Gilboa and White Star Quarrys

[USdiver1]

I recommend using cold water regulators [environmentally sealed, diaphragm first stages, etc.] at all times while diving Gilboa. Too many folks have suffered cold water induced free flows from diving their tropical regulators at Gilboa.

 

[Ez E]

I recommend using cold water regulators [environmentally sealed, diaphragm first stages, etc.] at all times while diving Gilboa. Too many folks have suffered cold water induced free flows from diving their tropical regulators at Gilboa.

I have two G260s and a Mk 25 evo. I would think that would work correct?

Mk 25 not sealed but thought it would work for ohio quarries in summer time.

 

[USdiver1]

I have two G260s and a Mk 25 evo. I would think that would work correct?

Yes, they should be good to go. I would tune them to be a bit more restrictive than for diving warm water.

 

[Comm]

5mm's are just so much more versatile than 7mm. Without knowing your body dimensions and sizing, a well fitting 5mm is probably good enough. You can always add an exoware undeath it for some added warmth.

That being said, even in the summer, the quarry is going to be cold from about 45 feet on down. So if you really believe that you are going to stay shallow you should be fine.

 

[Outbound]

To give you an example of Gilboa water temps for mid-August 2024:

• 77 degrees F @ 22' (platforms)
• 69 degrees F @ 35'
• 59 degrees F @ 45'
• 50 degrees F @ 60'

White Star temps for same period:

• 76 degrees F @ 22'
• 61 degrees F @ 45'
• 58 degrees F @ 60'

The period from about mid-August through the end of September - and sometimes into early-October, depending on the weather - offers the warmest water. I dive dry whenever I hit the quarries, although occasionally I will use a 7mm wetsuit in September. Then we go down past the tubes and I curse myself for not bringing my drysuit. Everyone's cold tolerance is different, but I couldn't imagine diving below the platforms in a 5mm, and certainly not for an hour. Second dive after that? No effing way.

 

[Bowers]

It's VERY hard to overheat at gilboa or whitestar. If you plan to stay shallow and it's the warmer part of the year then just not wearing hood or gloves would keep you from getting hot. If you want to go below 20-30 feet then the warmer suit will be appreciated. I dive my drysuit no matter the time of year in ohio quarries and never overheat lol.

(I recommend getting a drysuit but the semi dry would be a next best option)

 

[Tigerpaw]

I recommend using cold water regulators [environmentally sealed, diaphragm first stages, etc.] at all times while diving Gilboa. Too many folks have suffered cold water induced free flows from diving their tropical regulators at Gilboa.

What about HOG regulators?

 

[USdiver1]

What about HOG regulators?

While I personally have no experience with HOG, I know that they manufacture several sealed first stage kits. I would recommend using their sealed first stages for Gilboa diving.

 

[rhwestfall]

While I haven't dove my d-1 HOGs specifically in Gilboa, my wife and daughter have used them in some pretty darn cold water in Georgian Bay (Tobermory) and my buddy has used his for ice diving.

 

[Tigerpaw]

While I personally have no experience with HOG, I know that they manufacture several sealed first stage kits. I would recommend using their sealed first stages for Gilboa diving.

OK thanks. I had to pull up my receipt but the description says HOG D3 DIN 1st Stage Sealed. So that means I'm good to go. I haven't taken them in cold water yet which is why I was concerned.

While I haven't dove my d-1 HOGs specifically in Gilboa, my wife and daughter have used them in some pretty darn cold water in Georgian Bay (Tobermory) and my buddy has used his for ice diving.

That's good to know and comforting as well.