A couple of questions: VHF, PFD, Wetsuit/Waders/Jackets

A few of these have been asked.

I am looking for recommendations on a few items.

1)   PFD's: Cabela’s has a pretty inexpensive one that gets good reviews from kayakers, but I am on the big side. So I was wondering what is a good choice for someone who needs to try on stuff in case it is too small. Also, I never have worn a PFD and I have been out in some gnarly crap. However, since the water here is cold, if I pass out from exposure, I want to be a floater. Bottom line I don't want to break the bank on something that I already own multiple quantities of in the generic orange flavor. Even if my Yak started to sink I know for a fact that I would have ample time to get to a pfd...no matter what happened. So actually wearing one on the water full time is going to be a little strange for me, like I said the only reason I am considering it are passing out from hypothermia, and the fact that I will probably be wearing an extra set of breathable waders that I have laying around.
2)   Waders & Wetsuits & Outerwear: I am not trying to open up the debate. I have found a few posts people get specific about what they wear. I have a ton of goretex, polarfleece, wicking this/wicking that. I don’t really feel like looking like a big and tall paddling catalog model walking down to the water with price tags fluttering in the onshore breeze. So what do I absolutely need? A few people mentioned that they wear their 3m farmer johns under their waders. I am assuming this is so you could strip off the waders if you needed to do a long distance swim. I was wondering if the guys that do this could clarify. It seems like the breathable waders would be negated by the non-breathing neoprene. Also, when people are wearing wetsuits is that all you are wearing to cover your lower body? So if I pick up a 3mm Farmer john, throw on some nylon rain pants or grundens would I be good in that dept? I also mentioned that I already have an extra pair of breathable waders, should I just wear those and not pick up a suit? I looked at those Tempest paddling pants, but if I was swimming, I think that they would do the same things that waders would. For upper body I am debating a paddling jacket over my Farmer John or waders, with some sort of layering. Do people wear jackets other than paddling jackets? I have some goretex jackets, but I don’t really feel like getting fish blood all over either of them since I use them for other things. Cold water is still not my thing. I could dive or surf for hours in Hawaii with just a pair of surf shorts. I think that retailers love cold it gives them more crap to sell.
3)   VHF I am looking at a Humminbird and the Uniden MHS 350
4)   I already have flares, whistles, air horns, glow sticks, etc. Should I pick up a strobe?

Long read, I apologize. Thanks for the input. This has been a very useful board for helping me to make my decisions on just about everything.

All in all I have found that the simplest set up is the best when things go FUBAR.

I'll give you just my opinion...for what its worth...I've only got 9 years up here, there are others longer. I'm only 140#s, and skinny...so insulation is a must.

Farmer John wetsuit, in the ocean that's all i wear on the legs, i wear a pair of neoprene socks as well as booties. On top in our typical summer its a thermal top (polypro-like) under the FJ, then a paddling jacket over, and a fleece hat. if its actually cold out, or i'm gonna be drifting, then i add a fleece vest. PFD over all of the rest.  The paddling jacket is worth it, waterproof, moderately breathable and i could care less if i get fish blood all over it.

WRT wearing or not wearing your PFD- wear it. My use case is getting dumped by some peaky-freaky wave, yak out of reach and blowing away fast...you're not gonna be able to make it to your PFD if its strapped on the yak.

In the bay in winter i wear essentially the same set-up, but i add a pair of splash pants over top my legs-- not fancy dancy pants, but some old thrashed Goretex pull ons. Usually i'm sitting on anchor, and its 43 in the air and 45 in the water, so i've got a fleece jacket on instead of a vest.

My 2 cents as well. First off wear the PFD at all times. I know its a drag but you'll actually come to appreciate it. You can keep many needed items at hand (pliers, knife and VHF) all of these will be in constant use. I only time I take mine off to remove or add a layer. The top is pretty simple. I wear a long sleeve surf shirt (the tight lycra ones). followed by a light poly pro layer then the paddling top. With these three I have yet to be cold even in a down pour. The paddling jacket is a must if you go with waders or the tempest pants. That is what 'seals' out the water (well almost all) from filling your pants. Its less of a concern if you use FJ wetsuit. I have used all three set ups and found the wetsuit the 'safest' but least comfortable. Waders were good but can be warm and they are a pain when you gotta pee. I currently use the tempest pants with some ski socks and tevas. Wetsuit ppl seem to just use wetsuit booties and if needed a thin pain of wool socks (or as steve said neo socks). Make sure you get a PFD that fits...I made the mistake with my first PFD of getting one too big. It's pretty useless if it slides up over your head. Also make sure you try it on with and without your layers.  You may also wanna post in classified for a PFD I am sure a few of us have them laying around in the garage.

My 2 cents from an older guy

My main concerns are a sinking yak and getting knocked out or hurt to bad to swim.

So I dress for immersion and wear my PFD w/vhf all the time unless I'm diving and have my full wetsuit on. My outfits are a farmer john layering w/synthetics and paddlejacket and dive booties. Recently dropped coin on a Kokatat Tempest pants(w/pee zipper) matching top and I layer accordingly. I've taken waves over my head and stayed dry!

You never know for sure what can happen OTW, a fluke whale sounding, or a horny/hungry  sealion , shark charge, or some idiot on a jetski or powerboat. If you paddle a while you will have been around all of the above.

Just the information that I was looking for.

 I was looking on NRS at the Vista PFD: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2147  $44 is a good deal but if it may be too small if I need to get them a size up to wear gear underneath. In the meantime I'll post in the classifieds, Thanks for that.

I also liked the Cabela's Ultimate Full-Motion PFD.

Also the NRS endurance jacket: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2560&deptid=2018
A shell so I can layer according to conditions.  

Finally this: http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2220&deptid=1162

Thank you.

I'm quite happy in a full body wetsuit up here in oregon.  I use a 5/4/3 Xcel for the colder days plus booties.  And on the warm hot days I switch to a 3mm Short sleeve full leg with booties.  I don't know if it's from being raised up here in the cold or from my extra layers of desk job fat, but I have a great tolerance to cold.

I've surfed the 5/4/3 in January, 4-5 hour sessions and air temps in the 40's water not much warmer.  Pulled similar length sessions in the warmer summer months with the 3mm spring suit with no problems whatsoever.  That's all I wear no need for outer layers with that setup.  I prefer my wetsuits because of the cheap price and how long i can stay comfortably emerged with them on.  But everybody is different.

all the gear you referenced looks good. I like the fact that the PFD doesn't have a million pockets. That can make re-entry hard.

I'm quite happy in a full body wetsuit up here in oregon.  I use a 5/4/3 Xcel for the colder days plus booties.

I used to be there too...ignorance IS bliss.  Once you try dry gear you'll wonder what you were thinking, it is an order of magnatude better.

Is the "Farmer Bill" the $90 wetsuit that you mentioned?

When I first looked at this hobby I was like, whoa a lot cheaper than maintaining a boat.

I completely forgot about all of the peripheral crap that I need to stay warm.

I really like those dry pants, but I don’t know how I feel about the idea of taking a long swim in them. What you said early really had me taking a hard look at them. The price is a lot less than any of my waders cost me. The guys at Kokatat told me that I would need the bibs and a compatible top for a prolonged event in the water. I read where you got durshed by a couple of waves, were they big sets the kind that sends you tumbling and out of control; have you taken a decent swim in them; how did they hold up? If they were solid and I could count on them when IT hits the fan I would rather have them then sit marinating in a wetsuit that was wicking and cold. But if the suit is going to get me though when there is a problem and I am a little uncomfortable and damp in the meantime, well that is just fishing for me.

 I’m sure how often you guys fish together or go out solo, it sounds like a mix of both. Even with a partner I always considered myself alone when on or in the water. Like everyone else here I have been in plenty of situations where there was nobody to help me out but myself. I can count on one finger the number of times I had someone pull me out of a scrape, and that was because I was unconscious 40 feet down.

Main thing I want to be warm enough to stay out fishing and I want to be able to swim for shore without losing core temp in a pinch.

I just upped my VHS to the Uniden 550 because it has meets JIS-8 standard.

Thanks for the vote on the NRS jacket, I will pick one of those up.

I'm quite happy in a full body wetsuit up here in oregon.  I use a 5/4/3 Xcel for the colder days plus booties.

I used to be there too...ignorance IS bliss.  Once you try dry gear you'll wonder what you were thinking, it is an order of magnatude better.

I second the dry factor. I'm actually close to posting my wet suit in the classifieds. 

If you get a PFD that fits well, you'll barely notice it, and will even come to embrace the utility of a few well placed pockets.

I think the most common clothing approach is to wear a 3mm Farmer John wetsuit, and a thin synthetic top (NRS hydroskins for me) Plus a paddling jacket and maybe a fleece top when conditions are chilly. This approach is very versatile, allows for reasonable comfort and safety, and is relatively affordable. A windbreaker and a fleece sweater from your closet will work just fine until you get kayak specific stuff. Add some neoprene booties or water shoes and you're good to go.

Make sure whatever you wear on your lower half allows you to pee when you need to...pretty important.

As far as a VHF radio...you should have one. I won't tell you which, cuz I've only used one.

For safety and comfort reasons, I wear a 3mm FJ w/basic paddling pants (and of course paddling jacket + PFD + booties). The paddling pants keep my lower-half dry and warm. This is a good cheap option for people who already have a wetsuit or paddling pants. If I was starting from scratch and wanted to buy something that is specifically for kayaking (I use my wetsuit for diving too), I'd probably go w/the Kokatat Tempest gear.   

Can anyone attest to the durability of the tropos fabric. Everyone keeps telling me that it is "lighter" than the goretex and not as durable.  I like the idea behind a tempest set up.

Also when you are talking a "paddling jacket" with a wetsuit setup are you referring to a splash top or a semi-dry top?

I really like those dry pants, but I don’t know how I feel about the idea of taking a long swim in them. What you said early really had me taking a hard look at them. The price is a lot less than any of my waders cost me. The guys at Kokatat told me that I would need the bibs and a compatible top for a prolonged event in the water. I read where you got durshed by a couple of waves, were they big sets the kind that sends you tumbling and out of control; have you taken a decent swim in them; how did they hold up? If they were solid and I could count on them when IT hits the fan I would rather have them then sit marinating in a wetsuit that was wicking and cold. But if the suit is going to get me though when there is a problem and I am a little uncomfortable and damp in the meantime, well that is just fishing for me.

SBD told me when he was playing in the surf at Albion he unloaded a few times and was dry later when he undressed.

Also when you are talking a "paddling jacket" with a wetsuit setup are you referring to a splash top or a semi-dry top?

Just a splash top.