Still place for beavertail wetsuits with twistlocks?

[Hank49]

I have three two-piece farmer johns with no-zip pull-over jackets and beaver tails. They have become the norm in freediving circles. Most of these suits come with plastic pin and keyhole style closures. I came up with a double D-ring closure instead of twist locks or pins because they got damaged bellying up on inflatables and kayaks.

That suit looks like a Yazbeck inside.

But yeah, I don't understand the question. I thought EVERYBODY used beavertail, two piece, open cell suits with a hood.

 

[Akimbo]

That suit looks like a Yazbeck inside…

No, it is an Aquaflite with skin-in Oceanliner Titanium, not split-cell with a Titanium coating. It compresses a fair bit less than the Yamamoto 45 material so is better for Scuba. It is still nowhere near as compression resistant as the old Rubatex G-231n though.

…I thought EVERYBODY used beavertail, two piece, open cell suits with a hood.

I wish companies that market suits would stop calling the materiel “open cell”. Open cell foam rubber absorbs water and includes synthetic sponges. It really is closed-cell blended foam Neoprene with a split-cell surface.

Processes may vary but the way I understand it big blocks of closed-cell foam Neoprene are formed in molds. They are then cut to the desired sheet thickness, which produces a surface of split cells just like cutting a sheet with scissors… except it is the whole surface rather than the edges.

They used to do a secondary process that would heat the surface creating a smooth “skin” because it was impossible to don with the split cells against your skin. Somebody discovered that liquid suit lube like diluted soap or hair conditioner made it really easy to don AND all those split cells acted like millions of tiny suction cups inhibiting water circulation in the suit. So simple and elegant.

Now if they could only make material that wasn’t so darn compressible.

 

[Alvin_George]

Harvey's still makes beaver tail wetsuits but they don't have twist locks, they are velcro. I suppose the suit could be taken to a boat canvas shop and have them installed, or maybe Harvey's has a suggestion. Freedive suits are also beavertail style but the clasp system is different, they are plastic clips, and the tail is narrow so not so good for just wearing the top.

A Harvey's employee I communicated with last year said that they can still make beavertail wetsuits with twistlocks. However, lead time may be several weeks since twistlocks would have to be purchased. In short, the employee basically told me that such wetsuits are available via special order.

 

[g1138]

Nope, it's gone to velcro now.

Heatwave in Santa Cruz, CA and OtterBay Wetsuits in Monterey, CA still sell these styles but sans twist locks.
Both Open Cell & Closed Cell options
Velcro lasts longer and requires less preventative maintenance.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Nope, it's gone to velcro now.

Heatwave in Santa Cruz, CA and OtterBay Wetsuits in Monterey, CA still sell these styles but sans twist locks.
Both Open Cell & Closed Cell options
Velcro lasts longer and requires less preventative maintenance.

Not to be argumentative, but I found twist locks to be completely maintenace free whereas velcro begins to wear out and lose it's grip after so many times of attaching and then tearing off. However, anything can be fixed and it wouldn't be a big deal to replace the velcro periodically or switch to Akimbo's idea of using a strap with double d-rings (great idea). The only issue with twist locks is sometimes they are darn hard to twist closed if they aren't lined up just right and/or thick material (like my 1/2"- 13mm suit), and bellying into a boat over the gunwale you have to watch it that you don't snag them on something or scratch up the gell coat sliding over the rail.
The other source for twist lock suits and/or twist locks is M&B Wetsuits in Long Beach, CA
Don also has a supply of original old stock nickeled zippers they used to use on sleeves and leg bottoms.
Both my 7mm and 1/2" Rubatex commercial came from M&B.

 

[Alvin_George]

To be honest, I've had crushes on several actresses who have worn beavertail wetsuits with twistlocks onscreen. My current big crush is on Marcy Walker, who played Eden Capwell on Santa Barbara. Check out the following links:

http://youtu.be/Vrbd75GlMLU

http://youtu.be/Oq10HdRFFlA

http://youtu.be/k-1Qc2eQJ_s

http://youtu.be/KjT9pZty1gE

 

[g1138]

Not to be argumentative, but I found twist locks to be completely maintenace free whereas velcro begins to wear out and lose it's grip after so many times of attaching and then tearing off. However, anything can be fixed and it wouldn't be a big deal to replace the velcro periodically or switch to Akimbo's idea of using a strap with double d-rings (great idea). The only issue with twist locks is sometimes they are darn hard to twist closed if they aren't lined up just right and/or thick material (like my 1/2"- 13mm suit), and bellying into a boat over the gunwale you have to watch it that you don't snag them on something or scratch up the gell coat sliding over the rail.
The other source for twist lock suits and/or twist locks is M&B Wetsuits in Long Beach, CA
Don also has a supply of original old stock nickeled zippers they used to use on sleeves and leg bottoms.
Both my 7mm and 1/2" Rubatex commercial came from M&B.

Well, I agree with your points except the maintenance; I've found different. I've had to be careful how silty the rinse bucket is before I dunked my Bp Harness in (have twist locks on one of my harness as a quick release)

My twist locks tend to get real gritty and turn sub-par if I'm just dunking and hanging.
Usually I've at a minimum had to resort to running it under a tap for a quick second.
Compared with Velcro, it will work sandy or not with a good shake. Especially if you get the heavy duty velcro used on my custom suits.

I also had to be careful how people were stacking gear in the back of the van or Gamefisher.
People won't think twice about laying a tank on a wetsuit.
I've got Marine grade Common Sense brand Twist locks, so I'm pretty confident it's not a metal/spring quality issue.

Personal preference really, pros and cons to either.
But hey, Velcro makes and OH so nice mating call when you're stripping!

 

[Hank49]

They used to do a secondary process that would heat the surface creating a smooth “skin” because it was impossible to don with the split cells against your skin. Somebody discovered that liquid suit lube like diluted soap or hair conditioner made it really easy to don AND all those split cells acted like millions of tiny suction cups inhibiting water circulation in the suit. So simple and elegant.

Yep, I have an "open" cell suit that does just that. It slides on easily with hair conditioner applied (impossible without) but it is stuck to me. I vent a little water in the legs and arms once I get in the water.

It is the warmest 3 mm I have ever worn though. And comfortable. You just have to be careful not to put too much lube on the chest area if you're chest loading your gun. One slip and you may be getting some dental work done.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I have a freediving suit I have to lube up to get into (Yazbeck). Those raw cut/open cell/skin-in...whatever you want to call them are the warmest most comfortable suits ever. It's like a whole body seal skin.
I can freedive around in 48 to 50 degree water for literally 6 hours and not get cold. In fact I'm sometimes warmer when I get out.
And they are so comfy, almost like you're diving naked, in fact I am naked inside (I know, TMI) but it's true, the best way to use those suits is commando. Nobody needs to know. Just get a good scuba mumu cover up to change in.

 

[Hank49]

I have a freediving suit I have to lube up to get into (Yazbeck). Those raw cut/open cell/skin-in...whatever you want to call them are the warmest most comfortable suits ever. It's like a whole body seal skin.
I can freedive around in 48 to 50 degree water for literally 6 hours and not get cold. In fact I'm sometimes warmer when I get out.
And they are so comfy, almost like you're diving naked, in fact I am naked inside (I know, TMI) but it's true, the best way to use those suits is commando. Nobody needs to know. Just get a good scuba mumu cover up to change in.

haha. maybe a little more TMI, but I've switched back to bikini briefs under mine because it is SOOOO sticky, it kind of pins ....you know....against my leg and it's...less ....uhhhh....free? I don't like that feeling.