Southern boy needing some advise.......

[texdiveguy]

HOWDY,,, that's Texan for HI--lol!
Need some input from you Great Lake Divers,,,, I am planning a few weeks this summer in Wisconsin (July-Aug)at a family cabin about 6-7 hours from Isle Royale and would like to get my feet wet on some shore and basic wreck diving. The term 'basic' is key here,,,,was hoping you guys/gals might recomm. some local area charters//dive clubs//dive spots//and basic beginner wrecks I might consider. I have dive gear that will allow me comfortable diving in 50f water for 30-40 minutes (what kind of temps will I find and will a dry suit be reqd.)....and am basic Nitrox certf.with a bit fewer than 100 recent logged dives. Any info. and suggestions would really help in my planning. Thanks, AK

 

[WJL]

I know some folks around Milwaukee. Where exactly are you going to be? I'm guessing your interest is in diving some wrecks in Lake Michigan or Lake Superior?

 

[texdiveguy]

I know some folks around Milwaukee. Where exactly are you going to be? I'm guessing your interest is in diving some wrecks in Lake Michigan or Lake Superior?

Hey Bill,,,,was considering Isle Royale National Park northern Michigan.

 

[diver_paula]

Given this isn't going to be your typical type diving, I'd go with a thick wet suit. You'll get cold but not bad. & it will be summer so you can easily warm up once back on the surface. (I say that as a Great Lakes Wreck diver who dove in a 1/4" farmer john and jacket for the first 8 years.) Do make sure you have at least a primary light with you - it can get dark down there and wreck diving is full of nooks and crannies to look into. Nitrox vs. air is your choice and I'd check into the availabilty of Nitrox ahead of time.

As for where to dive, 6-7 hours from Isle Royale covers A LOT of territory. Nothing more specific as to where the cabin is? Also, to my knowledge Isle Royale diving is mostly deep and advanced. People typically get together as a group and charter a live aboard charter for a week. However, a couple good places for 'beginner' level and intermediate level wrecks are Copper Harbor and Munising. Both are Lake Superior diving.

In Munising, Captain Pete Lindquist charters SCUBA boats as well as a glass bottom wreck tour your family may be interested in. www.shipwrecktours.com/dives/list.html From this website there is also a link to a map of the Alger Underwater Preserve including information on all the identified wrecks.
Pete is cool as is his ex-wife. I can't recall her name right now but remember the name of her charter boat is the Linda K. You could probably find her and possibly other charter operators by doing a quick search of the Munising area.

If you do get to the Munising area make sure the family gets on a Pictured Rock cruise. It's amazing what nature has created with rock, water, wind and more years than we can count.

The Copper Harbor wrecks are part of the Marquette Underwater preserve. Information on the wrecks and charters can be found from this link... http://www.portup.com/~dfount/mqtupc.htm

Hope that helps.
Paula

 

[texdiveguy]

Given this isn't going to be your typical type diving, I'd go with a thick wet suit. You'll get cold but not bad. & it will be summer so you can easily warm up once back on the surface. (I say that as a Great Lakes Wreck diver who dove in a 1/4" farmer john and jacket for the first 8 years.) Do make sure you have at least a primary light with you - it can get dark down there and wreck diving is full of nooks and crannies to look into. Nitrox vs. air is your choice and I'd check into the availabilty of Nitrox ahead of time.

As for where to dive, 6-7 hours from Isle Royale covers A LOT of territory. Nothing more specific as to where the cabin is? Also, to my knowledge Isle Royale diving is mostly deep and advanced. People typically get together as a group and charter a live aboard charter for a week. However, a couple good places for 'beginner' level and intermediate level wrecks are Copper Harbor and Munising. Both are Lake Superior diving.

In Munising, Captain Pete Lindquist charters SCUBA boats as well as a glass bottom wreck tour your family may be interested in. www.shipwrecktours.com/dives/list.html From this website there is also a link to a map of the Alger Underwater Preserve including information on all the identified wrecks.
Pete is cool as is his ex-wife. I can't recall her name right now but remember the name of her charter boat is the Linda K. You could probably find her and possibly other charter operators by doing a quick search of the Munising area.

If you do get to the Munising area make sure the family gets on a Pictured Rock cruise. It's amazing what nature has created with rock, water, wind and more years than we can count.

The Copper Harbor wrecks are part of the Marquette Underwater preserve. Information on the wrecks and charters can be found from this link... http://www.portup.com/~dfount/mqtupc.htm

Hope that helps.
Paula

Paula,,, thanks for all the leads,,,,our cabin is in Centuria Wi.,,,some 80 miles NE of the Twin Cities. I have a full 7/5 semi-dry and dive chilly 50f here in Texas during the winter. I will look into the sugg. you highlighted for me. Thanks and be safe. AK

 

[moneysavr]

HOWDY,,, that's Texan for HI--lol!
Need some input from you Great Lake Divers,,,, I am planning a few weeks this summer in Wisconsin (July-Aug)at a family cabin about 6-7 hours from Isle Royale and would like to get my feet wet on some shore and basic wreck diving. The term 'basic' is key here,,,,was hoping you guys/gals might recomm. some local area charters//dive clubs//dive spots//and basic beginner wrecks I might consider. I have dive gear that will allow me comfortable diving in 50f water for 30-40 minutes (what kind of temps will I find and will a dry suit be reqd.)....and am basic Nitrox certf.with a bit fewer than 100 recent logged dives. Any info. and suggestions would really help in my planning. Thanks, AK

HI AK,
Well Im about 6 hrs from you Near Portwashington,Wi. We have wrecks 55' and some deeper near Sheboygan,That time of year vis can be GREAT! water can be warm in the shallow areas and a 6-7mm farmer will be fine for 55'-65' range dives,Door county a bit North has a mix of Wrecks to dive all in you range.
Feel free to hit me up! as I have a boat and can run to most wrecks with several divers on a "Nice day" and you would have a blast! Im allways up for some dives!
We have some dive shops close by and can get you anything you need.
Brad

 

[caymaniac]

Paula,,, thanks for all the leads,,,,our cabin is in Centuria Wi.,,,some 80 miles NE of the Twin Cities. I have a full 7/5 semi-dry and dive chilly 50f here in Texas during the winter. I will look into the sugg. you highlighted for me. Thanks and be safe. AK

I've been to Isle Royal, and that is real- real, real cold water. How's 36 sound? I've dove in Lake Huron and Lake Mich in the summer when it got down to 43 below the thermo-cline and it was cold with a 1/4 wetsuit jacket, with a farmerjohn with a hooded vest over that. The temp in Lake Huron was 60 above the thermocline and was a cold 43 below. When you put your legs in the cold clear waters of Lake Superior by Isle Royal without anywet suit on, my legs were frozen in about 10seconds, it was so cold that it hurt! I just want to prepare you, if you think 50 is cold, think again.
Seriously, think about a drysuit. :11:

Dive Safe,
Caymaniac

 

[texdiveguy]

Brad--- THANKS for your more than kind offer,,,,I may just impose and take you up on that(paying my way,,no problem)....would be a great time,and I could learn alot diving those shallow wrecks---this is what I am looking for. I dive alot of fresh water here in Texas.

Caymaniac-- Burrrrrrrr that is cold,,,,thanks for the warning and input on IR. It's funny down here in the south,,,,weather turns a bit chilly and water gets nipply and most everyone packs it in,,,,not me,,,,,I dive each month hot or cold (cool to you guys-lol).

AK

 

[SwimJim]

I know Brad and live in the same area and can vouch for him and the diving to be had around here. Much nearer to your cabin would be Lake Wazee. Definetely worth checking out. Paula's suggestion about Munising Michigan is a good one too. You could literally spend years up here diving and discover the best kept secret in the diving world. The Great Lakes region. Have fun

Jim

 

[texdiveguy]

I know Brad and live in the same area and can vouch for him and the diving to be had around here. Much nearer to your cabin would be Lake Wazee. Definetely worth checking out. Paula's suggestion about Munising Michigan is a good one too. You could literally spend years up here diving and discover the best kept secret in the diving world. The Great Lakes region. Have fun

Jim

Jim,,,,what a bonus tip on Lake Wazee....with 2 weeks I should be able to log a few. THANKS AK