniques" board, but, does
> anybody have any experience with the difference between a neoprene (sp?)
> drysuit and a sealed nylon suit?
Some of the prices looked okay, David, but not particularly exceptional. A few of the handheld VHF prices actually looked a little higher than the big chain stores for boating products.
As to wetsuits vs drysuits --- they're worlds apart. And there are as many opinions about the benefits of each as there are paddlers. Essentially, there's probably a consensus that wetsuits are viable in cooler water to protect the paddler from cold shock and hypothermia for a while; drysuits, which must be worn with relatively heavy poly insuluation underneath to be effective, are essential for cold water paddling. Costs vary greatly. You can get a decent "farmer john" neoprene suit for around $100 to $150, and you can get inexpensive drysuits, as you saw, for not much more, but "good" drysuits like the Kokatat GoreTex suits will list at $800. If you paddle a lot in cold water, it's a very good investment.
If you're in an area where sea kayaking clubs are active or where retailers offer clinics, take a cold water clinic. Several of them in the Washington, DC metro area, and the Chesapeake Paddler Association is offering an on-water clinic in January if you want to try --- or watch others try --- cold water gear.
As to sources for "stuff", take a look at January issue paddling magazines; many have post cards where you can sign up for catalogs from Nanatahala, Kokatat, Stohlquist, Northwest or any of the many paddler equipment supply houses. And there are now active web sites for most of those, as well. They're going to provide gear more in line with paddling requirements than will general boating supply places.
Jack Martin
This is an archived message from The Kayak Building Bulletin Board.
Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
