U-85

[JCAT]

I'm interested in this wreck off of Nags Head, NC.

Has anyone dove it and what can you tell me about conditions in the area.

Thinking about a weekend trip.

Thanks

[wxboy911]

I have yet to dive it but here is the bookmark from my "To Dive" favorites.

http://www.nc-wreckdiving.com/WRECKS/U85/U85.HTML

Let us know how it is.

[FXWX]

Conditions off Hatteras island can change with the currents. It was a full suit, hood, and everything dive a number of years ago when I was on it. And that was the middle of the summer. The visibility can change a great deal, too.

Other North Carolina dives can be semi-tropical. You will have to call one of the operators over there for the latest.

[cariss2709]

Actually I was tempted to drive down from VA to do some dives myself sometime middle of next month. There are two dive ops I know about by the outer banks. There's one located in Nags Head and a second one by Hatteras. I haven't done the dive yet, but in the prep work I was doing I saw somewhere that temps are from 78-85.

Not sure if this is a problem for you, but one of the shops require that you have dive insurance. Also for another shop in Morehead City it requires that you're an advanced diver or you meet these reqs: 20+ dives, 1 over 100 ft dive, 1 boat dive and at at least 1 dive in the past 12 months.

[JCAT]

Thanks for the info. I meet all of the requirements. Hopefully I can get over there before it turns too cold. Wife insists that I go to PA for wedding of niece.

I stated there was zero diving in PA, and I'm not too fond of the guy niece is going to marry anyhow. ...sigh

[BobArnold8265]

Diving from Morehead is wonderful when the conditions are good. The only problem is that they are pretty unpredictable up until a day or two prior to your dive. I've been 3 times.

On the first trip, the seas were about 6 feet. We went out on Saturday and did two nice dives but several people on board got sea sick. Sunday was canceled because the seas got worse.

Trip two - seas were again choppy and in the 6 + foot range. We went out on Saturday, did 1 dive and the group determined that the rough seas and poor vis wasn't worth it. We went back in after just one dive and Sunday was canceled.

Trip three - Excellent conditions and had four excellent dives. Great wrecks, several curious Sand Tiger sharks and lots of sea life. Some of the best diving I can remember.

Bottom line. It diving the wrecks in NC can be very hit or miss. If you can accept the risk of disappointment, then the good days greatly outweigh the bad ones !!

As far as wetsuits and exposure gear, it does get a little cool at 100 feet or so. I dove in a 5 mil with 5 mil hood and 3 mil gloves and was pretty comfortable. My Wife on the other hand got cold on the first outing and now wears a 7 mil suit which works for her better. My advice would be to take both a 5 and 7 mil if you have them. If you can only take one, I'd go with the 7 mil. Better to be a little warm than cold in my opinion.

[nizutz]

U boats would definitly be of interest to me also. Hopefully one day I will make it to one of these wrecks.