8 replies to this topic

[finGrabber]

I've been reading more about semi-dry vs wetsuits. What's the difference between the 2? And how does a semi-dry differ from a drysuit?

[gcbryan]

I've been reading more about semi-dry vs wetsuits. What's the difference between the 2? And how does a semi-dry differ from a drysuit?

I think a semi-dry is just a wetsuit with seals around the ankles, wrist, and neck. Less water gets in (and out) and therefore keeps one warmer. I have no experience with them so I could be wrong.

[6Gill]

That would be someone trying to sell you their leaky drysuit...

They will have neck,wrist and ankle seals similar to a drysuit which act to trap the water more effectivly.It still sucks getting into one for dive #2 in November when the suit is cold and wet.Semi-dry is a compromise and a poor one at that.

Eric

[nydiver]

Like they were saying semi-dry would denote a suit that attempts to seal the entry points (neck, wrists, ankles, ZIPPER) as much as possible. Many wetsuits in this sense would be "Semi-dry" as many have skin in seals at the neck, wrist, ankles, and then they'll have a flap to try and really slow water transfer thru the zipper. Again the idea slow the water flushing, the best "semi-dry" suits would be like my Mares Isotherm, which is damn near a dry-suit that they forgot to put valves on. It has toroidal or circular seals that positivly seal the wrists and ankles, a heavy neck seal like a dry suit, and a true drysuit zipper across the shoulders. The seams like most wetsuit and all neoprene drysuits are also glue sealed and then mauser sewn to make it water tight at the seams. When I wear the suit I have to "burp" the suit or it will hold air in and make me more bouyant, its that air tight.

For a good "semi-dry" wetsuit look into divers discount supply, thay mass purchased all the remaining Ocean Reef Challenger 2pc wetsuits, they're $99 (originaly 349) and are kick butt, 5mm full suit with a 3mm hooded vest, when the vest is used under the fullsuit the neck seal seals to a glideskin area on the vest, works great!

Hope this is helpful

[sandiegocarol]

ok so thanks to this board and you guys I have hooked up with some divers out in sunny SoCal... do y'all know what that means----that means diving in 50 - 60 degree water in the wintertime so pleez give me some tips on dry suits because whenever I think about my OW checkout dives in a 7 mil wetsuit I want to crawl into the hot tub and die (not to indicate this is a bad thang)*************************

[captsteve]

ok so thanks to this board and you guys I have hooked up with some divers out in sunny SoCal... do y'all know what that means----that means diving in 50 - 60 degree water in the wintertime so pleez give me some tips on dry suits because whenever I think about my OW checkout dives in a 7 mil wetsuit I want to crawl into the hot tub and die (not to indicate this is a bad thang)*************************

there are several types. foam neoprene, crushed neoprene, trilam....etc... i have a nice foam neoprene one that requires a neat trick to get negative. first, i have my mate gently lower my boats 75lb anchor just till it touches the water. second, i grab hold of the anchor. third, i yell "cut her loose!!!".
no, but really, it takes a lot of lead with foam neoprene.... most people prefer trilams or crushed neoprene.....

[nydiver]

ok so thanks to this board and you guys I have hooked up with some divers out in sunny SoCal... do y'all know what that means----that means diving in 50 - 60 degree water in the wintertime so pleez give me some tips on dry suits because whenever I think about my OW checkout dives in a 7 mil wetsuit I want to crawl into the hot tub and die (not to indicate this is a bad thang)*************************

In upstate NY we frequently dive in 50-60 water in the St. Lawrence and in the spring in Ontario, I frequently dive just my Isotherm (single layer 7mm Semi-dry) in those temps, the drysuit only gets broken out when ice is forming on the surface and the water is below 45, 60-70 sees a 5mm fullsuit with a hood, above 70, lose hood, then at 75 move to a 3mm fullsuit, above 80 and its no suit at all.

Most people here who are hard core get tri-lams, then you can vary layers as needed for the temp your diving. Mine is about 7 years old, a Whites Pro-Aqua Self-Entry, great suit, never an issue, BUT I do wish it came standard with cuffs and a user replaceable neck seal. That is an option now and worth it, the cuffs allow you to use wrist seals or dry gloves, and when a seal or glove rips you just put a new one in place, no need to send the suit out to be repaired. Disadvantage, they fit like a garbage bag, they are very easy to send air in the wrong places and get out of shape in the water, you should have a class before you even begin to look at buying a drysuit so you know how to deal with a few items that really throw newbies, like air rushing to your feet and throwing you inverted.

Neoprene drysuits, not much experience with these, mainly because I've seen them, I know they exist, but NOONE I know uses one, Maybe its just that all the dealers here only have tri-lams in the shops or in rentals, but they just aren't that popular here in NY. One reason I can think of is that as neoprene is compressed and expanded it looses some of its thermal properties, so it begins to get colder as it gets older, perhaps the pre-compressed, or crushed neoprene deals with that.

Maybe that is helpful, maybe not, but that's my story and I'm stickin to it

[ScubaDadMiami]

I dove wet once in the last 2+ years, and that was once too often for me. What more do you need to know?

[6Gill]

I dove wet once in the last 2+ years, and that was once too often for me. What more do you need to know?

Now you tell me.....

Eric