guys,
I ve got a "full body" wetsuit I want to turn into a shorty. have any of you done this?
I figure I ll need a shorty more than a full body one down here after migrating from overseas.
I am thinking of just cutting off the parts I dont want/need and let mother in law take her sowing machine out and do the rest.
Will this wreck it or should it work?
Cheers,
Eric
This company modify wetsuits, a mate has used them before.
J.A.M. WETSUIT PRODUCTS
Ph: 9448 6584 M: 0402 058269
21 Adenandra Way
Greenwood 6024
Many a sailor's wetty has had this done. Just make sure you get the old duck to re-overlock the seams, or at worse, just run a few stitched back and forth to reinforce the seam.
If you plan on kiting in winter, then i would suggest keeping your fell length wettie.
A new half 'n half doesnt cost that much anyway. I like taking both down to the beach and deciding once i'm there which one i'll put on. If any. Mind you a good half 'n half in summer will stop your harness chafing on your hips and ribs.
A wetsuit lasts me about one season. The salt, sun and general wear and tear make them stiff over time. Get a new spring suit, not expensive and much more comfortable than an old cut down job.
Cut down wetsuites look GAY!!!!!!
Be sure to wear your board shorts over the top, so you can hang with the cool dudes.
How about heating the seams and melting them together? Could that work. Would have to be a good job otherwise it could get crispy, but that would be pretty strong i'd have thought.
if you cut it, your issue would be fraying of the lycra layer and the seams splitting due to the fact that it will no onger be a 'finished' seam. to stop the fraying buy a bike innertube repair kit and run the glue provided thinly along the edges. this is vulcanising glue so it will chemically melt the rubber just slightly and while its soft, press the lycra into it before it sets again. (i've done this on tears heaps.)
where ever there is a seam that gets cut in half, stitch the last cm or so with some polyester upholstery thread (spotlight will have this) then put a bit more of the rubber glue on.
I did this once with a elastomax wettie that had seen 2.5 seasons of damn good use and the shoulders had fallen apart. I cut the top like a singlet and found that every body drag resulted in the armpit part turning into a huge water bucket.
motto, leave some sleeve in place!
I took the arms off one off my steamers with scissors, nothing fancy, no sewing. Worked very well. Spring suits are useless, I wouldn't even buy one again.
Wow Macca, that's impressive! Six years between wetsuits. I always wear a wetsuit when I'm on the water. I get cold even in summer. I think I need more meat on my bones. True, I don't look after them well. If you're kiting a couple of times a week the wetties are always wet and the sun kills them.
There's nothing like the feel of new neoprean.
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I dont mind how I look when I am out there. Im not a fashion icon anyways .-)
Eric
Excuse me, come kite south of the border where the water and wind aren't 30 degrees.
