Drysuit neck seals...which type?
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Dinghy development
Forum Discription: The latest moves in the dinghy market
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1364
Printed Date: 15 Aug 25 at 6:37am
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Topic: Drysuit neck seals...which type?
Posted By: Iain C
Subject: Drysuit neck seals...which type?
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 11:47am
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My Gul non-breathable drysuit is starting to get on a bit, so rather than wait until it's totally useless I'd rather sell it cheap to someone just starting out and get a new one. I'm tempted by the red breathable Helly Hansen back zip jobbie that has a kevlar seat and a small reflective panel on the back, but the neck seal is the traditional latex type, and I notice quite a few are going over to the neoprene style. Couple of questions to anyone in the know... How do the 2 types of seal compare in terms of keeping you dry/water down the neck? Someone at my club said that although more comfy, the neoprene ones do tend to come away from the back of your neck if you hike hard/double up and let in water. Obviously you can replace the latex ones when they get knackered, can you do the same with a neoprene one? If so is it a DIY job like a latex seal? What's the life expectancy of a neoprene seal? I have a few Gul wetsuits that have the blue or copper coloured neck and they soon start to deteriorate on the inside...and as they go at the front I have a theory that if you can't be bothered to shave that day (Sundays and sailing weeks especially!!!) then they deteriorate more quickly. How much of a pain in the arse is it going from a front zip to a back zip drysuit? Do you really need someone to zip it for you or will a well placed coat hook and a sideways shuffle do the job? Are breathable drysuits all they are cracked up to be? What I hate at the mo is getting fully kitted out for sub-zero sailing in a warm changing room, by the time you've got everything on you're sweating like (insert un PC joke of your choice here) and then the sweat cools and makes you chilly whilst rigging the boat. Any input gratefully recieved!  Thanks, Iain ------------- RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra" |
Replies:
Posted By: jeffers
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 11:52am
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Hi Iain, I have a GUL breathable drysuit with Neoprene seals. I do find that when I am right on the limit of hiking in the Laser (tippy toes) and have slid out the neck seal does seperate slightly sllowing and occasional trickle in. Aside from that if you actually go in it is perfectly watertight (has been tested several times believe me). I would go for front zip every time, much more convenient if you need to slip to the loo quickly. At Hunts everyone with a back zip gets assistance to zip and unzip. HTH, Paul ------------- Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74 |
Posted By: Iain C
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 11:56am
Yeah, I agree on the loo thing (assuming a number 1!!!! ) however when the drysuit gets old eventually the zip will deteriorate. Having the zip across the back would seem to me a better place to have it in some ways as it gets flexed far less, and when it eventually does get a bit weepy you can stand in chest high water all day (launching etc) without any problems.
------------- RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra" |
Posted By: Iain C
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 12:23pm
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Latex it is then. Loo thing...there was someone at the 2002 Fireball Nats who had to do the deed in a drysuit...alledgedly!!! (NOT ME!!!!) ------------- RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra" |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 12:38pm
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In summary: Latex v. Neoprene: Neoprene is a millions times more comfy. And don't worry about leaking because you're better than to resort to hike, you sail the right sort of boat. Front zip v. Back zip: Back zip can get really uncomfortable when your trapezing because you are lying accross the zip. Apparently you can get out of them single-handed, but I'm yet to see it done and think you probably need to be called Hudini and have the ability to dislocate your shoulder! Brands: My favorite for drysuits is Typhoon, and can thouroughly recomend the breathable one over non breathable. The only bit thats gets sweaty is my feet! Life expectancy/changing seals: Can't comment as I've haven't worn my out yet! (After 4yrs). And it's a propper piece of neoprene, not that copper coloured stuff! ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |
Posted By: Iain C
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 12:55pm
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Stuberry-you gotta hike a Fireball I'm afraid!! ------------- RS700 GBR922 "Wirespeed" Fireball GBR14474 "Eleven Parsecs" Enterprise GBR21970 Bavaria 32 GBR4755L "Adastra" |
Posted By: Isis
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 1:59pm
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Theres an easy solution to that problem Iain.... and its pretty damn yellow! Stuberry  ------------- |
Posted By: Strawberry
Date Posted: 11 Jan 06 at 3:01pm
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The answer begins with "S" and ends with "uicide Blonde" ------------- Cherub 2649 "Dangerous Strawberry |