Hi Jim, and other paddlers interested in the SI-TECH system.
I personally use this system and love it.
Jim I initially also had the issue where the yellow retainer ring would be partially unseated after I popped my head through the suit.
The fix was to stretch open the latex neck seal with my hands, and hold it open, so that my head could easily go through.
If I just pushed my head through the latex neck seal without holding it open, my head would put too much pushing force on the latex neck seal, which would then put too much pulling force on the yellow retainer ring, thus causing it to be partially pulled out.
Another reason why I love this system is that you can combo it with dry gloves or a dry hood for a completely dry system, which you cannot do with glued in seals, and this added comfort/dryness/warmth makes a big difference to me when out & about in below zero temperatures.
And because I now have a dry system for my hands & head, I can start to use more conventional thermal protection under my dry system, like a toque under my dry hood, or glove liners under my dry gloves.
Also on the off chance that other forum member ended up not taking the Si-Tech system off your hands, I would be more than thrilled to have it.
My email is floyd.pinto@gmail.com
