Do you suit up first?

[Fis_Hunter]

or paddle out and suit up when you get there? I have only dove from my yak a couple of times. I put on the bottom and put on the top when I got out to where I want to dive. I am using a step through farmer john type suit and it is a little tricky to get on once I get out.

Any tips from the pros

[zenspearo]

not pros but I used to dive off yak a lot.

Like you, I put my farmer john bottom on at the beach, then put my top on when I got to the dive site. Reason? I don't want to be fighting the rubber kayaking out there.

[clavinr]

Same here. I overheat really bad if I put the top on before diving. I would just suggest secure your hatch and just think about how you would handle it if you fell out while you are getting dressed, that way if feces occurs, you are all set. One of my friends lost a very expensive fin that way.

[Holy Mackerel]

Agreed with these guys... farmer john on the beach, then the top "in the water" It is almost easier to slip on, than putting it on land... It is hot paddling, and also, when I sit with the entire suit on, it chokes me out!

In norcal, I might wear a splash/paddle jacket, (http://www.rei.com/search?query=kayak+jacket) or something to that effect, over the farmer john, as it is much colder up there water, and outside air temp...

chris

[undrH2Ohntr]

same...........when I first started I wore my entire suit and weightbelt:eek: that paddle SUCKED !!!! that was the last time I did that. I wear the farmers and keep belt and top in the hatch. If it' hot out I even wear the farmers folded down. I would really like to see the guy that could put bottoms and tops on while sitting on a yak.

[Fis_Hunter]

I put my belt in the bottom of the center hatch which I have a strap over so if I capsize it will not knock the hatch cover of. I use a mesh bag to keep all my other stuff in mask hood gloves ect. I strap this down. I strap my fins and gun down. When I get out I put all the stuff away and strap it down before heading back in as well. The first and only time I did not take care to re strap my stuff down I capsized and dumped it all. I was lucky I went back and got my scuba stuff and went out and found all my stuff on the bottom.

[bluesquids]

I don't have a problem paddling all day in my wetsuit, maybe it's the lube or the custom cut. If I get hot, some water down the back does the trick. I'll paddle without the top if it's a super hot day. Tried putting both tops and bottoms on while on the water a couple times, it's not too bad, only thing while I was putting the bottoms on, the top floated off...looked like a paddy.
I do get cold easily in the suit from any windchill.
As a rule I don't put weightbelt on until my fins are on.