RE: [Paddlewise] Fitting drysuit neck gaskets

From: Steve Brown <steve_at_brown-web.net>
Date: Wed, 16 Apr 2003 07:37:36 -0700
We have dry tops, not suits, but had the same problem.
My wife was able to get a good fit after stretching hers, both in wrists and
neck. I wasn't, so after a few days of stretching I resorted to cutting.
For the wrists I stretched them over a plastic glass before cutting. For the
neck I stretched it over a ---- can't remember ----- something neck sized.
Stretching was gentle, just enough to keep the gasket from wrinkling. I used
a new razor blade and cut smoothly to avoid jaggies as much as possible.
I used the lines on the gaskets to guide my cutting, and only removed a very
little at a time. Removing material has a double effect because it reduces
the amount of elastic, and increases the inside diameter at the same time.
The difference between fitting and not fitting was intuitively obvious.
Before cutting, I felt I was being strangled - not good. After cutting it is
slightly uncomfortable (after getting used to it), but I don't get that
panicky feeling. You'll know the difference.

Steve Brown
 

-----Original Message-----
.........So I think I'm going to have to trim
it so as to reduce the strangulation effect.  I would appreciate any advice
on how to do this, and on what comfort level it is reasonable to achieve,
without compromising the dryness of the suit.

Thanks.

jim holman



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Received on Wed Apr 16 2003 - 07:38:03 PDT

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