cold water kayaking?

So I am purchasing my first kayak in a few weeks for my b-day. It is going to be a sit on top Ascend FS12t. I do a lot of river camping trips during the summer so I need storage area. My question though... I am thinking about trying to hit the little lake by me over the winter (It would be stupid to just stare at the kayak for 3 months until it got warm out) and am wondering if I should look at investing in a dry suit? The lake is going to be pretty still as it has no traffic on it this time of year. Anyone here that kayaks in cold waters? what do you recommend?

 

i would recomend a sit in unless you are going ocean voyaging a sit in provides some cold wind cover and there is lots of storage that is more dry than a sit on at far as good sit in would go, I would say wilderness system pungo series I also have an old town rush that is good for river running

 

I too would recommend a "sit in" kayak for your needs. They have more storage for your camping gear. Plus, I frequently go in cooler weather and I don't get a drop of water on me with my "sit in". You wouldn't need the dry suit then unless you are on rough water. Good luck and enjoy.

 

thanks guys. Where all would I be able to put my gear? I carry quite a bit with me. I usually put it all in a decent sized dry bag and put it in the canoe. My main concern about a sit-in is the storage and getting in and out. It seams you are really limited to where you can get the kayak stable enough to get in.

 

Pungo is awesome.

What is the biggest thing you need to carry? Weight?

 

I have a dry bag I put all my gear in. It usually weighs about 20-25 lbs

 

I think you'd be fine with a Pungo.
I like the 140.
http://www.wildernesssystems.com/pr...nal/recreational_pungo/pungo_140_recreational

 

I think I saw that at the shop I am going to be purchasing from. Pretty nice rig. looks like it would glide through the water pretty easy. I will have to give it a closer look when I am there.

Thanks man!

 

Yeah no problem. We have a sit on top as well and I even get cold on windy days in the summer in South Carolina! Haha

 

hahaha I think if I can find a sit in big enough for my gear, that is the way I would go. I'd just have to deal with the limited entry/exit ways or learn how to get back in the thing in the middle of the water.

 

the pungo series have storage compartments and the my rush just has room behind the seat which is a lot of room

 

alright... so I went to the canoe/kayak shop here and checked out some of the sit in kayaks. I think I have pretty much made up my mind on the Wilderness Systems Pamlico 120


It has a nice sized storage area in the back with a quick release hatch so I don't have to wrestler with those rubber seals. It is fairly light and has some more area up front inside that if needed, I can stuff a dry bag with stuff up there. There is also an extra tray that clips up front for random stuff that I might get a little later:



I may get a spray skirt if I find I need one and will need to drill some holes to mount a pole holder. Couldn't quite afford the pungo 140 but this will be good though.