Semi-dry pros and cons?

[paulwall]

Ok, I have circa-1988 SAS 6mil (1/4") farmer john wetsuit that I finally fit into, again (snugly).

When diving, I am like a freakin' cork, and my legs get all floaty.

I dive a 5mil most of the year, and have added a 3mil hooded vest for when the waters get "nippy" on the gulf coast (Upper 50's). Works fine, but the Hyperstretch fabric tends to let the water flow a little too easily through the suit. Or, maybe the recent weight loss isn't helping.

Anyway, I tried a 3mil shorty on top of the 5mil, but it didn't work out for me. still too much flow.

Drysuit is out of the question for my area (too expensive vs. frequency of use).

So, I'm considering a semi-dry for this coming winter. Of course, I'll purchase in August.

Questions:

1) how snug should it be? Does that make it restrictive?
2) how thick is the neoprene? Honestly, the 7mm SD suits I've seen are not as thick as my current farmer john material.
3) What am I not considering?
4) Is the suit with the integrated hood superior to the hooded vest under the "standard" SD suit?
5) What are my boot/glove options?

[cummings66]

<DIV>1 - Same as any wetsuit, snug but not so much as to cut off circulation.</DIV>
<DIV>2 - A 7mm suit has got to be thicker than a 5mm unless somebodies got their math wrong. I've played with a 7mm semidry and it was 7mm's in size and had nice seals to boot.</DIV>
<DIV>3 - A good semi dry is not that much cheaper than an entry level drysuit.</DIV>
<DIV>4 - It depends, but it can be.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>

[woody]

&gt;1) how snug should it be? Does that make it restrictive?
<DIV>No more so than a wetsuit. a Semi-dry gets it dryness from using drysuit type seals at the extremities and neck, use of a sealed zipper. This will minimise water entry in to the suit.
3) What am I not considering?</DIV>
<DIV>Pinnacle Artic and Extreme.
4) Is the suit with the integrated hood superior to the hooded vest under the "standard" SD suit? Depends on the Suit. The Pinnacle hooded vest integrate with their seal to form a better seal. with less flow through.
5) What are my boot/glove options?
What ever you want.</DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Yes I am a Pinnacle fan.</DIV>
<DIV>Woody.</DIV>

[JahJahwarrior]

I don't know what size you are, but a guy by the name of Oceanus is selling a Large Scubamax semi dry on Scubaboard2.com for $75. It's got a front zipper and incorporated hood, and it's 7mm. Only problem is a small leak in the right armpit which I am told can be fixed with some aquaseal.

And no, Im not Oceanus and actually don't know the guy. I was interested in the suit a few days ago and still am but it looks like now I've got an oppurtunity to spend the money on three days of diving, whichi s cool, but means I can't buy the S/D suit right now.

[CompuDude]

Can't pee in a semi-dry.

There, I said it.

[img]smileys/smiley9.gif[/img]

[paulwall]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Can't pee in a semi-dry.

There, I said it.

[img]smileys/smiley9.gif[/img]

Interesting, the wetsuit JahJahBinks mentioned earlier has a p-valve installed. I suppose they can be modified, as can a drysuit.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by paulwall

Interesting, the wetsuit JahJahBinks mentioned earlier has a p-valve installed. I suppose they can be modified, as can a drysuit.

Interesting, I've never heard of anyone putting a p-valve in a semi-dry. And semi-dry's are fairly popular around here.

Consider the hassle (glue, cleaning, shaving, etc...) involved in a p-valve, though, I wouldn't bother for anything other than a drysuit. For that matter, even in my drysuit I haven't bothered, because I don't currently do multi-hour deco dives. Once I start, I'll definitely get one, but until then I'll just hold it.

[somewhereinla]

I use a Mares Isotherm semi-dry during the winter (low 50's high 40's) and I love it. My torso never get wait, even after the third dive and I am never cold. The only area that get a little wait are the wrists and ankles. A great suit.

[Lucky(AR)]

compudude said what i was thinking

[medic001918]

I know you said that a drysuit wasn't really an option, but what about a suit such as the Bare Nexgen? You can usually find a decent deal on the suit and it's a decent entry level suit. I've seen semi dry suits going for similar pricing. It might be worth looking into. I bought a drysuit and I haven't ever regretted it.
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV>Shane</DIV>