dry suits, wet suits, what to wear?

I'm a newbie in Northern California (Napa) with a new 2016 Tandem Island that I have yet to take out. Have been putzing with building and modifying a trailer, looking at all the great ideas on the forum and dreaming. But I'd like to buy things to wear for myself and my wife when we go out on the SF bay, Tomales Bay, etc. and could use some suggestions. One piece dry suit? Waterproof shell and pants? The price range is pretty broad and your experience would be very helpful.
What should I look at?
And thanks for any suggestions.

Following, in the same boat

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Here are the pants and top I use.

https://www.rei.com/product/898408/nrs-endurance-paddling-pants-mens?CAWELAID=120217890002303463&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=16033104040&CATCI=pla-70917894640&cm_mmc=PLA_Google|404_8197|8984080001|none|f9ae0404-a472-44df-9f7c-bc0e1f744797|pla-70917894640&lsft=cm_mmc:PLA_Google_LIA|404_8197|8984080001|none|f9ae0404-a472-44df-9f7c-bc0e1f744797|pla-70917894640&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqRbP17gVIeXePDjDUP_cUdkMiYoljQ_56RFjYrDzosgaAp2e8P8HAQ

https://www.rei.com/product/898357/nrs-endurance-paddling-jacket-mens

I sail for long periods and need to take a leak from time to time. The reasonably priced one piece suits all seem to be missing that critical opening.

I will post an interesting twist on the trailer when I get home.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

Excellent, thanks for the tips! A lot less expensive than the Kokatat and Stohlquist one piece suits.
Not sure I understand the fundamental difference between each type of suit, the pros and cons, although the one piece lets you look like Captain Kirk!

http://www.outdoorplay.com/Stohlquist-E ... tegory=175

http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kokatat-Mens ... k-Dry-Suit

what do you put on your feet? do you use gloves in cold water?
thanks again for any tips.

Just spent some quality time with the people at Outdoorplay who explained the differences. Your separates approach is the right one for me. Thanks!

Is there any brand you would recommend over another? Any brand I should stay away from?

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I use Kokatat Hydrus 3L Tempest Pants. http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kokatat-Mens-Hydrus-3L-Tempest-Pant As long as you do not get water over the top, they are dry inside. Dry suits are fine, but can get warm.

On top, I use a Kokatat Light Storm Cag http://www.outdoorplay.com/Kokatat-Tropos-Kayak-Storm-Cag

On my hands, I wear regular paddle gloves, e.g., https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--men-s-3-4-finger-sailing-gloves-navy-gray-l--11657798?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-Shopping_PLAs-_-11657798&product_id=11657798&adpos=1o2&creative=108421553884&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQiA0L_FBRDMmaCTw5nxm-ABEiQABn-VqX17v7FJWXamyfxR92r8LVM-_9T0kCDkqTFDKwqivY0aAjG48P8HAQ

If it is cold and windy, I carry a pair of cheap nitrile cloves http://www.homedepot.com/p/West-Chester-Blue-Flat-Nitrile-3-4-in-Dip-on-Black-Nylon-Shell-Dozen-Pair-Gloves-Extra-Large-715SNC-XL/203131845 to pull over and keep the wind off my hands.

I'm here in South Florida, which most people would consider warm, but it can get cool in the winter months.

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

For Gloves-

70 degrees temp and up
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/16799/Buff-Pro-Series-Angler-III-Gloves.html

61-70 degrees (I treat the leather portion with mink oil) It will leach some water in through the suede leather portion but so slowly that your body warms the water and you don't feel the cold.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IHN569W/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

60 degrees or less (Important to buy the version with bent fingers- these do not let any water in but they can be hot after a while)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029YE60A/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For shoes, I have to laugh. For years I tried all the different neoprene kayaking boots that were out there. What did I settle on? Crocs. The neoprene boots are hard to get on and of especially when wet, and your feet don't breath. Crocs work great if you can get over the looks of them.

Neoprene sock like these, make it easier to get in and out of any footwear.
http://www.austinkayak.com/products/8027/Level-Six-Fusion-Neoprene-Sock.html

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

This is really great info, thanks everyone. I was thinking I could just use a good waterproof sailing jacket or shell such as:
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... _-MB-_-PDP

but realized the PFD has to fit over it, so a bulky jacket won't work (will it?)

If you have the patience, do you have a recommendation for a touring PFD that works well on the Vantage seat (assume a thin mesh back) ? I see Hobie, Stohlquist, Kokatat? I have a couple of the West Marine inshore inflatable PFD's and I wonder if they are adequate;
https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mar ... ecordNum=1

You will be very comfortable with that inshore jacket. They are tricky to figure out where to hang a VHF radio, PLB and other items sa that they don't interfere with inflation though. Still, the can work.

_________________
Greg

2016 AI - Spinn & Jib

“Out of sight of land the sailor feels safe. It is the beach that worries him.”
– Charles G. Davis

I used to use an inflatable PFD, but realized, since I sail alone at times, if I were unconscious, I couldn't inflate my PFD. For that reason, I wear a regular PFD, specifically, the NRS cVest https://www.rei.com/product/832799/nrs-cvest-pfd Good pockets, lots of places to hang things.

I also wear heavy neoprene boots. There are oyster bars here in SFL and coral and sea shells on shore. I like a serious boot to walk across these things, e.g., http://www.outdoorplay.com/NRS-Work-Boot-Kayaking-Booties?gclid=Cj0KEQiA88TFBRDYrOPKuvfY2pIBEiQA97Z8MTldm9HEGMXigHniuF46uPkVbYcFSOkPzbcB13SkT-YaAokk8P8HAQ

Keith

_________________
2015 AI 2, 2014 Tandem

"Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex ... It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." A. Einstein

"Less is more" Anon

Thanks for all the great tips! I've never contributed to a forum before and feel like I've joined a big family. Another benefit of Hobie.

I'm trying to find a wet suit for the old lady, is rip curl wetsuits any good?

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these are the trousers i use. http://www.ozonekayak.com/accessori/gia ... ard-pants/

a feature i would not renouce is the waterproof socks that are part of the trousers (not separate). it makes a big difference cause before with neoprene socks i always had wet feet. in the island the feet are always in the water. having the separate jacket instead give u the freedom to change your top depending on the weather and sea conditions.
i sail in the mediterranean. if i was in UK or Norway of course i should go fo a much heavier drysuit

Hi Jhawk,

I would recommend checking locally and see what others are wearing. As you can see, many members are in the Gulf States and their Summer water temps are in the mid 80's, while our averages our mid to high 50's, so massive difference in survival wear. Seems like 1 or 2 kayak fatalities yearly (hypothermia)

I believe there are 3 hobie island clubs in the Bay Area (2 North, 1 East) as well as NCKA (http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com) I realize you may not fish, but most of them dress for immersion. Many dive and lean towards wetsuits, others swear by drysuits.

As for what I'm wearing, I lust longingly at TI's on here for the moment, but will get a drysuit when the time comes for fishing and perhaps duck hunting. I've been told, the way to go with kids is used wetsuits due to outgrowing them so fast.

hope this helps