Happy Holidays and a question (Of Course)

[Turk6482]

Hello and Hapy Holidays to all, hope Santa brought you some dive goodies.

I know that there are other places to ask this question but I thought I would ask divers that dive in my area this question.

I live in the Cape Ann area and am wondering if I'm not going to spend the money on a dry suit right now (Other places to put that money) will a Henderson Gold 7mm with a core warmer work for diving in New England waters (Cape Ann/ Cape Cold/ Etc.) for most of the year. And yes I will be wearing boots, hood and gloves. If there are other suits that you use, let me know, like I said I'm new to this and am open for suggestions.........

Any and all advise would be greatly appreciated.

Dive Safe............................ Stephen

 

[oceancurrent]

The usual "wet" season is May-Nov. You will need a good drysuit to dive throughout the winter, unless you want to be one of those rare individuals who pour hot water in their wetsuit and seal the wrists with ducktape. :umnik:

It is always good to gain some experience diving with a wetsuit before venturing into the drysuit scene. Drysuit diving is simply more demanding. Also consider enrolling in a drysuit specialty class.

As for your wetsuit, I would consider some alternative brands to Henderson. They are expensive and the "gold core" seems to be more of a marketing gimmick than a real insulator. It's the neoprene thickness and the good fit which determine how warm you are going to be. Thus don't buy into a particular brand but buy into a well fitting suit from your LDS. And remember ... get some wetsuit shampoo :lol2:

 

[LUBOLD8431]

If you are willing to spring for a Henderson GOld Core wetsuit, I would suggest that you hold onto that money, save up just a little bit more, and get yourself a drysuit. You can get a nice neoprene drysuit (Atlan or Brooks, or Bare, or Henderson, or about ten other brands) for around $700-900. You can also go with a nice trilam suit (DUI, ANdy's) for a little bit more. Drysuits will keep you much warmer, and happier diving up here in NE. I dive dry year round up here, except for about four weeks in august and september.

ALso, I dont think drysuit diving is all that tough. I have taught brand new divers to dive dry, just after their OW certification. A drysuit will keep you much more comfortable and you will be able to dive throughout the year...

Good Luck...

 

[oceancurrent]

Diving dry in the summer is too much hassle, if you ask me... There are quite a few people who do it anyways though. You may need more than one undergarments in this scenario (and throw some ducktape in your divebag).

 

[MASS-Diver]

I dive dry year round and love it. I'll break out the Seaquest 7mm jumpsuit for free diving, but, that's about it. It never really gets warm at 100'

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I think diving dry in the summer is easier than diving a wetsuit. I have a fleece undergarment for the summer (lets face it, in NE, it doesnt get real warm even in the summer at depth) and its very easy to get in and out of in the hot summer sun. Much easier than a 7mm wetsuit.

 

[Tall Tails]

Turk6482: I am very local to you and I have been diving wet, year round, for several years, in a Henderson Gold Core 7mm. I just bought a drysuit (finally!), and I am waiting to take the course. I could easily do one dive wet, when the temp was above 32 and the dive was above 35 feet. It's really not bad. If you can wait or have the money, then I would get a drysuit. If not, give wet a shot. Just be careful and be sure your buddy knows either one of you can call it at any time. Everyone is different, so you may be colder or warmer than the next guy. Good luck, dive safe. Feel free to PM me with any questions, especially since you are one town away.

Jon

 

[MASS-Diver]

I had a buddy who dove wet all winter. It can be done and if I didn't have a DS I'd probably being doing it myself, as I think it's more fun that not diving. T

he key is to go in the water warm and have somewhere warm to do right away (hot car).

I would not dive deep w/ a wetsuit in the winter though as wetsuits lose alot of insulating ability when they crush at depth and being cold is a big time DCI risk factor.

 

[LobstaMan]

MassDiver:

Love that new lobster avatar! That is an excellent quality photo of a nice big bug. Did you take that yourself? If so where and with what type of photo gear? Love to hear the story.

LobstaMan

 

[MASS-Diver]

MassDiver:

Love that new lobster avatar! That is an excellent quality photo of a nice big bug. Did you take that yourself? If so where and with what type of photo gear? Love to hear the story.

LobstaMan

I took the pic, but, I was dry as a bone at the time. It's a shot of the 30-40lbs that lives at the New England Aquarium. It was a really nice picture that lost alot resolution when I shrank it down. Now that I have a housing my Nikon Coolpics 4300 I'm hoping to get a similar picture next summer of a bug that size not in captivitiy.