Leaky drysuit replacement

[Chunk]

Hi Folks

Bought a new Gul drysuit late last year to replace my old leaky one. I use it for both Ribs and dinghy sailing. Cutting to the chase, the pee zip is leaking on the new one and the retailer has offered to replace it with either the Musto MPX drysuit or the new Typhoon Max-B.

Both look very good and both look up to the job...don't think either will disappoint.

Does anyone have any experience with either and given the option, which one would you go for?

Cheers

[willk]

No experience with those suits - although I'd like to have!!!

Which Gul model was leaking?

[Ovey]

As far as I'm aware the Typhoon has glide-skin neck and wrist seals and the MPX has latex seals.

Latex seals are tight (if left uncut or cut to the correct size) but over a short length of seal (think a cone with the top cut off, only sealing where the tight top of it connects to your neck/cuff). Whereas glide-skin isn't as tight but has a longer length of seal. (The water probably just gets bored and gives up trying to get in!)

I have a kayaking top with latex seals that is uncomfortable after a days wear, but a diving dry-suit with glide-skin seals that I can happily wear all day. Both are as dry as each other IMHO.

[jyasaki]

Latex seals typically last only a year or so before needing to be replaced. They should be washed (or at least rinsed) with soapy water after use to remove skin oils which damage the latex, then coated with unscented talc or cornstarch to prevent sticking and shield them from ozone. Store away from ozone sources and airborne fuels (electric motors, water heaters, furnaces, etc.)

I assume the "glideskin" seals are neoprene? If so, they shouldn't require replacement. Factor that in to your cost analysis.

jky

[Pikey Dave]

My Missus has a Typhoon with the "Glide Skin" (fancy term for neoprene) seals & is happy to wear it all day. I've had various diving drysuits over the years & it's neoprene every time, they are more robust, comfortable, easy to look after & last for years. I'd by a Musto drysuit tomorrow if they had neoprene seals, but the latex seals are a showstopper imho. I'll probably be buying a Typhoon this year to replace my 10year old membrane diving drysuit, that's seen LOTS of action & still has the original neoprene neck seal.

[Chunk]

Thanks all, supports my gut feel - I had a latex neck seal on my old diving drysuit and it chaffed after a weekend.

The Typhoon also has Gore-tex socks as opposed to latex. Hopefully a little less prone to damage...but maybe harder to repair?

Willk - its the Gul Code Zero. The pee zip has leaked on 2 suits so far so I'm giving up on Gul. Like the suit but there's no point if it gets you wet.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Latex seals typically last only a year or so before needing to be replaced. They should be washed (or at least rinsed) with soapy water after use to remove skin oils which damage the latex, then coated with unscented talc or cornstarch to prevent sticking and shield them from ozone. Store away from ozone sources and airborne fuels (electric motors, water heaters, furnaces, etc.)

I assume the "glideskin" seals are neoprene? If so, they shouldn't require replacement. Factor that in to your cost analysis.

jky

I have had my Crewsaver drysuit with latex neck, cuffs, and feet for a good 6 years now.

I always rinse after use and then make sure it's nice and dry before folding up and storing away.

I have never put talc or anything else on the latex and it is still as good as new so I guess that it is just a matter of how well you look after your gear at the end of the day.

I agree with neoprene being a lot comfier and is probably better for rib use but for kayaking and canoeing latex is best

[Ovey]

Hmm, I was looking at the Gul code zero too...... maybe I'll shift target to the Typhoons instead.

[Chunk]

Ovey - the lady at the retailer mentioned that her husband also swapped out a Code Zero for a Musto because of the leaky pee zip. Apparently had a dodgy batch of zips on the 2014 suit. Probably resolved on the 2015 suit but I'm not taking the chance.

[mick]

I have a gul BS and a musto hpx BS had neoprene neck which is ok but not as waterproof as the musto

[Chris Caton]

I've had a Typhoon Max B for two seasons and it's been great so far, no problems at all and reasonably comfy to wear all day, out of choice I'd have boots fitted instead of the socks but that's just a personal choice

[Festinghouse]

neoprene is a lot more comfortable but can leak a little when paddling a kayak or swimming about. latex seals in my opinion still have their place, but for general use / cruising then go for neo.

[M.Thornton]

Took two Scorpions from Fleetwood to The new Belfast City marina and back on Sunday 240 miles it was fairly lumpy and my Typoon dry suit didn't let ion a drop
Neoprene seals very comfortable

[willk]

Originally Posted by M.Thornton

Took two Scorpions from Fleetwood to The new Belfast City marina

Thread drift - but what's that marina like? Route in, landside access, safe?
Are VTS a PITA?
I'd be tempted to swing in there sometime - any info/photos appreciated.

[Peter_C]

The zipper is purchased from another manufacturer, so that is not necessarily the suit manufacturers fault, although they do get to choose who the manufacturer is. With two failures I would also start questioning the person using the suit about proper maintenance, usage, and storage. All zippers need to be lubed often.

How come the suit manufacturer isn't just repairing the drysuit by replacing the zipper?

I am surprised no one mentioned silicon. Super comfortable, doesn't leak, and can be replaced in the field in two minutes. Only downfall is it is more fragile. I have never gotten a hang mans neck from silicon, but sometimes did from latex. Neoprene leaks too much for me.

Today for surface suits Gortex is where it is at too. I got a DUI one for free that needed a zipper and seals. Being able to sweat and not have to live in it all day is good for comfort in so many ways.

[jeffstevens763@g]

My wife has a typhoon took the socks off and fitted neo boots she stops in it all day still looks and works well after 5years

[Chunk]

Peter-c, thanks for the advice and happy for you to question.
Drysuits were less than 2 weeks old (each) and the plastic zips failed on their first outing - 1 time while dinghy sailing, the other helping kids launch their dinghies. The retailer has been excellent and, knowing the issue, replaced the 2 suits without quibble.

I didn't question the manufacturer although having spent a good portion of my life in manufacturing I do question their QA processes on this particular component of this model of suit.

With regards your questioning competence of the user, I've been diving in drysuits for around 15 years (and logging 200+ dives a year for some of those as an instructor) My current brass zipped trilaminate is close to 10yrs old and other than through old latex seals hasn't leaked.

[jeffstevens763@g]

just read in power boat & rib, northern diver are doing breathable boating dry suits transit suit £300 & storm force 4 from £375 boots extra.