Old Wetsuit? Recycling idea!

spanker_jeep · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:54 pm Post subject: Old Wetsuit? Recycling idea!

Hi all,
If your'e like me your old wetsuit started to shrivel and get smaller. Some believe this is due to constant exposure to sun and abusive conditions. I say it's cause your getting fat.

Here's a thought, if it's a full suit instead of discarding it, make a Knee, elbow or abdominal brace.

Directions:
1) determine which appendage hurts elbow, knee, left, right.
2) approximate the length you want
3) with sheet metal shear fashion a slip on neoprene sheath.
Tip- If it's too loose cut it closer to the cuff where the reduced diameter makes for a snug fit. If it gets sweaty, layer with a tube sock.

I am wearing one now. Custom fit, even says O'neill. If your'e like most sailors you have no insurance. Never mind arthroscopic surgery and that $50 knee brace at Walgreen's is a fanciful dream. This will ease the suffering better than masking it with some fine bud.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

I don't buy the "wetsuit shrinkage" thing over time either.
Instead, I think wetsuits, over time and use, tend to lose their elasticity, so they don't stretch out was easily, making it harder to put on!
Gee, this after selling full length wetsuits for over 45 years... Very Happy

loopy · Joined: 21 May 2004 Posts: 73

here's another idea: with a pair of scissors, tape measure, and trusty old duct tape, you could fashion your own neoprene custom fit case for your hp touchpad! what? you didn't get in on that deal? plus, if you have an old sail lying around, you could also cut out the panel and make it into a screen protector for your touchpad. i bet you can't find one in the market that can boast x-ply reinforced materials.

all these talk about sw swell, and no wind is driving me nuts.

MalibuGuru · Joined: 11 Nov 1993 Posts: 9300

You should use that wetsuit as new floor covering.

spanker_jeep · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:59 am Post subject:

I hear you about the wind. Last weekend was nice. Weekends like that are becoming few and far between.

gerritt · Joined: 06 May 1998 Posts: 632 Location: Redwood City, CA

When mine get old, they are converted to short sleeve or shorty style suits.

nw30 · Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:00 pm Post subject:

When they get old and start to crack and get some holes in them, then it's time for their second life. It is now time to be a wetsuit for SUPing, new wetsuits are waaaaay too hot for SUPing, but an old cracked one is perfect.
In fact, the older they are, the better they work for that.

buczacz · Joined: 02 Jul 2000 Posts: 57 Location: Los Angeles, CA

Arms and legs make good fin protectors.