Diving on the East coast

[Navy&Diver]

Hey everyone,

I'm fairly new to diving, but I am hooked. I have about a month until I get home , and will start diving as much as I can. That being said I have already bought all of my stuff online, and its waiting for me to get home.

The big question is, since I will be diving in quarry's around DC and down in the OBX allot, I'm wondering what exposure suit to get.

I am looking into getting a 7mm full semi-dry wetsuit, though it seems EVERYWHERE is saying "get a dry suit", the thing is, I haven't even dove dry, and it seems they are pretty danged expensive. So since the water seems like at the coldest is lower 40s for a month or so then its up, what would everyone recommend, and why?

I know there are more threads on this but I'm wondering how many people actually dive with a thicker full wet and don't mind it?

Thank you very much for all of your alls help.

 

[MRTdiver]

I dove Millbrook quite often in the past. Got the annual pass thing so I could save some $$. Started out in a 7mm farmer johns and suffered through that, than I got a drysuit. I remember a distinct thermocline there. The coldest I have logged is 39F at the bottom (~87ft). Usually it was 41F down there. And with the drysuit I would like to a wear hefty thermal protection when going to the bottom (XM450).

Here's what they say about Lake Rawlings temps (Link)

Off the Virginia coast I seen around 48-55F. Again a drysuit is nice. Here's a description of VA offshore diving (Pete Nawrocky art.)

If you go to NJ I seen 46-55F. And there I was diving with technical divers, all in drysuits. Though once I seen a young man in a wetsuit. I think I remember him saying he was going to buy a drysuit soon.

In OBX I was diving a 3.5mm wetsuit. It was around 73-75F in June. Might want a 5-7mm for extended dives. It's nice to be comfortable.

Other ppl may tell of different temperatures depending on the time of year, etc., but that's what I know.

If you can go to a DUI DOG event then do it, and try on a drysuit (DUI DOG Rally). I'm not saying to buy their brand cause there are others too.

 

[Navy&Diver]

MRT- Thank you VERY much for getting back to me, and all the advice/information. It looks like the bottom line is pretty much dry suit hah. I think I'll take your advice and rent/ demo some of the dry suits and find out home much I like it! Thanks again!!

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Drysuits do not have to be that expensive. Just addressed that here :http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/exposure-suits/403169-newbie-researching-wet-suits.html#post6129576

 

[SeaCobra]

The environment you are looking to dive in is quite varied in terms of temperature and thermoclines, hence a drysuit will offer you more versatility. I am currently diving a DUI CNSE that I bought in 2002 on my way to a salvage project in Nova Scotia. According to the work logs there I put in over 350 dives that season, each dive being over an hour in duration and the suit was still dry as I finally headed for home after that season. I am still diving this suit over the years as a crew member on jersey charter boats, local instructor and wore the same suit taking my cave diving course in Florida. As the water temp changes I just vary the insulation to match.

All in all I find that drysuits are a better investment. Perhaps a bit more in the beginning, but since you get longer, more comfortable (and safer) dives and increased dive season they are less expensive per dive. There are some very good cost effective suits out there; the DUI CNSE, Bare, Pinnacle has a new entry priced suit and Hollis to name a few more than have already been mentioned.

If you just can't swing the upfront investment look at semi-dry suits;xcel and Hollis also have some good ones here and there are other brands. Drysuit rental may be another thought to extend the season or environment.

OBX can be quite warm and I usually dive that in a 3mm during the summer. Check out your LDS when you get there and see what they have to offer.