Last weekend me and a couple of buddys did a 22 mile paddle along the
American River here in Northern California.
I never had that much fun in my life. Got the kayak less than a month
ago.
Came very close to tipping the kayak in some rapids. Got alot of water
in the boat but my reactions kicked in and was able
to use my body to keep upright. Through out the trip I got more water
in the boat but no big deal. Just sponge it out.
My boat is a Tsunami 145. I'm thinking spray skirts are important and
should get one. Especially since I plan
on using it in the ocean too. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Questions:

How do I know which size skirt to get? (ha ha spray skirt)

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

I'm probably looking to get something that is not for too cold of
weather. But should hold up to waves.

Does the skirt suspenders go inside the PDF or outside the pfd?
This is my pfd
http://www.stearnsinc.com/Recreation...goryID=7844435


In the market for a spray skirt under a hundred.

Just did a google and found the Wildrness systems Tsunami 145. Assuming this
is the boat you have, the cockpit opening is 36" X 20". Alot of skirts will
fit. Don't waste your money on a nylon skirt though, as this is a very easy
boat to roll and you will eventually want to learn. Buy an all neoprene
skirt. Look for sales at white water outfitters, tell them the cockpit size.
OR check local message boards of canoe\kayak clubs and look for something
used. You should be able to find a nice skirt for $100.or less new,
used....who knows, I've found em for $20.



"jughead" wrote in message
ups.com...
Last weekend me and a couple of buddys did a 22 mile paddle along the
American River here in Northern California.
I never had that much fun in my life. Got the kayak less than a month
ago.
Came very close to tipping the kayak in some rapids. Got alot of water
in the boat but my reactions kicked in and was able
to use my body to keep upright. Through out the trip I got more water
in the boat but no big deal. Just sponge it out.
My boat is a Tsunami 145. I'm thinking spray skirts are important and
should get one. Especially since I plan
on using it in the ocean too. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Questions:

How do I know which size skirt to get? (ha ha spray skirt)

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

I'm probably looking to get something that is not for too cold of
weather. But should hold up to waves.

Does the skirt suspenders go inside the PDF or outside the pfd?
This is my pfd

http://www.stearnsinc.com/Recreation...goryID=7844435


In the market for a spray skirt under a hundred.

"jughead" wrote in
ups.com:

Last weekend me and a couple of buddys did a 22 mile paddle along the
American River here in Northern California.
I never had that much fun in my life. Got the kayak less than a month
ago.
Came very close to tipping the kayak in some rapids. Got alot of water
in the boat but my reactions kicked in and was able
to use my body to keep upright. Through out the trip I got more water
in the boat but no big deal. Just sponge it out.
My boat is a Tsunami 145. I'm thinking spray skirts are important and
should get one. Especially since I plan
on using it in the ocean too. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Questions:

How do I know which size skirt to get? (ha ha spray skirt)

You can often get the best recommendation for a spray skirt by contacting
the vendor of your boat (Wilderness Systems). They make spray skirts as
well as boats. Most spray skirt makers can make recommendations as well
given the cockpit dimensions. You actually need to consider two
measurements; the size of the cockpit, and the size of your torso. The
Snapdragon site suggests an X/L sprayskirt.

Another response suggested avoiding a nylon skirt if you wanted to learn to
roll. As a matter of clarification the material a spray skirt is made of
will have absolutely no influence whatsoever in ones ability to learn how to
roll. A nylon skirt will take on more water (usually over the tunnel) than
a neoprene skirt but they're also not as warm. There are several vendors
which make combination nylon/neoprene skirt.

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

There are only a few models that have a zipper built in and they're fairly
expensive (Brooks makes one)

I'm probably looking to get something that is not for too cold of
weather. But should hold up to waves.

Unfortunately, those attributes are somewhat mutually exclusive. Nylon
skirts are nice in hot weather but don't hold to the cockpit rim as tightly
as a neoprene (warmer) skirt.


Does the skirt suspenders go inside the PDF or outside the pfd?

First, not all skirts have suspenders. In fact, most neoprene skirts don't
have them. If you get a skirt which does have suspenders, put the skirt on
before you put on your PFD.

The other response mentioned learning to roll, and you'll certainly want a
sprayskirt for that, but even more important is that you know how to exit
the kayak while wearing a spray skirt. It's simple to do but the time to
learn is under controlled conditions rather than the first time you capsize
unexpectedly.


This is my pfd
http://www.stearnsinc.com/Recreation...selection=&Cat
egoryID=7844435


In the market for a spray skirt under a hundred.

On 6 Sep 2006 07:07:53 -0700, "jughead" wrote:



Questions:

How do I know which size skirt to get? (ha ha spray skirt)

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.


The boat doesn't wear the skirt, you do. You get in the boat and the
attach the skirt. It's a PITA, but it's the way it goes.
--

r.bc: vixen
Speaker to squirrels, willow watcher, etc..
Often taunted by trout. Almost entirely harmless. Really.

http://www.visi.com/~cyli

John is correct, the type of skirt material makes no difference in the
technique of learning to roll, I think I stated it was because of more
frequent skirt implosion if nylon, as nylon skirts are often looser fitting,
and not as water tight. If not, that was my reasoning, having taught many to
roll with all types of skirts. I would still buy an all neoprene skirt for a
sea kayak, and as John mentioned, there are skirts with nylon uppers and neo
decks, can't comment on their reliability.


"John Fereira" wrote in message
.. .
"jughead" wrote in
ups.com:

Last weekend me and a couple of buddys did a 22 mile paddle along the
American River here in Northern California.
I never had that much fun in my life. Got the kayak less than a month
ago.
Came very close to tipping the kayak in some rapids. Got alot of water
in the boat but my reactions kicked in and was able
to use my body to keep upright. Through out the trip I got more water
in the boat but no big deal. Just sponge it out.
My boat is a Tsunami 145. I'm thinking spray skirts are important and
should get one. Especially since I plan
on using it in the ocean too. Any suggestions would be awesome!

Questions:

How do I know which size skirt to get? (ha ha spray skirt)

You can often get the best recommendation for a spray skirt by contacting
the vendor of your boat (Wilderness Systems). They make spray skirts as
well as boats. Most spray skirt makers can make recommendations as well
given the cockpit dimensions. You actually need to consider two
measurements; the size of the cockpit, and the size of your torso. The
Snapdragon site suggests an X/L sprayskirt.

Another response suggested avoiding a nylon skirt if you wanted to learn
to
roll. As a matter of clarification the material a spray skirt is made of
will have absolutely no influence whatsoever in ones ability to learn how
to
roll. A nylon skirt will take on more water (usually over the tunnel)
than
a neoprene skirt but they're also not as warm. There are several vendors
which make combination nylon/neoprene skirt.

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

There are only a few models that have a zipper built in and they're fairly
expensive (Brooks makes one)

I'm probably looking to get something that is not for too cold of
weather. But should hold up to waves.

Unfortunately, those attributes are somewhat mutually exclusive. Nylon
skirts are nice in hot weather but don't hold to the cockpit rim as
tightly
as a neoprene (warmer) skirt.


Does the skirt suspenders go inside the PDF or outside the pfd?

First, not all skirts have suspenders. In fact, most neoprene skirts
don't
have them. If you get a skirt which does have suspenders, put the skirt
on
before you put on your PFD.

The other response mentioned learning to roll, and you'll certainly want a
sprayskirt for that, but even more important is that you know how to exit
the kayak while wearing a spray skirt. It's simple to do but the time to
learn is under controlled conditions rather than the first time you
capsize
unexpectedly.


This is my pfd
http://www.stearnsinc.com/Recreation...selection=&Cat
egoryID=7844435


In the market for a spray skirt under a hundred.

jughead wrote:
[...]

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

I too would like to figure out how to add an opening. I had suggested
earlier that a dry bag type approach might work on a nylon skirt for
those skilled with a sewing machine. You can find inexpensive and used
skirts on Ebay. On thing you will discover is that a skirt can bake
your lower body in hot sunny weather. The air in the boat gets hot. For
this reason some people prefer to use a partial bonnet which keeps some
water out but does not seal the cockpit.

What is a partial bonnet?
I scored a henderson Farmer John wetsuit on ebay
and it's a 7mm. Yah pretty thick. But cheap.
But I'm thinking I can get a nylon skirt for inland river kayaking
and with the Hernderson wetsuit a nylon skirt will be ok for ocean
kayaking. Or maybe not but we will see.

PS I went out to our local lake (Lake Natomas) the other day to
practice a Self Rescue. (first time)
I managed to get back into the craft quite quickly. I was stoked! Of
course some waves and a heavy wetsuit would be a bigger chalenge! Oh
and I had no pump but was close to shore to go tip the kayak over.


wrote:
jughead wrote:
[...]

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

I too would like to figure out how to add an opening. I had suggested
earlier that a dry bag type approach might work on a nylon skirt for
those skilled with a sewing machine. You can find inexpensive and used
skirts on Ebay. On thing you will discover is that a skirt can bake
your lower body in hot sunny weather. The air in the boat gets hot. For
this reason some people prefer to use a partial bonnet which keeps some
water out but does not seal the cockpit.

I meant something like this...
http://www.rutabaga.com/subcategory.asp?scid=23

jughead wrote:
What is a partial bonnet?
I scored a henderson Farmer John wetsuit on ebay
and it's a 7mm. Yah pretty thick. But cheap.
But I'm thinking I can get a nylon skirt for inland river kayaking
and with the Hernderson wetsuit a nylon skirt will be ok for ocean
kayaking. Or maybe not but we will see.

PS I went out to our local lake (Lake Natomas) the other day to
practice a Self Rescue. (first time)
I managed to get back into the craft quite quickly. I was stoked! Of
course some waves and a heavy wetsuit would be a bigger chalenge! Oh
and I had no pump but was close to shore to go tip the kayak over.


wrote:
jughead wrote:
[...]

It would be cool if it had a zipper so I can get into the cockpit
without removing the skirt.

I too would like to figure out how to add an opening. I had suggested
earlier that a dry bag type approach might work on a nylon skirt for
those skilled with a sewing machine. You can find inexpensive and used
skirts on Ebay. On thing you will discover is that a skirt can bake
your lower body in hot sunny weather. The air in the boat gets hot. For
this reason some people prefer to use a partial bonnet which keeps some
water out but does not seal the cockpit.