Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[admikar]

While testing the fit of the 150 and 250, I joked with my wife the excess butt area provided was for people without p-valves and needing to use diapers.

Actually, you might be onto something here.

 

[Litefoot]

You are doing it wrong.
Any tool is to be clipped off, regardless of pockets you have.
That's one thing I am missing from my old Santi, pocket d-rings.

You are right. Me being an ex-tower climber should know better. I now have some bungee and double enders rigged into my large bellows pockets.

 

[SeaIRL]

I called UPS and got the Customs Declaration to see how I was charged. I only ordered the suit and an extra neck and wrist seals. I was charged 4% on the items and a flat brokerage fee of $12.00. A couple of things to consider; the exchange rate today is a bit worse than 3 months ago so that is going to affect the amount. Also, I would bet the broker has some sort of graduated schedule and you probably crept into a higher bracket or something.

Here is what I was told to do in chat with UPS:

Call UPS US brokerage billing department 1-866-493-7140 option # 5 Monday to Friday:8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET

I received the line item information from US Customs and things appear mostly as expected, though I don't quite understand the $21 Govt Exchange Rate fee. No biggie, just sharing...

 

[Badger7]

I received the line item information from US Customs and things appear mostly as expected, though I don't quite understand the $21 Govt Exchange Rate fee. No biggie, just sharing...

They line up on the same line, but I don't think the $21 is a fee for the exchange rate, I think that is a paper processing fee for "entering the data". The exchange rate is listed off to the left so they can take the price you paid in pounds, to convert everything to dollars, so they can compute the duties based on the purchase amount of the various items.

Regardless, I think we can all agree the duties process is kind of a crapshoot that will never make logical sense. You're charged a different rate on your 150 versus 250 undergarments, and a higher duty % on pocket sewn onto the suspenders than the suit itself? Thankfully, they apply the lowest duty % to the most expensive item, and that seems pretty consistent.

I should be getting my Nova in the next next week or two, I'll line my duty sheet up next to yours and we'll see who got slightly luckier in the duty % crapshoot.

 

[vioch]

BTW, for less than two years have already got 2 holes in the crotch area - abrasion of fabric in this area (see one hole on photo), because of crotch reinforcement option I guess.

Just for the record - one more hole in the crotch area

 

[Boarderguy]

Just for the record - one more hole in the crotch area
View attachment 834987

What are the symptoms you're getting from these? Damp legs? The SS undergarments almost always have a bit of sheen after diving but I attribute that to the plastic bag affect. Never a "wet" feeling through them.

 

[SeaIRL]

Regardless, I think we can all agree the duties process is kind of a crapshoot that will never make logical sense. You're charged a different rate on your 150 versus 250 undergarments, and a higher duty % on pocket sewn onto the suspenders than the suit itself? Thankfully, they apply the lowest duty % to the most expensive item, and that seems pretty consistent.

I ordered the "Braces pocket" just because I thought it was kind of an interesting thing, but not needed, especially when the SS undergarments already have a zippered chest pocket good enough for a set of car keys/fob (in a zip locked baggie). The braces pocket optionally snaps inline, into the same front fastener as the shoulder strap. Not a necessary item at all or any idea why its duty fee rate is so high (17%) compared to the other non-clothing miscellaneous items on the list.

 

[Badger7]

I ordered the "Braces pocket" just because I thought it was kind of an interesting thing, but not needed, especially when the SS undergarments already have a zippered chest pocket good enough for a set of car keys/fob (in a zip locked baggie). The braces pocket optionally snaps inline, into the same front fastener as the shoulder strap. Not a necessary item at all.

Ahh, thanks for clarifying, missed that nuance. Most often I'll separate the fob and just bring the little metal key that pops out of it, so I'm not worried about water or pressure, but that's not an option for some vehicles.

 

[vioch]

What are the symptoms you're getting from these? Damp legs? The SS undergarments almost always have a bit of sheen after diving but I attribute that to the plastic bag affect. Never a "wet" feeling through them.

I dive Weezle Extreme +, but also want to believe in the plastic bag affect at first... but wet underpants and feeling cold at the chest force me to search leaks in the drysuit))

 

[BoltSnap]

Just for the record - one more hole in the crotch area
View attachment 834987

Should have bought DUI or Bare suit. @stuartv should replace it for you