ScubaPro Jet Fin and DUI Rock Boot

[longraven]

Some of you may have had a similar problem with getting your rock boot to fit in the fin pocket of your ScubaPro Jet Fins.

A diver in Finland wrote he heated the fin pocket up and stuffed a block inside to stretch it. He said that technique worked perfectly.

I was skeptical to try that method since I would be more likely to burn a hole right through the pocket.

I embarked on an adventure...With my other half’s sacrificial pair of Jet fins (I wasn't going to use my own), my trusty dremel tool, a cutting wheel and pre-drawn template, I set to work.

2 hours later, yeah buddy! It worked great. Test dive tomorrow. Check the pics out (separate posts). Hope this helps some of you who are in a similar predicament. If you can offer any criticisms that would be helpful.

Annie:D

[longraven]

Fin pic one

[longraven]

Fin pic 2

[longraven]

Fin pic 3

[O-ring]

Whatcha gonna wear with your wetsuit now though?

[longraven]

Fin pic 4

[Bob3]

Had me scared there, thought for a minute you split them down the middle & made lace-ups out of them. ;)

[longraven]

Bob3

See anything that would prevent this from working?

Annie

[RichLockyer]

longraven once bubbled...
See anything that would prevent this from working?
I'd be worried about loss of stability, but I think what you've done would still be more stable than Turtles.

I ended up dumping the rock boots and backing off on the footwear. I now leave the Weezle booties at home, slip my bare foot directly into the TLS sock, and then put a standard ScubaMax size 12 bootie over the dry sock.
My H. gators slip just over the top edge of the bootie and keep water out, as well as protect the zipper, and the XL jets fit perfectly.

I really enjoy getting the ankle flexibility back that I lost when I started diving dry. I fought those rock boots and Turtles for WAY too long.

[WYDT]

RichLockyer once bubbled...

I'd be worried about loss of stability, but I think what you've done would still be more stable than Turtles.

I ended up dumping the rock boots and backing off on the footwear. I now leave the Weezle booties at home, slip my bare foot directly into the TLS sock, and then put a standard ScubaMax size 12 bootie over the dry sock.
My H. gators slip just over the top edge of the bootie and keep water out, as well as protect the zipper, and the XL jets fit perfectly.

I really enjoy getting the ankle flexibility back that I lost when I started diving dry. I fought those rock boots and Turtles for WAY too long.

Hey Rich, That's exactly what I do. Booties over the neoprene sock part of my TLS350. Works beautifully!

[O-ring]

I have never had a problem with my Rock Boots and Turtles. I can do all the kicks in my turtles and rockboots that I can in my wetsuit and jetfins. Someone please explain what the problem is with rock boots and turtles..

FWIW, I have size 11 rock boots and there is no slop in the turtle foot pocket..

[longraven]

RichLockyer once bubbled...

I'd be worried about loss of stability, but I think what you've done would still be more stable than Turtles.

I ended up dumping the rock boots and backing off on the footwear. I now leave the Weezle booties at home, slip my bare foot directly into the TLS sock, and then put a standard ScubaMax size 12 bootie over the dry sock.
My H. gators slip just over the top edge of the bootie and keep water out, as well as protect the zipper, and the XL jets fit perfectly.

I really enjoy getting the ankle flexibility back that I lost when I started diving dry. I fought those rock boots and Turtles for WAY too long.

I was worried about loss of stability and or changing the mechanics of the fin as well. There is more flexibility on the side edges of the opening that concerns me but the boot in the pocket seems to neutralize that issue. When my new TLS is done I'll most likely do something similar to what you are doing. Thanks for the ideas.

Annie

[Bob3]

See anything that would prevent this from working?
Nope, your mods looks like it should work out OK.
As far as rock boot vs wetsuit bootie, try 'em & see which works best for you.

[longraven]

Bob3 once bubbled...

Nope, your mods looks like it should work out OK.
As far as rock boot vs wetsuit bootie, try 'em & see which works best for you.

I really like the boots. The TLS comes with the basic neoprene boot that has a thin rubber sole. Not sure bout that.

Annie

[longraven]

O-ring once bubbled...
Whatcha gonna wear with your wetsuit now though?

Wetsuit! Did you say wet suit? I'm a chicken when it comes to cold water which in San Diego we get a lot of. Okay, wait, it's not Lake Huron or Alaska but 49 on the bottom is cold.

But to answer your question, when I do dive in 70+ I'll wear my Sea Soft hard soles with my extra pair of Jets that aren't modified. The fit okay.

Annie

[longraven]

Bob3 once bubbled...
Had me scared there, thought for a minute you split them down the middle & made lace-ups out of them. ;)

For entertainment sake, I dare you to post that idea (lace up jets) on the GUE board. Then just sit back and watch the storm. Dare ya...Don't make me go triple dog dare.;)

[maverick7593]

I wear a size 10 rockboot and recently purchased some XL jetfins. From what I have read here and on other boards about half the people with 10 rockboots say the XL jets fit great and the other half say they are to small.

Mine seem to fit pretty good (havent been able to dive them yet though) and I stuffed the boots with newpaper and push the boots in as far as I can to stretch the foot pockets. I try to push the boots in alittle bit further every 24 hours or so(been doing this for about 3 days) and so far I have gained about a 1" to 1.5". I have not heated the foot pockets but the thought has crossed my mind. Not sure I will need to though.

[Spectre]

O-ring once bubbled...
Whatcha gonna wear with your wetsuit now though?

I remember seeing somewhere [maybe the DUI website] about neoprene socks; specifically to wear your rockboots w/ wetsuits.

Anyone do this?


maverick7593 revealed...
I wear a size 10 rockboot and recently purchased some XL jetfins.


Mine seem to fit pretty good

Thanks... I think you just solved the dilemma I've been having [size 9].

[Spectre]

longraven once bubbled...
For entertainment sake, I dare you to post that idea (lace up jets) on the GUE board. Then just sit back and watch the storm. Dare ya...Don't make me go triple dog dare.;)

Even better.... find an old pair of medium jetfins [since that size is basically worthless]; make some, and post pictures to the list!

[Birdman]

Picked up some XL jet fins today and so far so good -- have managed to stuff size 13 rock boots in to the end of the pocket. I'll dive them soon + see if the feet are going to complain.

[RichLockyer]

How the heck did you get size 13 rock boots into XL jets?
TwinJets maybe but Jetfins? I'm pushing it with size 11 or 12 wetsuit booties!

Were these DUI rockboots or another brand?

[O-ring]

RichLockyer once bubbled...
How the heck did you get size 13 rock boots into XL jets?
TwinJets maybe but Jetfins? I'm pushing it with size 11 or 12 wetsuit booties!

Were these DUI rockboots or another brand?
I have size 11 Rock Boots and there was no way in hell those were going to fit past the toes into my XL jets...

[Birdman]

I didn't do anything special, really. I just shoved them in. The fit is snug, but I am hoping that they are going to stretch with use. The tip of the boot hits the end of the foot pocket as near as I can tell. I picked up some turtles a couple weeks back since the board seemed to suggest this was the route for rock boots and they were nice, but were a tad more flexible than I wanted. Will pool test probably this weekend.

Used DUI rock boots. Came with the drysuit which is 3 yrs old.