suit/destination/temperature dilemma

[ThatsSomeBadHatHarry]

Hey all,
I've got a problem...I need to get a wetsuit (not enough loot for dry). Im going to be diving in NE when i get out of this landlocked state and also spending a significant amount of time in HI. I need an all-encompassing thickness wetsuit. Im thinking a 5mm with a poly-olefin skin or something. I realize its gonna be cold in RI, but most of my time spent there is going to be mid-late summer anyway. Then a move to hawaii is going to happen. let me know what you think. is 7mm too thick for HI?

 

[paulthenurse]

I don't know if 7 mm is too thick for Hawaii but 5 mm is too thin for around here. Granted, RI is warmer than the Boston area but if you're going to spent money for a suit, you don't want to be freezing your arse off when for just a few bucks more you can be comfortable. If you're too warm, unzip a bit or pull open your neck or leave your hood untucked. If you're cold it only gets worse.
Paul

 

[Rafael]

My advice will be, get a 7mm two pcs. or unisuit with an extra layer a hooded vest will work just fine, but i won't go with any less than that.

Now what you can do is check in all the LDS around this area and see if you can get a use suit, usually at this time all the stores start a big sale of all the stuff they been using for rentals for the past year, the most of this gear is in avery good condition, and then depending in what kind of diving you are planing in HI. you ca choose your thin suit i will say if you are not going to be doing any deep diving you'll be fine with a 3mm or even just a skin to protect you from the sun, now if you are going to be doing some deep wreck diving go for the 5mm.

But now my personal choice for this waters is a dry suit, and i know is a lot of money and you do not want to buy that use or frm E-Bay, plus on top of the suit you may have to get new fins and extra training..., but you won't regreat getting one.

Have fun, RI is a great place, you are going to have a ball down there.
dive safe

 

[ScubaSarus]

Actually, after diving here, a 0 mm would do you well in HI

 

[Damselfish]

You might be able to take advantage of some piece in both places with layering, but mostly you need to get whatever is right for you for each place. NE & HI are just too different temp for an "all-encompassing thickness" wetsuit.

 

[lisa_j]

I dive in Cape Cod mostly and I have a 5mm full suit with a polypro skin, and these dives spanned from May to October. The water temps have been between 45 to 65 for all of my wet dives, and I've been warm enough for 40-60 minutes. There have been only few (3-4) dives that I've thumbed because I got chilled. and these dives spanned from May to October.
Your tolerance to cold is what matters. I guess I don't get too cold too easily, but you might be different. Also - I don't know the average RI temps, but they might be a little warmer than where I am...don't quote me.
Good luck!!

 

[ProfessorAronnax]

My 3mm full and 5mm hooded vest takes me from spring through fall. It gives me a lot of flexability. When it's cold I go with the combo giving my core 8mm and the hood of course. When the bay is nice and warm in the summer I lose the vest and go with the 3mm alone.

 

[yak]

RI is usually a tad warmer than the other side of Cape Cod and northward. Before I went dry, I used a 7mm hyperstretch around here. I occasionally added a 3mm vest for cold days, but I bet I wouldn't need it in RI.

Based on this data, the temps in HI will range anywhere from low 70's to low 80's.

I used a 3mm goldcore shorty in 82 degree water my first trip to Mexico, then a 2mm full suit, both of which worked well. I used a 3mm full with a 3mm beanie in FL last year as the waters were 77-79.

A beanie can make a big difference with a suit that would otherwise be a tad on the cold side. I even used the 2mm in the cenotes in Mexico which were 72 degrees.

It also depends on your body fat. I was diving with some guys in FL that wore t-shirts and shorts (they both had some significant natural insulation).

What size are you? I'm looking to sell the 3mm shorty if you're interested.

 

[scubastew]

one option my be to try purchasing a used wetsuit from a local dive shoppe in MA/RI. They usually sell rental suits for a decent discount. Usually they are only a year or two old anyway. Then just toss it on ebay or this board to find a buyer when you move. If you do 10-20 dives and you pay 100+ bucks for a suit then you sell it for 50 you're in the clear...

I agree with DamselFish it's difficult to "force-fit" one suit for both diving situations, though being a "cheapie" I totally respect the effort!!

now if I was buying a wetsuit this week. I'd purchase a one-peice 7mm wetsuit with a 5mm hooded vest for under. Or if I was feeling a bit more wealthy a semi-dry suit (basically a one-peice with the hood attached).

 

[spectrum]

New England ocean diving is full 7mm territory in general. If you can pick and choose when, where, how deep and how long you can get by with less but most divers will be compromised with less.

Southern New England is considerably warmer than the Southern Maine coast but not enough to change my suggestion overall.

Lisa_J and Rapiddiver are the exceptions to the rule IMO. If it works for them then it works, for them.

Pete