which suit for what water?

[thehappychappy]

The following Dilema needs to be solved..

The lucky lad that I am I have two more dive holidays coming up in the next few months.

unlucky for me I dont think I have the appropriate dive gear so am going to have to spend some more money. (Did somebody say diving was cheap?)


Heading to Mallorca at the Beginning of June (North side of Island) not quite sure what to expect for water temp.

What style of suit and thickness?

Heading to Harghuda first week of July
What style of suit and thickness?


I have a preference for full length legs in any suit as I dont want to scrpe my legs of anything, knock my shins by accident. (yes I know I should be a better diver..)

My Current suit list is as follows:
ND Divemaster Drysuit (I dont think suitable for any of the above!)
Procella 5mm Full length wetsuit. (I think it might be OK for Mallorca but far to warm for the Red Sea in July)


Suggestions?

Can you get three quarter length 3mm wetsuits without paying a fortune?
would 2mm be better for the Red Sea and again can you get three quarter lengths?

Should I just get a shortie and be done with it?

Thanks.

[chrisch]

From memory the balearics in summer are about 18-23C. I snorkeled there in September without a suit and it was Ok for about half an hour. To dive I rented a 5mm wettie.

Never done the Red sea.

The drysuit IMHO would be fine. I have dived a drysuit in France in 23C water and its jolly nice. Just don't bother with hood or gloves. A pair of swimmies underneath is OK. (In fact I have been cold on one occasion in the south of France in summer and wished I had an undersuit).

Nothing on this planet would ever persuade me to BUY a suit that let water in. I might rent a suit if flying out somewhere to save luggage.

Chris

[edit] for cheap wetsuits go to Decathlon [/edit]

[Buoyant Babe]

Can't comment on the Red Sea (sadly!) but a 5mm full length in Mallorca, in June, should be fine. My experience of the Med in June (Turkey, Santorini) is that it's chilly at about 18 degrees. I took a 3mm full length to Turkey a few years ago and boy did I regret it - even with a skin suit underneath I was still cold.

Even when the water is going to be warmer, I prefer a full length suit to avoid cuts and scrapes and 'the kiss of the jellysish'

HTH

HElen x

[thehappychappy]

OK Sorted for Mallorca in June.
Will just use my existing 5mm full length.


Anybody done the Red Sea in July?

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

OK Sorted for Mallorca in June.
Will just use my existing 5mm full length.


Anybody done the Red Sea in July?

My Mother did the Red Sea in April one year in a shortie and said she was okay.

[recurve]

I'd probably wear a 3mm full length for both locations, but then it has been said that I'm strange.

You could do a lot worse than the Procella suits you mention, I just got a 3mm full length from them (via ebay) for £35, watching the auctions carefully can sometimes net you a bargain.

[John N]

Red Sea in July I would be in a 3mm. Not due to water temperature but how hot it will be out of the water - not very comfortable.

You can get 3mm shorties for £30 or £40 but like you I have a preference for full suits which are usually double that at least.

A shortie is also handy for pool practice so that might be the best option.
Just be careful if you do night dives...

[Richie]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

OK Sorted for Mallorca in June.
Will just use my existing 5mm full length.


Anybody done the Red Sea in July?

Yup - 3mil shortie but the 5 would be fine so long as you are calm and un sweaty in kitting up.

I use a full 7mm at all times other than mid summer and its fine too.

Water temp varies relatively little. Its waiting on the dive platform waiting to jump that's the hot bit

Save your cash

[Buoyant Babe]

Originally Posted by recurve

I'd probably wear a 3mm full length for both locations, but then it has been said that I'm strange.

Sayeth the man who went in Stoney in a shortie in February...

[Gogs]

Originally Posted by thehappychappy

OK Sorted for Mallorca in June.
Will just use my existing 5mm full length.


Anybody done the Red Sea in July?

I had a 5mm in the redsea in the end of June/start of July last year on a liveaboard. It was fine in the water, didnt feel the cold at all.....it was a wee bit tostey on the back of the boat though. But hey, who cares when you are in the red sea on a liveaboard?

If you have a 5mm then you can wear it anywhere. (except Loch Long!)

gogs