Hi Brad,
I agree with Lee, that the water in Cayman at that time of year is warm,
usually 80F or above. One year in late August, we were diving bathing
suits in 84F water, it was hot! :-) Current temp around Little Cayman,
where we'll be doing most of our diving, is 80-81F.
So, a skin would probably be adequate, however, if the water is 80 or
less, then I dive with a 3mm, at least. The neoprene in my old 3mm is
so squished it doesn't offer much more than a skin at this point any
way. :-)
If you are looking for a 3mm that can be used for other things, like an
outer layer, Henderson makes a wetsuit call Hyperstretch that stretches
up to 250percent of it's size. You really have to see it to believe
it. http://www.hendersonusa.com/product_hyperstretch.html# their main
URL is http://www.hendersonusa.com
There are lots of good skins and wetsuits out there to pick from.
Something like the ScubaPro Glideskin is another possibility for a thin
shorty wetsuit
http://www.scubapro.com/consumer/products/divewear/wetsuits/stek/stek.html
I'm sure you'll get some opinions about wetsuits from others with more
recent experience.
Did you and Chad get your shirts? Only 39 days till the
CAIV2002NEDfest!
Best regards,
Russ
Lee Bell wrote:
>
> > I was curious about responses you may have gotten (off-list?) about dive
> > suits. I intended to buy a 3mil full suit, but I'm guessing that it
> > might be too much. Then again, I'll be in the water a lot. :-))) ...So,
> > I hate to ask, but maybe I should. Recomendatins, anyone?
>
> Brad,
> As always, one's needs depend on one's preferences. I've been diving
> several times in all of the Caymans, always around the same time of year
> that you'll be there. While I'm a warm water wimp, I don't get cold easily.
> My wife gets chilled before I do. Out trips normally include 3, one hour
> dives per day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon. In all our
> trips, neither of us has ever needed thermal protection. At worst, my wife
> has gotten slightly chilled on dives where we were particularly sedintary,
> while spending an entire dive watching garden eels play in the sand, for
> example. I've never had a problem.
>
> Right now, the water temperatures here in S. Florida are up to about 80
> degrees F. I've put my 3mm wetsuit away for the season. Temperatures in
> the Caymans are, in my experience, two to three degrees warmer. I would
> expect to dive without thermal protection and would probably not take my 3mm
> suite with me. If I had one of the new .5 mm suits, I probably would take
> it. YMMV, particularly since this is a liveaboard trip, where it may be
> better to be safe than sorry.
>
> Good luck on your decision.
>
> Lee
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