Quote:
Originally Posted by AJ.
Lol well you can get pee valves in some drysuits, although these won't help those with manginas!
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I have a couple pee valves installed in my scuba diving drysuits and swear by them. For the surface suit a zipper over the crotch area is preferable, which is what my surface suit has.
Having owned many different types of drysuit suits, I think I am at suit number eight, I have learned a lot of what I like and do not like. Since this is a surface suit one of the most important features I would look for is breathability. Gore-tex is the best known material. Since their patent expired there are now lots of materials available that do the same thing. I also prefer to have my feet inside the suit, so no latex cuffs at the ankles. Socks are okay, as I use Chuck Taylors over my scuba suit socks, but much prefer DUI's Turbo Soles (Built in soft boots), which is what my DUI Gore-tex surface suit has. It also has a zipper right across the crotch area for relieving ones self. It is a pretty light weight suit.
Two piece suits are common for making entry easier, but they are known to leak. I look at it as if you need a drysuit to survive in the cold water, then you want it 100% sealed.
Types of seals today can be latex, neoprene and now silicon. The most common on cheaper suits is going to be latex. Silicon can not be glued on and requires a system to install them. Neoprene is known to leak on headers, but I don't think you are planning on doing active sports like wakeboarding, so they would probably work. They also happen to provide warmth. More common on the neck seal than the wrists. Some folks are allergic to latex and must finds alternatives. Taking care of latex seals is the their biggest downfall. They only last a year or so if used heavily and talc powder applied does help keep the oils from getting into the seals.
Nothing wrong with getting a used suit and repairing it. You can get screaming deals that way. Seal replacements are a piece of cake, and zippers are doable but require a little more work.
What you wear under the suit is just as important. You want something that doesn't retain water. Cotton kills, leave it at the dock. Think modern high tech materials, and fleece. Light weight and fluffy is good which are the characteristics that fleece has.
Imogen
Breawatch
How do they compare to the Gul Shadow?
Black Hawk
Ocean Devil
