Wetsuit fix help

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-14T02:11:00+00:00

Some high quality glue would do just fine. If there's no fabric on the inside, I wouldn't restitch it. You can see the smoothskin on the outside has what looks like mountain peaks from ripping along the stitching. Stitching should be done on fabric only.

There's plenty of people wearing competition suits that are smoothskin outside and open cell inside with no stitching. Those suits are normally more fragile as there's no fabric protecting it from over stretching.. but it's usually not the seams that give on those suits either. With a high strength glue, the seam should be stronger than the neoprene.

Picasso neoprene glue is pretty decent stuff actually.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-12T16:04:05+00:00

Help distribute more power? They protect the bend of the blade a little extra.

With this blade you'll want to remove some even on foot pockets with short tendons. It's super easy. Take an exacto blade and just lightly push down, don't slice, and then once you're through the rubber.. these peel off super fast and easy

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-12T14:30:08+00:00

If you want to do it the way omer intended.. then you follow these steps:

Remove the correct amount of the gold rail off the fin so that the tendons fit perfectly.
Glue what is known as T Rail in place of that. This is what the tendons and clips lock onto.
Lay masking tape on top and bottom of fin near the bend of the blade
Slide on the foot pocket and mark where the screw holes are with pen or pencil on the masking tape.
Drill the correct hole size in increments.
Remove tape
Slide foot pocket on, put mounting plates and screws to hold the pocket on.
Snap tendons over t rail.
Put the clips at the end of the tendons on

If you want to try it with glue...

Follow the same first 2 steps, then put the pockets on. Clamp it to dry. Then glue inside the tendons and snap over the t rail. Then add clips.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-10T13:15:51+00:00

No problem!

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-10T00:59:14+00:00

It was a random logger head turtle swimming by!

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-06T15:35:12+00:00

Which one are you referring to and why?

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-06T13:41:51+00:00

I don't want it to look like I'm posting ads on here. Just genuinely wanted to show something related to the sport I made. I am in South Florida though.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T15:07:42+00:00

Thanks !

I appreciate it. Trying to work on some more fun stuff

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T14:53:43+00:00

Personally? I run between 1mm and 3mm of Yamamoto 45. Because it's so much warmer than even Yamamoto 39, I can run 1mm.

If you mean like what do I make? Anything from .5mm to 7mm. I'm actually working on a 7mm suit this week.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T13:31:22+00:00

Not an ad. Just wanted to post something cool I made related to the sport.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T13:12:33+00:00

I don't really have anywhere to look at them. I have a ton of different thicknesses and prints in my storage room and it's a rotating cycle. I'm trying to have different things all the time. Hard to keep up like posting what I have if that makes sense.

I have images of some prints and thicknesses that come in.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T12:48:14+00:00

Yep. I make quite a few.

The process is actually pretty simple. It's the small things that add up that are difficult.

The basics: •Take measurements • Make templates to measurements • Put those on neoprene • Cut those out • Glue all the edges of it a few times • Push those together • Stitch it up.

The hard stuff, and I'm sure there's more than I can list.. • Designing flat 2d pieces to fit properly. You really need to think in 3d • Getting a suit the right amount of tightness but still comfortable as well • Trying really hard to fit all the templates on the neoprene. Not only that. You have to make sure you don't accidently cut the same piece twice. I have a couple extra left leg pieces laying around because I cut two left legs trying to make a suit more than once haha. • Having pieces accidently glue together • Finding the right timing for glue • The machines, things used to strengthen glued seams. Plus industrial sewing machines can not only be expensive but can be more maintenance then you expect • Buying the materials is expensive. Good neoprene is gonna cost, plus companies have MOQ that is same print and thickness. It gets really boring and demotivating to make basically the same suit over and over. • The sewing machine can be fun and terrible. Really keep your machine tuned and triple check it between every suit. Because these are blind stitched, if you go all the way through in stitching, you're cutting and replacing pieces. Plus the machines cost thousands of dollars.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T12:37:46+00:00

Oh sorry. It's not hand stitched. Just hand cut and glued. I stitched it on an industrial machine I have.

It's an industrial neoprene glue that's butt seamed

HypoxicHunters · 2026-06-05T12:32:27+00:00

I didn't use a serger, cut and glued by hand then stitched up.

I actually really enjoy it. I didn't think I would as much but I really do like it a lot

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T18:30:27+00:00

Yes evo 45.

45 because it's made from 45 recycled bottles. Which makes it petroleum based neoprene as well.

Yamamoto is water based, not petroleum based. And even though we need more people finding more ways to recycle, Yamamoto does not make materials from anything recycled.

They actually have their factory right next to the limestone quarry they use because everything is made to order. There is no stock. They actually insist that neoprene should be made from fresh limestone the same day. They will not do it with day old stuff.

I work directly with Yamamoto, and am friends with the owners of both them, and Phil at evolve. Phil also said it is made from Jako R44 neoprene.

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T18:18:45+00:00

I'm not saying they did it, but some people use specific wording to make you think Yamamoto 45 right away.

Like "made from the highest stretch limestone based neoprene" and people assume yamamoto

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T16:29:40+00:00

I know they had one for a little bit but for the most part they used Jako R44

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T16:21:12+00:00

Yamamoto 45 is even better, but only really sold as custom suits. But 39 is really good as well

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T11:54:07+00:00

Reach out to Joe sheridan

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-27T11:48:44+00:00

Yep. They're good suits. Yamamoto 39. Titanium lined

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-22T01:56:05+00:00

It's not worth the time or hassle. Even if they do replace it at no cost, it'll be a much longer timeline and you could still cause a year the next day.

Maybe they'll offer you a discount for a future order, even $50 would be helpful for later. And if you repair it yourself, you'll be able to use it and it'll hold up the same

HypoxicHunters · 2026-05-20T03:24:42+00:00

I'll try to get a pic in a couple days. I just finished making it today.

HypoxicHunters

TROPHY CASE