Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[mgilli71]

TiZip (most likely the manufacturer of the plastic zipper) sells a branded product that's available through Dive Right In Scuba for $15 a tube, but Wal-Mart's online store has something that looks identical for $5 a tube. You'll only need to lubricate the zipper from time to time; I do mine maybe two, three times a year, and I dive pretty much every weekend from spring through fall and once a month in the winter. Squeeze a little dab into the docking end of the zipper, close and reopen the zipper a few times, and you're good to go.

I've had two Seaskins with plastic zippers, and I've stored and transported the suits fully open with no problems. However, I hang the suit upside down by the feet to dry, and transportation usually involves a 90 minute temperature controlled car ride, so my experience may not be typical.

As long as it's silicone based, it may be fine. Don't use the wax sticks as they get harder over time and lead to leakage.

 

[Badger7]

Looks like they finally got the message (or lack thereof):

 

[Dont_Hold_Your_Breath]

Loving my suit. I'm diving with the Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250g which is keeping me warm enough:

Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250 - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies

We now offer made to measure undersuits as standard. We have come across many instances of divers going to the trouble and expense of getting a made to measure drysuit but then using a off the peg undersuit underneath. It is obvious that if the undersuit is to small in any dimension then...

seaskin.co.uk

I was suprised that in fresh water, even after letting all the air out of my suit so it's sucked up against me like a vacuum seal bag and with 18lbs of weight, I cannot get down below the surface. I even added rocks and weight to both of my Large Bellows Pockets and still couldn't get down! Not sure how much weight is needed but I'm running out of ideas to get down. Be curious what others run for weights with thick undergarments.

 

[inquis]

Not sure how much weight is needed but I'm running out of ideas to get down.

With the equivalent of 200 gsm underlayers, my suit buoyancy alone is +24 lb. Backplate, steel tank, regulator, lead, fins, 1 lb of reserve gas, etc. has to take that down to 0. An AL80 tank with reg is about +1.5 lb, so only makes it worse.

I use a weight belt if I need more than 10 lbs of lead. A weight harness is another option that may work better for large amounts of lead.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Loving my suit. I'm diving with the Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250g which is keeping me warm enough:

Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250 - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies

We now offer made to measure undersuits as standard. We have come across many instances of divers going to the trouble and expense of getting a made to measure drysuit but then using a off the peg undersuit underneath. It is obvious that if the undersuit is to small in any dimension then...

seaskin.co.uk

I was suprised that in fresh water, even after letting all the air out of my suit so it's sucked up against me like a vacuum seal bag and with 18lbs of weight, I cannot get down below the surface. I even added rocks and weight to both of my Large Bellows Pockets and still couldn't get down! Not sure how much weight is needed but I'm running out of ideas to get down. Be curious what others run for weights with thick undergarments.

Doubles

 

[Badger7]

Doubles

Indeed! At some point in the future, even before considering strapping on another tank, I might also suggest trying some different undergarment options as well to determine if all that loft from that thinsulate suit is your best option. It might be, lots of people love them! You can wear the weight, keep the air in the suit and have a nice comfy dive!

Personally, I found the thinsulate 1 pc suits quite lofty and made me feel just a touch like the Michelin Man. Very warm though, no question! I found my own insulation needs to be much less substantial, even in sub-40 water for sub-hour dive. In a single tank configuration, just using merino wool and meshtec undergarments under a seaskin nova, this is my personal neutral bouyancy at 10 feet and 400psi, essentially taking 14 pounds negative to sink my suit and hood. These units are in negative buoyancy, not dry weight, measured using spring scales with equipment fully submerged in FRESHWATER.

Regardless, it doesn't really matter how much lead sinks the suit, it is what it is and different for every person and every configuration.

1) Safety - please work with an instructor or a mentor experienced in drysuit diving. Ideally take a class, get checked out, and build comfort with your drysuit before taking the plunge.

2) Balanced Rig - Fully geared up, wearing undergarments and all accessories you'll typically dive with, tank at 500psi, add or remove lead until you can hold a stop at 10-20ft with no air in your BC using only your lungs for adjustments. That might be 28 pounds in the ocean, 2 pounds in a freshwater lake and likely somewhere in between for you and your diving conditions. At the end of the day, it is what it is, and your undergarments will have an effect on how much lead is required.

 

[WillieJustice]

Loving my suit. I'm diving with the Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250g which is keeping me warm enough:

Seaskin Undersuit High Wick Thinsulate 250 - Seaskin Drysuits Shop - Purchase Drysuit Supplies

We now offer made to measure undersuits as standard. We have come across many instances of divers going to the trouble and expense of getting a made to measure drysuit but then using a off the peg undersuit underneath. It is obvious that if the undersuit is to small in any dimension then...

seaskin.co.uk

I was suprised that in fresh water, even after letting all the air out of my suit so it's sucked up against me like a vacuum seal bag and with 18lbs of weight, I cannot get down below the surface. I even added rocks and weight to both of my Large Bellows Pockets and still couldn't get down! Not sure how much weight is needed but I'm running out of ideas to get down. Be curious what others run for weights with thick undergarments.

I carried 29 lbs last dive and was overweighted. 24 was underweight with a steel 100 and a Seaskin with a 250 undergarment. I don't have that many dives in yet so I use a bit more weight for now. The goal is to shed weight, but I don't see getting much below 24 even in salt water.

 

[admikar]

The goal is to shed weight, but I don't see getting much below 24 even in salt water.

You probably meant fresh water. You need more in salt water.
Anyway, there isn't a prize for least amount of weight, you need how much you need. End of story.

 

[Wheeler925]

I carried 29 lbs last dive and was overweighted. 24 was underweight with a steel 100 and a Seaskin with a 250 undergarment. I don't have that many dives in yet so I use a bit more weight for now. The goal is to shed weight, but I don't see getting much below 24 even in salt water.

But you'd need more in salt water at the same temps...

 

[Dont_Hold_Your_Breath]

Tried over 30lbs today, no tank, still so buyant I can't get down! Will have to add more weight and try again tomorrow It's a bear getting in the water with that much weight on your belt and in your pockets, might have to do a water load-up