Hi all!
Long time lurker, believe this is my first post here.. Not even sure it's altogether the right forum but since seahiking has been discussed here before(http://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/sea-hiking-hydrotouring.80890/) and the rest of the internet is pretty much blank on the subject, here goes:
I have a sailing and sea-kayaking background, but more and more find that I enjoy being in rather then on the water. So I am looking to outfit myself for some swim-exploration, and would love to hear peoples thoughts on some gear choices. Oh, I live in the US Pacific North West and would be doing most of my swimming there.
Suit: I have a 5mm john/jacket. I hope that keeps me reasonable comfy in surface water, could add a hooded vest if needed. I hope to push upgrades here off for a while..
Fins: I'm thinking bifins, less learning curve and probably more comfortable for all day wear. but long or short? Short fins are significantly cheaper, how much more efficient are long fins in surface swimming? Any specific models worth looking at?
Full foot or adjustable? Full foot would be more efficient, however booties make decent camp-shoes and can even work for impromptu land-hikes. Could full-foot fins over booties work?
Luggage: I'll start with a dry bag with a chart-case attached to it, I have some ideas for building a float/kickboard but ill probably hold of on that till i gather some more experience.
Anything I'm forgetting?
Thanks,
Jasper.
Long time lurker, believe this is my first post here.. Not even sure it's altogether the right forum but since seahiking has been discussed here before(http://forums.deeperblue.com/threads/sea-hiking-hydrotouring.80890/) and the rest of the internet is pretty much blank on the subject, here goes:
I have a sailing and sea-kayaking background, but more and more find that I enjoy being in rather then on the water. So I am looking to outfit myself for some swim-exploration, and would love to hear peoples thoughts on some gear choices. Oh, I live in the US Pacific North West and would be doing most of my swimming there.
Suit: I have a 5mm john/jacket. I hope that keeps me reasonable comfy in surface water, could add a hooded vest if needed. I hope to push upgrades here off for a while..
Fins: I'm thinking bifins, less learning curve and probably more comfortable for all day wear. but long or short? Short fins are significantly cheaper, how much more efficient are long fins in surface swimming? Any specific models worth looking at?
Full foot or adjustable? Full foot would be more efficient, however booties make decent camp-shoes and can even work for impromptu land-hikes. Could full-foot fins over booties work?
Luggage: I'll start with a dry bag with a chart-case attached to it, I have some ideas for building a float/kickboard but ill probably hold of on that till i gather some more experience.
Anything I'm forgetting?
Thanks,
Jasper.
