creating new seals on wetsuit

[buff]

I have a problem with wetsuits: I weigh 207# and I have wrists and ankles that most ballerinas would envy-VERY skinny. A can get on a XL 5 mm. suit and they fit - tight around my chest and arms but they fit- but in the ankles and wrists they are so loose it defeats the purpose of a suit at all. I don't want to spend $500.00 dollars(if not more) on a custom fitted wetsuit since I only have a problem with the wrists and ankles.
Here is my question: Is is possible to put in latex or neoprene seals - like on a dry suit-to minimize water leakage. And where would I go to get these seals, or who would I talk to???

Thanks
Mike

 

[turnerjd]

Originally posted by buff
Here is my question: Is is possible to put in latex or neoprene seals - like on a dry suit-to minimize water leakage. And where would I go to get these seals, or who would I talk to???

Mike,

That's a special kind of suit called a.... semi dry suit!

Semi-drys have almost exclusively neoprene seals. If your LDS does neoprene repairs they should be more than happy (and capable) to cut 4 inches off the sleeves of a wetsuit and replace it with a dry suit seal. If you live in dry suit country all dive stores will have replacement drysuit seals, and probably in both latex and neoprene - neoprene is what you want.

It might take a bit of time for them to do it, or they might have to send it away, but this is no big deal.

The alternative... is to find a real semi-dry! (although you might have the same problem and end up changeing the seals!)

Jon T

 

[Bob3]

If you're brave & have basic glueing skills, it's not all that hard to make & install some seals yourself.
If you can get your hands on an old Unisuit manual, they have instructions on how to do it in there.
I have the manual here in .pdf format if you still need it...

 

[JoelW]

If nothing else works, give Superior Diving Repair up in Brainerd a call. They do a lot of repair and customizing for people.

http://www.drysuitrepair.com/

JoelW