Wetsuit in Ocean - Northern CA

I tend to be picky about my body temp: 3mil not enough for longterm safe immersion (for me) , and 7 mil too hot above water, so I went for a cheap 5 mil farmerjohn $99 then put in my own relief zipper (zipper and glue about $8). works great

dale

Dale, if you have a chance, can you post a photo of your relief zipper job? Um, I mean just on a hanger or something, not "in use"!

I have no problem wearing a 7mm FJ, I just don't put on the shoulder straps so it stops at my waist.  The zipper is already unzipped so 'relief' isn't a problem.

A relief zipper on a wetsuit is overrated. Now, a relief zipper on a dry suit or waders; that is valuable.

It's a freaking wetsuit, you're supposed to pee yourself. Heck, I have this pavlovs syndrome (from years of surfing+water skiing) that makes me feel like I have to pee as soon as the wetsuit is on. I call it the peter heater.
I have a 2-way zipper on my new FJ, but it is so hard to get up on my knees and whip it out on the ocean....that I don't even bother. Seriously, if you have enough fortitude to complete that maneuver, you probably have enough fortitude to just "hold it" until you return shore. Or, just do like I do, turn on the peter heater, splash some water on your lap, and continue catching fish. It's a three-step program.


Of course, I'm being somewhat sarcastic here. But also being truthful. I'm a fisherman. In the Pacific Ocean. Paddling around on a 14 foot piece of plastic. Considering these factors, there is no shame in utilizing the peter heater.
 

Here's a post I did about putting my relief zipper in, maybe a little longwinded and micro-managed, but if anyone wants to give it a try....


http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,13251.msg125286.html#msg125286

I have a 2-way zipper on my new FJ, but it is so hard to get up on my knees and whip it out

Its difficult cause you're doing it wrong.  A leg over each side,scoot forward, whip it out and piss in your footwell, pee leaves through the scupper. Super easy and far superior to soaking in your own piss.

Super easy and far superior to soaking in your own piss.

LOL. Agreed!

However, I usually just wear waders and "hold it".

There are some new items on the market that will make them all obsolete...I for one am LOVING them!!!  Shhhhh....

What's so difficult?  Just unzip and hold your peter over the side. No need to pee in your boat.

There are some new items on the market that will make them all obsolete...I for one am LOVING them!!!  Shhhhh....

The secret is out 
http://www.stadiumpal.com/

 ....just use a wide mouth (for those of us who are gifted ) gatorade bottle.....stick "buddy" in there and piss away. Simple and cheap solution

Just remember that it's NOT gatorade anymore

Damn you've all taken us into some weird territory, but it is useful

Back on track...  Realistically for summer time, would the 2mil FJ be enough?  I would think that for winter time (Cooler months) something a little thicker would be appropriate.  I'm all bout going cheap, and the 2 mil for $49.93 at rie-com outlet seems like a great price for summertime.  I can always get a 3 or 5 mil later for the cooler months or wear my 5mil chest waders.
  Although I guess the ocean water temp doesn't really change that much huh?  The 2mil may be OK for splash/spray, but for a good dunking?  Maybe if ya got out of the water quickly the 2 mil would be OK.  Don't know, never wore a wet suit.


 

Water temp's can be close to or below 50 degrees year round. Dress for safety. Dress for success. Once dunked by beach launch, slip on ramp, windchop etc on an overcast day with a liitle wind it's hard to dry back out. A thicker suit will keep you fishing longer and in an emergency situation could save you. My standard is worst case scenario I loose/sink my yak and have to swim in one mile in 48 degree water. With a 4/3mm, booties, and pfd I think I might just make it.      Jim/redyak