I am a kayaker now !

[Gavin]

Multiple pairs of gloves if below freezing. Usually have a 3-4 dry pairs ready and on hand. The neoprene glacier gloves with the short fingers and mitten top work really well for winter floats. I don’t have to change them out much, even if wet.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Probably a good idea to use it for a whole season before using it in the winter.  

[MOFishwater]

On 9/30/2018 at 7:47 AM, dan hufferd said:

Maiden voyage on Stockton pictures.

I did get some water in my lap from the paddel, I am curious if anyone does and winter paddling and how they stay warm and dry, chest wadders, I guess??

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try repositioning your drip rings a touch, might help. Check out this quick video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrCwkRo4pPM

[Pat Magee]

On 9/30/2018 at 7:47 AM, dan hufferd said:

Maiden voyage on Stockton pictures.

I did get some water in my lap from the paddel, I am curious if anyone does and winter paddling and how they stay warm and dry, chest wadders, I guess??

Don't wear waders on a kayak.  If you were to turtle your boat the waders would just fill with water and drag you to the bottom.  A dry suit is where it's at but they are pretty darn expensive.  To keep the water from dripping in your lap, you can move those rubber drip rings closer to your hands.  That will help a little bit. 

 

 

 

 

 

[dan hufferd]

3 hours ago, Pat Magee said:

 

I was thinking that if I did get waders they would have to be pretty snug.

I will just wear my froggtoggs for now, and move my drip rings.

Thanks

[Gavin]

Think you are wrong Pat. You are neutrally buoyant in filled waders and your feet tend to float. You are welcome to come by my pool and try it. I have. They won’t take you under. 

[fishinwrench]

Unless you dive in head first with perfect form you'll be fine taking a plunge in waders.   As you go down the air is all pushed out and the waders are tight to your body, so there's no rushing in of water.   A wading belt and a wading jacket over the top of the waders..... I've been in over my head a couple times and was blown away at how dry I was when I emerged like a hatching drake.  Head and arms were soaked, shirt was damp, but everything below my titties was dry as a bone.  

[tjm]

Yes that can happen if belted and jacketed. I have filled my waders a few times and seen a couple other guys fill theirs also. I can swim with chest waders completely full, water inside your waders weighs the same as water outside your waders and the only thing pulling my down was the same wader weight that was pulling me down before I took the plunge; I was happy to discover this because I had heard the myth about all that water in the waders pulling me under and some what believed it, even if it didn't make sense. 

[Al Agnew]

A wader belt is important.  Yes, you can swim in waders, but waders full of water will slow you down, not pull you down.  And slow you down climbing out of the water.  Wrench has a good point in that water pressure keeps the water from pouring into the waders when you first go under, but as you're trying to stay afloat and get to safety, the water starts coming in.  A belt slows it down considerably.  So does having a waterproof jacket over the waders.  But in the winter, you'll probably have a lot of other clothing under the jacket and waders that will wick in water.  It won't gush in, but eventually you'll be wet and there will be extra water in the waders.  So wearing a good PFD is an absolute must, and being prudent and aware of the dangers.  I can remember a couple times when I kinda forgot this and suddenly realized how close I was to probably dying.  Both were in my solo canoe in the winter.  The first time, I was walleye fishing down at the big, deep gravel pit hole on Black River at the 67 Highway bridge north of Poplar Bluff.  I suddenly realized I was out in the middle of the hole, hundreds of yards from either bank, and didn't have my life jacket on.  Even with it on, in 38 degree water the chances were I'd never make it to shore if I dumped, so I carefully paddled closer to shore and went around the pool to get to where I was going...and immediately put my life jacket on.  Second time was on the Meramec in the winter, floating above Onondaga.  There's a very narrow riffle running into some logs...no problem usually, but as I dropped into the riffle, I saw a new log with just the tip sticking up out of the water, and I was headed straight for it.  Had to do some really hard draw strokes to clear it, leaning way over the side of the canoe to really put my back into the strokes...and when I did clear it, I realized I wasn't wearing my life jacket.  Could have probably gotten out if I'd flipped, but I would have been soaked, four miles from the truck, and no change of clothes, in 40 degree weather.  The life jacket would have made getting out a sure thing, but wouldn't have helped with the hypothermia once I got out.  So now, if in the canoe, I always carry a change of clothing in a waterproof bag, along with some matches, when I'm out in the winter.

[Gavin]

A change of clothes, a bag of match light , and a lighter in a sealed 5 gallon bucket or dry bag isn’t a bad idea on any float. A buddy in another boat is good to have too. Cover some water on day trips before you do an extended solo trip.