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Old 02-22-2017, 10:37 AM   #1
scubamarty
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warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Does anyone have any experience with dry suits while spearfishing the Southwest gulf in winter. I am considering getting one, but dont want to make an expensive mistake. Any info would be appreciated.
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Old 02-22-2017, 10:50 AM   #2
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

No experience with Dry Suits, but we spear all winter in the gulf in 5 mm wetsuits. I bring a cooler of hot water on the boat which helps, but it's not too cold in a 5 mil.
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Old 02-22-2017, 11:48 AM   #3
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Quote:
Originally Posted by CatDiver View Post
.........I bring a cooler of hot water on the boat which helps, but it's not too cold in a 5 mil.
How do you utilize the hot water? Is it for dunking suit before putting it on, or do you splash some on you, or what?
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Old 02-22-2017, 12:35 PM   #4
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

My boat has inboards w/a hot water heater system (fresh, not salt). We use it to flood the inside of the wet suit, while we have it on, before and sometimes after a dive.
I used to dive under the ice in Wisconsin in a 6mm wetsuit, using the same method as above, a thermos full of hot water.
As far as drysuits go, you think they cost allot to buy? Wait till you have to replace the zipper, or wrist, ankle, neck seals. Then there are the Many issues of diving with them!
PM me with a phone number and I will be glad to discuss the issues of diving dry suits with you.
Hell..I used to mfg and sell them!
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Old 02-22-2017, 12:57 PM   #5
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Bring a 5 gallon cooler that I have mixed with water from my water heater and a big pot boiled on the stove before we leave. We then take a cup and our it down the wetsuit front and back before and after dives. Also after the dive fresh hot water on your head and face is a slice of heaven.
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Old 02-22-2017, 03:52 PM   #6
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Lol a dry suit for SW FL? I'm way too hot in my open cell 5 mil up here in Tampa. I've been wearing just the top all winter.
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Old 02-22-2017, 05:01 PM   #7
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

A dry suit is overkill for spearfishing.... at least the way we did it. I know it gets cold in the winter. Sometimes in the mid 50's. I used to wear a hooded vest over a dive skin and then a 5 mil suit over the top. Layers. Our method was find a spot, drop in, kill, return to the boat. Dives usually didn't last over 20 minutes and then onto the next drop. I believe a dry suit would be too hard to get your buoyancy correct quickly. If you must have one this is a good company. They made me a custom fitted farmer john with attached hood neoprene wetsuit back in the late 1970's for around $800.

http://www.dui-online.com/dry_main.htm

Sales rep for Florida

David Rhea - 352-870-4056
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Old 02-23-2017, 12:23 PM   #8
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

I use a 3mm Mako. works fine for me, but I did start to get cold last time I was in the water for 4+ hours. Temp was around 65.
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Old 02-23-2017, 02:19 PM   #9
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

I use a 3mm two piece all winter and I'm a-ok. If I make the mistake of using the 5mm, usually end up taking off the pants to keep cool. A drysuit would be a lot of work!
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Old 03-03-2017, 08:12 AM   #10
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

I think a dry suit would be over kill. So far all winter I was fine in a 3.5 riffe suit. A 5 might have been more comfortable on one dive but I survived just fine even without hot water. Just don't forget a towel and a nice jacket and sweat pants for when you get out for the day.


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Old 03-03-2017, 10:23 AM   #11
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Dry suit is a waste of money anywhere in fl. I use 7mm farmer john with hooded vest. On coldest days carry hot water for repeat dives.
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Old 03-03-2017, 11:00 AM   #12
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

Using hot water is the way to go but there is another better way.
Here is what we use in California
http://www.spearamerica.com/hotshotz...heat-pack.html

They have a lifetime warranty, they are reusable and last long. Small one lasts like 2 hours, bigger one about 4 hours.

When competing we have these guys and pop them in as we feel necessary.
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Old 03-03-2017, 02:22 PM   #13
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

we dive in 5mm once the water hits 50 degrees. Grab a gatorade cooler, fill it with hot water, apply liberally before and after the dive. You are golden.
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Old 03-08-2017, 02:33 AM   #14
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Re: warm water dry suits for spearfishing gulf in winter

I dove drysuits for years in the northeast and loved them but I tried spearfishing in one when I moved to Tampa...it sucked. Way too much drag to slow you down; it even made cocking my gun a chore due to limited range of motion and every time you crunch to load the bands on your gun water shoots through the neck seals. It sucks. Don't waste your time, get a better wetsuit.
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