: It looks like that by the time you get all the materials together - fabric,
: seam tape, seals, glue, sealant, zippers (you DO want a relief zipper,
: right?) and so on - you're going to have ~$400 invested. You can buy a
: basic off-the-rack Goretex dry suit for around that price, or order a
: top-of-the-line, custom made suit from Ravenspring for ~$100 more
: (www.ravenspring.com).

: Also, keep in mind that this is not just any garment. This is the piece of
: gear you're going to be depending on for your survival if you end up
: swimming in cold water. It's not an good place to be cutting corners and
: experimenting.

: While I truly admire your DIY attitude, this seems like a case where it
: simply may not be worth it, unless the goal is the experience, moreso than
: the end product.

You're probably right, from a cost analysis / use of time standpoint it probably doesn't make much sense to try and build a drysuit. Then again, it probably didn't make much sense to spend 300 hours building my last yak. But, as I'm sure you can understand, when the creative muse strikes - it will not be denied. Like I tell my composite yak paddling cronies, "Any idiot can buy a boat - but it takes a special kind of idiot to build his own". : )

Jim