Guest guest Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Dear Paddlers, Do any of you have any experience or feedback regarding the “Canadian Military” drysuits currently available on Ebay? For around $85.00 it seems like, if it works, it would be a coup. They say it’s breathable Gortex. It’s got a relief zipper. It’s advertised as “new.” The only thing the one I’m interested in is lacking are ankle gaskets/booties. Do any of you know how difficult these would be to install myself, or where I could have them installed locally, and what the cost might be?Any info would be great. Thanks!!Roger Pollock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Sing has one of these, so perhaps he can provide some feedback. The only comments I have on them are that they're a bit heavier and stiffer than most commercial dry suits, and they certainly appear to be very well made. As for installing booties, it's pretty easy. You can get everthing you need from OS Systems at: http://www.ossystems.com The price list for parts is at: http://www.ossystems.com/pricelists/repair.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffcasey Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 I don't know about the suits...if you find out, be sure to let us know. I wouldn't let the lack of booties stop you...there are a number of members who have them and a number who don't, and there is often a thread going as to which is better. Without attempting to be exhaustive, the arguments usually go something like: pro: easier to put on, warmer feet, no loss of circulation in the feet con: harder to replace when you tear them, need protection.You can always add the booties after you buy the suit...many members have done this as well.Last weekend, a goofy member of our clan paddled all morning, diving in and out of the rocks and usually finding the largest set of waves to thrash him in the surf...occasionally on the edge of dumping. At lunch he discovered he had his relief zipper open all morning....it would have been a dangerously cold surprise, and his booties would have made it all the more difficult to get the water out fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suz Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Can't remember where I found this but here is a company that is in Connecticut that does repairs and will add on the booties. If you e-mail them, they will e-mail you a price list which I will e-mail you now. OuterwearRepair@aol.comOuterware Repair(800) 595-8552 604 Opening Hill RoadMadison, CT 06443Good luck,Suzanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Nystrom Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 The sea seemed intent on punishing me that day and I couldn't figure out why, until I discovered the open zipper. Lesson learned.Regarding the dry suit booties, these suits come without anything on the ends of the legs, which would make them much less than dry if booties weren't added. Apparently, the Canadian military customizes these suit for each pilot. Nice, eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael_B Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 I don't know about local places to get booties or gaskets installed (I'd highly recommend booties over ankle gaskets)but Amigos Drysuit and Gasket repair does excellent work and they're pretty quick on turnarounds. You can check out their website at: http://www.drysuit-repair.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mskulick Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 Hi, Roger. Could you give a link tothese suits? Maybe I didn't look inthe right area.Thanks.Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shane Posted January 3, 2004 Share Posted January 3, 2004 I think there is a dive shop on Mass Ave. that will do gasket dry-suit work. I also think I "heard" it on one of the trimming neck gasket threads._Shane"Would a knife help protect you against a ‘curious’ shark? I don’t know but I would like the option." - Trevor Gardner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Gwynn Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 The place locally to get your dry suit repired/modified is United Divers, 59 Washington Street, Somerville, MA 02143 Ph: (888)-628-3483, (617) 666-0410. http://www.uniteddivers.com Bill P&H Capella...All White Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 Sing owns one. Says they are heavier that paddling suits but that they work. Cannot beat the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 Hey mike go to ebay type in "drysuit" one word the select most expensive and you'll see it at the bottom of the page.Happy new year! sorry I missed you at the party must sleep now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mskulick Posted January 4, 2004 Share Posted January 4, 2004 Other sizes available. Do as Peter has said,click on the item and then on "View sellersother items." They have others that have noor lower bids including an unissued "small,short- fits 33-36" chest, height to 50" suitthat would need booties attached. Also saw some in "good" and "very good" condition withbooties in some cases. Military equipment asa rule is overbuilt, no compromise, money-is-no-object quality. Even though I have a rela-tively new Kokatat suit, if I could fit into one of these, I would be all over it. Ifsomeone out there is thinking of a drysuit, this may be a great opportunity.Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 Shane: I may have been the source of the gasket reference: it's United Divers in Somerville. http://www.uniteddivers.com/ They replaced a neck gasket on my Kokotat dry suit: fast, high quality work, not cheap. Highely recommended. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2004 Share Posted January 7, 2004 knife at the lowest point and let the water drain out as you come up. I don't know if everybody else has thought of this, but I'll post it anyway.Duct tape anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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