Trimming Gaskets

[gannon311]

is there a write or wrong way to do this.

[Chester]

I have used a coffee can or other appropriately sized can for the gasket to be cut. Place the gasket around the can and place the can on the edge of a counter top for support. Using a new sharp razor blade, while rolling the can with the jacket, make a cut between the ridges in the gasket all the way around without lifting the razor. Someone else holding and turning the clothing can help. Remember to apply a protective often too.

[Zach]

I've had good luck with sticking a plastic bowl in the gasket (need one that is somewhat cylindrical). That way you can push right through the gasket into the plastic and know you are through..

[paddledog]

Of course this is AFTER stretching the gasket.
Otherwise it will stretch later and be too big.

[Zach]

Of course this is AFTER stretching the gasket.
Otherwise it will stretch later and be too big.

Good point. I just stick the same bowl in and leave it for a few days. One gasket I actually had to stretch for a few days just to be able to try it on.

[Cowper]

I've only trimmed the gaskets one time (my first drysuit), and I was sorry for the reasons others have stated. (stretched more later, then was too loose)

Of course, some would say I have a pencil neck. If you have a more Hulk-like neck, trimming may be necessary to prevent choking. But try stretching the gasket, and wearing the suit two or more days before you make your final decision (if possible).

[okieboater]

Over the years I have had 4 dry suits maybe more dry tops.

What has worked for me is to stretch the gaskets over what ever works (cans for the wrists and traffic cones (two sizes at Home Depot) for the neck. Keep em in a warm spot for several days longer the better. Then for me I have always had to trim the necks down to make them larger same for the wrists.

Last kokatat dry suit I got was from kayak academy in NW coast. They advertise they have replacements in various sizes of heavy duty latex necks and wrists. Next gasket replacement I am gonna see what they have and maybe not have to trim as much.

I have not had good luck with the razor blade method. I use a medium size sissor very sharp, hold the latex out with left hand and carefully cut with the right hand. Be very careful to keep the cut perfectly lined up, if you cut too far on one cut it is easy to make a nick. If you do create a nick, trim it as neatly as you can back to the original line.

What has helped me is lots of 303 applications.

Also, keep the dry suit stored loosely rolled up in a nice sized gym bag and either in a inside closet or behind a sofa in the den..

Everybody has the method they like and most base that on personal experience. And, that is the best way -- only thing is if you screw up, it is expensive. So if you do cut, cut maybe 1/16 of an inch for me never more than 1/8 wide strips of latex.

[paddledog]

As for the trimming aspect, Okie I have never used the scissors method but I can see how it would work.
Personally I think the razor blade offers one additional bonus,
the ability to cut at an angle.
My neck is slightly smaller than a two liter soda bottle,
so that is what I use to stretch the neck gasket.
After a couple days in warm environment and a couple applications of 303,
I cut the rings off between the ridges one by one while still on the soda bottle.
Cutting at a 45 degree angle up - high side to the inside of the gasket.
I try the fit with each ring cut.

The last one I trimmed was sitting on "Boaters Beach" the first day of a multi week run on the Grand Canyon.
No pressure !!!
They were all taking bets on me cutting through the soda bottle and filling my drytop with sticky liquid for the
rest of the trip. I am happy to report no such accident happened.
I put the neck sized rubber bands around my coffee cup that I used the rest of the trip as a reminder to
do that kind of crap at home BEFORE the trip.

[okieboater]

A blown neck gasket on the GC is hard to replace.

Glad things worked out.

One of the things I like about boating is the ability to ask around for input and then the individual gets to make their own decision.

It's a good thing and not a bad way to get thru life.

You steady handed young guys are too be more trusted with a razor than a over the hill boater like me!

We need to go boatin !!!

[Jim Krueger]

Good points made by all here. I've only had two dry tops to alter the gaskets to fit. As much as I wanted to follow the instructions and achieve the proper fit with only stretching the neck gasket, it's not good to find out this wasn't sufficient as your friends are pulling away from the bank, "and now waiting on me as I sit on the gravel bar at Ponca hurriedly trimming the gasket"... Like Okie, I like using the sharp scissors, but mostly I like to be squared away before I get to the river. :)

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[scott yarbrough]

Jim is right,
The only thing worse is if a person just tried to stretch it out and not wearing before putting on. Then about a mile or two down the Illinois Bayou and the lack of circulation to the brain makes your head look like a pimple about to pop. Then your mean friends telling, you your having a anurism. Something like that.