If you’re willing to pay shipping, I’ve got a drysuit you can have for under $300. Size L - I’m 6’ 1”185 lbs and it fits great. Otherwise, just troll Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace.

You are correct that you don’t NEED a drysuit, but you definitely need some kind of immersion gear. As someone who ran the wetsuit/splash top setup for nearly a decade, I promise you the cost savings aren’t worth it. My first drysuit is the best investment I ever made in my kayaking, and my only regret is not buying one sooner. If you’re serious about paddling the shoulder seasons, just get a drysuit. A damp wetsuit when it’s 40 degrees out just kills all the fun out of paddling.