How waterproof are Gitzo leg joints?

I recently got a Gitzo GT3530 tripod, which I usually use kneeling or squatting with the lowest leg section out about maybe 8 inches. Because I mainly shoot shorebirds at an estuary, typically forget to take my Drypod leg covers (...doh!), and end up with the tide coming in, the lower joint gets washed over pretty readily. Does anyone know just how watertight, or otherwise, the twist joints on these tripods actually are? If they get wet, is a simple hose-it-down under the tap at home sufficient or do I need to do a much more thorough clean, taking the thing apart a bit?

All experiences and comments welcome.

Cheers, Phil

Phil:

The joints are not watertight. Might do OK in a drizzle, but not submersed at all. In addition to that, water leaks up through the hole that the rubber tip/spikes thread into, so even if the 1st joint never goes underwater, you will get water into the tripod. Salt water is much worse, but I have concerns about fresh as well.

I recently had a drypod cover fail in saltwater. Had about 3" of water in bottom of sleeve, but when I took the tripod leg apart, water had worked its way up into all the joints. If you were careful to keep the tripod vertical at all times, you might limit the water to the lower section, but when you are carrying it, and moving around, laying it down i the car, the water will get sloshed around.

So, plan on disassembling the legs at each joint, washing them off with tap water, dry the insides with small rags and a hairdryer, and put it back together. It takes me about 15 minutes per leg to do it, and I have had some practice at it.

Just goes with the territory. After you do it a few times, you won't forget your drypods anymore!

Randy