Ballast change from 50F to 80F water?

[Brett Hatch]

Thanks for all the responses! Good to know that gloves are not allowed, I was planning on packing some.

I will pack my rig, fins, mask, an empty weight belt and 2 empty trim pockets. Only exposure gear I will bring is my 5mm booties. Maybe the pocket shorts. I think I'll start with a rented 3mm full suit, and swap up or down from there if needed.

I do have long, fragile hair, any pointers for keeping it sane if I opt for no hood? I was thinking stream2sea leave-in conditioner + braids + a beanie...

 

[tursiops]

Thanks for all the responses! Good to know that gloves are not allowed, I was planning on packing some.

I will pack my rig, fins, mask, an empty weight belt and 2 empty trim pockets. Only exposure gear I will bring is my 5mm booties. Maybe the pocket shorts. I think I'll start with a rented 3mm full suit, and swap up or down from there if needed.

I do have long, fragile hair, any pointers for keeping it sane if I opt for no hood? I was thinking stream2sea leave-in conditioner + braids + a beanie...

You might find it difficult to rent anything other than a 3mm shortie. That would not be enough for me, and gives no skin protection (sun or critters or scrapes) on arms or legs. At least have a full-body rashguard for under the shortie.
Make sure your booties have THICK soles for walking on coral rubble and hard-shore. Soft-sole booties don't cut it.
Hair? Lycra hood.

 

[drk5036]

As others have said, it’s worth having a 3 mm full length suit. It basically has you covered for any warm water diving you will want to do. Don’t list to anyone who says they were “too warm” in a 3 mil, I am pretty sure that is impossible, it just doesn’t hold enough water. I brought a skin for diving in Thailand, and ultimately wished I had the 3 mil full suit. And it’s hard to get water warmer than that.

 

[Brett Hatch]

Hmm, I looked into renting a 3mm wetsuit on the island. Prices I saw were around $100/week for a full, $65/week for a shorty. On the other hand, Deep6 has a black friday sale going right now, and their badass 3mm is down to $150. Might just spring for that, since we're talking an extra $50 for what is probably a much nicer piece of gear that I actually own.

 

[tursiops]

Hmm, I looked into renting a 3mm wetsuit on the island. Prices I saw were around $100/week for a full, $65/week for a shorty. On the other hand, Deep6 has a black friday sale going right now, and their badass 3mm is down to $150. Might just spring for that, since we're talking an extra $50 for what is probably a much nicer piece of gear that I actually own.

Bingo!

 

[chillyinCanada]

Thanks for all the responses! Good to know that gloves are not allowed, I was planning on packing some.

I will pack my rig, fins, mask, an empty weight belt and 2 empty trim pockets. Only exposure gear I will bring is my 5mm booties. Maybe the pocket shorts. I think I'll start with a rented 3mm full suit, and swap up or down from there if needed.

I do have long, fragile hair, any pointers for keeping it sane if I opt for no hood? I was thinking stream2sea leave-in conditioner + braids + a beanie...

If your hair is fragile, braids not good.

 

[Sol518]

I bet you’d be pretty close to neutral with the steel backplate and a swimsuit, maybe a little overweighted..

For perspective I’m 6’ 160 lbs. When I’m in Bonaire diving with an aluminum backplate, 3mm full suit and booties, hat, and neoprene pocket shorts I use 4 Lbs.

As far as suit thickness goes I’d 2nd the folks who are recommending a full suit. I’ve seen plenty of people come up bloody after a slip and fall. Also the cold adds up. I’ve got decent cold tolerance but it catches up to me after 5 days of 4 dives a day, especially with a few night dives mixed in there as well.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Hi, Brett.

Others gave you great advice. I have dived Monterey as I am generally local to that area and I also dive a SolAfx 8/7 semidry and with 7mm gloves and boots. I am still cold in this arrangement and didn't dive it often or at all anymore. With that said, I used to dive it in a HP100 steel and I would be able to knock about 4-5 lbs using that instead of an AL80. That should balance out your backplate weight with the change in tanks. I would then just make adjustments for your exposure protection (neoprene) as others have mentioned.

I tend to run colder and when I do repetitive dives like you mentioned, I err on the side of warmer. I dive a 5mm in those temps you described, especially if it is diving where I am not moving around much like for muck or hardly any current. With Bonaire that shouldn't be an issue but I hope this helps.

 

[hammet]

Hmm, I looked into renting a 3mm wetsuit on the island. Prices I saw were around $100/week for a full, $65/week for a shorty. On the other hand, Deep6 has a black friday sale going right now, and their badass 3mm is down to $150. Might just spring for that, since we're talking an extra $50 for what is probably a much nicer piece of gear that I actually own.

Do it. You don't want to wear a wetsuit that someone else has peed in. (Unless you're into that sort of thing of course. We don't judge here.)

 

[Brett Hatch]

Hi, Brett.

Others gave you great advice. I have dived Monterey as I am generally local to that area and I also dive a SolAfx 8/7 semidry and with 7mm gloves and boots. I am still cold in this arrangement and didn't dive it often or at all anymore. With that said, I used to dive it in a HP100 steel and I would be able to knock about 4-5 lbs using that instead of an AL80. That should balance out your backplate weight with the change in tanks. I would then just make adjustments for your exposure protection (neoprene) as others have mentioned.

I tend to run colder and when I do repetitive dives like you mentioned, I err on the side of warmer.

Yeah, I have been quite happy with my SolAfx 8/7 for the year or so I've been diving it. For shallower or shorter dives, or warmer water days, it's perfect. As I am improving my skills though, my dives are tending deeper and longer. Last dive at Monastery was 51 minutes, average depth 57', max depth 106' on a single HP100 hot-filled with 32%. My buddy and I both had plenty of gas left over, would have had even more with a proper cold fill, but damn if it wasn't cold from around the turn point onward. We had planned to do 2 dives that day, but after dive 1, decided to just get lunch and a beer instead. I ordered a drysuit from Seaskin a week ago, should be here oh say about March 15th or so. In the mean time, I'm shivering -- mostly in anticipation, and partly in cold saltwater

I dive a 5mm in those temps you described, especially if it is diving where I am not moving around much like for muck or hardly any current. With Bonaire that shouldn't be an issue but I hope this helps.

I figure I'll start with the 3mm since it's good and cheap and because they do not offer a 5mm. Maybe see if I can borrow a hooded vest to pack, just in case.

Do it. You don't want to wear a wetsuit that someone else has peed in. (Unless you're into that sort of thing of course. We don't judge here.)

It's done. I had been waffling on it at the $300 price tag, when I took a look last night and saw it for just $150, I ordered it. Seems a no-brainer price for that product, especially compared to random, janky, someone-else's-peed-in rentals for $100! Got the confirmation email from Deep6, so it's a-comin'.