Boston Sea Rovers

[yak]

Frank is probably correct, but he is also the OS Systems sales rep for the Northeast so he does have an agenda and it couldn't hurt to get a second opinion on repair costs. Unless, of course, you really just want a new suit.

I have never personally needed to do any major repairs/alterations on my suit, but by most accounts the best guy around here for that sort of work is Ed at Diver's Cove in Essex, CT. Here is their site:

Divers Cove :: Home

Oh and welcome to RI!

I talked with Frank on the phone about the OS suits (I was away last weekend), and I was looking at the suit on their website
. I was wondering if it is more difficult to don/doff with the zipper being horizontal, even with a telescoping torso.

 

[crlavoie]

I would give Margaret at United Divers in Somerville MA a try. If it can be done at all, she's the one to do it.

 

[AlaskaDiver]

I talked with Frank on the phone about the OS suits (I was away last weekend), and I was looking at the suit on their website
. I was wondering if it is more difficult to don/doff with the zipper being horizontal, even with a telescoping torso.

The suit at the show was a Women's small so I tried it on. It was easy to don and felt identical (cordura fabric - all over) to my White's Catalyst Classic. All this without the contortions to get into it.

 

[xroirat]

Went to the show on Saturday, and then the evening film festival. The quality of the day time seminar presentations has greatly increased over the years - gone are the ubiquitous macro slide shows, replaced with enjoyable expedition reports with either high end Power Point presentations or well edited videos. Also, as noted earlier, the films from the pros shown in the evening are simply astounding.

I was disappointed about the lack of booths from regular scuba shops. While a number of manufacturing firms were there (Dive Rite, OMS, DUI, etc.) the little local guys were scarce. One could usually pick up an extra piece of gear at a good price at the show from those dealers. Not sure of the reason but perhaps the organizers need to focus on that area.

The other unfortunate observation was the ratio of geezers to young-uns was tipped too much towards my age group. While a few parents brought their kids along, there seemed to be a notable lack of young adults in attendance - which I've heard has also been reflected in the membership of local dive clubs. I'd suggest the industry needs to look harder at the entry level market, while we "mature" divers need to more actively mentor some of the younger folks to keep them interested.
Jim

 

[Damselfish]

Local shops may not find it worth their while. Owner of my LDS was chatting about this once and basically when he adds it up it makes no sense for what (if anything) it gets him.

I didn't go this year, but I've always found lots of daytime presentations to enjoy. I've always thought Roger Hanlon's stuff (the mimic octopus etc) was cool, interesting that he's "graduated" to the film fest and TV. The booths I find marginally useful at best; my husband spends ALL his time in there looking for more camera gear to buy.

 

[lord1234]

as a younger diver, i can tell you that unless the local colleges start offering it, most people 18-23 will not find time to do it. Diving is so money expensive and college is also...where do you think priorities lie?

 

[RIOceanographer]

as a younger diver, i can tell you that unless the local colleges start offering it, most people 18-23 will not find time to do it. Diving is so money expensive and college is also...where do you think priorities lie?

I think you've pretty much nailed it. I was certified when I was 14 and did a little diving here and there, but I didn't really get seriously into the sport until I finished grad school and got a real job because I couldn't afford it until then.

 

[Soggy]

Sea Rovers was a good time. Some great talks and I got to see some friends that I hadn't seen since last year.

 

[AlaskaDiver]

I was disappointed about the lack of booths from regular scuba shops. While a number of manufacturing firms were there (Dive Rite, OMS, DUI, etc.) the little local guys were scarce. One could usually pick up an extra piece of gear at a good price at the show from those dealers. Not sure of the reason but perhaps the organizers need to focus on that area.

The other unfortunate observation was the ratio of geezers to young-uns was tipped too much towards my age group. While a few parents brought their kids along, there seemed to be a notable lack of young adults in attendance - which I've heard has also been reflected in the membership of local dive clubs. I'd suggest the industry needs to look harder at the entry level market, while we "mature" divers need to more actively mentor some of the younger folks to keep them interested.
Jim

Jim, you made two excelent observations.

I found the vendors to actually be either of the two extremes of snobby or aggressive! I walked up to the Dive Rite vendor and was explaining a broken item on a reel that I had just purchased. He immediately snapped, we don't have these here with us and walked away. He provided no information at all as to how I could get the part. How rude! Probably in his mind, I was not purchasing anything, so he didn't want to waste his time on me. The Naui booth guy was somewhat overbearing. When I came over to look at the booth he immediately started trying to give me brochures and table junk rather than letting me look at my own pace. When I said no thank you, he visibly rolled his eyes and gasped. I was turned off by this and walked away.

Now I am someone who came to he show to hear the presenters and to check out what new dive gear is out there first hand. I certainly cannot see an entry level diver becoming turned on to diving with the behavior of the vendors like I saw at Sea Rovers. Next time I go to one of these events, I will skip the booths entirely. How do these vendors expect to attract customers with the extremes of hard sell or snubbing the people who are making purchases??

 

[RIOceanographer]

I talked with Frank on the phone about the OS suits (I was away last weekend), and I was looking at the suit on their website
. I was wondering if it is more difficult to don/doff with the zipper being horizontal, even with a telescoping torso.

Frank is pretty helpful, I am sure he'd figure out a way for you to try a suit on if you were serious about getting one.

That said, I have tried one on (never dove one though) and they are very easy to don.