Just got my Kokatat dry suit and the neck gasket is choking me

[Tom Lagana]

Am I doing something wrong



Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[kevinfry]

I started putting away dishes and stopped leaving the toilet seat up......the choking subsided (though it often comes back a couple days before payday).

[Tom Lagana]

Ok.....want to use it tomorrow morning so if anyone has some advice that would be great. I put the gasket around a sauce pan in the hopes of stretching it a bit


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[Cowpokey]

Which one did you get?

Neoprene or latex neck gasket?

[Tom Lagana]

Kokatat meridian. Latex gaskets


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[On the fly]

That is why I bought the SEMI dry suit. The only difference is a neoprene neck gasket instead of Latex and much more comfortable.

I think this link might help with your issue. http://www.nrs.com/boating_tips/how_...eck_gasket.asp

[Capt C-Hawk]

I tried on a dry top with the latex collar before buying the semi-dry kokatat suit. My wife (who enjoys suffering) was nearly rolling on the floor as I tried to get that thing over my head. Then once on I was afraid I'd have to buy it so I could cut it off. I finally purchased the Tropos semi-dry angler suit with neoprene collar. It's still snug, but much easier to stretch it over my melon.
You can trim the latex collar a little at a time till it's manageable, if you have the doodads to cut into something you just paid all that money for. Whatever you decide be sure to wear it

[Cowpokey]

That is why I bought the SEMI dry suit. The only difference is a neoprene neck gasket instead of Latex and much more comfortable.

Same here.

[Dimo]

Tom, Had the same problem w/ my kokatat. I wanted latex for a lack of seams vs. neoprene. I followed the video instructions for stretching the neck gasket to good results. Placed it over the AC vent with a towel covering it to speed up the action. It took a bit of searching the aisles of home depot and my neighborhood grocer to find jar at the size I wanted. If you want it ready for tomorrow, I'd start now! :-)

[Donsail68]

Disclaimer: I do not have one. But while ago when I was researching dry suits, I remember reading something about trimming the latex collar. Double check before deciding to trim.

[Skidsteer]

Stretch and then trim - repeat as necessary.

I have taken allot off of mine and I may have one (or 2) more cuts to make.

There should be cut lines on latex neck gasket that you follow.

Take a SHARP pair of scissors and cut along one line then try it. Keep going until it is snug but wearable. There are other cutting methods out there, but this worked fine for me.

No fun fishing when the neck is too tight. Search on you tube for "trimming latex neck gasket" and you'll get more resources.

[Tom Lagana]

Thanks guys. Put it around a saucepan and it is stretching. Also learned about trimming.thanks agaib


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[jbrown]

I had same issue... here's the deal. I had to trim is down circumferentially first, then ultimately had to make a vertical single cut downward. Painful to have to do, but it worked great!- Water won't get in and the cut will not continue to extend/ pull apart. Interesting factoid. Believe it or not, most folks who capsize a kayak or even canoe do not submerge their head and neck!- Not really an issue in most circumstances. Esp. with life vest on in cold water!- Just not an issue. Hope this helps.-

[Tom Lagana]

I also trimmed my a bit.took it out this morning to Jonas and I was very comfortable. Caught 3 fish in 1.5 hours before the water got too rough.


Tom Lagana
www.tomlagana.net

[Salty Dog]

I have one, read the instructions about sizing the latex neck gasket, if you look at the inside of the latex gasket, there are circular lines around the gasket, I believe they are 1/8 " apart, I trimmed 3/8" off the gasket, 1/8" at a time until the fit was perfect. Worst case senerio, get a neck measurement, send the suit back to Kokatat and they will trim it to your measurements. Their customer service is superb.