Advise on Seaskin drysuit Options

[squid]

Hello all

I'm looking for a drysuit. I'm instructor CMAS 2* (air and Nitrox). I plan to test "light" Trimix diving but I'm not decided yet whether I'll involve myself deeply in trimix diving.

I found the Seaskin web site while searching for advices. I would be interested by the Nova trimlam version. I appreciate the made-to-measure service.
As I'm based in France (nobody is perfect ), I don't know this product and I have hard time to find other divers knowing it.

What do you think about this product ? Comparing it to a Aqualung Intruder or a Scubapro Fjord HD or Everdry4 ?

Thanks a lot for your support

[jo_c]

Hi

There are lots of reports about Seaskin being very good, but there are also reports that recently their service has slipped a lot. My friend ordered a MTM suit and something completely unwearable turned up (legs different lengths, parts not the same size as the measurements). This is obviously second hand information, but the suit was sent back for a refund. I also heard a story about them putting a p-valve hole in the wrong suit. The general view seems to be they might get things wrong every now and then, but will always put it right for you. However, being in France, this might not be so convenient.

They also don't reply to emails, so you will need to call them. These days I think if you are going MTM you need to go to the company to get measured or be prepared that it might take a couple of attempts to get it right.

Others to consider: Predator, Polar Bears, Othree, Hammonds

[squid]

Thanks Jo_c

I'm going to have a look at the others you suggested. You're right, being in France might lead to some difficulties if sending back and forwards will be necessary.

I'll come back after more searchs

Enjoy Christmas break

[squid]

Hi again

I just had a quick look at the other drysuit manufacturers.
I like in fact the front diagonal zip concept. Apparently, among the 4 brands proposed, only polar bears has it. But there is no zip cover option.

What do you think about having the zip without protection cover ?

thanks

[The Duck]

...

I just had a quick look at the other drysuit manufacturers.
I like in fact the front diagonal zip concept. Apparently, among the 4 brands proposed, only polar bears has it. But there is no zip cover option.

...

I have a Seaskin and it's great - I know someone else who has just got one and they love it as well. However the thing in common with all those that have got a good fitting suit is that they got measured up at the factory. With those that measured themselves have only a 50% hit rate of getting it right - and yes that is with the person getting the measurements right. So if you do go for the Seaskin visit the factory.

As for the other drysuit manufacturers, O'Three does front entry - I have one. It is an option that you can get with the Ri2/100 custom. If you want to give neoprene a go then I would highly recommend O'Three. Yes they are expensive but you don't just get the suit, you get fantastic customer service and support - they get the suit to fit you rather than try to get you to fit the suit.

[jo_c]

I forgot Otter, Northern Diver - i don't think ND have a good rep?. Theres plenty of other off the shelf companies, typhoon, roho, hunter so if you are a standard size, theres lots of options.

I have an Othree now and its the best suit ever

[squid]

Hello The Duck

I had a deeper look at Othree web site. I didn't find the front entry ZIP option.
Is it a specific on-demand option ? Or did I miss something ?

Thanks

[squid]

Oups, I found it.

In fact, the option is available only for the made-to-measure model, not for the "off teh peg" one.

[The Duck]

Oups, I found it.

In fact, the option is available only for the made-to-measure model, not for the "off teh peg" one.

Correct - Custom version only.

As I said, expensive, but (IMHO) definately worth the money.

[Rob Dobson]

I went to see Seaskin a couple of months ago and I got measured for a custom Nova drysuit. The measuring service was very professional and Richard (Managing Director), is very knowledgeable, clearly knows his stuff and immediately inspires confidence. I placed my order and paid for it there and then. They said they were looking at 1st week in December for delivery. Since then I've not been advised what is going on with the suit. I have emailed Richard twice - the first one he replied to saying that he would look into it when he was back in the office a few days later and then I tried again a couple of weeks later and got nothing back.

My suit was a strange one and not what they were used to. I went for neoprene socks, large side pockets (double stitched for strength), a SiTech P-valve (couldn't bring myself to buy another Halcyon one), I supplied a set of Viking dry rings, neoprene neck seal, I didn't want an inflation valve as I am using a HUV switch and a cuff dump instead of a shoulder dump. None of this was a problem but it was a square peg for the round hole that is their ordering system so Richard had to enter it all manually with a ton of notes for the factory floor.

So, they are good suits. They have the knowledge and the facility to create a suit that meets your individual needs but the jury is still out on delivery.

I would definitely go MTM in any suit and I would always get measured by the company so that they have ownership of the data (I wasted £800 on an unwearable suit a couple of years back when I measured by someone other than the company concerned - even though he was the guy that designed that specific suit for the company). Unfortunately that means going to whatever company you choose to make your suit and getting them to measure you. For this reason and for after sales support you are better going with a company local to you or a company that you can get to fairly easily - even if that means a budget airline.

O'three are excellent but they specialise in neoprene suits. Polar Bear are good suits but try to steer you through the resellers AFAIK. DUI are very nice when they get it right, but silly money for what they are and not local to anyone outside of San Diego. Protec used to be excellent but I've heard mixed things since Ian sold it. My experiences have been fine but only relating to minor repairs.

The Scubapro suits I've seen have all been shite.

I would have no issue with a suit without a zip cover - in fact two of my suits have no zip cover.

[squid]

Thanks Rob for your advices. I'll stay away from Scubapro then

I wrote to Otter to know about their models, prices and way to order.

I got the answer within 24 hours. My first choice was between Britannic Superskin and Mako. I was adviced to go for the Britannic one with a free MTM (£750).
In comparison, I wrote to Seaskin and I got a first answer within a week and no answer to my additional question since 2 weeks.

I don't think I'll go for a Seaskin. Some divers are very satisfied but service doesn't look best in class.

What do you think about Otter Britannic ? Compared to Polar Bears Atlantis or Explorer ?

The Othree budget is a bit too high potentially. Are you sure that compared to Otter or Polar Bears models above, OThree is worth more, considering the gap price ?

[jo_c]

It really depends on your budget and what type you want.

If you want a tri-lam suit, I think you'll get a good suit with both companies.

If I was buying a neoprene suit, I would try to get an Othree because they are very good quality and worth the extra money. But if you don't have the extra money then an Otter one I think would be fine.
Are you close to a standard size? If you haven't seen, the Othree off the shelf are "made to fit", so they can adjust leg lengths, arm lengths etc which is often free of charge. So, I would measure yourself up and send it to Othree and see if they can do a made to fit?

If you are like me, then you can only buy MTM which is always expensive Although I have a baggy off the shelf Diverite 905 which is too big in some areas, but works great for me as a suit and I take it travelling with me.

(Maybe look at this if you fit standard sizes http://www.outer-edge.info/) A pretty good suit for a bargain price.

[squid]

Thanks Jo_c

I'm going to play with a tape measure during the Christmas break and I"ll keep you posted

I got a good feeling about Otter products. Do you know the Mako and/or the Britannic superskin models ?

Merry Christmas to all

[The Duck]

... I have emailed Richard twice - the first one he replied to saying that he would look into it when he was back in the office a few days later and then I tried again a couple of weeks later and got nothing back.
...

General consensus is that they (Seaskin) are not too good at responding to e-mails, which is something they really need to work on as it is the primary method of communication for many customers in all businesses.

They do respond well to telephone calls however.

[Rob Dobson]

My suit turned up late on Christmas eve.

I've had a good look at it and it looks excellent. The cuff dump seems to be well positioned as does the P-valve. The neoprene socks look good and the pockets seem to be a decent size.

I haven't had a chance to try it on yet let alone get it wet but it is here and so far so good. If it fits and its dry then it a cracking suit at a very good price.

[squid]

Hello all

I hope you enjoyed Christmas and you're getting ready for the New Year eve.
I'm more and more in favour of a trilaminate drysuit : the Britannic Supersking from Otter.
I'm just waiting from OThree feedback on a "made to fit" compatibility with my measurements.

About Otter, by "clicking" here and there on the web,http://www.direxplorers.com/dir-kit-questi...highlight=otter
I found a post stating that Otter suits are usually not cut well, even MTM.
Have you got this feedback so strongly as well ? Or would it be some specific individual measurement issues ?

Thanks for helping me in knowing better UK product.

[jo_c]

Generally, the reports of the Otter Superskin seem to be very good. A lot of people seem to love them and say Otter has good customer service.

[Rob Dobson]

Done a bunch of dive in the SeaSkin suit now so here are my initial thoughts:

Well made, well positioned cuff dump, good materials etc.

The neoprene socks are surprisingly difficult to put on and they are an odd shape. Compared to the ones I have seen on other suits I'm not real sure they've done a great job on the socks.

It's a dry suit. It's lightweight and it's flexible. The Sitech P-valve works fine despite the horror stories I have heard about them.

The neoprene neck it bloody hard work. I have to lube up my head to get it on and off. It is not a self donning suit as it takes at least another person to crowbar my head through the neck seal.

I'm happy with the suit but it is not 10/10, more like an 8/10.

[The Duck]

...The neoprene neck it bloody hard work. I have to lube up my head to get it on and off. It is not a self donning suit as it takes at least another person to crowbar my head through the neck seal....

I know what you mean about the neo neck seal being hard work - but be assured that it dose ease off quite a bit with use. Mine started off murder tight (I thought that I'd never get through a dive with it when I initially tried it on) but now is fine - it took a couple of months to ease off. If/when I replace the neck seal I'll probably get an O'Three one and get it put on to the Seaskin suit as the O'Three neck seals are the best I've come across.