Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[stuartv]

It leaked before my neck got in the water. Felt it at he waist. I first noticed it when my inflator valve went underwater. Maybe that's the culprit?

I def heard a his from somewhere as I got in the pool other then from my shoulder valve.

That's an idea. I don't think it's like a small hole though.

Take the inflator valve apart. Note if it's screwed together tightly when you unscrew it.

Make sure any gasket that is supposed to be there is in fact there.

Put it back together and make sure it's screwed together tightly.

Try again.

 

[lexvil]

Put YOU in the suit, it will take a lot less air, this isn’t about that time it’s about next time, make sure the zipper is 100% closed as I suspect this is the problem, have someone take a look at the zipper, close the exhaust valve all the way and air it up. Unless they completely forgot to seal a seam it likely the zip.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Grey sweats will help locate where the leak is. Get in, get right out.

 

[FabletheRaven]

Put YOU in the suit, it will take a lot less air, this isn’t about that time it’s about next time, make sure the zipper is 100% closed as I suspect this is the problem, have someone take a look at the zipper, close the exhaust valve all the way and air it up. Unless they completely forgot to seal a seam it likely the zip.

I did this, became immediately clear that the neck seal was open. Once I fixed it up I blew up like a balloon! So yes, I'm an idiot but it's been a while since I dove dry and I totally forgot to check it. Next it's back to the pool! But I think it's gonna be fine.

 

[twistypencil]

I have a waterproof H1 7mm hood with a medium length bib. I tuck that into my warm neck. You can go with no bib or a shorter length one and be fine. The really long ones used by wet divers suck for diving dry and don't tuck well

What is "warm neck" is that a property of your neck, or is that a piece of equipment?

 

[Wants2divemore]

What is "warm neck" is that a property of your neck, or is that a piece of equipment?

Seaskin makes a neoprene warm neck option that you can get if you select latex or Siflex neck seals.

 

[MaxAir]

Seaskin makes a neoprene warm neck option that you can get if you select latex or Siflex neck seals.

View attachment 843677

This is the option I got on my suit. I use bibbed hoods for cold water (< 50f) tucked under the "warm neck standard". The "bibbed" part does make a big difference, especially when getting down to < 45f even with a collar on the suit itself.

Lots of people have suits without a similar velcro option but it's nowhere near as easy to tuck a bibbed hood into those. I got used to having this option from diving in Waterproof suits and liked it.

FWIW, with the velcro option you need to be careful to fasten the "velcro hook" tab side down and away from the opening rim, otherwise the hooks will eat your bib's neck area... ask me how I know :/

 

[MaxAir]

My Otter Atlantic has arrived and I’ve had a chance to compare it to my Seaskin.

Otter -

View attachment 842774

Right out of the box new I noticed the Nova sleeve ends looked rough at the cuff cutoff point
It was the end of my world and I thought I would die on my next drysuit dive

Since my suit has been sent back to SS for the zipper repair (replacement) and some fit alterations (more crotch and shoulder room requested), I've also mentioned these rough cut ends as a minor aesthetic issue. They are adding 2.5cm tape over as per the Otter pic above.

FWIW, I suggested they do this by default to all suits. I suppose anyone can request it in the suit order notes or via email when negotiating the options.
.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Right out of the box new I noticed the Nova sleeve ends looked rough at the cuff cutoff point
It was the end of my world and I thought I would die on my next drysuit dive

Since my suit has been sent back to SS for the zipper repair (replacement) and some fit alterations (more crotch and shoulder room requested), I've also mentioned these rough cut ends as a minor aesthetic issue. They are adding 2.5cm tape over as per the Otter pic above.

FWIW, I suggested they do this by default to all suits. I suppose anyone can request it in the suit order notes or via email when negotiating the options.
.

It looks like on the one with tape (Otter) they held back the material some so they weren't overlapping on the end.

Mine look a little worn, I keep an eye on it. Might glue some tape at some point, who knows.

edit: if anyone does tape the ends make sure you round the corners. squared corners will tend to get pulled up and come apart

I know there are some ~ better made, maybe better tailored suits out there?, but at the end of the day I always ask myself "did it keep me dry?".. and the answer thus far has been a resounding "Yes!"

I am not too picky with the way gear looks as long as it works.

 

[Josh_Boon]

Just finished my dry suit class and have about 8 hours with the suit now. After my last dive I was completely wet, when I got out I checked the neck seal and found that the yellow ring had popped out a little on the neck. I’m just wondering if this is a common issue with this system?