Looking For Advice on Wetsuit Purchase

[srcdco]

I'm looking to get a wetsuit, but I don't have a lot of money to spend on it (until the kid is done with college). What I'm looking for is something that will lengthen my water hunting season here in Western NY. I've seen some on Craigslist, but I don't know how good they are. I also don't know how to size one. Normally, I go in the water with a swim suit, t-shirt, and old gym shoes. That's enough when it's warm (mid June through mid September), but I'd like to get out before the docks are out, if possible.

Thank you,
Scott

 

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[Terry Soloman]

Fit is the most important factor when purchasing a wetsuit. You must try on the wetsuit, as every wetsuit manufacturer's size chart is different. Thickness is also important. The thicker the suit, the warmer. 'Smoothie' neoprene stretches better and is warmer in windy conditions. Seams are also important. The types of seams used in a wetsuit differ greatly.

An "Overlock" seam is found on inexpensive suits. This type of stitch lasts forever but it is not watertight, and can cause skin irritation or a rash as it protrudes against the skin.

A "Flatlock" seam is a flat stitch that does not push into your skin like the overlock. It is not watertight, but does not cause as much of a rash or chaffing problem.

The "Blindstitch," is a flat stitch that does not penetrate all the way through the neoprene, so there are no stitch holes. It is watertight which makes a tremendous difference. Blindstich seams are found only on more expensive wetsuits.

Last but not least, wetsuit zippers - or closures, are extremely important. "Back-zip" suits are the most common type. Look for a sturdy metal zipper (rather than plastic), and thick flaps behind the zipper to prevent water flushes. You would look for the same qualities in a "Shoulder-zip" suit.

 

[GatorBoy]

This is only my advice from personal experience but I say go into a local surf shop and buy a surfing wetsuit if you want something that's going to be durable and designed not to irritate with constant movement.

 

[sexton]

on a budget go to the thrift store goodwill big savings. wash before you wear

 

[Sandman]

Terry knows wet suits. Your going to have to go to a dive shop to try them on an and don't buy used or online till you get experience. Get long sleeves and not to loose as the idea is to have your body warm the water in the suit and not lose it flushing in and out. On a side note you can pee in the suit. My brother in law had to exit the water and drive to a rest room to pee. What a Weenie. Get a 2 piece shorty in 1/4 inch for best warmth and just wear the jacket in the summer. You might want a hood if its windy.

 

[CASPER-2]

look for a 2 piece farmer john
minimum of 5mm - I use a 7mm in New England waters= warm gloves and boots are especially important

 

[OBN]

Your that far north I would say drysuit... How long do you want to extent your season? For less then 300 dollars you can get a nice one off of ebay under Military

Mustang Survival Tactical Operations Dry Suit MSD575 NV Sz XLarge Regular XL R | eBay

Mine I can hunt any temp waters with clammer gloves and a drysuit, unless it is frozen. I have a couple friends that hunt with me right now that are wearing wetsuits, the water here is in the low 40's now and they are just about at the limited at how long they can handle the chilly water. And if you go drysuit, goes as big as possible, much easier to get in and out.

 

[Jolly Mon]

Your that far north I would say drysuit... How long do you want to extent your season? For less then 300 dollars you can get a nice one off of ebay under Military

Mustang Survival Tactical Operations Dry Suit MSD575 NV Sz XLarge Regular XL R | eBay

Mine I can hunt any temp waters with clammer gloves and a drysuit, unless it is frozen. I have a couple friends that hunt with me right now that are wearing wetsuits, the water here is in the low 40's now and they are just about at the limited at how long they can handle the chilly water. And if you go drysuit, goes as big as possible, much easier to get in and out.

I am with OBN. In your latitude, go with a drysuit. First off, they are easier to size than a wetsuit. A drysuit does not have to be form fitting like a wetsuit does. I recently bought a very nice OS systems drysuit with Polar Boots on Ebay for $125.00. It had hardly ever been worn, but the latex wrist and neck seal had to be replaced. This is no big deal. The old seals will generally peel off with a hairdryer. Get yourself a good fleece undergarment and you will never look back.

 

[OBN]

Jolly M check out these gloves..SI Tech..

 

[TwistedElvis]

Yes I would say Dry Suit as well!

 

[dewcon4414]

Use some gold to pay for a dry suit.... im in Fl and still feel like im freezing my butt off after 6 to 8 hours in the water in a 5 mm shortie. Now Joe..... about peeing in a dry suit? Cold water and ole men ya know.....

 

[ecoast]

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[DadOfTwo]

Use some gold to pay for a dry suit.... im in Fl and still feel like im freezing my butt off after 6 to 8 hours in the water in a 5 mm shortie. Now Joe..... about peeing in a dry suit? Cold water and ole men ya know.....

I'm new to treasure hunting, but know a little about SCUBA, and drysuits. Enough to say don't pee in one...

However, just in case you're serious, dry suit accessory makers do offer 'pee valves'. When you put the suit on you have to put a catheter on your... self. The catheter has a tube that connects to a one-way valve in the suit.

Yes, really. Look it up.

However, notice I'm talking about SCUBA drysuits. I don't know much about non-diving drysuits like used by kayakers and others. They may have other options.

WRT the SI Tech gloves posted above, there are two general types of gloves used by drysuit divers. Some drysuits have wrist seals, and are used with regular 'wet' neoprene gloves. The ones pictured above are 'dry' type, and warmer. However, for treasure hunting I would think you would want neoprene gloves for the increased dexterity. The dry gloves are loose-fitting to be worn over cotton or fleece liner gloves.

For the budget-minded, there is a DIY approach to the dry gloves. More info on request.

And for the OP: There are basically two types of drysuits, shell suits and neoprene suits. Neoprene suits have built-in insulation (the neoprene), whereas a shell suit is basically just a thin nylon coverall to keep your insulating garments dry. I would think you would want to look at shell suits, since you have greater control over the insulation (vary the undergarments to suit the season). Plus a neoprene suit is almost always black, and they get really warm in the sun. Working in the surf zone it seems you would have more trouble with your torso sweating while your hands and feet are freezing.

Oh, and WRT the original question, I would also advise looking into a drysuit. I have a heavy neoprene farmer john and jacket that I use for cold-water diving. While it can be warm enough, and avoids issues of drysuit diving, it is really restrictive. That's OK with recreational diving where you don't do much with your hands anyway, but for this hobby, I think a drysuit would be the way to go.

 

[WaterWalker]

I have been using a Ice Water Rescue suit for many years. I bought mine used. It has outlasted all many waders, but I do not use it as frequently as waders. I only use it in rougher waters and to get out that extra 2-3 inches in depth, especially on super low tides during the winter. The set I have has the gloves and bootfoot attached. Cost was around 150 and I have never had one leak. I wish waders would last as long.

 

[Boatlode]

I'm looking to get a wetsuit, but I don't have a lot of money to spend on it (until the kid is done with college). What I'm looking for is something that will lengthen my water hunting season here in Western NY. I've seen some on Craigslist, but I don't know how good they are. I also don't know how to size one. Normally, I go in the water with a swim suit, t-shirt, and old gym shoes. That's enough when it's warm (mid June through mid September), but I'd like to get out before the docks are out, if possible.
Thank you,
Scott

Scott, do not buy a wetsuit without trying it on. They are not like clothes, you cannot go by the size. Even two wetsuits of the same size from the same manufacturer will fit a little different. A correct fit will be snug, but not so tight that it restricts your movement. Put the wetsuit on and take a deep breath - you should feel a gentle tightness around your chest with your lungs full, but none when you exhale.

 

[OBN]

Dew
Use some gold to pay for a dry suit.... im in Fl and still feel like im freezing my butt off after 6 to 8 hours in the water in a 5 mm shortie. Now Joe..... about peeing in a dry suit? Cold water and ole men ya know.....

Dew, I use a drysuit even when it is fairly warm (70) because the bay is so contaminated, I have a lite weight that is perfect. And as far as peeing, I stay away from the ones with relief zippers, just another place to leak. I just make sure I go before I get in and I'm good for 4 to 5 hours, after that I'll just do the walk to the shore and leave if needed.
lite weight drysuit..

And one thing, Like Jolly Molly and Water Walker...Boot foot is best for winter, I have one boot foot which I love and my feet can handle 4 plus hours of low 30's degree water and stay very warm, but the other drysuits I have use the stocking foot, if I keep moving in the cold water they are ok, but your moving slow in low 30 water and your feet will get chilled or cold.

 

[OBN]

WRT the SI Tech gloves posted above, there are two general types of gloves used by drysuit divers. Some drysuits have wrist seals, and are used with regular 'wet' neoprene gloves. The ones pictured above are 'dry' type, and warmer. However, for treasure hunting I would think you would want neoprene gloves for the increased dexterity. The dry gloves are loose-fitting to be worn over cotton or fleece liner gloves.

Amazing these have better grip on small items then the neoprenes..

when I use the 5mm neoprenes I can't even pick up a dime..then put it in the pouch and not lose it...blue smurfs are much better

Last year I made a set of long arm gloves and tested the dexterity of the Blue Smurfs...now they are used with the Si tech kit ..check out the small stuff..

 

[TheSleeper]

I use a pair of insulated waders, only if I am going no deeper then knee deep. They are dangerous in the surf, one fall and basically you will be visiting the coroner.

A two piece farmer john, 3mil bottom with attached boots and 4mil top, worn complete that's 7mil over your chest to keep u warm.

The best, is a dry suit, you can layer on under it for really cold water work or taper off as the water warms. Plus it is so easy to get into and out of, imagine trying to change outside into wet suit when its 30 degrees and the wind is howling, almost makes you change your mind about going, dang gives me goose bumps just remembering those days.

Even if the water is warm enough to swim in, due to the fact we are wading and not generating a lot of body heat a thin dry suit during the early or late summer works good.

One important lesson to know, unless you have some meat on your bones and even then this helps.
Press the air release valve after you enter the water so you won't be so buoyant, a good dry suit will make you feel like the michelin tire man out there with all the air trapped in it.

 

[fongu]

I would advise you to get a rash guard shirt because the first time I rented a wetsuit, my nipples were so sore they got infected and I had a discharge which scared me. Had a mammogram and the whole nine yards for nothing. bought a rash guard long sleeve shirt for about 50 bucks and it works great. If you're moving around a lot in a wetsuit this can happen swinging your detector coil and working your scoop. I watched a video of someone getting the air out of a drysuit by squatting down several times to purge the air. I bought my wetsuit last month at the dive shop and they will make sure it fits and it needs to fit snug to keep you warm. I wear 2.0 under armor under my wetsuit and the rash guard shirt under the under armor. I have the two piece farmer john and that gives me 3mm from the waist down and 6 mm from the waist up. I also use under armor gloves that are not waterproof, but insulate your hands kind of like the wetsuit warms up the water next to your skin. GL & HH.

 

[BareBones]

Go for a drysuit. I just got a tropical one this year on eBay for $175 in nearly new condition. Craigslist is another option for dry or wetsuits and you could try on before buying to make sure it fits. Salvation Army and Goodwill will also sometimes have them, but that is like playing roulette trying to find what you want much less in your size.