Wetsuits 1pc or 2pc

[TMHeimer]

I've only owned a farmer john 2 piece. In Nova Scotia (similar to Maine, of course), I do 2 dives in low to mid 40s water temps. if it's May and a warm sunny day for the S.I. One dive in Nov. with temps. mid to upper 40s but cold weather. If the Aug. temp. hits 60 I just use the top. Last summer was a rarity when it hit 65 and out came the shortie--also Hurricane Earl. Keep in mind most advice on water temps. is directly related to the person's cold tolerance and everyone is different.

 

[NorCalDM]

I dive mostly in water 48 - 55 deg F and use a 7mm front zip with and attached hood. I like the attached hood for the fact there are less leak points. My wife will slip a 3mm vest over hers for a little extra warmth but she gets colder than I do. Like others have said you need to figure out what works for you. Also look at what the locals are using were you dive. Another thing to consider is that wetsuits will compress over time and lose thermal protection.

 

[smorneau]

What is a chicken vest?

 

[dolesorchard]

With water temps in the 50's or colder I use a dry suit. Even if it get fairly warm, you just don't wear as much under the suit and you still won't overheat. I have a shorty, a 3 mm full suit, both for tropical vacations and a tri-lam dry suit and I can be fairly comfortable from upper 30's to mid 80's.

 

[drdaddy]

Wow, this brings a lot of memories! I grew up in Maine and as a kid had my old man's 7mm farmer john with beaver tail top and hood to try and stay warm with. Actually stayed pretty warm, but didn't have a whole lot of ability to move! I know wetsuits have come a long way, and other people with more experience then I have suggested various combinations. If it were me I would look at getting the 7mm Waterproof (brand) W1 with hooded ice vest, 5mm gloves, and the 6.5mm booties. If money is not an issue I'd go with the drysuit, because although it's been twenty years I still remember how damn cold that water is! Enjoy the diving, Maine has some great spots.Michael

As far as I know, they don't make "beaver tails" anymore. The farmer johns are out of much more flexible neoprene and so the vest just stretches over and around in a very comfortable way. When I see a beavertail with some comment like "only used 3 times in fresh water - blah blah blah" - I know they are lying. This is an old beavertail that they have dug up somewhere and it looks good to them so they lie about it and where it came from, but in actuality the material is old and ready to tear because it is at least 20 to 40 years old!

 

[smorneau]

Chicken suits and beaver tails, are we hunting or diving?

 

[boat sju]

What is a chicken vest?

This is the link that Spectrum provided.
SCUBA Knowtes, Exposure Protection - Wetsuits

I believe the second from the left - they call it a chicken vest - I've usually heard it just called a hooded vest. Then there's the step in hooded vest next to it.