C-Forum

hi, i recently got a kokotat semi dry nova suit, the neck is neo-prene i think.. and its letting in a little too much water. i dont know if i need to tighten the neck or its just soaking thru... and if its soaking thru,, will silicone spray help this? anybody?

Scott,

I have the same thing - Kokatat Supernova. I added a laytex gasket under the neoprene. Now it's got the same functionality of any other drysuit. Cost me about $35 to have done professionally.
This is the only solution - the neoprene is more comfortable but there is a reason it's called a semi dry suit!

Doug.

I think it's the nature of a semi dry suit or top to be semi dry couldn't resist

I have a shorty with neoprene and it keeps the splashy waves out but that's about all. very very leaky when i roll.

i think latex is the best thing going..

wtb... latex neck gasket

NRS sells latex neck gaskets and entire replacement kits including aquaseal and that super aquaseal hardener that kills brain cells

My Kokatat "blast" shorty has a neoprene neck gasket and arm gaskets that aren't latex but not neoprene either - that is one of my favorite cool - warm weather garmets. I wish they made a neck gasket like the arm gaskets - more comfy than latex + drier than neoprene...

Water isn't leaking through the neoprene. It's getting in at the top edge, where the seal isn't what would be provided by a latex gasket.

Semi-dry might be OK in summer, or for a boater who seldom rolls. Otherwise, latex gaskets are needed.

i was having a bad reaction to the latex gasket on my drysuit so i got these things called bio-seal that go on my neck and wrists first before i put on the drysuit. they are supposed to help with the gasket seal on either neoprene or latex gaskets. i think they are made for scuba divers. i can't say for sure how they work with the neoprene, but they claim to help w/ the seal.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss? ... 3Abio+seal

another option to try, about the same price as replacing the gasket

sbroam, re your Kokatat Blast, from Kokatat

Adjustable coated Lycra® cuffs
and
APT neoprene neck closure, "punch-through" coated Lycra® stretch biceps cuffs
and
Punchthrough coated Lycra® stretch cuff on sleeves

One of the things that deteriorates latex is sweat. That bio-seal might be a great way to prolong the life of neck gaskets.

Forget that last post. I just read the copy on Amazon more closely and it reads:

This product does contain oils which can cause early wear in latex type seals.

It's really intended for use with neoprene gaskets.

The necks on the semi-novas SUCK and are disapointing. There are so flimsy and stretch in no time. If they made it a little bit more robust they would have a nice suit. A compromise but one u could live with for some canoeing. I use my semi-nova for canoe tripping. It is light and breathes well enough for me.
But boy Kokatat sure dropped the ball on the design of that neck.

Probably would not be worthwhile putting in a latex one, just get a suit with it already on

That's interesting what you say about the semi-dry suits with the neoprene necks. I considered getting one because a friend has one and has liked it a lot--he's worn it for three years now. But then I thougth of some of my worse swims and some of the harder runs I want to do in the future ... and decided to stick with latex.

As Yukon stated,

I use my semi-nova for canoe tripping.

That's what those kind of suits are designed for, unplanned swims.

i have me a slimy 40 buck gasket ordered used in scuba. I'm sure it will do the trick ,til i want a cooler spring- suit.I'm the guy that uses bondo on a zoom.