Semi-Dry Suits

[KCDO]

I'll make this brief so I don't waste too much of everyone's time. I dive in the Pacific NW, and as some people can surely testify, the water is quite cold year round. I currently dive a 7mm Bare wetsuit but I recently learned about semi-dry suits, and the increase in warmth is a huge plus for me and very interesting.

I was wondering if people could comment on opinions of semi-dry v. wetsuit v. drysuit (I realize that drysuits are the gold standard in the PNW, but I currently don't want to shell out $2K, nor do I want to take the added risk of diving in such a suit for at least a few more years). I'm also interested in perceptions, opinions, and thoughts about two different semi-dry suits. I'm currently interested in the Waterproof SD Combat semi-dry and the ScubaPro NovaScotia. Besides the ~$400 price differential, can anyone comment on the differences in quality and which suit would be best for where I'm diving?

Thanks for any info anyone can throw my way.

 

[RJP]

Semi-dry is like semi-pregnant. Either you ARE or you are ARE NOT. There is no "semi" in the equation.

Not sure what you mean about "added risk" of diving in a drysuit. Unless you are referring to the risks associated with having a much more comfortable/enjoyable dive.

:d

I suggest you look into drysuit options. Several brands have models available for far less than the $2k price tag you cite. The Bare Nex-Gen Pro can be had for roughly half that cost.

 

[RichmondKYdiver]

I dive a hooded 8/7/6 double pocketed semi dry and love it. I would place semi's in two categories, semi dry and semi wet depending on the amount of water they "let" in. As opposed to a full wet suit, my semi more like allows water to weep in and does not flush water like a full wet suit. Now, king for a day, go dry but the newer semi's are nice.

 

[ianr33]

I was wondering if people could comment on opinions of semi-dry v. wetsuit v. drysuit

You can pee in a wetsuit or a drysuit.

While you could pee in a semi dry, it would be icky.

 

[Peter_C]

PNW and drysuit are the only words I would put together. By added risk I think you meant the risk of hypothermia in a wetsuit vs being reasonably cold in a drysuit if you were swept out to sea and had to be rescued.

COST$$$ Who says a drysuit has to cost $2k? We spent $128 shipped on my gals drysuit. I paid $1,150 on my Fusion. In the past I have spent $400 on a suit and undies that lasted me for over 300 dives. There is nothing wrong with a used suit.

Until the end of this month any new suit purchased from Dive Right In Scuba comes with a lifetime guarantee. The only guarantee you are going to get with a semi-dry is to be wet and cold.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/hot-deals/443996-free-lifetime-warranty-any-drysuit-purchase.html

Dry Suits - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

There is a reason you see the experienced divers in drysuits, not wetsuits. If you want to keep diving and get experience, get a drysuit and dive more. Do the second dive of the day, and enjoy diving in comfort.

 

[KCDO]

I appreciate all of the comments. What I meant about the added dangers of a drysuit, is the danger of having the air gather in my feet and shooting the surface upside down. I realize that it's a small risk, but with a wet/semi dry suit, I don't have to worry about that. Also, from what I understand, dry suits are fairly maintenance heavy, and a wet suit or semi...you just wash it and you're pretty good unless the zipper fails. I do appreciate how great dry suits are, especially where I'm diving, I just would rather stick with something that I'm comfortable diving in for another 50-100 dives.

So.... with all of that additional information, does anyone have any further info for me? I realize that I'll be wet regardless of whether I'm in a wet suit or semi-dry, but I'm going for an increase in warmth as I don't have a lot of body fat and my current 7mm wet suit isn't really cutting it anymore.

 

[rambaldi]

I know the shipping might be terrible for you but I have quite a few friends that dive these: Semi-Dry | Dive | Recreational Wetsuits & Equipment :: Commercial & Recreational Diving & Adventure Water Sports - Seaquel Wetsuits They keep em warm and they swear by the 2 way zip

 

[fdog]

Special deal! The secret the dive industry doesn't want you to know! ....how to save$1200 on a new dry suit.

The normal progression:

1. Buy a semi-dry wetsuit: $450
2. Get cold
3. Buy a custom-fitted, soft-neoprene semi-dry: $750
4. Still get cold
5. Buy entry level dry suit: $1600
6. Stay warm
7. Total: $2800

The secret way:

1. Buy a dry suit

All the best, James

 

[KD8NPB]

If you're 5'2 to 5'6, buy my dry suit and save yourself the headache!

Other than that, if you intend to dive 12 months out of the year, buy a drysuit...your body will thank you.

If you're going to dive 3-6 months out of the year and never go below 60 ft, buy the semi-dry. Once you go below 60 ft, the wetsuit becomes both a safety hazard, as well as losing most of its insulation value. A drysuit has the same insulation value at 20 ft as it does at 120 ft.

 

[petrieps]

I live in Mass and dive capeann all the time. November through June I use a drysuit. Come July through October I use a semi-dry. I like to switch over because I like the feeling of diving wet and I can wear 18lbs pounds instead of 32lbs. Plus it saves wear and tear from the barnacle covered rocks of Capeane on entry and exit. I find it comfortable in water 45 degrees and above. I have a Henderson Thermoprene 8/7mm Semi-Dry. The water transfer is almost nill and usually my bathing suit is still dry.