neonstingray
Contributor
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Hey guys,
I posted a thread recently about a like-new CF200 I picked up for a steal. The condition is great, and I love the suit except for problems with the old neoprene seals. Both the neck and wrist seals are neoprene. I don't know if the seals are a bit loose because of age or the person they were sized for, or if it's just because I have a thin neck and wrists. (I'm pretty lean). And yes I do fold the neoprene neck seal in on itself.
During pool testing, I had some mild leaking, but nothing that reached below the waist. On my first dive this weekend off Boston harbor the neck seal leaked again. I then realized I had forgotten to fold the neoprene seal in on itself. I did this for the second dive and actually had a ton more water run in. It seems without folding the seal in, it was instead sealing against the inside of my hood, which was a better seal than against my neck. Clearly not a legitimate solution though.
Then the wrist seals. I was wearing wetsuit gloves, and each time I grasped my hand, the water in the wetsuit glove would get pumped under and into the neoprene wrist cuff.
By the end of the second dive I was completely soaked, with water sloshing around in my booties as I kicked my fins. So I'm pretty sure I'm past the simple quick fix point and should just get new seals better suited for my thin neck and wrists.
1. I know people often prefer the neoprene neck seals, but given the leaks on the old one I'm hesitant to get another. Should I simply get over that fear and go for a new neoprene neck seal, or switch over to latex at this point? I noticed on Dive Right In Scuba they have different size neoprene seals. I could just go with the small size. On the flip side, given the cost of a new neoprene neck seal, should I install a Si Tech Necktite ring and go with silicone seals? Can you even install a necktite system on a CF200? I can't find info online about how to install the ring, let alone on crushed neoprene.
2. For the wrists, if I want to convert to latex seals is there any benefit in fitting a dry glove ring system now vs later? Even if I go with dry gloves I still want a system where I have a latex seal intact in case the glove or ring comes off. And the neoprene seals are currently stitched to the suit. Do I have to cut that stitching before trying to remove them and replace with latex seals, or would I be cutting the neoprene seals past the stitching?
I'm young and working on a budget, so I prefer to spend money for something reliable and effective, but not for convenience, ease of use, or time-saving.
Thanks for any help or advice,
Austin
I posted a thread recently about a like-new CF200 I picked up for a steal. The condition is great, and I love the suit except for problems with the old neoprene seals. Both the neck and wrist seals are neoprene. I don't know if the seals are a bit loose because of age or the person they were sized for, or if it's just because I have a thin neck and wrists. (I'm pretty lean). And yes I do fold the neoprene neck seal in on itself.
During pool testing, I had some mild leaking, but nothing that reached below the waist. On my first dive this weekend off Boston harbor the neck seal leaked again. I then realized I had forgotten to fold the neoprene seal in on itself. I did this for the second dive and actually had a ton more water run in. It seems without folding the seal in, it was instead sealing against the inside of my hood, which was a better seal than against my neck. Clearly not a legitimate solution though.
Then the wrist seals. I was wearing wetsuit gloves, and each time I grasped my hand, the water in the wetsuit glove would get pumped under and into the neoprene wrist cuff.
By the end of the second dive I was completely soaked, with water sloshing around in my booties as I kicked my fins. So I'm pretty sure I'm past the simple quick fix point and should just get new seals better suited for my thin neck and wrists.
1. I know people often prefer the neoprene neck seals, but given the leaks on the old one I'm hesitant to get another. Should I simply get over that fear and go for a new neoprene neck seal, or switch over to latex at this point? I noticed on Dive Right In Scuba they have different size neoprene seals. I could just go with the small size. On the flip side, given the cost of a new neoprene neck seal, should I install a Si Tech Necktite ring and go with silicone seals? Can you even install a necktite system on a CF200? I can't find info online about how to install the ring, let alone on crushed neoprene.
2. For the wrists, if I want to convert to latex seals is there any benefit in fitting a dry glove ring system now vs later? Even if I go with dry gloves I still want a system where I have a latex seal intact in case the glove or ring comes off. And the neoprene seals are currently stitched to the suit. Do I have to cut that stitching before trying to remove them and replace with latex seals, or would I be cutting the neoprene seals past the stitching?
I'm young and working on a budget, so I prefer to spend money for something reliable and effective, but not for convenience, ease of use, or time-saving.
Thanks for any help or advice,
Austin
