Wetsuit for liveaboard

[aedavidson]

Thanks in advance for your help ,

I am doing a Nekton liveaboard trip in early January - central Belize . I have always worn a 3mm fullsuit and never gotten cold - Carribean . This is my first liveaboard and I am concerned about getting cold with repetetive diving . I an considering a 5mm fullsuit , or a 5mm warmer . I would love any input . Also anyone that has been on a Nekton cruise your input would be appreciated .

Andy

 

[Markdone]

It's tough to get warm once you start getting cold.

I haven't been on Nekton, but on most liveaboards you're looking at 4-5 dives per day, so your thermal capacity will be tested.

That time of year, the water will be 74-78F, to be safe, bring a hood, and pick up a 3mm core-warmer to wear under your 3mm full.

my 2 psi

 

[mnj1233]

wet) suit

Thanks in advance for your help ,

I am doing a Nekton liveaboard trip in early January - central Belize . I have always worn a 3mm fullsuit and never gotten cold - Carribean . This is my first liveaboard and I am concerned about getting cold with repetetive diving . I an considering a 5mm fullsuit , or a 5mm warmer . I would love any input . Also anyone that has been on a Nekton cruise your input would be appreciated .

Andy

Everyone laughs at me on the liveaboards but I bring two suits!!! 3mm to start the day and if I get cold switch to the 5mm. Both dry to don and warmer. I just like the option of putting on a dry (wet suit) when I wanna.

 

[J75]

I just finished a liveaboard in the Carribean about a month ago aand had the same concerns. I took a 3 mm shorty and a hood. I started out the week with just the shorty and added the 7mm hood at the end of the week. Did roughly 4 dives a day, sometimes 5. Water temp was 80-82 degrees.

 

[DiveMaven]

We're on the Pilot in mid-December to Belize, and I'm taking my 5mm full suit. In Maui this year I got cold in my 3 mil full suit on days 7 and 8, diving 2 tanks every morning, so knowing that the water temperature in Belize was going to be about the same (79 degrees), I knew I'd likely be cold mid-week doing 4 dives a day.

On the other hand, my husband never got cold in Maui and plans to stick to his 3 mil full suit in Belize. So the answer is....it depends on your cold tolerance.

I'm planning to post a trip report on the Central America forums when we return, so I'll make sure to include a blurb about water temp. and explosure protection for you. Maybe that'll help you decide before you go.

 

[tstonedvr]

I would go with a 5mm that is easy to get in and out of as you will be making 5 dives a day....the Henderson Hyperstretch is what I use and a .5 microprene H/V it helps slow down the water flush and a hood is always good.
Yarg

 

[Darnold9999]

Just got back from a liveaboard. I never get cold in the tropics, in a 1 mil shorty but was starting to go that direction on the fourth dive each day. Was glad the water was 26+

Whatever you are used to - in the temperature you will be diving. Go with a little more protection. You will need it on a liveaboard.

Would really like to hear how the trip went. I am considering the same trip a little later in the year. March or so. Please post a trip report.

 

[aedavidson]

I appreciate all of your opinions ,

I generally wear a 3mm Henderson titanium hyperstreach , I guess now I have a good excuse to buy a 5 . I will take both . I was thinking the 5mm warmer , but I do not think that I would ever use it alone .

I am new to this forum but will post a trip report , there are about 12 in our party so there should be plenty of input .

I look foreward to your report Diveme , as my trip is so close to yours .

 

[DiveMaven]

I appreciate all of your opinions ,

I generally wear a 3mm Henderson titanium hyperstreach , I guess now I have a good excuse to buy a 5 . I will take both . I was thinking the 5mm warmer , but I do not think that I would ever use it alone .

I am new to this forum but will post a trip report , there are about 12 in our party so there should be plenty of input .

I look foreward to your report Diveme , as my trip is so close to yours .

I look forward to reading yours when you return too!!

Since my husband and I both wear Henderson Hyperstretch suits, you'll at least know you're comparing the same wetsuits as yours. I'll make sure to note not only whether or not the 5mm was a good choice for me, but also how my husband does with his 3mm so you can compare that too.

I thought about taking both my 3 mil and 5 mil, but finally decided that I'm better to start and stay warm than risk a chill with the 3 mil. I'll even be taking only my 5 mil to Maui in the future as well...there's just nothing worse than getting cold.

 

[00scuba]

I was in Belize last January....on the Aggressor, I was comfortable in my 3 (scubapro) with a skin underneath. We were doing 4-5 dives a day. Have fun and if you see the BAIII, have the Nekton beep at them for me! lol