Wader Repair Question

[afp]

Two and a half years ago I bought a set of Cabela's Guide Tech™ Dry-Plus® Stockingfoot Waders. They are very durable and comfortable. I haven't used them a lot, but the use they have got has been rough at times--steelhead on the Umpqua and a couple of salmon trips on the Elk and Sixes. Lots of walking and a little bit of saltwater from the surf.

They are now slighly leaking at the crotch. If I look inside I can see where the round crotch weld patch is letting a little water through. Is there any way to fix this?

How long do waders usually last out here? Though I am from here I spent 24 years in the USAF, and I didn't get to seriuosly fish here at home until I came back. My first set of waders were Redball Flyweights (under the Orvis label) , and I used them a lot in Arkansas and some out here when I'd come home on leave. They lasted 20 years.

[LunkerFish]

Originally Posted by afp

Two and a half years ago I bought a set of Cabela's Guide Tech™ Dry-Plus® Stockingfoot Waders. They are very durable and comfortable. I haven't used them a lot, but the use they have got has been rough at times--steelhead on the Umpqua and a couple of salmon trips on the Elk and Sixes. Lots of walking and a little bit of saltwater from the surf.

They are now slighly leaking at the crotch. If I look inside I can see where the round crotch weld patch is letting a little water through. Is there any way to fix this?

How long do waders usually last out here? Though I am from here I spent 24 years in the USAF, and I didn't get to seriuosly fish here at home until I came back. My first set of waders were Redball Flyweights (under the Orvis label) , and I used them a lot in Arkansas and some out here when I'd come home on leave. They lasted 20 years.

The length of use depends on how you use them and how you store them. Seems that rubbing seams tend to wear the fastest, which is why manufactureres are moving away from poorly placed seems. As for fixing it, all you need is a patch large enough to cover it and some aquaseal. If you don't have the patch kit that came with them then you should be able to find one at a fly shop or othe place. I repaired a 3 inch tear near the butt my Simms this way last year and I havent had a problem at all.

[Thunnus]

Contact the customer service at Cabelas and see what they have to say. It can't hurt.

[nookslayer]

Aquaseal...

[shaggy357]

Shoe Goo

Steve

[Lamplighter]

Assuming the leak is along a seam (not a tear in the fabric itself)...

First, turn the waders inside out. If you know don't where the leak is, pour water into the (inside out) waders and let it soak thru until you see the leaking area. Sometimes spraying a bit of alcohol along the seam will help you find the leak. Once you know where the leak is, mark it with a soft pencil. Drain out the water and let the waders dry.

When you are ready to do the repairs, have a piece of plastic (such as an old credit card) on hand. Smooth out the area of the waders on a hard surface. Put masking tape along both sides of the seam about 1/2 inch from the edge. Go both directions well beyond the leak, even to the end of the seam.

After you spread the goop (AquaSeal) over the the seam and into the area between the seam and the masking tape, pull the edge of the plastic card along the seam to spread a thin layer of the goop smoothly over the seam, the gap, and out onto the masking tape. Let the goop sit for a little while, then remove the masking tape before it sets up hard. This will give you an effective, "professional-looking" repair and avoid roughness in the patch which might be irritating to your skin. Let the goop set up overnight and check for leaks.

Hope this helps...

[LunkerFish]

This will give you an effective, "professional-looking" repair and avoid roughness in the patch which might be irritating to your skin

Great advice on a patchless repair. I'll have to remember that one, but.... I have to ask if you go nekid under you waders so that roughness is an issue?


(just kidding by the way)

[Newbs]

Originally Posted by LunkerFish

Great advice on a patchless repair. I'll have to remember that one, but.... I have to ask if you go nekid under you waders so that roughness is an issue?


(just kidding by the way)

Be carefull now ! The kids are watching.

[afp]

Thanks to all--Aquaseal on order from Cabelas. I did find the patch material that came with the waders, and Cabelas customer service confirmed the crotch is a high wear area. She also said it's best to have them a little long in the inseam vs a little short.

[sherretb]

One thing that I have noticed in the three pairs of waders that I have had is that they are usually good for a few fixes and then they just kind of fall apart. you cant keep up with the patches -> Holes everywhere.