Wetsuit Dilemma

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releck97

Contributor
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
Messages
295
Reaction score
112
Location
Cayuga Lake, NY and Pompano Beach, FL
# of dives
500 - 999
Such first world problems...We're leaving for Grand Cayman on Friday and I'm having a difficult time deciding on a wetsuit for this trip. Usually we dive in February (or earlier in April) and it's a no-brainer for me. My wetsuit of choice for the winter months is a full 3/2. I wear a shortie in the summer. What are the temps like in the latter half of April? Can I get by with just a shortie or am I going to wish I brought my full suit? I'm not bringing both because of bulk and added weight. Your thoughts? Thanks!
 
Being cold sucks. A shortie wouldn't work for me doing 3 dives per day for a week. I'd freeze. I'd wear at least 3 mm pants and 1.5 top with a hood. You can always vent water into the legs or top if you're getting warm When you get cold, you just suffer. But, I am a skinny old fart.

Belize temps at my spots two weeks ago were 79 or so.
 
I'd wear the 3, been there plenty in April, water is around 80-82. After that second dive you get cold!
 
I'd say that if you typically carry your 3 ml in early April, then mid to late April won't be vastly different. Carry the 3ml. Now for myself, if the water is usually 80 or above, I don't wear a wetsuit. Being a little overweight does have its advantages!
 
Totally agree with others. Full suit. Much easier to cool down than to warm up.
Why risk it?
 
I am in the same boat...above about 80, I am fine with a shorty, and above about 84, I rarely wear a wetsuit. Then again...that was when I was 250-260 pounds. Since I am current at 237 and dropping fast, I may have to rethink that this fall. You could always take the shorty and then buy a 1 or 1.5 mm top with long sleeves to layer with if the shorty isnt enough. My wife bought a pair of 1mm shorts an a 1.5mm top to wear late last summer and loved the combination and flexibility it gave her.
 
I just love this site! We're all just a bunch of rabid divers waiting for somebody to start something new to chime in on...and, here I thought that I was the only one that made this sub-forum a regular check every day (or several times each day). Thanks for all the advice. I was all set to just bring the 3 mil when Aggie brought up his idea of an additional top. Like I said in the OP, such first world problems...
Now, if work would stop being a royal PITA this week, I could prepare myself for the trip!
 
I'd choose the full suit. I wore my shorty last time I dove in the Caymans (March 2013) and the Jelly Fish stings I got on the exposed skins made me swear never again.
 

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