Fall wetsuit (?) advice Long Island

[nyc-stripersRI]

I usually wrap up kayak fishing before the weather gets cool enough to worry about hypothermia, but this year I’d like to keep getting out there for another couple of months.

I’d really appreciate any suggestions on what gear I should be purchasing now to stay on the safe side. 
I’ll be primarily in the bays and inlets, not out on the open ocean.

I see the various “farmer john” and “longjohn” wetsuits seem to be suggested here and there.

Thanks for any input.

[superstriper]

15 hours ago, nyc-stripersRI said:

I usually wrap up kayak fishing before the weather gets cool enough to worry about hypothermia, but this year I’d like to keep getting out there for another couple of months.

I’d really appreciate any suggestions on what gear I should be purchasing now to stay on the safe side. 
I’ll be primarily in the bays and inlets, not out on the open ocean.

I see the various “farmer john” and “longjohn” wetsuits seem to be suggested here and there.

Thanks for any input.

 

get a dry suit ....

wetsuit will not protect you from hypothermia

dry suit and layer under it accordingly

 

 

 

[oceanAddict]

On 9/8/2023 at 10:54 AM, superstriper said:

 

get a dry suit ....

wetsuit will not protect you from hypothermia

dry suit and layer under it accordingly

 

 

 

 I'm sorry I have do partially disagree especially with "wetsuit will not protect you from hypothermia".. I surf so I deal with wetsuits a year around. There are different wetsuits for seasons and activities, some of them keep me warm (or rather not cold) during 1.5 - 2 hours long sessions in February. Wetsuit will protect you from hypohermia really well and it actually designed for swimming/floating way better than dry suit.

Practicality is different topic though. you would be absolutely uncomfortable in wetsuit before going swimming. Sun is out, it's heats up and you are sitting in sweat that has nowhere to go and slowly dripping from sleeves and into booties. You better have a protective layer as neoprene is gentle material and accidental hook could seriously rip  it.  Dry suit or semi-dry (what I use) is much better option for yaking or even shore fishing. You can have layers, it's way more rugged against the damage etc. You will be more comfortable wearing drysuit while fishing in yak vs wearing wetsuit.      

[nyc-stripersRI]

Thanks for those two replies.

I’m primarily interested in getting out in the kayak on those days when it still seems warm enough for it, but the water temp might be getting a little iffy.

Shore is never too far away (1/2 mile max) so getting back on dry land wouldn’t be an all day struggle in a tipover.

Those partial wetsuits looked like a good option, but I have no experience with them.

Obviously, I wouldn’t be messing around with winter temperatures.

Thanks again for any opinions.

 

edit:

Also, thanks oceanAddict, for that reply.

I got thinking about those partial wetsuits after seeing surfers hanging out together on the water waiting for waves when I would have been hesitant to put the kayak in.

Edited September 12 by nyc-stripersRI

[boguePogie]

5 hours ago, nyc-stripersRI said:

...Shore is never too far away (1/2 mile max) so getting back on dry land wouldn’t be an all day struggle in a tipover...

 

I can't weigh in on wetsuit v drysuit/semi-drysuit as I've only ever used drysuits as my immersion gear.

 

But.

 

Your quoted statement has me curious as to whether you're able to self-rescue? FWIW I'd rate ability to self-rescue as a much higher safety priority than immersion gear... 

[nyc-stripersRI]

I’ve only had to self-rescue once, but it was a pain in the rear. 

That’s something I should practice, because it wasn’t nearly as easy as the ytube guidance looks. Mostly because the pfd gets hung up, or the kayak tries to flip back over.

I’m in good enough physical shape that it shouldn’t be that tricky. Thanks for the reminder, I do need that practice.

 

[superstriper]

13 hours ago, oceanAddict said:

 I'm sorry I have do partially disagree especially with "wetsuit will not protect you from hypothermia".. I surf so I deal with wetsuits a year around. There are different wetsuits for seasons and activities, some of them keep me warm (or rather not cold) during 1.5 - 2 hours long sessions in February. Wetsuit will protect you from hypohermia really well and it actually designed for swimming/floating way better than dry suit.

Practicality is different topic though. you would be absolutely uncomfortable in wetsuit before going swimming. Sun is out, it's heats up and you are sitting in sweat that has nowhere to go and slowly dripping from sleeves and into booties. You better have a protective layer as neoprene is gentle material and accidental hook could seriously rip  it.  Dry suit or semi-dry (what I use) is much better option for yaking or even shore fishing. You can have layers, it's way more rugged against the damage etc. You will be more comfortable wearing drysuit while fishing in yak vs wearing wetsuit.      

his post is related to kayaking a wetsuit will not protect you while kayaking from hypothermia-surfing is entirely a different subject-a wetsuit is appropriate for surfing NOT kayaking in the cold weather.

 

 

[cheech]

A Farmer John if paddling, full suit if pedalling. They worked for me for 10 yrs.. Under Armor for a rash guard and plenty of powder/ cornstarch helps with the comfort.

 Separate dry top and pants is now my go to Dec-April in NY. I tried, but couldn’t do the drysuit thing.

[Brock Landers]

For the 99.9% of the time I’m actually sitting in the kayak not soaking wet, I’d get a bit cold in a wetsuit on a cool spring or late fall day.  
 

Dry bottoms, dry top, belt…I can layer under as necessary if it’s cold and not get wet if I ever went in. 

Edited September 16 by Brock Landers

[MikeK]

Wetsuits are made to perform when wet and not the best option from trying to stay warm in a kayak where you will be mostly dry.

[Santiago II]

You'll read a lot of very strong opinions on this topic.

 

I've used both over extended paddles. They both work in given circumstances, but the big question is what happens if you end up in the water for any length of time, OR, if you end up in seriously cold water for any time. 

 

I have several different types and thicknesses of wetsuits, and different types of dry gear. I typically use a farmer john style wetsuit for the base layer. I will use that with a dry top from time to time in the in between seasons. There are many caveats that go along with any recommendations.

 

Ultimately, you have to be ready when things to go wrong.  That can happen very quickly and out of the blue. 

Edited September 28 by Santiago II

[petespeak]

Wetsuits perform best when wet...dry suits keep you dry...I prefer wetsuits when I'm boulder fishing, wading flats, bounce-fishing sandbars, or just beach walk casting. I'd 100% go with a drysuit when kayaking. You are not constantly in the water and would be happier dry: can be discouraging when sitting in slimy a wetsuit right above the water on a cool autumn night, a stiff wind full of a NE drizzle and a trace of skunk in the air. I'd rather be toasty-dry in a kayak. Wetsuits are for water. Dry suits are for air. Dress to your comfort level...I'm in a wetsuit all season and can say if they had a dry suit that was as sleek and felt like a second skin when beach-bound I'd use that exclusively. Movement is "high speed" in a properly fitted wetsuit: think running around naked: I usually wear a pair of ripstop shorts with large cargo pockets over my wetsuit for carrying my lures in sealed tubes: also keeps your lumpy butt hidden from public view if that is a concern....most importantly, in a drysuit you are layered up and clunky, your thighs rubbing together making swishy sounds: My advice? Go ninja at night in a wetsuit when hopping fences and sneaking through the rich guys side yard to get beach access. Use the dry suit when being truly dry is preferable, like when you are sitting in the dark all alone and get creeped out on the bay at 2am. I admit it. I do get the willies from time to time when the moon is dark and the seals are skittish and hugging the rocks.

 

 

Edited September 28 by petespeak

[kevbo1756]

I wear my dry suit if I'm going out in cold cold (March/April, End of October/November), for September/October I typically will do a 2 piece wetsuit (3mm) with some cheapo frog togg splash pants ($15 I think) over it, that way if I do get splashed it doesn't penetrate the wetsuit and if I go in the water for whatever reason my wetsuit will start working. I found that to be the best for me.

[WLIStless]

Wetsuits are different thicknesses for different levels of exposure. One that will keep you going when the water is 50 degrees will make you die of dehydration from sweating while pedaling/paddling. You'll also need to get some spandex under things or risk some chaffing. We all know, in many ways, the biggest problem with drysuits is the price tag. Durability is also an issue tied to that price tag. 

 

I go a different direction. I like a pair of dry pants like the NRS freefall paired with a dry top used for dinghy sailing. The tops are a bit of a mix between a dry top and a wetsuit. And designed to work to an extent during and after submersion.  Wouldn't trust that setup somewhere on a plot of distance to shore versus water temp, but I'm off the water before it goes into the 40s and i will stay closer to shore the colder it gets.

 

 

[petespeak]

3 hours ago, kevbo1756 said:

I wear my dry suit if I'm going out in cold cold (March/April, End of October/November), for September/October I typically will do a 2 piece wetsuit (3mm) with some cheapo frog togg splash pants ($15 I think) over it, that way if I do get splashed it doesn't penetrate the wetsuit and if I go in the water for whatever reason my wetsuit will start working. I found that to be the best for me.

I do the same when surf casting on the coldest nights for the same reason, but I'll throw on a pair of lightweight and waterproof mechanic's overalls on top of my full wetsuit. I'll also use the overalls when rock-fishing and the surf is rough and I'll be  getting bounced around a field and rubbing up against barnacles a rock shards. Barnacles eat all my wetsuits long before they wear out.