Pinnacle please fix or replace the zipper on my Kodiak semi-drysuit! I love the suit!

[stilldivin]

I finally got a response from Pinnacle In Livermore, CA. Damien there was very nice and helpful. He says the only suit Pinnacle makes now is the Tempo 7mm wet suit. He is sending it directly to my house with a free hooded vest, and I'm to send back the Kodiak. all of this at no charge to me. It looks like Damien is trying hard to improve the image of Pinnacle, and seems very sincere about customer support. I did learn my Pinnacle Kodiak zipper leaks not only because it's not closing all the way, but because it's a straight zipper installed in a curved suit. This makes it have ripples in it, preventing it from staying flat against my chest and closing the neoprene flap behind it. I hope to try out my new suit Sunday. I'll report back on how warm it was.
Question; is it best to wear a hooded vest inside or outside this wet suit?

[D_B]

Good to hear that have gotten helpful response from Pinnacle
Normally, vests go inside , lots of places water can leak into them so usually work better inside than out, but .... ?

[stilldivin]

Anyone know where I can get a semi-drysuit zipper fixed or a dry suit zipper installed for less than $300.00?

[Peter_C]

What length zipper do you need? (I ask because I may have one) Is it just glued in, or is it sewn in too? Would you be willing to attempt to do it yourself? Could possibly be done for less than $150. Otherwise you can pay someone like Steve Gamble along with others to install a new zipper. Shipping isn't going to be cheap either.

Thanks for confirming Pinnacle is no longer on the list of manufacturers to purchase from. I have one of their semi wetsuits, that the stitching is coming undone on, but it is an older suit and out of warranty. Still stitching shouldn't be failing. Quality control fell off years ago.

[stilldivin]

I'm getting back the suit from Pinnacle soon, then I'll measure the zipper. I seem to remember since it's a front entry zipper, it's about 36 inches long. I don't want to install it myself; I can't do stuff like that anymore. About how much do you think it would cost?

[stilldivin]

Pinnacle sent me their new wetsuit and hooded vest as a replacement to the Kodiak.(The only one they now make.) It's a very nice suit, but I froze in it anyway and they would not let me return it. They said to sell it on eBay or craigslist, and use the money to put a better zipper in the Kodiak, which I did. Of course it was worth $400.00 and I only got $240.00. (They returned the Kodiak with the broken wetsuit zipper and said I could have it.) So far I've been to two shops that refused to do anything with the Kodiak. I did have a friend remove the wetsuit zipper, but it appears you can't put a drysuit zipper in it, since it is a front entry, across the chest and down the arms zipper, it would break it. My friend is going to take it to a guy who may be able to put a Tzip zipper in it, which are flexible and mostly water proof. I did buy a used Mobby drysuit from this same friend and have been diving with it ever since. It is very warm and comfortable, even in 46 degree water! I too am very frustrated with Pinnacle, but must admit their new sales rep. in Livermore seems to be a nice guy.