
Made in USA.
Item 802403
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| Tensioned deck stay | |||||||
| Deck pocket(s) |
Reviewed by 2 customers
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Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Seals Extreme Tour Spray Skirt - 1.4:
I have about 300 miles using this spray deck now including a 6-day tour here in Alaska. Overall I am happy with the deck now that I have done a lot of sewing on it. The materials are quite nice with reinforcing along the cockpit rim where most of the abrasion occurs.
Using the fit guide on the Seals website recommended the 1.4 for my Valley Nordkapp, and while the fit is okay, it could have been snugger overall. I doubt it will pop off, but there was extra material both at my lap and at the small of my back. The real problem was the insane amount of material at the bottom of the tunnel where it attaches to the deck. The skirt fits like maternity wear with a snug opening at the chest that flares hoop-skirt-style to a 45 inch plus girth where it meets the deck. The problem this introduces is lots of folds of material where the tunnel goes under your paddle jacket which allow water to shoot up that interface (if you go out in rough water) and also causes the bottom of your paddle jacket to ride up. Do people with 40 inch chests and 45 inch bellies really paddle a lot? I would have greatly preferred a straight tunnel with a stretch panel up the back or sides or something. For reference, I am 5' 11", 190 pounds, wide shoulders, and with a ~45" chest and not much of a belly.
Like the other review stated, the snug nature of the top of the tunnel (only the lower 2/3 are breathable; the top 1/3 is neoprene and coated nylon) is fine for sealing out water, but it also restricts air movement and so is quite warm. Extending the breathable tunnel to the top would have been ace. In fact, the breathable portion of the deck is only a ~4" strip at the middle of the tunnel.
I ended up cutting 1" strips vertically out of the tunnel in 4 places and zig-zag stitching the edges back together and then Aquasealing the seams. The fit is 100% better now and I like the skirt. I extended the slits out into the deck a small distance and this also tightened up the fit across the cockpit.
I like the suspenders and I use the map case attachment loops around the perimeter too. Now that I have put a fair bit of effort into the skirt I will use it happily. If you are in your 3rd trimester of pregnancy you may like the stock fit. Otherwise be prepared for some modifications.
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Seals Extreme Tour Spray Skirt - 1.4:
I have had this skirt for about a year and a half. It is extremely durable and comfortable, and includes a pair of removable suspenders incase you want them. I have tried them, but the skirt fits fine and stays in place, so... why use them? The skirt is easy to attach even during a rough launch, and never lets in or pools water. The one negative (or positive depending on how you see it) is the thermal insulation. While it does breath, it certainly does not breath like a impregnated nylon would. In 40 - 75 degrees, this is wonderful. By the mid 80's and up, your legs begin to feel a bit warm.
From my perspective, if the sea is calm then I simply pop the skirt for a few, and if its not calm, then Im getting wet on top and am glad to stay dry down below.
Overall, if you are a flat water paddler, there is no need for a full neoprene skirt - save a few bucks and buy a breathable nylon skirt. If you are happiest being tossed about by the sea, this is a great skirt to own, and will stand up to much use and abuse. Just wash the salt water off after every trip, and there is no reason this skirt should not hold up for many years. I average about once a week during most of the season (March - November), and would be shocked if this does not last at least ten years.
The only reason I gave only 4 stars is because of the heat retention when its warm. If most of your paddling involves spray and rough seas, than this definitely gets 5 stars.
Hope this helps.
Displaying reviews 1-2
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