Seeking dry suit alteration advice

[mockan]

Stock diving dry suits never fit my body. I work out
and clearly diving seems to be a thin persons
game, body builders go away. But after a long
hiatus from diving I'm gearing up again and I
groan when I see present custom suit prices.
So this time thinking of trying something different
(meaning cheaper..much!).

Bought a $790 XXL Body Glove that gives me the girth
I need for butt, waist, and chest (all pretty much
between 46"-48" inches) and the leg diameter I need
(about 24 inch thighs to 19 inch calves, and size 14
feet, with 29 inch inseam.. like I said pretty much
hopeless for a stock size suit).

The XXL is made for 6'-6'4" tall
(and I'm about 5' 11") so it is a bit long in the leg
and torso. I need the girth, not the length, so am
planning to cut the neoprene socks off, cut the pant
leg 5 inches shorter so I can get my calve muscles
into the end of the pant leg, and glue latex ankle
cuffs in place of the socks. That will also allow
me to drain water out of the pant legs without
standing on my head, when just doing a quick surface
ascent to a boat for a bottle refill. ( I know.. dry suits
are supposed to stay..dry. I've yet to use one that
doesn't leak some, and when the water collects in the
boots even when the zipper was in back easier to
get it out standing on your head than stripping down).

Before I begin cutting this nice suit into something
usable (or maybe unusable?) I'm open to suggestions
about what might be wrong with this plan (A).

Plan (B) is bite the bullet and shell out the $3000
plus for a proper fit suit, but thinking I'll try
plan (A) anyway. Just wonder if the visitors
here have some advice I should consider first.

Thanks

 

[notinvented]

Have a look at my thread http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/317344-seaskin-custom-dry-suit.html

I bought a custom fit suit for under $1600 AUD even after freight and customs. This included an undergarment.

After unboxing today I am very happy with the overall build quality and fit.

 

[Cave Diver]

I need the girth, not the length, so am
planning to cut the neoprene socks off, cut the pant
leg 5 inches shorter so I can get my calve muscles
into the end of the pant leg, and glue latex ankle
cuffs in place of the socks. That will also allow
me to drain water out of the pant legs without
standing on my head, when just doing a quick surface
ascent to a boat for a bottle refill. ( I know.. dry suits
are supposed to stay..dry. I've yet to use one that
doesn't leak some, and when the water collects in the
boots even when the zipper was in back easier to
get it out standing on your head than stripping down).

Before I begin cutting this nice suit into something
usable (or maybe unusable?) I'm open to suggestions
about what might be wrong with this plan (A).

Talk to Steve Gamble: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/317293-go-ahead-gamble-your-dry-suit.html

 

[mockan]

Hello notinvented,

Oops! Sorry I stuck my reply to you in your thread about the Seaskin suit you ordered. Anyway thanks for mentioning the company. I'm going to consider it.

 

[mockan]

Hello CaveDiver,

the thread you suggested I look at, "Go ahead: Gamble on your Dry Suit!" lead me to a perfect description of how I need to attach the ankle cuffs to the Body Glove, the way Gamble does it!
Since I am going to need repair materials anyway regardless of how I proceed on the dry suit question, I'll check around and get the heat sealing adhesive. I'm sure there will be other times I need to fix seals.

Thank You!

 

[Cave Diver]

Hello CaveDiver,

the thread you suggested I look at, "Go ahead: Gamble on your Dry Suit!" lead me to a perfect description of how I need to attach the ankle cuffs to the Body Glove, the way Gamble does it!
Since I am going to need repair materials anyway regardless of how I proceed on the dry suit question, I'll check around and get the heat sealing adhesive. I'm sure there will be other times I need to fix seals.

Thank You!

You might consider contacting him directly and getting a quote for what you want done. I'm pretty sure he handles all types of alterations and as noted in that thread he's pretty reasonable and has excellent service.

 

[mockan]

Have a look at my thread

I bought a custom fit suit for under $1600 AUD even after freight and customs. This included an undergarment.

After unboxing today I am very happy with the overall build quality and fit.

After more thinking I've decided to go with a custom suit from Seaskin. One of
the things I've learned in management is do not try to compete with experienced professionals in production when cost of buying their products or services is reasonable. And I've had enough experience in diving to know that even a little discomfort can decide one to pass up that last dive because too tired and cold from exposure due to a suit that does not fit...properly. There is no way altering a stock size suit for my build is going to be as satisfactory as buying a custom suit for my build when talking about a mere few hundred dollar difference in cost.

Thank You! Your suggestion to check your other post about Seaskin custom suits
has lead me to re-consider my earlier plans (A) and (B).

So now have plan (C), buying a $1500 (about what total cost will be for me as well) custom designed diving dry suit from Seaskin, is the action plan.

Robert

edit: On the other hand I see no reason not to have an altered Body Glove as a
back-up. Trimmed the neck and wrist seals this morning, cut the socks off, adjusted straps. Will be adding some additional external velco straps for retaining a 2" fold at the waist line. Instead of latex ankle seals have decided to go with attaching my size rubber boots with PB-300. The pant legs are about 5 inches shorter, and with the rain boots attached will be perfect fit and easy to get on and off. Zip-Ease on the zippers slides easily now. With chaps the suit is getting to be more semi-commercial than recreational, but with the room I could insulate for ice diving and should be warm. Not a fashion winner, and will need extra weights, but for diving off the rocky beaches in Southern California in surf I think I'll be more protected in this suit than the Seaskin membrane suit. If I can figure out how to do it I'll upload a picture when completed. Anyway Seaskin is closed for the holidays for a few more days. and I'm on vacation so have the time.