Drysuit preferences

[GeauxSaints]

Hey guys,
I might be looking into getting a dry suit before this winter is out. What have y'all tried and what do you like/dislike about shells v neoprene, etc....
Thanks.

[swimndive]

The problem with the neoprene suits is the amount of lead you need to carry just to sink the suit. If your a big guy that could be 40 lbs.or more. Now a 40 pound belt sucks, and at 100 feet it it rally sucks, because it also means you need to put roughly 30 lbs of positive floatation into your bc. The crushed neoprene suits need less weight, but I have never used one, so I can't tell you for sure how much less. The trilaminates and bag suits swim like shit compared to what you are used to, but are actually useable and dont need any more lead than a 6.5 mm wetsuit. I always use a drysuit when I'm cave diving, but for spearing I prefer to be as straemlined as possible. I saw some nice smoothies in the Omer booth in Las Vegas that I think I may try. If you still want to try the dry route take a look at the diverite 905. I think it offers the most bang for the buck.
ed

[Grande]

what the ****? drysuits? are we in alaska? maybe i dont know what i am talking about but i have surfed for the last 15 years and have gone out with frost on the beach. however i have never dove in the winter, is it really that cold when you are underwater? i was thinking more like a 5mil wetsuit at the most. you guys are scaring me.

[swimndive]

Hey Grande if it goes NW at 20-25, I'll be at Lido at sunrise for a wavesailing session in a 4mil. Got Bucs tickets, so I won't be in the water all day. Might even try a shorty if the sun comes out.

Personally I prefer a wetsuit for hunting, but he asked about drysuits and what experiences people have had with them. I learned to dive in NH and dove wet year round. Now I'm a puss, I use a drysuit in 70 degree spring water. Who'd a thunk it. Of course those spring dives can get pretty long if you go into the caves that feed them.

ed

[Steel Shootin']

Ed, or anyone,

Is there a particular brand/style of drysuit that would be best specifically for spearfishing? By that I mean that would allow the most freedom in your arms, so that you would not be restricted in swinging your gun, or handling a shot fish. I'm not familiar with the evolving technology of dry suits, or even if the technology has evolved.

[Grande]

swimdive
do you go out to lido a lot? i surf there all the time and know all the "locals" and have probably seen you out there. i know a few of the guys who sail out there. are you friends with Dale?

[swimndive]

Grande,
Yep, Dale, Kenny and Kim all know me. I just do the sailing thing, but I know a few of the surfrers too. We've all gotten a little more particular about the conditions we like to sail in, but I imagine everyone will be there if the forecast holds. W or NW and 22 kts or more is about all I have the patience for any more. I've got an all white ford cargo van and I'll probably be parked on the Holiday Inn side of the road. Dale will probably show if he's around, so ask him to introduce us.

ed

[swimndive]

Scott, The DUI tls 350 is one of the lightest and most flexible suits around, but it doesn't really stretch. Send me an email at nowwired@yahoo.com and I'll get some more info to you. I think all the drysuit talk is boring most of the other people on this list. ed

[dlock]

Scott, G55 (Josh) was telling me about a semi-dry suit that he got at Tackle Shack. It's a 7mil w/hood attached. I looked at some there and they have really good "seals" at the wrist and ankles so not much water gets in and it zips up horizontally across the chest. They were only a little over 200.00. I need something like that myself.

[GeauxSaints]

Thanks for the advice. Another thing I'm concerned about would be puncture resistance.

I'll probably stick with the wet suits but wanted to ask if anyone had good experiences with dry suits.

I usually wear a 2 piece 3mm plus a 1mm 1 piece under it with a hooded vest in the winter...it has been fine under water down to our 55 degrees or so but getting out sucks. I'm pretty thin blooded...after 5 generations in Florida I think my whole family has blood thinner than water.