A request for info

And for those with no interest,  yah, boring kayaky post.   This’un is from an email, and I figured the info was worth sharing across the board so, this’uns for you, SimonJemmy, and for anyone else with interest.

Mapping app.  Geo-Tracker, free version.  Paid version gives a couple extra bells and whistles, but the basic version is sufficient for my needs.  Extra maps would be nice,  but Google earth maps is pretty reliable for my needs.  As for “does it work everywhere?”  It seems to is my best answer.  We have dead spots for cell service here, but the maps don’t drop out: so I am assuming its pure GPS signals overlaid on a map program.

Paddling gear, winter version.   Always dress for immersion!!!!   You may not capsize,  but being prepared for it is the best bet.   3mm wetsuits are fine for 60°+ water for an hour or two. In 50° water you have about 20 minutes UNLESS you are doing physical stuff, like swimming,  but the clock is ticking.  5mm is better but remember, WETsuit, you are wet, and cold water pulls heat out of you 20 times faster than air.  My current set up I’m really enjoying is neoprene pants 3mm, a QD shirt with a 1.5mm neoprene jacket up top.  Start getting warm,  I can unzip a bit and cool off,  or zip up tight to warm back up.   This is good for those 60° days with matching water. And even in rain, I’m warm.(wet! But warm)  ((side note: I once skirted hypothermia while wearing a 3mm full wetsuit in 70° water.  Exposure was in hours (3), but I wasn’t moving around much or doing exertions to stay warm.   They are insurance,  but not guarantees))

Alternative to wetsuits is my hybrid setup.  5mm wetsuit pants, quickdry shirt, thin fleece shirt, and a drytop with double tunnel. (One goes under the skirt, the other over it, and you get a cofferdam setup at the skirt to keep water out.   ) this works for all events where the water is standing up and glaring at you,  BUT, if you wet exit, the clock starts ticking,,,   even if water gets in the boat,  the pants keep you warm,  (and all wetsuits add to your flotation factor so double plus) and if you can do a solo recovery, even wet they will warm ya back up.  Its when water is getting flushed through the suits that the insulation factor fails you.

Drysuit: what I have currently is a used Coast Guard issued unit.  Former owner cut the feet off to allow it to drain (and why I want to install ankle gaskets) because there are/were leaks around the belly area.  I believe those are now fixed,  (leak test says so, but until you’re in it, you never really know)  Look around the webs, or on FB marketplace and you can find decent ones for sale at around half of new listings. And look for one made for paddle sports: the others will be bulkier,  and that makes fitting into your boat ‘different’.   (And new ain’t cheap, trust me!!!)   There is a chinee version available for the cost of a new good drytop, and I hear good things about them,  but the downside is no support from the maker.  Most of the high dollar ones have excellent back support with them: as an example, Kokotats Lifetime warranty on Gore-tex products. (update!!! When sizing for drysuit, go big!!! you want to be able to wear warm cloths under it. The cloths are what keep you warm, the suit only keeps the water out. And the PFD goes on LAST,,over the Drysuit.)

Feet and Hands:  feet, I’m wyrd recall? Most of the time (9 months of the year) I’m barefoot.  But when the waters drop into 50s or lower,  7mm dive boots.  Why 7 not 5?  Is what I bought, and they are damned comfy too.   I think I bought the 7 because I was trying to upgrade for winter, and the price was actually lower for the 7s.  Its been a minute and details like that don’t stick in my head. 

Hands?  Pogies!!  Tried the neoprene glove thing and froze my fingers.  They keep the palms warm,  but the fingers are encased in wet neoprene and exposed so they get cold.   Pogies let you hold the paddle normal, reflect all the heat back at your hands, and keep the wind off the digits.   These are the ones I use.

And one thing ya didn’t ask about: headwear.   I keep a wool watchcap handy for when the wind is blowing, and if I am practicing rolling: a neoprene hood that wraps evrything but my face.  The wool keep ya warm even if damp and is thick enough to reduce evaporation cooling to the surface.  

And of course, I keep my ‘rape your retinas’ boonie hat on over those things, if there is boat traffic around.