Wetsuit thickness for Florida diving???

[mikeguerrero]

Hi Florida,

I'm Mike and I dive in Monterey CA... I will be traveling to Tampa FL to visit mom and can hardly wait to dive... I have a two part question and hope that I can get some guidance...

My LDS has the Pinnacles Seal 3mm SEAL wetsuit on sale. I tried it on size medium and I am a perfect fit... Will this suit be warm enough for multiple dives say 3 dives??? (I do get prone to getting cold always on my 3rd dive here in Monterey)

I dive 7mm jumpsuit, 3mm torso heater, 7mm hooded vest; dive one and two no problem, dive 3, I am cold at the end of the dive... This is with 48 degrees of chilly Monterey water...

I own already the 3mm torso heater if I need to layer...

Second question... Where does one dive in the Tampa location???

Thanks,

MG

 

[willembad]

I have a seal and a 7mm element. It might be that us Floridians are not acclimated to cold but my 3mm stays in the closet till next spring.

You can expect the gulf to be mid to high sixties or if you're lucky low seventies currently. I'm not sure when you're visiting but for me that is plenty cold enough for a 7mm with vest and hood.

Willem

 

[Going The Distance]

I dont know what your tolerances are like to the cold. Ive dove a few times in California years back with a 3mill (farmer j, winter, feb, 56 degrees) froze my A%% off. The water temp here about 2 weeks ago was 69, and it was a bit cold. With the cold front we just had id guestimate maybe 65. Part 2: Theres quite a few artificial reefs out of clearwater from 9 miles to 25, 20 to 90ft ,this time of year vis, and weather are a big factor due to cold fronts. Theres a few shore dives from Bradenton, and few from Venice, which Im sure others will chime in. Theres also a fav. capt for charters which the local crowd likes. If you want any more specifics let me know.

GTD.............

 

[I Dive]

This time of year I'm in a 5 or possibly my 5 plus my hooded vest. I would be surprised if anyone could be comfortable in a 3.

 

[K Mejean]

I have done it in a 3 mil. I got cold on the second dive. I think if you are already used to cold water and you have another 3 mil for a layer you will be fine. Thats 6 mil on your core. Throw on a hood or a bonet and you will be good.

 

[Splitlip]

I have done it in a 3 mil. I got cold on the second dive. I think if you are already used to cold water and you have another 3 mil for a layer you will be fine. Thats 6 mil on your core. Throw on a hood or a bonet and you will be good.

Yup. agree with above. I dive all winter with a 3mil adding vest/hood/beanie/core warmer as needed.

Now I am on the east cost.
A little warmer. Now as for diving around Tampa, I would go South of East and head for the Palm Beaches .

 

[deepstops]

Mike,

When is the trip??

Today it's 69 degrees 10 miles off Tampa but a cold front can drop that by as much as 5 degrees.

You can check water temps pretty reliably for the area (except very near shore shallow stuff) from this buoy: NDBC - Station 42013

 

[Splitlip]

Brrr. LOL.
These were from 1.5 to 3 miles off shore. Spend the time in your car and with a 20 minute boat trip. Just my opinion.
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[deepstops]

Spend the time in your car and with a 20 minute boat trip. Just my opinion.

Your logic is sound, especially in the winter.

 

[mikeguerrero]

Wow,

What can I say other than I am really impressed on how quickly all you Floridians chimmed in. Your hospitality is second to none and we here in California are the same, we will go out of our way to answer any questions to comfort your diving.

It appears I will pass on the 3mm seal because I do get very cold and very easy, I in fact dished out the money to purchase a DUI CLX 450 drysuit last month, I'm waiting to get drysuit certified.

What I am thinking about is either fly to visit my mom with my Pinnacles 7mm Merino elastiprene jumpsuit. That suit is very comfortable and very warm in our waters, if you do two dives and call it quits.

I would just bring the jumpsuit since it's 7mm entire suit. Even though the 3mm Seal is only $100 bucks I rather spend that on a boat trip in Florida with my 7mm suit. I rather do some long Florida dives in 6mm booties, 7mm suit, no hood, no gloves and be really warm the entire dive rather than light 3mm suit only to be chilled towards the end.

My mom lives in Apollo beach and my brother has been wanting to get certified and said if I come out he will do his classes so we can dive together. I would not be diving any other part of Florida except in this vicinity so would a 7mm be an overkill, no hood, no heated torso, just booties to fit my large Atomic split fins??

Thanks,

MG