Review Seaskin Nova drysuit

[Boarderguy]

Just an update that my order arrived yesterday. I had the Nova with many options and the base layer top/bottom plus the thinsulate 150 undersuit plus an extra set of seals for neck/wrists. My total in Jan was about $1,500 USD. They shipped via UPS instead of DHL. Import fees were $310! That was $269 in gov't charges and $41 in broker fees. I do not see any breakdown in costs beyond that. But this seems substantially higher than in the past, so just be prepared.

Very happy with how everything turned out so far and excited to get in a course to learn it. Even with the extra taxes, it still looks great for the cost.

I did not receive any talc/cloth. I also have the quick neck, but it didn't come with the tool to swap that (not sure if it should have). It does have the zip lube and pee valve accessories. Will reach out to them to see about the tool. Anything else that should have been in the extras bag?

That sounds about right. The suit used to be taxed at 4%, the other misc items ranged between 10 - 24%. The undergarment was at 28% or something stupid high. UPS should have given you a breakdown of each line item and how much each was charged with its tax rate.

 

[drummerc]

Just an update that my order arrived yesterday. I had the Nova with many options and the base layer top/bottom plus the thinsulate 150 undersuit plus an extra set of seals for neck/wrists. My total in Jan was about $1,500 USD. They shipped via UPS instead of DHL. Import fees were $310! That was $269 in gov't charges and $41 in broker fees. I do not see any breakdown in costs beyond that. But this seems substantially higher than in the past, so just be prepared.

Very happy with how everything turned out so far and excited to get in a course to learn it. Even with the extra taxes, it still looks great for the cost.

I did not receive any talc/cloth. I also have the quick neck, but it didn't come with the tool to swap that (not sure if it should have). It does have the zip lube and pee valve accessories. Will reach out to them to see about the tool. Anything else that should have been in the extras bag?

Mine had: talc, small patch (not sure what for), zipper lube, tool for pee valve removal and pee valve switch/white plastic nub that goes into catheter, instructions on pee valve, and a wheel tool for the quick neck ring system.

My broker fees were also $41 (UPS as well), but my overall cost was about half. Tariffs suck... Only difference from your order to mine apart from suit options was I didn't order extra spare seals.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Mine had: talc, small patch (not sure what for), zipper lube, tool for pee valve removal and pee valve switch/white plastic nub that goes into catheter, instructions on pee valve, and a wheel tool for the quick neck ring system.

My broker fees were also $41 (UPS as well), but my overall cost was about half. Tariffs suck... Only difference from your order to mine apart from suit options was I didn't order extra spare seals.

You got your whole suit for ~ $900? When was that?

I got mine in 2023 and I was somewhere around $1500 for suit, undergarments, 2 extra neck / wrist seal combo's and maybe some other odds and ends. The suit alone without anything else was right around $1200.

@Pat S I got the neck removal tool also.

 

[drummerc]

You got your whole suit for ~ $900? When was that?

I got mine in 2023 and I was somewhere around $1500 for suit, undergarments, 2 extra neck / wrist seal combo's and maybe some other odds and ends. The suit alone without anything else was right around $1200.

@Pat S I got the neck removal tool also.

No, I meant overall tarriff cost (broker fee the same, but I paid like $140 total vs his $300). The suit with undergarmets and such was around $1500 all in. I did manage to pick it up at 1.22GBP/USD which was nice on the wallet. Ordered in Jan, received in March this year.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

No, I meant overall tarriff cost (broker fee the same, but I paid like $140 total vs his $300). The suit with undergarmets and such was around $1500 all in. I did manage to pick it up at 1.22GBP/USD which was nice on the wallet. Ordered in Jan, received in March this year.

I gotcha.

Geez time flies, I thought I got mine end of 23 but it was actually 22. The exchange was 1.14 and if I just waited one more week it would have been 1.08! Oh well, still a great deal, still a great suit!

And I got the suit before anyone said anything about broker / import whatever... so I'm not sure whatever happened to that bill.

 

[stuartv]

Just an update that my order arrived yesterday. I had the Nova with many options and the base layer top/bottom plus the thinsulate 150 undersuit plus an extra set of seals for neck/wrists. My total in Jan was about $1,500 USD. They shipped via UPS instead of DHL. Import fees were $310! That was $269 in gov't charges and $41 in broker fees. I do not see any breakdown in costs beyond that. But this seems substantially higher than in the past, so just be prepared.

Very happy with how everything turned out so far and excited to get in a course to learn it. Even with the extra taxes, it still looks great for the cost.

I did not receive any talc/cloth. I also have the quick neck, but it didn't come with the tool to swap that (not sure if it should have). It does have the zip lube and pee valve accessories. Will reach out to them to see about the tool. Anything else that should have been in the extras bag?

You should have received the tool for the neck ring. For your zipper, you should receive a stick of wax for a brass zipper or a tube of zipper lube for a plastic zipper.

From what I've read elsewhere on SB in the past, undergarments have a higher import duty rate than a drysuit. It sounds like, because you ordered them together and they shipped together, you probably got charged the higher import duty rate for the whole package, rather than a higher rate on the undies and a lower rate on the suit itself.

I think you *can* jump through a bunch of hoops to get that fixed, but it's probably not worth it to save $100 or so.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

You should have received the tool for the neck ring. For your zipper, you should receive a stick of wax for a brass zipper or a tube of zipper lube for a plastic zipper.

From what I've read elsewhere on SB in the past, undergarments have a higher import duty rate than a drysuit. It sounds like, because you ordered them together and they shipped together, you probably got charged the higher import duty rate for the whole package, rather than a higher rate on the undies and a lower rate on the suit itself.

I think you *can* jump through a bunch of hoops to get that fixed, but it's probably not worth it to save $100 or so.

Sure do wish we were closer so I could "find" all these $100 bills that aren't worth it

 

[Boarderguy]

Sure do wish we were closer so I could "find" all these $100 bills that aren't worth it

Shut up peasant!

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Shut up peasant!

Yeah right.. You're a cheapass almost as bad as I am... if anything I'll hold the door for you while we enter through the service door!

 

[stuartv]

Sure do wish we were closer so I could "find" all these $100 bills that aren't worth it

LOL!

I woulda attempted to avoid the problem in the first place. I probably woulda attempted to get it fixed before I paid it.

But, once you pay that money, getting it back seems... daunting AND unlikely. My time is worth SOMETHING. To me, anyway.