I guess this is why
I got both zippers…I’ll deal with the back band issues with that big zipper. I managed on my last suit…and if I want to bring a FUD and do that, I’m all set.
I don’t think I’ve ever had the opportunity to paddle in a dry suit and use a port-a-pottie or real bathroom even. Usually it’s squatting over some rocks in the tidal zone…
(Hi Ceila, this is Jenna)
Thanks to you all.
A dry suit with a drop seat has been rented and will be used this weekend. She has a FUD and is testing the waters while in the shower to learn the intricacies.
You have all helped in her future decision. Thanks again.
Hi Jenna
Should be July as usual, hoping we can meet up! I assume you’ve kept the new boat off the rocks… 
Hey Ceila
Sorry for hijacking your post!
The new boat came in to NC in December, but sans keel strip, they gave me the option to take it, or rebuild AGAIN. Hey didn’t want to put it on here. I was patient and had them rebuild. Boat is done, and here or very close to here in the U.S. Will be in New England later this month.
I can’t wait to paddle with you and show it off in July.
P.S. I NEVER hit the rocks with it! PFffft 
Can’t wait to get it though!
Just kidding!
I remembered that you hadn’t hit rocks with it. I was thinking that you’d might have had the new one long enough now to actually go out and do so. If you are going to get blamed for it you may as well have the fun.
Will get back to you over the weekend re dates - off to take care of a pup and do a reading.
FUDs
Just got my custom Kokatat drysuit today! So excited. Amazing tool for paddlers.
Got the pzip, not lowered because left torso as is, a little long. Am short and fat so got a custom L King size.
Been experimenting with FUDs. Not easy to get no leaks. When a person is in the middle of a pee the force is strong to clear the suit but near the end the dribbles don’t jet out far. Experimenting in shower only.
Just ordered a
http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Female-Advantage-Urinal-Draining/dp/B005ZWGOEY/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1328652439&sr=8-15
which looks small enough to use in the tight pzip space, even with pull-ups, won’t leak, and can be used while paddling and also in an outhouse etc. or just standing in the forest or isolated shore.
Drop Seat
Since my first dry suit right up to my present one, I’ve always had a drop seat. In ten years of wearing a KokatatGMER, I’ve never found the drop to encumber me in any way nor found it uncomfortable. The zipper can be a tricky bit, but if you keep it flexible with beeswax it’s not that difficult to use. As for modesty: I think I’ve seen every guy I’ve ever paddled with take a “discreet” whiz behind driftwood, bushes, trees and rocks, so, in some ways being able to toddle off for a squat whilst surveying the scenery isn’t any different.
The idea of a FUD is a total turnoff, but that’s just me.
This is a personal choice and I’ll admit I have a health reason for needing the “rainbow” or the “frowny” zip. You really need to try both out, which seems to be an option for you, and then decide which you’re most comfortable with.
One thing not mentioned
In my neck of the woods, the women who may have to pee when they are in the boat, sea kayakers, usually opt for the front relief zipper. Those who go to shore, white water paddlers, will often opt for the drop seat.
It’s not at all unusual to be an hour or more from a safe and/or legal landing, and the ability to relieve ones self while in the boat is really a necessary skill.
Experiment w/regular clothes, in bathroo
I wore regular underpants plus jeans or sweatpants over them. When the stream weakens, just lean forward slightly to let the rest run down. You should already have your legs spraddled a bit (like a guy) for clearance from the pee stream (pretend you are peeing on the ground).
The key is to hold the FUD in place securely until the dripping ends. While you are practicing, keep some toilet paper in one hand so you can put it right under the FUD cup as you remove it.
BTW, if you are using a Freshette, make sure that the tube is securely seated in the cup. If not, there will be leaks. The tube should feel like it pops into place.
Modesty isn’t the main thing
I don’t care that other paddlers know I’m peeing. Or other outdoorsfolk. Most of us are mature about these kinds of things.
What I don’t want is for some idiot to gawk and point from a powerboat (or whatever) as my butt is exposed. If they gawk and point at me standing up to pee, big deal. They can’t see much, maybe not even the FUD. Give 'em a mindf*ck not being sure what gender I am–it’s safer for them to think I might be a guy. Especially when I’m by myself on a completely exposed treeless island with houses around.
Reort back plz?
Plz try it out and let us know - the device is interesting on a couple of counts, not the least is the really long tube. I have thought at times about getting some plastic tubing to extend the length a bit in the Freshette. At under $10 it’s not I’d hate the additional few bucks.
I will be wondering about two parts of this one - one is whether the handle helps or takes up useful real estate, and the other is the limited size of the opening.
will report back
Celia, will definitely report back. Think FUD of choice will depend on activity or sport. Divers have a built in pee valve and the women actually glue their FUD to themselves for that.
Men have it so much easier. Even in a diving suit they just wear a condom catheter with a tube running out the pee valve.
In caregiving over 30 years, eldercare, incontinence with women is a huge issue. Used to be standard to use foley (indwelling) catheters but they lead to UTIs (infections) so now the protocol is essentially diapers if toileting every 2 hours is not possible.
For a paddler doing a multi-day trip out in the boonies a diaper is not a safe skin or comfortable option.
There are times when one might not be able to dump the contents so a lid or closed system then is a good option. We have lake reservoirs on our drinking water here. .gov so alarmed over paddler peeing that they installed floating outhouses to prevent water contamination.
Elder care?
Then you already know more about special ways to pee than most of us do!
I hope those floating outhouses are paddler-friendly. Lake Powell has them, and they are designed for tall things–powerboats. I would think they’d worry more about #2 than #1.
Your posts made me dig out the Go-Girl FUD. I’m going to carry it around with me and use whenever I’m in a public restroom or (ick) port-a-potty…or…hell why not…at home, too. Good practice to decide which FUD I prefer. It’s too bad the Freshette isn’t more compact.
Both, front and rear
I sent my drysuit back to Kokatat for them to add a front relief zip. That’s what I use most of the time, with a FUD. Works fine for me. But instead of having the drop seat removed, I kept it. Occasionally need to use it and am glad to have it. Zipper does not seem to get in the way. So I think having both front and rear zips is good. Glad I’ve got 'em.
Drysuit is a great thing and adds a lot to our margin of safety – at least, to mine.
G in NC
Thank you all
My wife has ordered a kokatat from Kayak Academy with both the drop seat and the relief zipper. She rented a suit to try and KA told her to keep it for the next 6-8 weeks at no charge until her new suit is received. They are even having it made with last years purple color top and grey bottom in the new 2012 style! What service!
Both Zippers
My custom suit came in yesterday with both zippers. Paddled today in Maine and love it. Everything was absolutely perfect (though I haven’t tested all the seams yet) and love the fact I can store a FUD in an arm pocket pretty easily, so I may give it a shot.
One a side note, the zippers came in working smoother than any previous dry suit I have used, but still will be lubing them.
If you order a custom suit, make sure you get the booties custom sized. The normal ones are HUGE and the custom ones I got made all the difference in not having the seem in the wrong place and makes it MUCH more comfy in my boots!
It is interesting how
some folks just get used to the idea of necessary nudity in sports. Reading this thread reminds me of the adult hockey locker room where we all strip down to almost nothing and think nothing of it.
if you’re relieving yourself on a
treeless island with houses all around and not being modest, you deserve all the stares and catcalls you get.
custom drysuit colors
My custom arrived, last year’s purple one sleeve & back top with this year’s green for the rest, in last year’s diagonal style. LOVE IT! Off to Home Depot to buy hard cones to stretch the gaskets. Will 303 them first. Kayak Academy has supreme customer service.
Apples to oranges
Bunch of guys who all know each other, inside a room with no windows
versus
a lone woman outside on a totally exposed island or sandbar with powerboaters and jetskiers around?
NOT the same. I got no problem stripping with a group of trusty folks around. Did it all the time when I raced bikes, as did the other riders.
But among strangers outside of the self-propelled clan, no way. There are some people who still view that as “asking for it” or “exhibitionist.”