I plan to spend six of the next eighteen months doing mostly wilderness cruising off the coast of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. In preparation for the possible need to get into 50 degree water to clear a fouled line off my prop or a fish net off my rudder, I want to buy some kind of temperature protective wear that will allow me to work for maybe 30 minutes in the water without becoming hypothermic. I'm not SCUBA qualified and plan to surface as required to breathe. I am comfortable snorkeling. Any recommendations on type of gear to purchase will be appreciated. Thanks. Gary Wyngarden S/V Wanderlust H37.5
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Wet suit
Gary, I'd suggest a 6mm wet suit. You can stay in the water for 50+ and be quite comfortable. I used a wet suit for local diving for quite a while. One issue you may have is that neoprene adds buoyancy. It could be difficult to stay underwater and a weight belt might be necessary. However, you will be nice and warm. I carry an old wet suit on my boat for exactly what you're thinking of doing. On the other hand you could also look at a dry suit. I think that would be overkill unless you certified. There are two types, neoprene and nylon construction. In both cases an external air source allows the user to change their buoyancy. But, they are around $1000 so like I said overkill. You know, SCUBA certification is really easy. A few week day nights and a weekend is all it takes. But if not that I'd get a 6mm wet suit.
Gary, I'd suggest a 6mm wet suit. You can stay in the water for 50+ and be quite comfortable. I used a wet suit for local diving for quite a while. One issue you may have is that neoprene adds buoyancy. It could be difficult to stay underwater and a weight belt might be necessary. However, you will be nice and warm. I carry an old wet suit on my boat for exactly what you're thinking of doing. On the other hand you could also look at a dry suit. I think that would be overkill unless you certified. There are two types, neoprene and nylon construction. In both cases an external air source allows the user to change their buoyancy. But, they are around $1000 so like I said overkill. You know, SCUBA certification is really easy. A few week day nights and a weekend is all it takes. But if not that I'd get a 6mm wet suit.
Wet suit is your only choice
It is hard to admit, but I have been SCUBA diving for 27 years (Search and Rescue level, working on Dive Master). I dove in many conditions and water temperatures so; I have a bit of experience. Forget about a dry suit, it is not easy do dive with is, especially if you are a novice. 6mm wet suit may be sufficient to stay warm for a little bit of time, but only if you are nor a "skin and bones" type. You will need a lead weight belt - a local dive shop will help you to choose the right weight. Remember that holding your breath may be much more difficult in cold water than in a warm tropic. And you are not ging to dive to for pleasure, but you may need to do some work under water, hence your air consumption will increase - so your effective working time under water may not by much longer than a 1 minute, which each consecutive dive the time being shorter - you are going to get more tired and more cold. TO make a long story short - get a basic scuba course and be safe and enjoy your dive more. Snorkeling is like walking, and scuba diving is like running a sprint. Hope this helps.
It is hard to admit, but I have been SCUBA diving for 27 years (Search and Rescue level, working on Dive Master). I dove in many conditions and water temperatures so; I have a bit of experience. Forget about a dry suit, it is not easy do dive with is, especially if you are a novice. 6mm wet suit may be sufficient to stay warm for a little bit of time, but only if you are nor a "skin and bones" type. You will need a lead weight belt - a local dive shop will help you to choose the right weight. Remember that holding your breath may be much more difficult in cold water than in a warm tropic. And you are not ging to dive to for pleasure, but you may need to do some work under water, hence your air consumption will increase - so your effective working time under water may not by much longer than a 1 minute, which each consecutive dive the time being shorter - you are going to get more tired and more cold. TO make a long story short - get a basic scuba course and be safe and enjoy your dive more. Snorkeling is like walking, and scuba diving is like running a sprint. Hope this helps.
Semi-dry may work well
If you are not SCUBA diving, you may want to check out what windsurfers wear up their in the Northwest. I have a 4/3 mm semi-dry that has kept me warm in cold water. I've been in the Atlantic in March and April when the water is in the 40's and 50's and it works well. The thinner weight will give you more flexibility than a divers wetsuit. It has a gasketed neck that keeps water from flooding the upper body (but the arms and feet aren't, like a full drysuit). You stay dry for a little while but water seeps in gradually, allowing body heat to warm it up quickly. They don't have feet or a hood but you can buy that separately. They cost about $300 and up. I think with a drysuit it is hard to get underwater because of the air you trap inside. With a semi-dry, it is easier to swim.
If you are not SCUBA diving, you may want to check out what windsurfers wear up their in the Northwest. I have a 4/3 mm semi-dry that has kept me warm in cold water. I've been in the Atlantic in March and April when the water is in the 40's and 50's and it works well. The thinner weight will give you more flexibility than a divers wetsuit. It has a gasketed neck that keeps water from flooding the upper body (but the arms and feet aren't, like a full drysuit). You stay dry for a little while but water seeps in gradually, allowing body heat to warm it up quickly. They don't have feet or a hood but you can buy that separately. They cost about $300 and up. I think with a drysuit it is hard to get underwater because of the air you trap inside. With a semi-dry, it is easier to swim.
Gary I am envious
that you're going off to the land of no mooring balls, no docks, 75 miles between fuel and going to take your sweet time doing it.
that you're going off to the land of no mooring balls, no docks, 75 miles between fuel and going to take your sweet time doing it.
Tried both and
I like a dry suit with some long john underwear. It is far easier to put on and far more versatile. I have been told that you can use a dry suit for a survival situation, too. A dry suit is also a lot more expensive. Both have a bouyancy issue but you can just wear a weight belt. You might also consider a small scuba tank. I have one but do not know where it came from. It is smaller than a fire extinguisher and only gives you fifteen minutes or so but you might need that for your repairs. Do not forget to leave your potato gun at home when travelling north. Drug induced bureaucratic paranoia is a very peculiar thing. I just love Canada!
I like a dry suit with some long john underwear. It is far easier to put on and far more versatile. I have been told that you can use a dry suit for a survival situation, too. A dry suit is also a lot more expensive. Both have a bouyancy issue but you can just wear a weight belt. You might also consider a small scuba tank. I have one but do not know where it came from. It is smaller than a fire extinguisher and only gives you fifteen minutes or so but you might need that for your repairs. Do not forget to leave your potato gun at home when travelling north. Drug induced bureaucratic paranoia is a very peculiar thing. I just love Canada!
Don't forget a hood...
That will help keep your head warm underwater which is very important if you're really going to be diving on your prop for 30 minutes. I'd be pretty hesitant to put on a weight belt without a bouyancy compensator like scuba divers wear. Especially if you haven't tested the whole setup ahead of time. You will have a tendency to float to the surface in a wet suit but that's a good thing compared to the alternative... Wetsuits are cheap and 100% reliable unlike drysuits which depend totally on latex gaskets (that can tear) and waterproof zippers (that might not be). Drysuits will keep you warmer though as long as you insulate heavily under them. If you're going to keep the suit around "just in case" rather than using it regularly a wetsuit is your best bet. You might be able to run a line athwartships underwater and use it to pull yourself down to the prop if you find the suit is too bouyant. Have a great trip! Hopefully you won't need this stuff anyway.
That will help keep your head warm underwater which is very important if you're really going to be diving on your prop for 30 minutes. I'd be pretty hesitant to put on a weight belt without a bouyancy compensator like scuba divers wear. Especially if you haven't tested the whole setup ahead of time. You will have a tendency to float to the surface in a wet suit but that's a good thing compared to the alternative... Wetsuits are cheap and 100% reliable unlike drysuits which depend totally on latex gaskets (that can tear) and waterproof zippers (that might not be). Drysuits will keep you warmer though as long as you insulate heavily under them. If you're going to keep the suit around "just in case" rather than using it regularly a wetsuit is your best bet. You might be able to run a line athwartships underwater and use it to pull yourself down to the prop if you find the suit is too bouyant. Have a great trip! Hopefully you won't need this stuff anyway.
wet suit and dive bottle
the problem you will have is the suit floats quit well and weights are the only way you will get under the water and once you hit 10 ft the suit will compress and not be so buoyanc. but in this case what goes down may not be so easy to come back up once you have free dove and are tired due to the weighs pulling you down. for 99$ you can get basic dive trained and then just buy a piggy back bottle and you can do minor repairs for 15 min or so. make sure you are tied to the boat to pull your self back up if need be.
the problem you will have is the suit floats quit well and weights are the only way you will get under the water and once you hit 10 ft the suit will compress and not be so buoyanc. but in this case what goes down may not be so easy to come back up once you have free dove and are tired due to the weighs pulling you down. for 99$ you can get basic dive trained and then just buy a piggy back bottle and you can do minor repairs for 15 min or so. make sure you are tied to the boat to pull your self back up if need be.
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