Wetsuits at Dutch?

[ClassAction]

I know this should probably go in the wetsuit forum, but I'd really like to get advice from people who dive at Dutch (and the Jersey Shore). I'm just about the buy a 7mm wetsuit. Is a farmer john an absolute must for Dutch (especially if I want to start diving in May)? I dove there last year in august with a 7mm farmer john and I was pretty hot the whole time (max depth: 60'). Just trying to avoid being hot this year, but I will be diving deeper. Does it make any sense to get a 7mm full suit, a normal hood, and a hooded vest? Seems like this would give me some flexibility. Also, I have a 3mm hyperstretch shortie -- couldn't I wear this over/under the 7mm full if the water was really cold?

PS: I don't think a dry suit is in my budget yet! Thanks!

 

[ScottyK]

I dive up here, at DS and the ocean, and am fine with a wetsuit. The only thing I miss not having a drysuit is some of the hardcore winter and ice diving.

You'll get lots of different opinions on wet suits, so here's mine. Do "not" buy a two piece. A good quality, properly fitted fullsuit with good seals at the zipper, wrists and ankles will keep you as warm, or warmer than a bulky farmer john. You will also need less lead, consume less air (see, less lead) and be much more flexible underwater.

Your 3mm hyperstretch will make a nice core warmer for deeper/colder dives, but you'll be leaving it at home most of the time. Since you already own one, and are aware how nice they are, I'd recommend a 7 mil Henderson HS single piece fullsuit. With this combo you'll be ready for almost anything, and you can worry about a drysuit when you can afford one.

 

[joebrown]

...Do "not" buy a two piece...

...I'd recommend a 7 mil Henderson HS single piece fullsuit...

That post was full of good advice, particularly staying away from farmer johns. They're great for fitting a wide variety of body shapes (e.g., for classes or rentals) because you can mix and match the tops and bottoms, but for purchase a well-fitted full suit is the way to go.

Another option from Henderson is their Gold Core Semi-Dry suit. 7 mil through the torso, 5 mil in the limbs, and an attached hood. Bare also sells a similar semi-dry suit which is 7mm throughout and is somewhat less expensive than the Henderson ($300 MSRP).

I know several divers who mostly dive dry at Dutch and hereabouts but switch over to 7 mil full suits or semi-dry in the summer months. I don't, but I'm kinda wimpy when it comes to body temperature.

Joe

 

[ScottyK]

Another option from Henderson is their Gold Core Semi-Dry suit. Basically a neoprene dry suit with a wet zipper and wet seals. 7 mil through the torso, 5 mil in the limbs, and an attached hood. Bare also sells a similar semi-dry suit which is 7mm throughout and is somewhat less expensive than the Henderson ($300 MSRP).

Joe

Those are also good suits. The fit, the quality and the seals are more important than the brand. Jen (my buddy and fiance) has a Seaquest with the seals and a titanium lining and she loves it. She switched from a two piece and was able to lose six pounds of lead from her belt. At DS she couldn't handle the 2nd thermocline in her two piece, but is OK in the fullsuit.

Joe, welcome to the board BTW. Just FYI, a semi dry is actually made from Neoprene "wetsuit" material and you do get wet. It's the seals that keep the water from flushing that keep you warmer than a regular wetsuit. The crushed neoprene used for drysuits is a different material. Looking forward to meeting you (and you too class action) at DS or Beneath the Sea this year.

 

[joebrown]

Joe, welcome to the board BTW. Just FYI, a semi dry is actually made from Neoprene "wetsuit" material and you do get wet. It's the seals that keep the water from flushing that keep you warmer than a regular wetsuit. The crushed neoprene used for drysuits is a different material. Looking forward to meeting you (and you too class action) at DS or Beneath the Sea this year.

Thanks, Scotty K. Look forward to meeting you too. My post has been edited to remove misleading reference to semi-dry construction.

Joe

 

[VTernovski]

Thanks, Scotty K. Look forward to meeting you too. My post has been edited to remove misleading reference to semi-dry construction.

Joe

I used to use two 5mm suits (5+5) that was crazy, then I switched to 6.5MM semi-dry (marketing BS, there is nothing dry or semidry about it - it was just like a wetsuit with attached hood), and then I switched to a true drysuit and never looked back. I guess I am a bit biased, but if you plan on diving here, do youself a favor and don't waist any more money on heavy neoprene and get yourself a drysuit.

 

[MaresMan1]

I agree with VT on this one. I currently have a Mares 6.5 Semidry, which is a good suit. I bought it because it was on clearence ($250/w boots, gloves and hood). It is pretty warm, but like the name says "Semidry=wet". Up here in the colder months that can hurt. Now I only dive June to Oct up here (water temp permitting).

I have seen some great prices on several Bare drysuits. If I could do it again, I would put the cash toward the Bare. But that's as far as I can go. My wife would skin me if I even look at DUI :54:

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Dive Smart;Dive Safe
Enjoy the ride
:cool1:

 

[ScottyK]

PS: I don't think a dry suit is in my budget yet! Thanks!

Hey guys- My advice was based on this line. If a drysuit is in someones cost range, it's the way to go at DS. I disagree that a good wetsuit is a waste of money. There are so many dives up here, especially in the summer, where a drysuit is overkill. My best case would be to own both, but I'd choose a wetsuit if forced to pick only one.


BTW- Vadim, I'm surprised. With that Siberian blood flowing in you, I thought you used a shortie for ice diving

 

[jerseybones]

Hi ClassAction, Ditto on ScottyKs suggestion, I dive NJ both wet and dry,You already know how nice the hyperstretch is, Heres what i use for wet diving, Lycra Skin, Full PolarTech and 7/5 mil Hyperstretch Full ,You can layer up for the cold or use only one or two for summer/shallower diving. (And the polartech is neutral so you dont need extra lead)When i layer all three i stay warm even in the mid 40s bottom temps. Also nice not having to fool with that damn pee valve!

 

[grouchyturtle]

I just got a drysuit a few months back, but in the warmer months I still plan to use my Hyperstretch 7/5mm.