what ml wetsuit for Panama City Beach end of September

[Granny Scuba]

I tried to find out bottom temps for PCB this weekend. All I could find is that the average Oct water temp is 77 degrees. So I still have no idea what the water temp will be at 60' depth in the last week of Sept.

Please help me in determinining what wetsuit to wear.

Thank you.

 

[GLENFWB]

Water temps are still pretty warm...I am wearing my 1 mil. But, if you have a tendency to get chilly, a 3 mil wouldn't be overkill.

I tried to find out bottom temps for PCB this weekend. All I could find is that the average Oct water temp is 77 degrees. So I still have no idea what the water temp will be at 60' depth in the last week of Sept.

Please help me in determinining what wetsuit to wear.

Thank you.

 

[MRXRAY]

Water temps are around 80-84* at those depths right now in the Panhandle area depending on how far offshore you are. If you are closer to shore, say the PC Jetties then plan on it being a bit warmer, but not much. I dive in a .5mm wetsuit, but I'm probably a bit out of the main stream. If I were you I'd plan on a 3mm.

 

[Hetland]

I would expect 80-84 too. A 3mm jacket keeps me toasty.

 

[GLENFWB]

A 5mil in the summer??? No wonder sharks are attracted to you, you are giving off enough body heat to drive the sharks heat sensors crazy! But, I also realize...I carry a couple of mil's of insulation around with me ALL the time.

Water temps are around 80-84* at those depths right now in the Panhandle area depending on how far offshore you are. If you are closer to shore, say the PC Jetties then plan on it being a bit warmer, but not much. I dive in a .5mm wetsuit, but I'm probably a bit out of the main stream. If I were you I'd plan on a 3mm.

 

[Granny Scuba]

Thanks,
Paw and the boys are doing the dive boat and I am staying on the beach with my precious (but uncertified D-I-Ls).

I have a couple of more questions:

1) weights- The boys have done the gulf with no wetsuit and they have done ABWA (quarry) with 3 and 5 mils. Because this will be their first dive in the gulf wih a wetsuit...I am wondering how much weight they will need. We discovered that the weight required in the quarry with a 5 mil was roughly the same weight in swim trunks in the gulf.....but now we are adding 3 mil wetsuits (probably just the shortie) to that equation. I would hate for them to slow the other folks down if they cant sink. Is there an equation to figure that? Also what is the etiquette if you cant sink because you dont have enough weights?

2) Refreshments the trip is 8 till noon. I am planning on calling the Dive Locker and asking them if I can pack my guys a small cooler, I certainly will not pack any bananas, and I certainly dont want to violate any ettiquette, but I know my guys will be thirsty and a little hungry.

What do you think?