Neoprene Spray Skirts

[alcoons]

Time to get a neoprene spray skirt. Some questions:

1. Should they be designed specifically for my boat?

2. How do you deal with variations in clothing over the seasons? For instance, some times I have a thin shirt on, or a wet suit, or a layer and a dry-suit (assuming I get a dry-suit). Plus I am always planning to lose an inch or two off my waist in the next month. Does one-size fit all?

3. Other suggestions for getting the right size for a given cockpit? Particular brand? Who has the best selection?

Thanks,

Al

Eddyline Nighthawk

red/white

[ccarlson]

Neoprene is generally stretchy enough that you won't need a custom design to fit your boat. Of course, if you want a really precise fit, that is an option from most major manufacturers. Some cockpits have weird curves that will seal better with a custom skirt.

Most folks find that the stock skirts fit their boats pretty well. Just check the fit list for the various vendors. For example, Snapdragon has a wide variety of styles that will fit most touring kayaks. www.snapdragondesign.com NESC carries these so you can check the fit yourself.

As for the fit on the paddler, the neo skirts come in different tube sizes. Again, there is a fair amount of stretch so, if you size to be just a litte loose with Summer gear and just a tad tight with full cold weather layers, you should be OK. But, if you plan a significant loss of inches, a new sprayskirt could be in your future... then your old one gooes to the gear swap ;-)

Good luck!

[alcoons]

Thanks Carl.

Do people feel strongly either way about shoulder straps with a neoprene skirt? The ones on my nylon skirt do not bother me.

[ccarlson]

Assuming you're going with a full neoprene skirt, i.e., both deck and tube are neo, then you won't need suspenders. Not sure I've even seen them with suspenders. If you're going with a neo-nylon... neo deck, nylon tube, then it's really a matter of what feels most comfortable for you. I use suspenders with my neo nylon.

[KayakDan]

Al,the all neoprene skirt is the way to go if you like to play in your kayak. The only drawback is that it gets hot inside that neoprene on a warm sunny day. Sometimes,if it's hot and the water isn't too cold,I fold down the tube to get a little air and stay drier.

My favorite one is Bush(English company). The one I just bought had the forward section reinforced,right where my old(4 years)one was starting to wear. Stem to Stern(formerly Country Canoeist) in Dunbarton NH sells them. Mine was $90.

[cathyfoley]

Al:

Since you're going to be rolling, all neoprene is the best way to go. Neo deck/nylon tube is more comfortable in summer, but still allows a lot of water in when you roll.

[Brian Nystrom]

The brand you're referring to is "BushSport". The other common British brand is Palm, whose skirts are branded "Qaser". Both are good products.

As for suspenders, I find them to be more of a hindrance than a help. They interfere with changing/adjusting your clothing layers and you cannot use them with dry top, or with a dry suit with a double tunnel. As other's have noted, neoprene skirts neither need suspenders nor come with them.

[PatE]

Al;

I recently got a Brooks all-neoprene skirt at Country Canoeist before they changed ownership. It has a zipper down the front and cinch tabs on each side at the waist for adjustment. The zipper is a nice idea because I can unzip it and leave the skirt on the boat and just slip out of it. The zipper does need to be cared for however as it gets very stiff.

Most mfr's websites give a list of boats and which size skirt to fit.

[eneumeier]

Did you take out your kayak seat and make a new one? If so, is the new one centered in exactly the same place? If not, the reference charts manufacturers use to see which skirt fits which boat may be off.

I bought a Snapdragon for my KS Viviane. But, since I made my own seat I sit a bit farther forward. The Snapdragon will not work because the tunnel is farther back and pulls me backwards. I will have to make (when I find time) or order (when my gear kitty fills back up) a custom one.

My advice is to try it on you and your kayak - before you buy.

Liz N.

[Gcosloy]

Snapdragon makes all neo skirts with specific sizes for cockpit and waist. e.g. medium cockpit/large waist. I recently purchased one with an xl waist because it came with adjustable straps to cinch it up. It may not be as water tight as the individually sized tubes but it gives the advantage of being usable with different layers of clothing in all seasons. In summer I cinch it up, in the fall over a wet suit I may not need to. My understanding it that only the xl tube size is adjustable.

Gene

[scamlin]

I'll second Brian's good words for BushSport and Quasar skirts: I have one of each and found them good, no frills solutions. The BushSport is a little lighter and strechier: easier to get on, but won't stay on a my plastic Avocet. The Quasar is more of a white water grade skirt, heavier and stiffer to snap on (Beth won't use it for this reason), but it has stood up and fits very well. I got both at MIKCO.

Way too many rescue practice sessions have taken their toll, however, by cutting the neoprene between the rim of the cockpit and the boat being rescued. The BushSport (which is older) also cut through at the rim near the grab loop. I gooped it togther with AquaSeal: it ain't pretty but is still going strong. The Quasar (newer and heavier) is standing up better but its many small cuts from rescues need to be hit with AquaSeal before they cut all the way through.

There are reinforced skirts available: some kind of rubber layer inside and/or outside to limit just this kind of damage. Besides the additional cost, however, these kind of skirts can be a bit more difficult to put on and remove as they are stickier. This is more noticeable with glass boats; plastic is so slippery that the sticky rubber helps.

Would be interested in hearing from those with reinforced skirts: ease of on/off and wear.

Scott

[Linda]

Another option to consider is a Greenland-style akuilisaq. It is all-neoprene with an adjustable top tube and coaming attachment. The "deck" part of the skirt is not as tight as a usual neopprene deck, allowing more freedom of movement. The seal around the coaming is excellent and can be adjusted to fit a wide range of coaming sizes, seat placement, etc. I have worn mine in everything from an ocean cockpit with summer paddling shirt to medium-sized cockpit with full dysuit. They come stock with suspenders which helps take up any slack in the deck, although I don't have them on mine. They special-order to your size, and are a very easy company to work with.

http://www.brookspaddlegear.com/greenland.html

Linda

[Brian Nystrom]

I guess I should have mentioned that like Linda, I now use an akuilisaq rather than a spray skirt. I find them far more comfortable and I really like the extra freedom of movement. Scott borrowed one of mine in Shetland, so perhaps he can add his perspective.

For folks who struggle with getting a neoprene skirt over their hips, the akuilisaq is MUCH easier to deal with, since only the top 2" is tight fitting.

[scamlin]

Because of the loose fit, it's much more comfortable--as in not as tight. You just don't get the tight around the middle feeling. Also, less resistance when leaning and rotating.

The rim of the skirt is much softer and has a naked neoprene (skin out) finish, so it is very watertight. Also, there is a reverse seam at the rim with a separate 2" piece that goes under the rim, making the seal that much more watertight.

On the other hand, there is more material kind of bunching up under the PFS and around the cockpit opening which you can get used to or it can seem, well like a lot of stuff around your waist. Also, I found it took a bit of practice to get the rear seal started on the cockpit when putting it on: it's more of a delicate operation to find the rim under all the material and get it positioned. Not really a problem with practice, but I'm more used to grab and snap on.

Did not have problems with water pooling as it slants out from under the PFD.