New England Gear

[Scuba Doula]

I'd like to get an idea of what all you New Englanders are donning for dive gear, especially Mainers. I'm making a wish list :D

[ScubaSarus]

Dry Suit
Steel Tanks (less buoyant).
A good cold water regulator.
Dry Suit Hood

[spectrum]

It depends when and where I'm diving.

October - June: Drysuit
Late June - Late September in the ocean, mainly 7mm wet with 2X on the core

In freshwater I will drop to 5mm and assorted vests if I'm not going too deep in July / August. Heck, for an occasional dive I can go with my shorty or even trunks!

Cylinders are almost exclusively HP Steel

Regulators are Sherwood Blizzards and a Phoenix Royal Aquamaster. (http://home.gwi.net/~spectrum/scuba_pimp.html)

Pete

[Dockmaster]

Thermal protection is a very important consideration; too thin and you're cold at depth or too thick and you have to carry lots of lead and you'll cook in your own sweat topside. I dive a 5mm one-piece June through late October, which allows me to wear less lead but I I finish some dives a little chilled. I've found that as long as I pull the top down and get dry inbetween dives, I can go all day. A good hood, boots and gloves are very important to the whole outfit and should not be overlooked.

Cold water regs are important as well. Sherwood Blizzards are very popular in Maine; cheap, reliable, easily serviced, and availible at dive shops throughout the state. I 've had my Blizzard out in 42 degree water and down past 90 feet without any problems. I recently bought a Zeagle Flathead 7, but will keep a Blizzard as a backup reg.

Due to a lack of funds, I have yet to make the switch from AL80s to steel. Would I like steel tanks, yes. Am I going to give up diving until I can afford steel tanks, no.

If you're considering a weight integrated BC, make sure that the one you choose has enough capacity to carry all your lead (for both your wet & dry suits). Also, having a BC which will easily adjust to your different wet/dry suits is important. Then there's the whole BP/W option to think about as well.

Keep talking to local divers and shops about what works for them as far as gear. For the most part, the LDSs in Maine will steer you in the right direction.

[charlesg3]

Everyone else pretty much nailed it, but just to reiterate:

-7mm wetsuit (farmer john + jacket), hood and gloves
-steel tanks if possible
-bp/w takes more weight off the belt (although not necessary)
-decent regs (environmentally sealed... i.e. less likely to flood)
-a light is nice for low vis situations
-also, in Mass we're required to carry a dive flag which can be good for boats and spotting you from shore / lost buddy situations.

[all4scuba05]

If you want to dive all year, get the drysuit. Or else you'll be diving a lot less than the rest of us up here.(I got my first drysuit after my first 20 dives)

Regs suited for cold water
Backplate and wing
Drygloves
Steel Tanks

[Rainer]

Armando pretty much nails it. If you want to dive year round, you need a dry suit. Period. It just isn't fun diving wet in waters below 50F. The fact one sees the mid-30s come winter just means you either won't dive for much of the year, or you'll be miserable (and likely unsafe).

Add to the above a good hood (Otter Bay makes an excellent one), a decent undergarment (e.g. 400G), dry gloves, cold water regs, and gear that is inherently negative (e.g. steel cylinders, steel backplates, etc). A nice light (10W and up) is a great safety addition given the often limited visibility.

[ScubaSarus]

I third the Sherwood Blizzard. Its been a solid performer for me. I do request it be loosened up to breath easier in the summer and can be tightened a bit for winter diving to prevent a free flow. Great reg and I've had it down to 120 ft with no issues.

[large_diver]

One other suggestion from a former New England diver...

Whether diving dry or wet, get some booties with decent tread on them, especially if you are doing a lot of shore diving on the rocky Maine coast. I have the DUI drysuit rockboots...which are kind of clunky, until you find yourself on uneven or rocky ground.....:-)

-Chris

[ScubaSarus]

Yea Id recommend the Bare Ice boots if still available. One rugged pair of booties great for rocky entries.

[Scuba Doula]

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll post later with my wish list :D

[xroirat]

- most everyone I dive with up here has switched to an integrated BCD inflator/regulator, such as the ScubaPro Air2, rather than a separate octopus regulator.
- I personally use a DUI Weight & Trim rather than a traditional weight belt, because I use a Wing-style BCD rather than a weight integrated BCD, and also because I much prefer how the weight is distributed when making a shore dive and waddling in and out of the water.
- I've been able to get by with 3-finger mitts rather than dry gloves, but that is a personal tolerance issue and I jam my hands into holes going after lobsters, which could be rough on dry gloves.
- as long as you're wishing, look into a nitrox capable dive computer. You'll probably go that way eventually and getting one now and learning how to use it properly will make it easier in the future.
Enjoy!
Jim

[formernuke]

I will give the only equipment advice I'm confident in giving......

Previous people have nailed the exposure protection pretty good. I found myself in a drysuit after about 15 dives, but I love the water and have no problem going up to Mass in the middle of winter. The important thing is that whatever you get fits you really well.

Regulator- once more covered in previous post a good cold water reg, there are several out there and though I can tell you what I dive I don't know enough to give solid advice on the differences.

BC- try, try, try, try.......try, borrow or rent the different styles and brands comparing the pluses and minuses of each one, how it fits and how YOU feel in it. I say this because I bought one right after cert and less then a year later found one that I liked better and was more comfortable for me. That's why a say to try out as many as you can it is cheaper to buy once then replace it a short time later.

Lastly- if you ever make to CT, Mass, or RI want to go diving??????

[paulthenurse]

+1 on a backplate and wing.

PTN