That's so cool that you got to visit Oceaner's factory. They're practically my neighbours! Years ago they altered an off the shelf suit for me because it's a challenge to fit one that fits being shorter than average and a bit on the "fluffier" side. I've since stepped away from diving for a few years now, but it's nice to see that it's still the same owner and they're still making everything by hand. Brooks Wetsuits in North Van was another local company that was recommended to me when I was asking around for recommendations, but it looks like they've long gone out of business.
I was glad Oceania let me inside to show what a wetsuit maker looks like. They made custom vintage suits for myself and Kevin for our Sea Hunt Forever events in Florida. Glad you're still diving and thanks for watching. A
Nice I wish I would have know about this place. I would have brought my whole family up there and had him make cold wetsuits for us all. When I buy another wetsuit I’ll call him up. Thank you all for sharing
You are very welcome. Remember he is not a retailer but the maker. Search for a local dive shop that sells Oceaner and they can do up the measurements. A
Hi Alec You mentioned about the new multi color material for wetsuits, but I recall in one of your vintage scuba videos you showed us a cyclidic colored one , I miss the 70s. I also saw one that looks like a man's dress suit. Now that I don't mind spending money on. Always like the how it's made videos. Safe Travels Owen m
I remember that. Look under Vintage Scuba playlists, S02E14 The First Wet Suits (time stamp 15:30. They were colourful, but not long lasting (mine is the exception due to careful storage). Lots of makers tried colourful suits but they faded quickly looking really bad so black is the preferred colour. A
It's nice to see your process of manufacturing. I've only ever had to repair neo suits mostly drysuits. I mainly replace wrists, necks, zips & boots. I work in the UK for a trilaminate drysuits manufacturer. It's not as easy as some people think. Keep it up.
I guess it's like a lot of things with scuba gear, we depend on it so much but know so little. Glad to help educate viewers (and myself) about how complex making diving suits is. Thanks for watching. A
Thanks Alec, Great vlog I used dive with a SEA SUITS wetsuit and got many many years service with it. Any idea what happened to them, did they sell out, retire, some other company buy them out?
The quality of their neoprene is the best available and that makes a warm, comfortable suit that lasts. Lots of places to buy cheap suits, over and over..... A
Goddam, they need to get some new photos on their website. Everything looks like it's from the 90s. I also can't find that "as good as a drysuit" wetsuit that was mentioned on the video. $200 extra seems like a good price for a custom option.
The website should have a Contact Us so give them a call (toll free) to get the info you need and mention what you think their website looks like. Custom is the best way if you're not a perfect off-the-rack body shape. A
I had a custom Bailey suit made once, worst suit I have ever seen. The neoprene must have been 40 years old. It was hard and didn't stretch at all. Later, a friend of mine worked for Harvey and they had some very nice suits. You take the camo, I'll take the blond. Why did I feel like Marty Feldman when I said that? Tanks again guys.
Certainly good stuff, but sorry people, stop this "made from limestone" nonsense. You can't create polychloroprene from limestone, that's chemically impossible. What you can do is adding limestone (calciumcarbonate, aka chalk dust or other mineralic fillers) to the compound, that is common practice in the plastic/elastomere industry. Unfortunately, that makes the material stiffer, lowers thermal insulation performance but makes it cheaper. Is that what's meant?? Limestone, OMG....
"Do you think the fish know the difference?" 🤣
Ha, just me being me. Known Gary for decades so this is all the public joking around I put in. But really, do they?
A
That's so cool that you got to visit Oceaner's factory. They're practically my neighbours! Years ago they altered an off the shelf suit for me because it's a challenge to fit one that fits being shorter than average and a bit on the "fluffier" side. I've since stepped away from diving for a few years now, but it's nice to see that it's still the same owner and they're still making everything by hand.
Brooks Wetsuits in North Van was another local company that was recommended to me when I was asking around for recommendations, but it looks like they've long gone out of business.
I was glad Oceania let me inside to show what a wetsuit maker looks like. They made custom vintage suits for myself and Kevin for our Sea Hunt Forever events in Florida. Glad you're still diving and thanks for watching.
A
Nice I wish I would have know about this place. I would have brought my whole family up there and had him make cold wetsuits for us all. When I buy another wetsuit I’ll call him up. Thank you all for sharing
You are very welcome. Remember he is not a retailer but the maker. Search for a local dive shop that sells Oceaner and they can do up the measurements.
A
Hi Alec You mentioned about the new multi color material for wetsuits, but I recall in one of your vintage scuba videos you showed us a cyclidic colored one , I miss the 70s. I also saw one that looks like a man's dress suit. Now that I don't mind spending money on. Always like the how it's made videos.
Safe Travels Owen m
I remember that. Look under Vintage Scuba playlists, S02E14 The First Wet Suits (time stamp 15:30. They were colourful, but not long lasting (mine is the exception due to careful storage). Lots of makers tried colourful suits but they faded quickly looking really bad so black is the preferred colour.
A
It's nice to see your process of manufacturing. I've only ever had to repair neo suits mostly drysuits. I mainly replace wrists, necks, zips & boots. I work in the UK for a trilaminate drysuits manufacturer. It's not as easy as some people think. Keep it up.
I guess it's like a lot of things with scuba gear, we depend on it so much but know so little. Glad to help educate viewers (and myself) about how complex making diving suits is. Thanks for watching.
A
Thanks Alec, very interesting!
Glad you liked it!
A
Very interesting 🧐
Glad you think so!
A
I have two Oceaner wetsuits, one drysuit and a dive skin.
I ordered a custom vintage wetsuit, in Mike Nelson silver (for Sea Hunt). Fits great and warm. Gary and I go back a looong way.
A
thank you
You're very welcome.
A
Thanks Alec, Great vlog I used dive with a SEA SUITS wetsuit and got many many years service with it. Any idea what happened to them, did they sell out, retire, some other company buy them out?
No idea off my head. So many firms I knew have gone i'm losing track.
A
Nice,Interesting...
Thanks for watching.
A
Nice manufacturer, i have 2 custom suit german Beluga, dense neoprene, 3 mm short and semi-dry 2 pieces 6.5 mm , very good.
The quality of their neoprene is the best available and that makes a warm, comfortable suit that lasts. Lots of places to buy cheap suits, over and over.....
A
Goddam, they need to get some new photos on their website. Everything looks like it's from the 90s. I also can't find that "as good as a drysuit" wetsuit that was mentioned on the video. $200 extra seems like a good price for a custom option.
The website should have a Contact Us so give them a call (toll free) to get the info you need and mention what you think their website looks like. Custom is the best way if you're not a perfect off-the-rack body shape.
A
I had a custom Bailey suit made once, worst suit I have ever seen. The neoprene must have been 40 years old. It was hard and didn't stretch at all. Later, a friend of mine worked for Harvey and they had some very nice suits.
You take the camo, I'll take the blond. Why did I feel like Marty Feldman when I said that?
Tanks again guys.
Good old Marty F. Loved him in Young Frankenstein!!
A
I had a custom Bailey wetsuit back in the 70's and loved it.
Certainly good stuff, but sorry people, stop this "made from limestone" nonsense. You can't create polychloroprene from limestone, that's chemically impossible. What you can do is adding limestone (calciumcarbonate, aka chalk dust or other mineralic fillers) to the compound, that is common practice in the plastic/elastomere industry. Unfortunately, that makes the material stiffer, lowers thermal insulation performance but makes it cheaper. Is that what's meant?? Limestone, OMG....
All i do know is Oceaner uses the best quality neoprene around which is what I want in cold water.
A
👍😎🤿🇵🇭! Really enjoyed this video!
Awesome! Thank you!
A