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dsigall

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Posts posted by dsigall

    Restoring Durable Water Repellant (DWR) coating on drysuits and paddling gear

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    On 3/28/2022 at 9:18 AM, Dan Foster said:

    I've been using our recent bouts of stormy weather to stress-test some of my outdoor gear, and I have been reading up more on the importance of maintaining a DWR coating on rain gear in order to maintain breathability. DWR is the stuff that makes water bead up on the outside of your brand-new rain jacket and roll off without wetting the fabric. In addition to performing this cool molecular chemistry party trick, it allows the waterproof/breathable membrane (GoreTex, eVent, etc) in your garment to pass hot, sweaty water vapor from your body to the outside. When the DWR coating degrades, the outer fabric "wets out", and water vapor can no longer easily pass through the membrane, and it builds up inside instead. This quickly leads to cold, clammy condensation which can lead people to erroneously declare that their gear is leaking or no longer waterproof.

    Leaks and failed waterproofing are a topic for a different discussion - let's assume for this discussion an otherwise flawless GoreTex garment with no pinholes or delamination, with working zippers and gaskets. It is 100% waterproof, but it has lost its DWR coating. Despite the "durable" in the name, all DWR coatings degrade over time, especially in areas subject to abrasion, like under PFDs or backpack straps. All waterproof/breathable garments will eventually lose their factory DWR coating.

    I've seen a fair amount of discussion about reapplying DWR in the backpacking community, but very little about maintaining DWR on drysuits and paddling gear in the salty environment we regularly immerse ourselves in. I haven't found any guidance from Kokatat, and as far as I can determine, reapplying DWR is not a service that they perform as part of their repair or evaluation of drysuits.

    Do any of you re-apply the DWR coating on your drysuits and paddling gear? If so, can you talk about the products you've used (spray-on or wash-in), any improvements in functionality, and the durability/longevity of the treatment?

    The other thing that can degrade a waterproof/breathable garment's ability to breathe is dirt/sweat/salt on either the interior or exterior. Do any of you wash your drysuits with anything other than plain water for this purpose, and if so, what products and what techniques do you recommend?

    Dan, I used a Nikwax wash/soak in treatment on an EMS Gortex shell that must be nearly 30 yrs. It worked pretty well, not as good as from the factory but a definite improvement. That was 10-12 years ago so probably should do it again– when you find the best new thing please share.  Dana

    Kokatat Drysuit Neck Gasket

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    On 1/8/2023 at 1:33 PM, Vladimir Gersht said:

    Good Afternoon!

    I just bought a Kokatat Drysuit - my first drysuit ever (I only had semi-drytops before). The problem is that the neck gasket feels impossibly tight, as if I am being strangled. Any advice on how to safely (without tearing it apart) stretch the gasket so will keep its function, but won't make me feel being slowly suffocated? All suggestions appreciated, especially field-tested ones...:-)

    Thanks,

    V.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Trimmed mine after trying to convince myself it was comfortable enough. I applied 303 as directed, wiping off any excess then stretched the neck over a glass bowl inserted from the inside. The gaskets have a series of concentric lines molded into them (at least mine did). staying just above the first line, I cut the gasket with a sharp razor blade. I arranged the work so that I could cut all the way around the neck without lifting the blade. The idea being not to create a nick or new cut line that could be the start of a tear. It took a few minutes to get all set up but it went smoothly. I find that as the gasket warms it loosens slightly so only cut down one ring to start, then give it a try. You can always cut another later. Good luck and relaxed breathing-  Dana

    Sept 3 paddle - Pavillion Beach

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    An early launch from Pavillion might not be too difficult and it would be fun to see some of the festival from the water. The cut bridge will probably be up & down all day so Washington St from Grant Circle/128 would be the best way to the waterfront. Here's the schedule for Sat-

    https://www.maritimegloucester.org/maritime-heritage-day

    I'm good with Lane's Cove or some other launch as well

    Thanks for posting this trip Janet

    Dana

    MITA membership

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    I see on the this site's member benefits page that NSPN membership gets a discount for MITA membership. Does anyone know how that works in practice? Is there a NSPN coupon code? Could it be...NSPN? Thanks in advance for any help.  Dana

    Late notice Granite Pier, 7/5

    in Past Trips

    Posted

    2 hours ago, JanetL said:

    No plans for tomorrow? It's finally stopped raining! A few of us are planning to launch from Granite Pier at 9am and head south to Straitsmouth etc. 

    There will be wind but it should be at our backs on the way home, at least... 

    PM me or post here if interested. Sea kayaks with deck lines, flotation, etc. required. 

    See you there. 

    Beginner kayak recommendation

    in General Message Board

    Posted

    My new neighbors who have seen my kayak come & go and noticed gear drying on the line have asked for a starter boat recommendation. I couldn't name a particular kayak off the top of my head but I offered to look into it. From our conversation I know they've looked at some rec kayaks but I would hope to steer them past a bath tub boat and into something they could learn and grow into and enjoy some great paddling opportunities here on the north shore. Any thoughts on a starter boat? Bulkheads of course. Thanks in advance for any advice.

    Dana

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