Anywhere to get "new" vintage wetsuits?

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MattCrunk

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Location
North Alabama
# of dives
100 - 199
Does anyone currently make "vintage" style wetsuits?

I'm talking about neoprene one-side, two-piece: pants (not farmer john) and jacket with beaver tail, zippers on wrists and ankles, and metal tabs (no velcro).

I'm describing my very first wetsuit, which was an old rental when I bought it back in '82. I'd love to find another one.
 
I think Elios can do it. There was also a guy selling made to order suits on Ebay with variable results.

Pete
 
Essentially no is the answer, none that are authentic. N
 
Yes there sure is.
I've been getting two piece beaver tail suits from a guy named Don and he owns M&B Wetsuits in Long Beach, CA. Phone (562) 422-3493 or (949) 496-7506

Don specializes in commercial suits mainly for the urchin industry. They all use two piece beaver cut suits. The design of these suits from M&B has never changed since 1960 when they first started.

The suit pictured is my 1/2" Rubatex G-231 commercial suit. It's a two piece (bottoms not shown). I ordered it with stainless twist locks, attached hood, spine pad, kevlar knees and elbows. The main part is 1/2", the arms and hood side panels are 3/8"., and the face seal is 1/4". That means on my torso I have 1" of rubber (25 mm).
You will not see a heavier duty suit than this anywhere. Unfortunately Rubatex G-231 lycra/skin is no longer available, but G-231 skin/skin still is.
Don has access to many different manufacturers of neoprene. He can build you a suit out of any material you wish from super soft Yamamoto to very dense modern commercial grade material. He will also coach you as to what will work best for you in your diving environment. He can also put in the original nickel coated brass zippers just like you want. I ordered my suit without leg or arm zippers but you can still get them.
If you asked him for an authentic vintage suit he could make you one exactly like an original one because it would be an original to what they made back then - no difference, especially if you had it made out of Rubatex G-231 skin/skin. BTW, if you get one of those I'll be extremely jealous.

Make sure you're sitting down when he quotes you a price though. However, the quality is so superb and soon after you get the suit and try it on and then go diving in it, the cringe over the price will vanish.
 

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Does anyone currently make "vintage" style wetsuits?

I'm talking about neoprene one-side, two-piece: pants (not farmer john) and jacket with beaver tail, zippers on wrists and ankles, and metal tabs (no velcro).

I'm describing my very first wetsuit, which was an old rental when I bought it back in '82. I'd love to find another one.

True vintage would be no Nylon, skin both sides, snaps rather than twist locks, and boxes of corn starch. Are you particular about the material (Rubatex G-231 N)? If not, there are a lot more options that are less expensive. Most older custom suit makers will do one. Google vintage and old-school wetsuits and you get a lot of links. You may have to convince them to get brass zippers though.
 
True vintage would be no Nylon, skin both sides, snaps rather than twist locks, and boxes of corn starch. Are you particular about the material (Rubatex G-231 N)? If not, there are a lot more options that are less expensive. Most older custom suit makers will do one. Google vintage and old-school wetsuits and you get a lot of links. You may have to convince them to get brass zippers though.

I saw "nylon" and I thought Oh God, NO, not nylon. Then I read it again and saw no nylon. :rofl3:
It's friday, I've had a very busy week, and I've consumed a few beers already :D

BTW, what's the ocean look like up in Mendo. I want to get out but the buoy's reading 5 feet x 4.8 seconds :shocked2:
 
I saw "nylon" and I thought Oh God, NO, not nylon. Then I read it again and saw no nylon. …

Man, I'm still not seeing no-Nylon. It sounds like Nylon one side, skin one side. If no-nylon, Asian material is probably not an option. Could you buy off-the-rack no-Nylon suits in 1982?

… I'm talking about neoprene one-side, two-piece: pants (not farmer john) and jacket with beaver tail, zippers on wrists and ankles, and metal tabs (no velcro).

I'm describing my very first wetsuit, which was an old rental when I bought it back in '82. I'd love to find another one.

BTW, what's the ocean look like up in Mendo. I want to get out but the buoy's reading 5 feet x 4.8 seconds :shocked2:

I put a report up on the NorCal Underwater Hunters site. Flat all week but poor vis.

Little River & Mendocino

Call if you make it up. It would be good to see you. Installing a dishwasher for a friend in the afternoon.
 
I have several vintage suits with nylon on the inside. Don't dismiss nylon as being necessarily non-vintage, and it sure helps a whole bunch with doff and don. If there might be kids or women around sometime when you are getting into your suit, go with nylon on the inside.
 
I have several vintage suits with nylon on the inside. Don't dismiss nylon as being necessarily non-vintage, and it sure helps a whole bunch with doff and don. If there might be kids or women around sometime when you are getting into your suit, go with nylon on the inside.

Women, kids, nylon, :confused:
Oh, OK, no gettng in commando. What fun is that?
I use a scuba mumu.
 
Women, kids, nylon, :confused:
Oh, OK, no gettng in commando. What fun is that?
I use a scuba mumu.

I hadn't thought about that. No, I was referring to cussing:censored::furious:
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/teric/

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