Farmer John wetsuit

I've put in a couple, but probably won't do another, It's a pain, so I'm probably gonna pay for my next one.

I'm not recommending this place, it's just an example but the yelpers do seem to like it.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/blown-out-wet-suit-repairs-santa-cruz

  Where would be a good place to go to put in relief zipper?

In the front 

That's funny Bill.   

I've used these guys several times for patching up holes in my wetuits and adding kneepads etc...have always been happy with their work.

http://heatwavewetsuits.com/

Alterations are generally quite affordable for small areas. Shortening legs or arms start at $20, lengthening at $50. Adding leg or arm zippers start at $40.

Call ahead before heading over though...when the waves are good he often closes shop and goes surfing.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

did not read all the replies but my 3mm farmer john from nrs is plenty warm in a qucik tip over and -for me--my goal is to be back in or on the kayak a.s.a.p -im not buying one in thoughts of being in the water for hours--kayak is full of nooodles so sinking is not in  my plan either--3mm on a sunny day in monterey is brutal -i have to splash water on my legs etc

-3mm on a sunny day in monterey is brutal -i have to splash water on my legs etc

I find this to be the case too. I come equipped with enough 'factory' insulation that 3mm and a PFD is fine-to-overkill for any fair weather paddling I'm doing.

I'm buying a new one soon for this season--wife says im looking like a beach troll--holes tears etc--farmer john grizzly xxxxl by NRS with shoulder extenders is a great suit--the grizzly is for big folks ---big is the nice word for it 

my other one lasted a few seasons and could go 2 more easy -or more --wife 

I wash it on normal with some soap and a tiny shot of bleach which shortens the life i'm sure---then hang dry--takes the pro cure and guts smell off ,machine washing it


http://www.nrs.com/product/2219%20g/nrs-grizzly-wetsuit

did not read all the replies but my 3mm farmer john from nrs is plenty warm in a qucik tip over and -for me--my goal is to be back in or on the kayak a.s.a.p -im not buying one in thoughts of being in the water for hours--kayak is full of nooodles so sinking is not in  my plan either--3mm on a sunny day in monterey is brutal -i have to splash water on my legs etc

+1

But, if there's any money left over after I figure out my taxes (well, OK, after my sister the CPA figures out my taxes), I'm switching to a drysuit...

Great topic . Good to know there is someone nearby that can handle these type of situations.

Alex

I wore a 4/3 wetsuit for quite a few years. Same suit I wear surfing, and it does well for a few hours. It worked fine, but wasn't very comfortable on hot days. It also chaffed the sh*t out the backs of my knees on long days of trolling...

Now I have a dry suit.

Save those pennies...

I often wonder a good way to cool down in a wet suit.  Have any of you tried to pour cold sea water down inside the wet suit?  Seem like a quick way to cool down.  That way a 5 mil is workable in those not so cold days.
 
How about just jump in and do a quick self-rescue and jump back out.   Not sure if I like that idea just yet – not till I get enough practice to self-rescue become second nature.  I’ve been told self-rescue should be second nature as “No Big Deal” attitude.

How about just jump in and do a quick self-rescue and jump back out.   Not sure if I like that idea just yet – not till I get enough practice to self-rescue become second nature.  I’ve been told self-rescue should be second nature as “No Big Deal” attitude.

This.....+ it feels really good too 

No problem and any chili that makes you sh*t is good chili lol. Are there place especially that put relief zippers I?  I don't want to try and mess up the wetsuit.

i take it your FJ doesn't have a two zipper?  my kokatat FJ does

No problem and any chili that makes you sh*t is good chili lol. Are there place especially that put relief zippers I?  I don't want to try and mess up the wetsuit.

i take it your FJ doesn't have a two zipper?  my kokatat FJ does

A 2 zipper.... I don't even have a 1 zipper. I just got the wetsuit a couple days ago so that will be on my list.

I often wonder a good way to cool down in a wet suit.  Have any of you tried to pour cold sea water down inside the wet suit?  Seem like a quick way to cool down.  That way a 5 mil is workable in those not so cold days.
 
How about just jump in and do a quick self-rescue and jump back out.   Not sure if I like that idea just yet – not till I get enough practice to self-rescue become second nature.  I’ve been told self-rescue should be second nature as “No Big Deal” attitude.

I used to bring a little cup for dumping water down my suit. The problem is, each time you dump more saltwater down there it eventually evaporates off or gets absorbed by your skin and leaves more salt behind. For me, that meant more chaffing and discomfort.

Your experience may be different...

I get cold really easy and it seems I have a high tolerance for heat. So wearing 5-7mm doesn't bother me as much as it might others.

With that said, if you get hot, get the outside of the suit wet, then the evaporative cooling works pretty well.

 Dumping water down the inside would be good for a quick cool down but the whole idea of a wetsuit is that any water between your skin and the suit warms up to body temp pretty quickly and you don't get cold. in fact it might make it worse after the water warms up.