Catalina Thermal Protection

[Knucklehead]

The girlfriend and I are going to Catalina this weekend for certification dives (refresher for me).

My question is on the adequacy of our wet suits.

She is using a 7mm Henderson hyperstretch one-piece. Will this be enough at Catalina this time of year? Should we buy a 3mm vest?

I have a 7mm mares farmer john. Due to skinny legs and arms it's not the best fit on me. But at La Jolla shores at 75-50' a month ago I was totally comfortable.

Since then I found a killer deal and bought a used Henderson 7/5 hyperstretch one-piece that fits me really well. Same question will this be enough at Catalina this time of year. Should I buy a 3mm vest?

 

[robint]

yes, I think a 7mm will be fine, this time of year water temps are running in high 60s to low 70s. I still recommend you use a hood and gloves anytime of year in Calif.

But that being said, buying a used wetsuit is not always a great idea unless it is almost new. Wetsuits lose thermal protection as they age, bubbles become compressed permanently, neoprene breaks down, etc. Henderson makes great suits but remember all suits have a lifespan, most experts say 100-300 dives or 3-5 years whichever comes first. We recently tossed out our old 7mm farmer john sets (5 years old and 200+ dives on each) and bought new suits. We were amazed at how much warmer the new suits are and they are 7mm fullsuits (so less thickness on body area).

 

[ligersandtions]

When I was out at Catalina two weekends ago, the surface temperature was 66F, while at depth it was 53F. At the surface, I was nice and toasty, but at depth I was a little chilly (taking my AOW class, so there wasn't a lot of moving around to keep me warm). I did this all in a 7mm suit with a 3/5mm hooded vest....I definitely recommend a hood as the thermocline can be brutal, but mostly because you lose a ton of heat through your head.

 

[scottfiji]

good advice from robin and ligers

temps will be in the high 60's, 7mm + hood will be fine.

below the thermocline in will be much colder, in the 50's. the thermocline moves around though each day, its usually at 45-70ft, but it can be shallower or deeper depending on up/downwellings.

 

[drbill]

Temps have been variable here lately. About a week ago the lowest temp I encountered (at 76') was 63 and most of the temps at depths of 40-60' were in the upper 60's.

If you were comfortable at La Jolla in a 7mm you should have no trouble here... it's warmer in the dive park than the water down there.

 

[Knucklehead]

Thanks all. We are doing the park on Saturday and a boat on Sunday. So sounds like I could hold off on spending the $200+ on the vest for this weekend.

As for buying the used wetsuit it's brand new basically. He had issues while taking his certification dives and decided diving was not his thing. So i got a $500 wetsuit for $200.

 

[Paco II]

A nice 3mm or 5mm hooded vest can be had for easily less than $100, and makes a great addition to one's wetsuit 'arsenal'. Just food for thought.

Thanks all. We are doing the park on Saturday and a boat on Sunday. So sounds like I could hold off on spending the $200+ on the vest for this weekend.

As for buying the used wetsuit it's brand new basically. He had issues while taking his certification dives and decided diving was not his thing. So i got a $500 wetsuit for $200.

 

[Knucklehead]

Well all the worrying about making sure the GF was going to be warm enough for her cert dives this weekend was all for no reason. Never saw anything below 71 degrees. What an awesome weekend. 70 degree temps and vis averaging 50-75' hitting 100' at some places. Could not have picked a better weekend for her first dives, and my 2nd dive after a 13 year lay-off. While sitting here at work I wish I did like some others and decided to stay another day!!!

 

[divinman]

Good to hear knuckle! I will be out there this Sunday and have decided to bring the wetsuit rather than hassle and sweat in the heat with my DS. I love Catalina but don't get there nearly enough.

Terry

 

[drbill]

Knucklehead... you did indeed pick a great weekend to dive from all the reports I heard. It made me wish I wasn't editing and had hit the water.

Terry, are you diving Casino Point or off a boat?