Inexpensive Dry Suits or Kayak clothing?

I won this on ebay today http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110909871562 will it work? It's an Ocean Tec Titanium 202, doesn't say how many mm though.

http://www.rei.com/product/814539/oneill-superlite-farmer-john-wetsuit-mens

Would something like this really protect you if you went over in say, 50-60 degree waters?

I tried that one on as a possible replacement for current surfing/PWC wetsuit (a bad choice for paddlesports because of back zip and long sleeve, lack of freedom around the shoulders). this O'Neill Superlight seems to be a bit thinner (probably 2 mil.) which makes it more flexible and comfortable, but it does not have a 2 way zipper, a convenience I would not underestimate. The NRS 3.0 Farmer John would be a better choice http://www.rei.com/product/832802/nrs-30-farmer-john-wetsuit-mens. I ended up with the Warmers brand from Clavey's, with the NCKA discount, $107. http://shop.clavey.com/mens-farmer-john-3mm-wetsuit-p463.aspx

I won this on ebay today http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110909871562 will it work? It's an Ocean Tec Titanium 202, doesn't say how many mm though.

That looks to be a full suit(long sleeve one piece) which will be a bit constricting around the shoulders for paddling.

You could always win a dry suit at the PIF paddle on July 21st, its one of the prizes.

i too am in the market for a dry suit. does anyone have the 2 piece combo of a dry paddling pant and a dry top?

i too am in the market for a dry suit. does anyone have the 2 piece combo of a dry paddling pant and a dry top?

The headwaters Kayak Shop has a great deal on an NCKA drysuit from Kokatat. Contact Paddleboy84.

I don't get how FJ wetsuits are supposed to work. What keeps (cold, cold) water from circulating around thru the top? The ones I've tried on are pretty tight from about my gut on down, but up top they are loose. What use is a loose wetsuit if you fall in the drink? It seems my legs would stay warm, but my chest would freeze, which, it seems to me, is almost the opposite of ideal.

I don't get how FJ wetsuits are supposed to work. What keeps (cold, cold) water from circulating around thru the top? The ones I've tried on are pretty tight from about my gut on down, but up top they are loose. What use is a loose wetsuit if you fall in the drink? It seems my legs would stay warm, but my chest would freeze, which, it seems to me, is almost the opposite of ideal.

This is what I was wondering about as well! I bought a FJ from rei and made sure it was super tight but still room at the top for water to get in. Eager to hear other responses.

The FJ is similar to a set of waders in that it will act like a wetsuit (as far as being wet & warm) for your lower half.  Waders will keep the water out and rely on underlayers for the warmth.  The FJ relies on the body heat you keep your lower half warm when wet.  Doesn;t do anything for upper body protection in either case; FJ or Waders.

The FJ is similar to a set of waders in that it will act like a wetsuit (as far as being wet & warm) for your lower half.  Waders will keep the water out and rely on underlayers for the warmth.  The FJ relies on the body heat you keep your lower half warm when wet.  Doesn;t do anything for upper body protection in either case; FJ or Waders.

OK, but now I'm more confused than ever. According to rule #2 (rule #1 is, of course, wear a PFD) on the excellent "safety first" posting on this website, I'm supposed to "dress for immersion". But, if I wear an FJ wetsuit with, say, a jacket and PFD over the top, I'm definitely not dressed for immersion. Yet, from what I can gather, this seems to be the way that a lot of people (probably most) go.

So, is there any reasonable way to be truly "dressed for immersion" wearing an FJ wetsuit? It seems to me that I'd need a drysuit top or something similar and that's going to be a) very expensive and b) virtually impossible to swim in, if it ever comes to that.

I don't get how FJ wetsuits are supposed to work. What keeps (cold, cold) water from circulating around thru the top? The ones I've tried on are pretty tight from about my gut on down, but up top they are loose. What use is a loose wetsuit if you fall in the drink? It seems my legs would stay warm, but my chest would freeze, which, it seems to me, is almost the opposite of ideal.

   All wetsuits, full suit, shorty, or farmer john, work on the same principle; a thin layer of water is allowed into the suit and warmed by the body, effectively becoming an additional insulating layer. The neoprene's insulation stabilizes the water inside from rapid temperature swings. Only so much water is allowed in and can't be displaced by more cold water unless you open the suit or drain it by getting out of the water. Note: loose fitting suits can allow too much of a circulation effect, defeating the original design intent.
   Conversely, a drysuit depends on insulation layers worn underneath. The almost non existent insulating properties of the outer material when immersed isn't going to cut it in cold water. If the drysuit leaks, all bets are off.
   In our area a full wetsuit tends to be too warm while sitting high and dry in your yak. A farmer john style suit allows a bit more comfort while dry and has enough insulation when immersed for short periods. There are multiple ways of supplementing that insulation; tight weave poly/fleece like Mysterioso, thin neoprene base layers such as NRS's Hydroskin, or even a thicker neoprene jacket.
   Whether you choose a drysuit or a wetsuit, remember, there is no place for anything cotton on the ocean other than the towel you wipe the fish blood off with.

Its nice to layer a wetsuit, and that makes a farmer john a really nice central piece.  If its really cold a fleece base layer / union suit adds soft comfort and additional insulation.  On top of everything you can wear splash-guards for wind and water protection. For your upper body a long sleeve wetsuit / hydoskin adds that wetsuit protection to your arms and chest.  When the sun breaks out and you start to get hot it is awesome to be able to peel that shirt off and get down to your farmer john.  At the end of the day, all options are really just protection from short term immersion.   All this is just another reason to use the buddy system... if you can't get back in your yak and you are alone, you're screwed.

If I remember right Sonny was wearing a drysuit at GS this year when he went in right?  He stayed dry, but still began to succumb to hypothermia.  As Capn mentioned above... drysuits rely on layers of insulation for warmth in the event you go in the drink.  They are more of a full body splash guard... not cold water swimming apparel.

Good discussion here. 
I wear a 3mil FJ and a kokatat paddling jacket with gaskets at the sleeves but just a toggle adjustment at the waist (which I keep snug)and a neck I can open up when warm.  I wear a long sleeved under armor shirt and 5 mil booties.   I have gone over the side on purpose and was surprised how warm this setup kept me while I righted my boat and got back in. Without the PFD I would have gotten much more water down the neck for sure. I could probably survive a short swim but, I was not cold when I was back on my kayak.
I don't think  "immersion" has to mean long term survival but, enough time to get back on your boat without the thermal shock of going into 50 degree water.  Also why my yak has 22 pool noodles inside, it floats always so I have something to get back up on even if the hull is breached.
All the safety gear kind of works together. Clothing, Radio, Buddy did I say BUDDY!!!!! Your best bet.
You should be able to radio for help if you get separated from your kayak. (strap it to your PFD......always) I feel like this setup will keep me alive long enough for rescue .....God forbid.

At the end of the day, all options are really just protection from short term immersion.   All this is just another reason to use the buddy system... if you can't get back in your yak and you are alone, you're screwed.

Yea, what he said +1

Nrs 3.0 FJ is the way to go.. Just got one recently and would never go back to waders!