Sea Socks.

[Mr Gingerbread]

Just got my sea sock in the mail and need to get the kayak done to try it out. Hoping to do an "impressions" post on it later. If anyone has anything to say on sea socks I'd like to hear it and if anyone is looking for information on them hit the links below (saves me from retyping the info ).

 

http://www.kayakquixotica.com/2011/08/12/the-fantastical-sea-sock/

http://www.qajaqusa.org/newsletter/Masik_Summer2003_07034.pdf

 

Photos are of the sea sock I had made by Black Dog Kayaks for my "in progress" Shad

[msaxton]

I've done a little curiosity research on the sea socks, and i'm just not impressed with them and don't see the real advantage, I think my spray skirt and the real nice sized float bags someone pretty cool from around here made for me will suffice. I'm not normally a claustrophobic person, but I do think i would feel a little that way in one. I think it kind of gives me a fear of egress impedance, I guess I would have to try one out before I bought one., never say never

[Mr Gingerbread]

Keeping water out is not my primary concern for the most part. Keeping dirt/grime out and having less cleaning/maintenance for me is the big draw (I clean kayaks 60-90 min a day, 7 days a week in the summer). I reserve judgment on the water/safety aspect until I test it upside down. Entanglement is very low on my list of safety concerns. I'm ocean kayaking, not river/lake kayaking so drowning due to entrapment is not likely (I've never heard of a case in sea/ocean kayaking so feel free to link me to some info). Also I plan to use the rope system for packing bags for touring and the sea sock I would think would greatly reduce getting tangled up. Also touring I may need to substitute my float bags for gear bags with air until there is room for inflating float bags. So I do no intend to replace my float bags but I do see scenarios in my kayaking when float bags may not work. Both together will be my go to. I've always liked my safety in layers, using them all when I can and having options when I need to pick and chose. For my sock I went with a color you can see from miles off so it's also a visual signal in emergency's. Last thing would be the extra bit of warmth and comfort for paddling in the north pacific.

[Kudzu]

Very anxious to hear your thoughts on it. Float bag and Sea sock is about as good as you get. As you pointed out, Ocean paddling and lake paddling can be quite different and much more demanding.

 

I have seriously considered making a sock, but at their prices I don't think is is worth my time. I still have my concerns so anxious to hear what you think.

[msaxton]

All good points.

I guess I just have a little entrapment fear due to an incident years ago, (substitute stupidity for incident if you want) went whitewater kayaking alone(stupidity) during ice break up (stupidity), no wet suit (stupidity) got sideways and pushed under by a large chunk of ice,  tangled up upside down underwater in a submerged fallen tree and literally almost drowned trying to free myself, then froze my ass off till someone driving by saw me wandering dazed, soaked, and confused. They got me in their pickup with the heat cranked and wrapped me in several blankets and gave me a ride home where it took about two hours of soaking in the jacuzzi to feel ok again. Lost the kayak, paddle and all the camping gear in it.

I have not been whitewater kayaking since then, and I take the cold very seriously and never go without a wetsuit and liner, as well as gloves and neoprene booties now. Funny how something like that can keep you from doing something you always enjoyed.

[Deltabravo]

Good info, thanks.

What size did you buy and how's the fit on the shad coaming?

[Kudzu]

Just saw a video from BlackDog, not putting down my competition, but it is not a great video but it does attempt to demonstrate a good point. Sea Sock dramatically lessens the amount of water in the boat. So do float bags.   I think it and float bags are the ultimate for a Sea Kayak. If I ever settle on one boat as my go-to boat I will probably buy one to use with my float bags. I suspect by the way he lifted that boat so easy it didn't have much water in there to start with.

 

BTW, learning some rescue techniques is a great idea!   

[Mr Gingerbread]

Good info, thanks.

What size did you buy and how's the fit on the shad coaming?

I hesitate to give an answer on the fit right now as I just popped it on and off to make sure I ordered the right size. I can't give more info as the painting has begun on my shad and will take a least a week to finish. It was a semi custom order as I ran a tape measure around the coaming to get 51 inches which is between their Large and Folbot (52") sizes (I paid the Folbot price and they sized it down to my coaming). Joel seems agreeable to doing custom orders. I'll make sure to do a big write up when I get some water time with the sea sock (aka. kayak condom).