Next Blue Hole Trip?

[Waterskier1]

Anyone have a trip planned in Feb? I was thinking 16-17 Feb. That's a 3-day weekend, and the last weekend I have free before Bonaire. I now have a new computer, new camera, and NEW DRYSUIT (on it's way) to test . I would really like to test the first two because they will go to Bonaire with me. The drysuit won't .

Hopefully someone from Colorado will want to ride/room share.

 

[ABQdiver]

Cool! The third Sunday is the 17th, so I'll be planning to attend!!

What kind of drysuit did you get?

 

[Waterskier1]

What kind of drysuit did you get?

I got a new O'neill 7mm Neoprene Drysuit. It is a model 7000w, but I can't find any info on that suit online. Also, I've heard that O'neill isn't making drysuits anymore. I got it for $350, so if it works, and fits, I suppose that isn't a bad deal. I've read that any of the repair shops can work an any of the brands.

I think I wanted a neoprene so it wouldn't be so baggy and have air shifting around, but I have never dove dry so not really sure. It basically was the price that motivated me. I guess I'll find out. Should arrive later this week.

 

[Divedoggie]

I used to have a neoprene drysuit, and when I switched to trilam, I definitely missed my neoprene suit for awhile. The neoprene is more streamlined, and the air does distribute more evenly and quickly inside the suit. It vents more quickly as well.
Also, since the neoprene insulates, its not necessary to wear a lot of undergarments. I used to dive Blue Hole with shorts and T shirt under my suit.

Remember to roll/fold the neoprene neck and wrist seals to the inside in order to get an adequate seal!

I now enjoy both of my laminate suits because they dry quickly, they are light weight compared to neoprene (especially wet neoprene!), they pack small, and when I finally figured out the exact layers and thickness of undergarments, I could better manage insulation for various temps.

That looks like a nice suit and a good bargain!

 

[Waterskier1]

Thanks Dd,

I've read a lot on both type, and both seem to have their plus and minus. I'm not too worried about the weight (can't be more than the 7mm + 7mm I'm suing now) since I can't imagine diving where it's cold and I'm not driving there. But then, less than a year ago I couldn't imaging owning a BC, Reg, cold water wet suit, and a lot of other stuff that I've been buying. I know I'll have to do some experimentation with underwear. Not sure if I'll go the cotton or the new "wicking" poly route. I hope to try it out in the pool this weekend, if it's open. Like to get an idea of weights, and buoyancy before I hit the Blue Hole. I've never dove a drysuit before, but it can't be as bad as wearing 14mm wet suit and the weight belt on the bottom of the pool!

 

[charlieo]

Thanks Dd,

I've read a lot on both type, and both seem to have their plus and minus. I'm not too worried about the weight (can't be more than the 7mm + 7mm I'm suing now) since I can't imagine diving where it's cold and I'm not driving there. But then, less than a year ago I couldn't imaging owning a BC, Reg, cold water wet suit, and a lot of other stuff that I've been buying. I know I'll have to do some experimentation with underwear. Not sure if I'll go the cotton or the new "wicking" poly route. I hope to try it out in the pool this weekend, if it's open. Like to get an idea of weights, and buoyancy before I hit the Blue Hole. I've never dove a drysuit before, but it can't be as bad as wearing 14mm wet suit and the weight belt on the bottom of the pool!

Rick,
I've had an O'Neil 6 mil and I loved it. Bad news is that they wear out after about a 100 dives or so. As you know I passed them to the boys. Just bought the boys a Bare compressed neoprene suit because of the good price I got. But I am considering another suit like the 7000.
With the neoprene suit you do not need much as underwear. However I urge you to use even light underwear. It is much easier to get the smell out of underwear than neoprene. I just use the winter poly I wear when I ski.
If you need some help or advise, you know where to find me.
Frank
P.S. Ron, no need to respond to the suit for the boys.

 

[Waterskier1]

Rick,
I've had an O'Neil 6 mil and I loved it. Bad news is that they wear out after about a 100 dives or so. As you know I passed them to the boys. Just bought the boys a Bare compressed neoprene suit because of the good price I got. But I am considering another suit like the 7000.
With the neoprene suit you do not need much as underwear. However I urge you to use even light underwear. It is much easier to get the smell out of underwear than neoprene. I just use the winter poly I wear when I ski.
If you need some help or advise, you know where to find me.
Frank
P.S. Ron, no need to respond to the suit for the boys.

Thanks Frank,

I'm waiting to see just what I got. I have read some good things about the O'neill neoprene suits, but I've also read that O'neill no longer is in the wet suit business (at least scuba wet suits). I couldn't find this suit on their website, and the only size chart I could find was for wetsuits. I'm hoping that the cut for drysuits is the same (i.e., a Large wetsuit fits the same size person as a Large Drysuit).

I'm so old fashioned that my long underwear for skiing (snow) is that "holey" kind. Like a heavy fish net. Not sure that would work well in a dry suit...not enough material to "wick" anything. I've heard that armourall (sp?) or that type is good for the first layer. In the Coast Guard, the regs specify a specific type of underwear for their dry suits (not for scuba diving). I think it was polypropylene, but it could have been polyethylene. I try not to go out when the water/air temps are that cold anymore.

I'm sure I'll have questions once I get the suit, and see how it fits. I think it comes with "socks" so I'll need to get something to wear as "boots". Being the "frugal" guy I am, I'm going to look for some canvas "tennis" shoes that are light weight. Unless you have another suggestion. And hopefully will fit in my current fins too. I'm hoping to find someone at the LDS who will be in the pool to help me don/doff the suit. That's one thing - it's a back zip. I know they are supposed to be more durable, but I'm such an independent person, hate to have to ask someone to help dress me!

Maybe now, Mark will be able to make more than one dive before he's wet?

(You warned Ron :no ... not me! )

 

[charlieo]

Thanks Frank,

I'm so old fashioned that my long underwear for skiing (snow) is that "holey" kind. Like a heavy fish net. Not sure that would work well in a dry suit...not enough material to "wick" anything. I've heard that armourall (sp?) or that type is good for the first layer. In the Coast Guard, the regs specify a specific type of underwear for their dry suits (not for scuba diving). I think it was polypropylene, but it could have been polyethylene. I try not to go out when the water/air temps are that cold anymore.

I'm sure I'll have questions once I get the suit, and see how it fits. I think it comes with "socks" so I'll need to get something to wear as "boots". Being the "frugal" guy I am, I'm going to look for some canvas "tennis" shoes that are light weight. Unless you have another suggestion. And hopefully will fit in my current fins too. I'm hoping to find someone at the LDS who will be in the pool to help me don/doff the suit. That's one thing - it's a back zip. I know they are supposed to be more durable, but I'm such an independent person, hate to have to ask someone to help dress me!

My wife just uses canvas tennis shoes. She started to use them because we bought them in the morning so we could dive that afternoon. They worked so well she didn't see a reason to get rock boots. Althought I don't think the canvas shoes will last as long as rock boots, so when these wear out we'll get the rock boots for her.
Most of the time I used underwear with the neoprene drysuit to absorb sweat. Then the suit won't smell after multi day use. Most any light material will do.

 

[ABQdiver]

I'm sure I'll have questions once I get the suit, and see how it fits. I think it comes with "socks" so I'll need to get something to wear as "boots". Being the "frugal" guy I am, I'm going to look for some canvas "tennis" shoes that are light weight. Unless you have another suggestion. And hopefully will fit in my current fins too. I'm hoping to find someone at the LDS who will be in the pool to help me don/doff the suit. That's one thing - it's a back zip. I know they are supposed to be more durable, but I'm such an independent person, hate to have to ask someone to help dress me!

As long as the shoes fit inside your fins, you're golden! You can always use your wetsuit booties as well.

 

[Waterskier1]

As long as the shoes fit inside your fins, you're golden! You can always use your wetsuit booties as well.

Kevin,

That's what I'm wondering about. My fins are very wide (or more correctly, my feet are very narrow) so I don't think width will be a problem, but maybe "height" if you consider a fin to have a rectangular foot pocket.

I'm waiting to get the suit, so I'll know how thick the "socks" are. If they are a full 7mm, I don't think they will fit in my current wetsuit booties.

I saw these online, and they look really cool for Bonaire where you have a lot of coral/rubble to go through on the shore dives.

I wish they made them in 2 or 3 mill though. The hard soles would be great! And, if the socks in the dry suit are not too thick, maybe I could use them dual purpose. Otherwise, I'm going to look for canvas tennis shoes - for both. I have booties (soft sole) and "water shoes" (also soft sole) that I've used, but really would like a harder sole for standing on that rubble. Anyone have any other suggestions? My skinny legs don't have much buoyancy, so I really don't want a light of negative weight on my feet of warm water diving; maybe I'll need it (vice ankle weights) for diving dry?