[Q]Juke originally wrote:
Remember Sandtiger said[q] You are wearing this equipment to save you if you go in the water, not to keep you warm and comfy in the yak.[/q]
I do not share his opinion.
I'm trying to be safe and comfortable. If you have to wear all that heavy apparal to go fishing, go in a BOAT not a yak. I personally don't want to go into the water because I cannot maneuver with a lot of heavy clothing on. I like to keep it light and comfortable. I don't carry 90 lbs of gear on the Appalachian trail, I don't bring 12 rods fishing, and I dont wear 30 lbs of clothes IN CASE "I fall in the water". I like to be Warm and Comfortable and light so I don't fall in the water. I find it hard rto maneuver witha wetsuit or dry suit on. Use your head, test your options, and form your own opinions as many of us have. You can sit in the front yard with your ayk and see how easy or hard it is to get to your rods, or paddle your yak. But when you get in the water, you have to balance a little too. i find it harder with too much gear.
[/Q]
You are allowed your opinion of course, but I hope you never end up in cold water and lose the yak - a possibility. I am not an expert in the kayak fishing sport, but in my opinion, I try to perpare myself for worst case scenario; in cold water, lost the yak, and now I must swim. To date, I do not go out on big open water in the winter time.
Total clothes I wear: Wet suit, paddling jacket, full 0.5 mm hood (like a helmet liner), pull on bib coveralls (offshore rainsuit pants), wet suit boots, and hat. Yup, that weighs a lot (at least a couple of pounds) and really restricts my movement (not at all). Weight-wise I probably have about the same weight or less in gear as a person with waders; not counting the clothing under the waders. My paddling jacket is water-proof and therefore wind-proof keeping your body from wind chill.
It keeps me warm and if I go in yes I'll get wet, but not suffer from gasp reflex (body's reaction to cold water and people drown from it) due to no heavy inrush of cold water and so on. Waders may be fine, but I know what my wet suit is capable of and if I lose my yak I'll still be able to swim. [grin]
People asked a question here about what to wear in the cold and I tried to give them the way I prepare myself along with a few others I described to survive in cold water. If you read the articles on the links I provided you will see what profesionals in the sport have to say on the subject. If you want to put people down for opinions, no problem, but be nice to the folks who are trying to learn.......... [wink]