Channel Islands, gear question

[Paco II]

Doing my first liveaboard next month, a 4 day trip to the Channel Islands. Very excited. Prior to SB going down, I had a thread from which I got some great tips. Can't remember if I ever got to ask about exposure protection so, a new thread begins.

I am currently plannning to bring:
1. 7mm fullsuit
2. 7mm step-in hooded zippered vest (worn over #1)
3. 3mm sleeveless shirt (vest)

My thinking is that if it happens to be warm enough to skip the step-in vest but a little cool just the 7mm fullsuit, I can still wear the 3mm under the 7mm fullsuit.

But I am wondering about the hood. If I do skip #2, I will still need a hood. I don't own one, so I need to buy one. I've tried on both 7mm and 5mm hoods. The 5mm was much more comfortable. So, can I get away with using a 5mm, or is the 'safer' choice to get the 7mm hood?

 

[Ann Marie]

You should have a great time! Buy the hood--5mm should be good. I have a 3mm hooded vest that I wear with my 7mm wetsuit. Since you are doing multiple dives for multiple days, I bet you may start with the vest but will quickly move up to the step in.

Have a great time!

 

[fluffy_the_octopus]

You will have an AWESOME time on the channel island boats; the crews great, the foods great and the diving is great. We take 1/2 the boat every year and never has anyone had less the a totally *****en time!

The 5mm hood will be enough but I don't know anyone who would ever say they've been too warm diving a wetsuit at the Channel Islands. We sell a 3,4,6mm hooded vest ($64) that's very popular because of the comfort while still being warm. We have had limited luck with the standard 5mm hood ($25) but the hooded vest is definately the divers' preference.

Good luck shopping and have fun diving the channel islands.

-raj

Aquatic Discovery Scuba Center
Santa Clara, CA
www.AquaticDiscovery.com

 

[Paco II]

Not sure exactly what that mean? Can you clarify?

... We have had limited luck with the standard 5mm hood...

 

[ChrisM]

[rasing hand] I've been too wrm diving the Channel Islands. It gets downright balmy in a drysuit in September.

At any rate, I have dived here for 5 years with a 5 MM hood and been pretty happy with it. YMMV.

 

[Surly]

[rasing hand] I've been too wrm diving the Channel Islands. It gets downright balmy in a drysuit in September.

At any rate, I have dived here for 5 years with a 5 MM hood and been pretty happy with it. YMMV.

Right. The poster said:

I don't know anyone who would ever say they've been too warm diving a wetsuit at the Channel Islands.

I envy you, btw, in your drysuit. ;-)

 

[headhunter]

Most of us wear a 7mm full suit year round in SoCal. I don't think you'll go wrong with that and you already own it.

Since you are already planning to bring 3 layers, just start with the full suit by itself and add to it if you feel cold from one dive to the next.

Christian

 

[Paco II]

Exactly my plan! I am also optimistic for some warm air temperatures for my SIs.

Most of us wear a 7mm full suit year round in SoCal. I don't think you'll go wrong with that and you already own it.

Since you are already planning to bring 3 layers, just start with the full suit by itself and add to it if you feel cold from one dive to the next.

Christian