The neck gasket tore on my dry suit, so it needs to be replaced. Also, I would like to purchase some spares wrist gaskets and latex dry-socks. What information do you need from me in order to identify the correct gaskets? May I do this by email?
Yes you may order them from us via E-mail, phone (206 527-1825), US Mail, or FAX, however, if paying by credit card it would be safer to call or FAX us with your credit card number than to E-mail it (this is generally true for E-mail, not just ours). You may also pay by sending a check, if there's no rush.
We need to know the make, model, and size of your dry suit or dry top (on Kokatat brand dry
suits and dry tops the size is marked under the Velcro on the left wrist), and whether it is a
men's or women's dry suit (on women's drysuits the size label begins with a W such as WL for
Women's Large). Note, if you found your old gaskets were uncomfortably tight or so loose that
they leaked, we can help you with non-standard size gaskets (L gasket on Small suit etc. as
well as generic brand gaskets with extended sizes to fit XL and XXL etc.) and latex dry socks -- just ask us
when ordering. In any case, we will need to know as much of the following as you can tell us:
1) Are you the first owner or did you buy it used?
2) Are any of the gaskets non-standard size for that suit? If you were the first owner you
would have had to custom order it to request non-standard size gaskets (i.e. small neck gasket
on a Medium size suit) or have already replaced the gaskets it came with.
3) What is your shoe size and is your foot narrow, average, or wide (if ordering dry socks)?
4) Does your suit have ankle gaskets, latex dry-socks, or Gore-Tex dry-socks? You can replace
ankle gaskets with latex dry-socks. You can replace
latex socks just like a wrist or ankle gasket (except you have to be sure the toes point
forward on the socks), but Goretex socks must be replaced at the factory (Although in the
field or if in a hurry, you can replace Gore-Tex socks on a Kokatat dry suit with latex socks
or ankle gaskets yourself. Also a simple smear of AquaSeal on the inside of the Gore-Tex sock is often all that
is needed to fix a leak).
We keep all sizes of gaskets in stock for Kokatat and OSS, as well as gaskets and dry socks to fit Gil, Mustange, Whites, Bomber, Henri Lloyd, USIA and most other brands of surface sport dry suits and dry tops (if you give us the dimensions described in the following paragraph, we can generally find a gasket to fit any brand -- even old ones that don't exist). We also have after-market gaskets that fit Kokatat drysuits and dry tops but offer a wider selection of body sizes than the factory Kokatat gaskets come in (i.e. XXL neck and wrist gaskets etc.).
When ordering gaskets and latex socks for brands other than Kokatat and OSS, please measure the dimensions of the old seals in the following manner: For the neck, flatten it out so as to form a circle. Then give use the outside diameter (width not the circumference) of the circle to the outer edge of the gasket flange where it is glued to the suit. For wrirsts, ankles, and latex socks, flatten them as if you stepped on the sleeve or leg and measure their width when flat. This width should be about equal to 1/2 their circumference, but the measurement is more reliable when taken from the flattened method rather than trying to measure the circumference. From this information we can choice a gasket that will work for your dry-suit or dry-top.
We include a copy of the replacement instructions, sand paper, and gloves with each gasket. With the right tool and directions, replacing gaskets and latex dry-socks is a simple do-it-yourself project, and one worth learning so you can do it on trips (we highly recommend bringing spare gaskets and tools on multi-day trips). Ideally the glue should dry 8 - 24 hours at room temperature, but generally the suit can be worn the next morning if the new gasket was installed by 6 PM the night before (if air temperature is above 50 deg. F).
For Kokatat and most other brands, replacement gaskets and latex dry socks are glued on with Aquaseal. OSS and some other brands use a contact cement, but if you leave about a 1" strip of the old latex gasket glued on the fabric of the suit, then you can use Aquaseal to glue a new gasket onto the strip of the old gasket even on suits and dry tops that originally used contact cement (However on such suits, if you completely remove the old latex gasket or sock, then the Aquaseal will not bond well, so in that case you will need to use contact cement to bond the new gasket to the fabric of the suit or dry top. One 1.5 Oz (small) tube of Aquaseal is more than enough to replace all the gaskets on a suit -- if the glue doesn't harden in the tube between uses. You can greatly extend the life of the glue by storing it in your freezer. Cold storage is especially critical once the tube has been opened. If you store your glue in the freezer, allow the tube to warm up to room temperature before using it (it takes less than half an hour for tube to warm up).
We stock AquaSeal for those shopping here in person, but we generally don't ship AquaSeal due to HazMat transportion regulations on such items (It's slow and expensive to ship one tube). AquaSeal is widely available at sporting goods stores, SCUBA dive shops, kayak shops, etc. And if there aren't any stores with in near you, there are shops selling Aquaseal on E-Bay. So we recommend you buy AquaSeal and some cleaning alchahol locally. Note the alchahol will be used to remove mold release agents from new gaskets and to clean the remaining strip of old gaskets before sanding and gluing. Alchahol wipes in small foil pouches sold for medical sterilization are ideal for this (i.e. in the First Aid department of drug stores). These are available at drug stores.
Note the wrist gaskets and latex socks can be replaced using jars of suitable sizes to stretch the end of the sleeve/leg while gluing the new gasket on, but the neck gasket replacement tool is worth its weight in gold. Most people don't know about the neck replacement tool, some people still use a traffic cone as a tool -- which is why most people think replacing a neck gasket is difficult (back in the 1970's, some suits were sewn with necks in the shape of a cone, and on those suits a traffic cone worked okay. But by the 1980's drysuits were designed to use gaskets with a flat glue surface, and so new tools were developed for the job.).
Our $45 Field Repair Neck Gasket Tool is similar to the $76 Kokatat factory style neck gasket replacement tool except that our Field Repair Neck Gasket Tool packs smaller, lighter, and won't be damaged if it gets wet (so you can take it with you on trips). The resulting repair is the same quality as with the factory tool.
>You've convinced me of the neck tool, but what makes the wrist and ankle tools unique? I have a friend who has done many replacements before, and he suggests I wouldn't need them.
I agree that it is easy to find other things to use that will do the job of the tools for wrist and sock/ankle gasket replacements; all you need are the proper size jars that you can slide down the sleeve or leg to stretch the end into a rigid cylinder. But the factory tools for this don't cost much, and they save you the time spent looking around for the right size jars. The factory tools for this are light, and the wrist tool stacks inside the ankle/sock tool so they take up little space on trips. If you are going to cobble your own wrist or ankle tool, here are a couple suggestions. Find a jar that is just slightly smaller than the openning at the end of the sleeve or leg on your suit (after cutting the old gasket off). Then wrap the jar with duct tape until the jar makes a snug fit in the suit. Another option is to build tools very much like the factory tools by cutting both ends out of a soup can and slicing the can lengthwise (using tin snips) so you can coil it slightly to adjust it's diameter. Then cut a stick to fit crosswise in the can/tool so as to spread it open wider once it is in place. Cover the soup can with duct tape so there won't be any sharp edges to cut you or your suit.
>Are the tools compact enough to pack on a trip?
I pack them on trips that are more than 2 or 3 days long. Our Field Repair Neck Gasket Tool is about the size of a dinner plate plus six finger sized spring clamps and weighs less than a pound. Sea kayakers can duct tape the main part of the tool kit to their kayak's front bulkhead so it hardly takes up any space at all. The wrist and ankle gasket/latex sock tools are about the size of a large drinking glass and only weigh a few ounces each.
Kokatat recommends using 303 Protectant on gaskets and latex socks to extend their life. 303 Protectant blocks UV sunlight from attacking the latex and it helps keep the rubber from drying out and cracking. Another reason to use 303 Protectant is that it lubricates the gaskets and latex socks which makes it easier to get in and out of your suit or dry top, and more comfortable to wear. After you've used 303 Protectant, you can tell when it is time to reapply because you'll miss the ease of slipping in and out of the suit with well lubricated gaskets (perhaps once every third day on a trip or once a month if using it infrequently). Even if the dry suit or top is being stored, Kokatat recommends reapplying 303 Protectant about once a month for protection of the rubber.
Repairing leaks in fabric
You can repair small tears, pin holes, etc. with a smear of AquaSeal glue (apply glue to the inside of the suit so it hardly shows). If the hole or rip is such that the glue may leak through to the other side while curing, put masking tape on the other side until the glue becomes firm enough not to seep through. For coated nylon drysuits and drytops, big holes and rips are best repaired by the manufacturer. For GoreTex drysuit and dry tops, we sell GoreTex patch kits, but most of the time you don't need a patch kit -- just a smear of AquaSeal (which you should be able to buy locally at SCUBA dive shops, sporting goods stores, etc.) The patch kit is for rips and holes where the AquaSeal glue needs some support for added strength or for abrasion resistance (e.g. under the heel on GoreTex dry socks). With the patch you can repair rips up to about 1" long (rare that anyone needs this). Bigger rips are best repaired at the factory (if you have a Kokatat brand suit or dry top that needs factory repairs, call us to make arrangements). If you order the patch kit from us (which includes tiny a 1oz tube of AquaSeal), we will delete the AquaSeal from the kit so we can ship the rest of the kit to you priority mail for $4.95 postage with 3 - 4 day delivery in the US. We will deduct $5.00 from the price of the patch kit in exchange for deleting the AquaSeal. If you need AquaSeal, buy it locally at a SCUBA dive shop, sporting goods store, etc. or on E-Bay (a 2oz tube is typically about $6).
Generally we just repair leaks with smear of AquaSeal glue or patch on the inside only. Then it doesn't show much, but for a GoreTex sock, the appearance doesn't really matter. So you could put the Aquaseal and/or a GoreTex patch on both sides if you feel it needs a little extra protection. Just keep it thin so it doesn't make an uncomfortable lump in your shoe/bootie. If you patch both sides, do them one at time allowing glue to dry overnight in between jobs.
> Is there anything that can be done about gaskets that like to stick to your neck and create a "rash" -
There are many answers to neck rash depending on the cause:
Brush any sand off the gasket before putting it on.
If the rubber feels sticky, it is getting old. It may be best to replace the gasket as will likely rip soon anyway, and a new gasket would be less irritating. The worst thing about a sticky gasket is that sand sticks to it and then the sand chafes your neck. Sometimes grains of sand even get imbedded in the sticky rubber. If you catch it early, sometimes a gasket is only sticky at the outermost edge; in this case you may be able to fix it by trimming off the sticky part with scissors. Cut evenly all the way around the gasket even if the stickiness is only on part of it. However, trimming the gasket will make it wider and possibly too loose for a good seal -- if so, time for a new one.
If the gasket is only slightly sticky, just beginning to age, then applying 303 Protectant may extend it's life and take care of the worst of the rash causing irritation.
Sunblock, insect repellent, etc. shorten the life of the rubber and may cause it to turn sticky.
Sometimes covering the rash with Second Skin burn treatment (clear skin-like film) works to prevent further irritation. If you know from past experience where the rash forms, you can use this as a preventive measure too, but the stuff is expensive.
There are skin toughening treatments for athletes that you rub on to prevent blisters.
You are welcome to use what I've presented here just for
your own information, but if you care to help support the Kayak Academy please purchase your
dry suit and dry top gaskets from us. To do so for Kokatat brand gaskets and latex dry socks,
simply print this page, fill it out with your desired quantities of each item and mail or fax it
to us (our fax and address information is at the end of this page). If you need gaskets or dry
socks for OSS, Stolquest, or other brands, call us to order them. If you are interested in
ordering dry suits and other gear from us, see our
Kayak Equipment Catalog page.
Replacing a neck gasket with the Kayak Academy's Field Repair Neck Gasket Tool
We include free instructions, sand paper, and disposable gloves with each gasket order.
***SPECIAL OFFER***
Buy two neck gaskets at the same time (so you'll have a spare), and take $5.00 off the price of second one.
| Item |
Suit or Top Brand |
Suit/Top size, flattened width, or diameter |
Circumference of your neck, wrist, or ankle |
Quantity |
Unit Price |
Amount |
| Neck gasket, generic (available in size to fit Kokatat drysuits and often give a better fit on your neck), (XS - XXL). Specify diameter of gasket flange (or if for Kokatat suit just say that), and your neck circumference/shirt collar size | $28.00 | |||||
| Neck gasket Kokatat (S or L). Only two sizes, and they fit all Kokatat drysuit/drytops. Specify your neck circumference/shirt collar size and drysuit/drytop size | $34.00 | |||||
| Neck gasket OSS (XXS - XXL). Specify your neck circumference/shirt collar size and drysuit/drytop size | $34.00 | |||||
| Wrist gasket, generic (available in size to fit Kokatat drysuits and often give a better fit on your wrist), price each (S - XXL). Specify flattened width of top (or if for Kokatat suit just say that), your wrist circumference, and drysuit/drytop size | $11.00 | |||||
| Wrist gasket, Kokatat, price each (S or L). Only two sizes, and they fit all Kokatat drysuit/drytops. Specify your wrist circumference and drysuit/drytop size | $14.00 | |||||
| Wrist gasket, OSS, price each (XS - XL) Specify your wrist circumference and drysuit/drytop size | $14.00 | |||||
| Ankle gasket, generic (available in size to fit Kokatat), price each (one size at ankle end fits all but XS youth). Specify flattened width of top (or if for Kokatat suit just say that), and if you think you need XS then also specify your ankle circumference (above ankle bone). Note ankle gasket can be replaced with latex dry sock. | $15.00 | |||||
| Ankle gasket, Kokatat brand, price each (one size fits all Kokatat dry suits and all sizes ankles -- may be trimmed to fit larger legs). Note ankle gasket can be replaced with latex dry sock. | $20.00 | |||||
| Ankle gasket, OSS brand, price each (S, M, L). Specify flattened width of top (there are two sizes of tops) and your ankle circumference (above ankle bone). Note ankle gasket can be replaced with latex dry sock. | $20.00 | |||||
| Latex sock, generic (available in size to fit Kokatat drysuits), price each (size S, M, L). Specify flattened width of top (or if for Kokatat suit just say that), and your shoe size (U.S. men's or women's) -- Men's 12 maximum size. | $29.00 | |||||
| Latex sock, Kokatat brand, price each (size 1, 2, 3). Specify flattened width of top and your shoe size (U.S. men's or women's) -- Men's 14 maximum size | $38.00 | |||||
| Latex sock, OSS brand, price each (XS - XXL). Specify flattened width of top and your shoe size (U.S. men's or women's) -- Men's 15 maximum size | $38.00 | |||||
| Ankle tool (also for latex dry socks, works for any size or brand) | $10.00 | |||||
| Wrist tool (works for any size or brand) | $10.00 | |||||
| Neck tool - Field repair model by Kayak Academy for Kokatat and most other brands (we have two sizes so please let know what brand(s) of dry suit(s) or dry top(s) you plan to use it with (or buy both sizes for $10 extra) | $55.00 | |||||
| Neck tool - factory model by Kokatat (For lower price, see above tool by Kayak Academy) | $76.00 | |||||
| 303 Protectant, 2 oz pump spray bottle (extends life of gaskets and latex socks) | $4.00 | |||||
| Drysuit zipper lube, Max Wax by McNett | $4.50 | |||||
| Drysuit hanger (1 1/2" wide to protect suit) | $8.00 | |||||
| GoreTex Field Repair Patch Kit - by Kokatat | $34.00 |
Sub-total: .......................................... ________
*Sales tax (multiply ST X 0.084): ... ________
**S & H: ........................................... ________
Total: ................................................ ________
**Shipping & Handling: for gaskets only orders, we will ship anywhere in the US by Priority Mail for $4.60; for orders with tools, we will ship anywhere in the US by Priority Mail for $9.85. International orders for gaskets unavailable at this time, except for Canada -- call us.
8.4% sales tax if shipped within the state of Washington, otherwise no tax.
We also need your billing address if it is different from the ship to address & your
Driver's License No.:___________________________________________________
Phone: (____) __________________
Buyer's Name: _______________________________________________
Buyer's Street Address and Post Office box: ___________________________________________
Buyer's City ______________________, State____ Postal Code___________
If you want your order shipped to a person or address other than the above:
Ship to person's Name: _______________________________________________
Ship to Street Address (not a Post Office box): _______________________________________
Ship to City ______________________, State____ Postal Code___________
If paying by MasterCard or VISA:
Card number: ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
Experation date: _____/_____
Varification code (three digits): __ __ __
Name on the card: ___________________________________
Billing address and Postal Code for the credit card:
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Postal code: _____________
Call us at: (206) 527-1825
© George Gronseth 2005, all rights reserved.