Cheap Chinese Drysuit

[Addison Snyder]

Since that time, I've bought and applied a neoprene pocket to one leg, which was a snap.

Also, while cheap, the pockets are a little small, if anyone is getting these. 8" x 5 1/2" x 1 1/4". Enough to hold a decent-sized spool and SMB, but that's about it.

 

[HKGuns]

Am I the only one in this thread wondering about your bust size?

 

[Addison Snyder]

Am I the only one in this thread wondering about your bust size?

Probably quadruple-As

 

[MrVegas]

Inquiring minds want to know -- any more dives with this? Any theories on why the boots were getting wet on the inside?

 

[Addison Snyder]

Inquiring minds want to know -- any more dives with this? Any theories on why the boots were getting wet on the inside?

Yeah, took it out again last weekend, and confirmed my suspicion that it leaked from one of the neoprene wrist seals that I had trimmed a little. Purely user idiocy.The other (untrimmed) wrist seal was getting manhandled a bit and has a small developing tear as well, but doesn't leak. I'm going to order some $20 latex wrist seals and install those, which should semi-permanently correct it and make for a better seal overall. So far I'm really happy with the neck seal.

 

[Addison Snyder]

The way the neoprene seals work is that there are (at the wrist portions) two layers of neoprene, each with a smooth (sealing) portion facing each other. This theoretically allows you to don gloves in between the two layers, but without gloves the inner seal is supposed to fold inward for an inch or two to seal against your skin. Not that I have experience with other drysuits, but I imagine getting my hands in and out is rather difficult comparatively to latex. Didn't think I'd need talcum powder for a neoprene seal, but I guess it's too late now. In the pic, I've torn the inner one a little.

 

[lexvil]

Yeah, took it out again last weekend, and confirmed my suspicion that it leaked from one of the neoprene wrist seals that I had trimmed a little. Purely user idiocy.The other (untrimmed) wrist seal was getting manhandled a bit and has a small developing tear as well, but doesn't leak. I'm going to order some $20 latex wrist seals and install those, which should semi-permanently correct it and make for a better seal overall. So far I'm really happy with the neck seal.

There is an ad in classified for an Antaries dry glove set up which includes the glue in rings for replaceable seals, I would look into that, the Antaries is a good system once everything it right but once you have the PU ring in the suit you can use wet gloves and silicone seals or go dry. The Ultima system will also fit those same suit rings.

 

[Addison Snyder]

Does the exhaust valve have a backing plate or screen or something on it to prevent your undergarment from fouling it? Just hypothesizing what could have caused your wet boots. Was your undergarment wet anywhere (that's usually a good indicator of where the leak is)?

For clarification, the second time I went out in it, I wore a light sports-style shirt (think underarmour) and light shorts, and got in the water long before I was sweating. This made the leak a heck of a lot more obvious, and was able to pick it out in a few minutes. I really don't think it leaked anywhere else (especially below the waist), as I was in good position and didn't feel anything wet down there until I went vertical.

On a sidenote, here's the inside of the release valve. No easy way to foul it, note the Totally Authentic "SCUBATEC USA" marking .

 

[O-ring]

The way the neoprene seals work is that there are (at the wrist portions) two layers of neoprene, each with a smooth (sealing) portion facing each other. This theoretically allows you to don gloves in between the two layers, but without gloves the inner seal is supposed to fold inward for an inch or two to seal against your skin. Not that I have experience with other drysuits, but I imagine getting my hands in and out is rather difficult comparatively to latex. Didn't think I'd need talcum powder for a neoprene seal, but I guess it's too late now. In the pic, I've torn the inner one a little.

Aquaseal might hold that.

 

[MrVegas]

Thanks so much for the update. I was just curious. Couldn't you just pull gloves over the whole sleeve, or is it too thick?
For neoprene seals aren't you suppose to stretch, not trim? (Latex seals you trim.)