NAVY21
Contributor
yea, I'm with the Johns...if you don't want to spend over 2 grand, a big wetsuit will do the trick around here...just get some really good gloves and a lot of hot water for inbetween dives.
need help wet/dry suit?
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RonFrank
Contributor
IMO if I can't dive it in a 3mm fullsuit, I dive dry.
There is a learning curve, but it's not that steep. I've done all of five dives dry, and while I felt like it was going to be a big issue after the first dry dive, after the third I was feeling back to normal. After the fifth I was wondering why anyone would dive cold water in a wetsuit.
Getting a drysuit does not have to be a $2000 or even $1000 expense. I picked up my Bare Nex-Gen used in like new condition for under $400 and that included the T100 undergarments. While it does not have some of the features of a $2000 DUI suit, and the foot pockets are a little large, I'm dry, comfortable, and happy.
I see dry suits on Ebay ALL THE TIME for under $500, and MANY appear to have little use. My buddy dives a Whites drysuit that he paid less then $500 for, and the bottom line, he's dry.
IMO go dry. Diving a wetsuit in sub 60F water is just a good way to get cold. I understand many do this, but the reaility is that they do so I believe mainly due to the cost of the suit, and not the idea that somehow diving wet is better in cold temps.
There is a learning curve, but it's not that steep. I've done all of five dives dry, and while I felt like it was going to be a big issue after the first dry dive, after the third I was feeling back to normal. After the fifth I was wondering why anyone would dive cold water in a wetsuit.
Getting a drysuit does not have to be a $2000 or even $1000 expense. I picked up my Bare Nex-Gen used in like new condition for under $400 and that included the T100 undergarments. While it does not have some of the features of a $2000 DUI suit, and the foot pockets are a little large, I'm dry, comfortable, and happy.
I see dry suits on Ebay ALL THE TIME for under $500, and MANY appear to have little use. My buddy dives a Whites drysuit that he paid less then $500 for, and the bottom line, he's dry.
IMO go dry. Diving a wetsuit in sub 60F water is just a good way to get cold. I understand many do this, but the reaility is that they do so I believe mainly due to the cost of the suit, and not the idea that somehow diving wet is better in cold temps.
Many of the above advisors are/were reluctant to spend "another" $1K on a dry suit. But you haven't spent anything on a wetsuit and accessories yet. Spend the grand right now and be glad for years to come.
I'm with Ron. If I can't dive it in a 3mm, I go dry. A drysuit with the right undergarments will take you from 70 F all the way down to ice. To do so with neoprene would require hundreds of dollars worth of suit, hoods, vest, gloves, boots, etc. Go all the way now. You'll do yourself and your bank account a big favor.
theskull
I'm with Ron. If I can't dive it in a 3mm, I go dry. A drysuit with the right undergarments will take you from 70 F all the way down to ice. To do so with neoprene would require hundreds of dollars worth of suit, hoods, vest, gloves, boots, etc. Go all the way now. You'll do yourself and your bank account a big favor.
theskull
Rafael
Guest
I will recomend you to go for the dry suit, is kind of expensive, but it will make a big diference, check PG dive, they give you the DS certification when you buy the suit from them plus they have good prices, they are located very close to boston, in Newton, MA.
N.E.Diver
Contributor
theskull:
This is very well put. I have been diving wet and I hate getting in and out of my suit. I hate when my suit gets sand and grass on it in between dives, I hate that it takes forever to dryout. I hate a lot of things about wetsuits as much as I would hate spending 2k right off the bat on a DUI suit. Look around for a used drysuit or a really good deal on one and go from there. If you spend 500 on a drysuit than you got a bargain. Plus if choose you can dive whenever you like.
-Andrew
ClassAction
Guest
Going to present the oposing view on this -- start wet. As a new diver, I wouldn't want to spend 2K on a good drysuit before I knew (1) whether diving was something that I was going to stick with, (2) how well I could tolerate a wet suit, (3) whether I'd want to dive all year round, and (4) what type of diving I'd be doing. I dive with a one-piece, 7/5 henderson semi-dry (which, admittedly, is semi-wet) with a built in hood. It works fine for me from May to October. I fully intended to spring for a drysuit this year but recently decided against it. Why? I dive every weekend during the season but actually like a little winter hiatus. Also, I've moved away from wreck diving and mostly just dive for lobster. I'm in the rocks/sand most of the time and if I'm doing a shore dive, my suit takes a lot of abuse getting in and out. I personally wouldn't want to ruin a 2K drysuit! Some have suggested that you find a used suit -- not a bad idea. I tried that, but I'm a big guy and don't fit a stock suit. Anyway, just my two cents. Good luck! And if you happen to be married, I hope your wife is more understanding with 2K purchases than mine is! I've become master of the hard sell...
ClassAction,
You make some good points. With the dropout rate in this sport suggesting the drysuit investment from the start is making the venture quite expensive. However since we often hear of divers walking away from the sport because they get too cold the same drysuit can be insureance that all that other gear will get used and we have another diver in the fold. I can see it going both ways.
I did choose to go dry this fall. I'm managing to get out once a month (so far) over the winter with the goal of being comfortable in my drysuit for spring diving. I would have liked to dive more over the winter but this year, holidays, colds, weather and fewer buddies in the loop have kept the dive count down. After averaging a dive every 2 days from June into November backing off has not been a bad thing for other things I need to tend to. I have yet to have the epiphany that says I'll never dove wet again. I like the simplicity and streamlined feeling of my wetsuits and I'll be looking at them again when the water gets up into the 50s. I do enjoy the less fragile nature of a wet-suit, less to manage and if damage occurs the impact on functionality is minimal.
I think it all comes down to being an informed diver and meeting your own needs. I never expected to go dry in my first year but it happened. If I had not been comfortable diving wet I would have done it sooner. If diving was only of marginal interest I would have set it asside from November to June. Like everything diving everyone's adaptation is unique.
Pete
You make some good points. With the dropout rate in this sport suggesting the drysuit investment from the start is making the venture quite expensive. However since we often hear of divers walking away from the sport because they get too cold the same drysuit can be insureance that all that other gear will get used and we have another diver in the fold. I can see it going both ways.
I did choose to go dry this fall. I'm managing to get out once a month (so far) over the winter with the goal of being comfortable in my drysuit for spring diving. I would have liked to dive more over the winter but this year, holidays, colds, weather and fewer buddies in the loop have kept the dive count down. After averaging a dive every 2 days from June into November backing off has not been a bad thing for other things I need to tend to. I have yet to have the epiphany that says I'll never dove wet again. I like the simplicity and streamlined feeling of my wetsuits and I'll be looking at them again when the water gets up into the 50s. I do enjoy the less fragile nature of a wet-suit, less to manage and if damage occurs the impact on functionality is minimal.
I think it all comes down to being an informed diver and meeting your own needs. I never expected to go dry in my first year but it happened. If I had not been comfortable diving wet I would have done it sooner. If diving was only of marginal interest I would have set it asside from November to June. Like everything diving everyone's adaptation is unique.
Pete
matt_unique
Guest
Anything other than a drysuit in NE is a complete waste of money in my opinion. If you plan to dive on a regular basis, you will eventually find your way to a drysuit. A brand new drysuit can be had (as previously mentioned) for $500. Add $150 for thermals and you are 10 times more comfortable than someone in a wet suit. The drysuit also allows you to dive through the winter.
Some hearty souls swear by wetsuits and perhaps they have a crazy internal core temperature that keeps them warm. I can't even remember the last time I saw a wet diver to be completely honest....
With that being said, I have a 7mm Seaquest Contour 7 wetsuit with additional 7mm farmer john for sale in excellent condition cheap.
--Matt
Some hearty souls swear by wetsuits and perhaps they have a crazy internal core temperature that keeps them warm. I can't even remember the last time I saw a wet diver to be completely honest....
With that being said, I have a 7mm Seaquest Contour 7 wetsuit with additional 7mm farmer john for sale in excellent condition cheap.
--Matt
MSilvia
Contributor
I had a 2 piece 7mm wetsuit that I was very comfortable wearing in local waters except for December through March. The only reason I switched to a drysuit was for redundant bouyancy and insulation when diving deep and doing planned decompression. If I was still exclusively diving within recreational limits, I probably wouldn't have bothered with it.
I like my drysuit, and it does allow me to dive year-round, but I'd hardly call it a necessary expense. If you do get one though, make sure that when wearing it with the undergarment you'll be using, you still have the flexibility to touch the base of your neck. If you can do that without a struggle, you'll be able to reach your tank's valve if you need to turn it on when you're already suited up.
I like my drysuit, and it does allow me to dive year-round, but I'd hardly call it a necessary expense. If you do get one though, make sure that when wearing it with the undergarment you'll be using, you still have the flexibility to touch the base of your neck. If you can do that without a struggle, you'll be able to reach your tank's valve if you need to turn it on when you're already suited up.
ClassAction
Guest
matt_unique:
Do you personally dive a drysuit that costs $500 brand new? I'm guessing youre referring to a nexgen??? I did spend some time researching/shopping and it seemed like a decent suit was at least 1K+ (and that was an online price!). Add in undergarments, training (some shops won't give it away), books, accessories (p valve, pockets, knee pads, dry gloves) and your probably looking at another few hundred. At one point, I temporarily lost my mind and was about to drop almost 3K on a top of the line, custom DUI with all the bells and whistles (e.g. zip seals). I'll be the first to admit that I'm a snob when it comes to gear. I know that if I buy the cheaper [anything], I'm probably going to want the better one pretty soon. There are plenty of good reasons to dive dry, but it's clearly much more expensive than a wet suit.
My suggestion: Dive wet and just make sure you have plenty of natural insulation (like I do).
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