Tackling cooler water!

[Richard Mason]

If you are anxious not to spend too much to begin with, you can pick up pretty good suits on ebay, especially at this time of year; if you can get something for a good price and you aren't a "difficult" shape-size, you could use it for a year or two and then get something MTM. Quite often, suits with worn/damaged/perished seals will be fairly cheap on ebay, yet getting them replaced in the UK is a doddle and cheap. I was quoted 18quid by Protec for a new neckseal replacement, incl labour, which was less than the materials would cost me here.

Having said that, the prices of new drysuits in the UK are very competitive, I live in Aus but it's still way cheaper to get one over in Blighty.

Protec suits are very competitve, you can get a base model, MTM for around 300 quid (I think). You'll need an undersuit but you can pick those up at a very reasonable price on fleabay too. I've been using the bog standard model for 5 years now and apart from replacing the neckseal, it hasn't needed any work (apart from on the colour but that particular wound was self-inflicted).

My next suit will probably be a Seaskin though.

[Daz217]

Originally Posted by Richard Mason

If you are anxious not to spend too much to begin with, you can pick up pretty good suits on ebay, especially at this time of year; if you can get something for a good price and you aren't a "difficult" shape-size, you could use it for a year or two and then get something MTM. Quite often, suits with worn/damaged/perished seals will be fairly cheap on ebay, yet getting them replaced in the UK is a doddle and cheap. I was quoted 18quid by Protec for a new neckseal replacement, incl labour, which was less than the materials would cost me here.

Having said that, the prices of new drysuits in the UK are very competitive, I live in Aus but it's still way cheaper to get one over in Blighty.

Protec suits are very competitve, you can get a base model, MTM for around 300 quid (I think). You'll need an undersuit but you can pick those up at a very reasonable price on fleabay too. I've been using the bog standard model for 5 years now and apart from replacing the neckseal, it hasn't needed any work (apart from on the colour but that particular wound was self-inflicted).

My next suit will probably be a Seaskin though.

Seconded........... I came back to Diving last year after a long lay off and due to having to buy everything again i started out with a semi dry and it was OK even dived in 5o C last Feb BUT on a RHIB or Hard Boat(Liveaboard) the semi is a no brainer the trapped water inside cools when you are inactive on the surface and it gets cold quickly. Not so bad for a 30 min or so RHIB ride home and provided you are only doing one dive but multiple dives/days the semi gets less and less attractive as the dives/days progress.
I have had 3 drysuits from fleabay and all i will say is that unless you know it will fit(Try on the same size and suit at the LDS/mate if you can) it is a false economy you are better buying new or MTM if like me you have a body that strays from what is considered the norm
You can always sell on a suit you got second hand that does not fit but a)Its a hassle and b) you always seem to lose money.
I think you can get a new seaskin MTM for just short of £400 and considering a semi is in the region of £200 it makes sense to go for the Dry suit option from the start.As for undersuits well most of us managed for years with sweaters and tracksuit trousers etc so not an issue initially at least.
If you are a standard size and know the suit will fit there are some bargains to be had on ebay but if unsure there are always plenty of people available here to offer you advice on a particular suit that you may be looking at just don't expect to get a consensus of opinion

[Aerodive]

Thanks for the input, it looks like the drysuit is the way forward. The only drawback is not being able to pee when you feel the need!. On the subject of cool water diving, i'm visiting south wales next weekend (staying near brecon) and wondered if anyone knows of a dive centre that does escorted dives (rent-a-buddy) and what sort of water temperature to expect??

[purple vonny]

Brecon is about as far as you can get from the sea in Wales. I can give you the number of Brecon sub Aqua Club chairman if you want. But there are certainly no dive centres whatsoever for 50 miles.

[G man]

Originally Posted by Aerodive

I'm not drysuit trained yet. I'm quite hardy and the money saved would be enough for my own tanks and weights (the only kit i don't have yet). Being from the northeast (where the women go out in 50g of lycra during february!), you risk getting called a nancy if you complain of cold at anything above -10C. But on a serious note, i thought i'd build up my kit steadily, the cats inheritance is at stake!.

They must all be wearing the Friday evening Bacardigans to keep them warm,

[Aerodive]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

Brecon is about as far as you can get from the sea in Wales. I can give you the number of Brecon sub Aqua Club chairman if you want. But there are certainly no dive centres whatsoever for 50 miles.

I was thinking of somewhere on the south coast, a day out whilst the rest of the family did something drier. Any idea of water temperatures?.

[KeyLimePie]

Originally Posted by Aerodive

The only drawback is not being able to pee when you feel the need!

Fit a pee valve and problem solved No need to create carnage on the boat as you rip off your suit and stumble toward the head, ask Leigh

[Okeanos]

I used to use a semi dry every month of the year for UK dives, if you have somewhere out of the wind to change, it's fine. They're fine in the water. My last semi was an Oceanic Shadow, warmest one I ever had.

[String]

Originally Posted by Aerodive

Thanks for the input, it looks like the drysuit is the way forward. The only drawback is not being able to pee when you feel the need!. On the subject of cool water diving, i'm visiting south wales next weekend (staying near brecon) and wondered if anyone knows of a dive centre that does escorted dives (rent-a-buddy) and what sort of water temperature to expect??

Brecon as others have said is a long way from the sea. Its also about 10 miles from me

If you want diving you either have the NDAC (aka chepstow quarry) or for sea diving maybe Swansea but most diving is in West Wales (pembroke etc) which is about a 2hr drive from you.

As for water temperature, the sea was 13c last weekend, quarry 15c 2 weeks before that.

Not sure i can think of an operator that does guided dives but again it depends how far you're prepared to travel. West wales divers MIGHT but im not certain.

South coast of England is about 2.5 hours to get to Plymouth which is about your nearest.

If you need any more information on diving around here, feel free to PM me.

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by Anita Blake

Started my OW course today in a 7mm semi-dry by Water-Proof. The water was 13 degrees and I found it ok, didn't even need gloves on. I couldn't afford a dry-suit yet so it's enough to get me started.

But then I know I'll have to wait until next year before I can do much diving again, as the weather is getting colder

Whats all this about I cant afford a dry suit?

Ebay have loads for sale cheaper than a decent new semi-dry

Just go for the non guchi makes and you can grab a bargain. Poler Bears Hammonds etc are fine suits but not in vogue at the moment so cheep as chips.

Avoid DUI, 03, Protecs and Otter Britannic which are the must have suit at the moment QED they are more expensive on the S/H market.


Dry suit course??? whats that then? Should I do one?


Thats what the 6m ledge at Stony is for


ATB

Mark Chase