drysuit modifications

[rflanagan]

Hi,

Awhile back I saw some good info on modifying drysuits (specifically, where to send them to have them modified). I have a kokatat drysuit, and am interested in adding a crotch zipper, as well as possibly removing the ankle gaskets and having booties sewn on. I did a search but was unable to find the information. Can anyone help? What type of bootie would one consider for this type of modification? Thanks. Rob Flanagan

[Bill Gwynn]

Send it directly to Kokatat. (800) 225-9749, 9am-5pm PST. They will certainly do the best job, and also warranty the work. Their turn around time is about 2 weeks.

Their pricing is pretty good too. I just had My neck and wrist gaskets replaced $79.00 for all three.

[ccarlson]

Go with the Gore-tex booties rather than the latex. They're much tougher and will last much longer than the latex which will degrade as quickly as the gaskets do. Kokatat does great work and their prices are in line with other repair facilities.

Good luck!

[PatE]

I recently contacted Kokatat about retrofitting from ankle gaskets to Gore-Tex socks. They quoted me $130.

Here is the attachment they sent to me with all pricing and info:

You can either provide, via e-mail, the information below, and we will reply to you with the Return Authorization (RA) number, and you will include the method of payment in the package with your garment, please note that service will be delayed if you do not provide payment information, (our e-mail is not set up to be secure for monetary transactions). Or you can call us at (800) 225-9749 (U.S. only) or (707) 822-7621 and give us all the information and be issued the RA number at that time.

Here is the information that we need so we can issue you a RA number:

Your Name:

Day Time Phone:

Return shipping address

City, State, Zip

Type of garment: Size: Color:

What specifically would you like us to do?

Before sending us your garment, please wait for a reply with a RA number, write this number on the outside of the package, and keep track of it to reference if you wish to contact us to check on status. Also, the garment MUST be clean before we can work on it. You can machine wash any of our products (EXCEPT life vests), using the delicate cycle, cold water, and a little POWDERED soap. Or hand wash it. Make sure it gets well rinsed, then let it DRIP DRY. (If our repair department finds they need to wash your garment before they are able to work on it, there will be a $25 charge for this service, which does delay the turn around time.)

After getting your Return Authorization number, please ship your clean garment to:

Kokatat

5350 Ericson Way

Arcata, CA 95521

We accept Visa, Master Card, and Discover. Please include the type, number, expiration date, name as it appears on the card, and the billing address of the card.

Here is a list of prices for the most common work done:

Gasket Replacement: Neck: $43.50, Wrist $20.50 (ea), Ankle or Bicep $27.50 (ea).

Sock Installation: Latex: $80.00 (pr), Gore-Tex $130.00 (pr).

Relief Zipper Installation (front): $130.00

Water Test and Non-Warranty Repair: $30.00 per hour. (Dry tops usually take about 1/2 an hour, dry suits usually take up to an hour.)

There is NO CHARGE for repair(s) covered under Kokatat Warranty.

California Sales Tax will be applied to in-state requests.

And of course there will be Return Shipping, UPS ground unless otherwise specified.

And remember, we will only work on Kokatat garments.

Thank you,

Happy Paddling!

Kokatat

[rflanagan]

Folks, thanks for the information. Looks like the consensus is to go with Goretex booties and have Kokotat perform the upgrade, which is what I will do. I am looking forward to -slipping- my feet into my drysuit this year rather than injuring myself trying to get into/out of angle gaskets. Regards, Rob Flanagan