Drytop Question

[TryFly]

So this will be my first year kayak fishing and after doing all the reading up decided to buy a drytop for early and late season fishing. I bought a size up figuring I'd need some room for some base layers. Anyway I got my 2005 NRS Revolution top the other day and when I put it on, the latex gasket at the neck was squeezing my neck so tight I thought my eyes were gonna pop. :eek: After a few minutes I'm pretty sure there was zero blood flow to my head. I understand that a tight seal is important but I can't imagine it needs to be this tight. Another size up wouldn't be practical. Is there some trick to this? I must be doing something wrong. Can the gasket be trimmed? Any help would be greatly appreciated by this newbie.

[KayakerStan]

Put the latex neck around a large bottle or can. Let it stay for 2-3 days. Try it on and chances are it will still be to tight. Turn your dry top inside out and again put the neck gasket around a bottle or a can. You will see approx 6-10 small rib lines that go around the neck gasket. VERY IMPORTANT use a very sharp razor blade and cut 1 rib off at a time. After each rib put on the top and see if it feels better. If not repeat the same procedure till you feel comfortable wearing the top. I had to cut mine till there were only 3 ribs left but I have a very large neck. DON'T FORGET the neck gasket should fit tight but not strangulation tight. Eventually you will get used to wearing the top. Here's a pic of the ribs on the inside of my neck gasket and as you can see there'sonly 3 ribs left.

[detra-tone]

I would be very hesitant to cut material off the gasket. I would first stick a football, or the suggested bottle in there for a day or two, in order to stretch out the gasket. They really don't need to fit tight, just snug. I have an old dry top from stolquist that has all but one wrist gasket blown out, but because of the overlaying neoprene seals, is virtually dry. Even when rolling my boat in frigid class IV rapids, so don't worry about stretch, too much it is more important that the gaskets be loose enought to put the jacket on and off easy, so as to avoid ripping them.

[toddmb]

I had the same problem. I slit mine with a razor straight up the back. Two years now still fits perfect and still a nice tight seal. I even wear it when I surf fish and have been smacked plenty by waves and never had water get in.

[TryFly]

Thanks KayakerStan and others. I have an old ceramic lamp stretching the neck now. If that doesn't stretch it enough, I'll beginning cutting off ribs. Thanks for the picture as well, much appreciated