Wetsuit or Drysuit?

[Tucker_2004]

Hi,

Pretty new to diving (30 logged dives). I have been buying all my gear and the last thing that I need to buy is a suit (I have a 3/2 for warm water). I was originally thinking about getting a Bare 7mm full wetsuit with a 7 mm sleevless shorty to go on top but now I'm thinking that I should get into a drysuit right away. I will be diving around 1000 Islands mostly and I know that a 7mm full is fine for July-Sept but I was wondering if everyone should have a cold water wetsuit before they get a drysuit? Is a drysuit too much when the water is at 70f? How long does a cheaper drysuit last (or maybe how many dives do you get before it starts to crack and come a part)? I would only have a $1000 at most to spend. I have no interest in diving when the air temp is below freezing so I'm looking at diving May to October. Hoping that you guys can shed some light on this...

Tucker

 

[jonnythan]

Unless you absolutely cannot afford it, don't even waste your time wth the thick 7mm wetsuits. Go straight to a drysuit.

As important as the drysuit are the undies. Depending on where you are in Ontario, you can find a good deal on an inexpensive drysuit and warm undies. I am a well-known cheapskate, but the cheapest thing to do is REALLY, REALLY buy the right thing the FIRST TIME. Always MORE expensive to buy things twice.

If you're near Kingston, stop at Northern Tech Diver and they will show you what they have and what they can do for you in terms of stuff.. they mostly have Diving Concepts, but you'll have to spend more than $1k.

In St Catharine's (near Buffalo) is Dan's Dive Shop, and I know they sell Bare... not *great* suits, but their suits are *good* and they do make some warm undies. Dan's will be inexpensive.

No matter what you do, buy appropriate drysuit underwear. This is more important than the right drysuit if you ask me. Any trilam drysuit that more or less fits will be passable. Diving Concepts, DUI, and Bare all make 200+ weight Thinsulate underwear which is really what you want.

Pay particular attention to fit when trying the stuff on. Make sure you can reach your back, your legs, squat, etc, but you also don't want baggy fit. Budget will limit you, but don't make the mistakes I made.. if necessary, save up a couple of extra months and pay for the right exposure protection.

 

[jonnythan]

Oh... also, a drysuit is fine for water temps of 70F, but it may kill you on the surface. Unless the air temp is below 75, I'm usually in my 3mm full wetsuit when the water is over 70. If the surface is a bit colder, and the water temp is 70 or so, I'd be in my drysuit with just my thick Wal Mart long johns on underneath.

 

[Tom R]

There is lots of options PM me and we'll talk

 

[darkstar]

I say go dry. And buy a lighter wet suit for mid summer.

I dive the same area and did it for years with a Bare 7mm FJ. It was OK in the summer but spring and fall were brutal. Especially in the fall when the water is warm, but there can be snow swirling on the surface. You can also use a drysuit for the Kingston and Picton wrecks that are pretty uncomfortable even in a 7mm.

Check out the Bare NexGen dry suit for starters. Here's a package from an LDS for example.

http://www.divesource.com/product.html?prodid=376&catid=295

 

[Stoo]

...that I agree with these folks. The area where you dive is not especially cold and generally doesn't have much of a thermocline because of the current. Your description of your diving habits suggests that you are something of a "fair weather" diver, with little intention of extended early/late season diving. A good quality wetsuit is easy to dive, and durable... and cheap.

Part of my concern has to do with your budget, I don't think you can get a good quality drysuit and underwear for $1000.00. As others have pointed out, the undies are all important with a laminate suit. What nobody has pointed out out is that few things are colder to dive in than a leaky drysuit... and all suits will eventually leak if they are getting much use.

Having said all this, I haven't even owned a cold-water wet suit for 25 years. I am on my 5th or 6th Viking and I log about 70 dives up here every year. The Thousand Islands area is the only place I dive every year where I actually wish I had a wetsuit... I find it too warm for my drysuit, even with light weight underwear on.

So, my suggestion is to start off with a decent quality wetsuit. As your diving season becomes longer and you start to travel to more areas... Kingston, Tobermory... continue to save your pennies until you can afford a good drysuit. Once you get it you can continue to dive in your (now) beat up old wetsuit if you want to... which you won't.... when conditions warrant it...

The shops mentioned above are good places, but most shops will be inclined to try to sell you a drysuit if you show any interest, just because it's more $$ for them. (This isn't meant to be a criticism, BTW). Or do what the rest of us do.... spring for a great drysuit and just pay for it over time!

 

[Tucker_2004]

Thanks to all for your advice. I've decided that I'm going to go for the wetsuit first year. I just hate the thought of only having a drysuit, especially on those days in 1000 islands when the water is in the low 70's and the air temp is above 80. I also don't like the idea of only being able to buy the cheapest one on the rack. Once I see how much diving I do this season I will be able to make the call on whether or not it would be worth while for me to drop a couple of grand on a drysuit. Oh ya, the local dive shop that I go to in Montreal (Action Scuba) suggested a wetsuit too... So much for them only wanting my money I think they know me well enough to know that the money I don't spend on a drysuit will still end up in their store for something else.

 

[jonnythan]

Oh ya, the local dive shop that I go to in Montreal (Action Scuba) suggested a wetsuit too... So much for them only wanting my money

No, see, they sell you the wetsuit now, and the EXPENSIVE drysuit next year when you show up and plead with them to sell you whatever it takes to keep you warm and happy

For water in the 70s, a 3mm jumpsuit works great.. better and more comfy than a 7mm farmer john or shorty. In other words, you will want a completely different suit for warm water vs cold water anyway. 3mm jumpsuits are cheap though.

 

[artw]

the best thing about having a drysuit is, and I dont think anyone's mentioned it yet, is it basically extends your diving season to 10 months a year. 12, if you have proper training