Wetsuit selection to dive Winni

[Senter Cove Guy]

Originally Posted by Bluesman

I am planning to dive the lake for the first time this year and I am wondering what wetsuit thickness would be recommended. I hope to be diving from June to September, but mostly during the warmer weather. At what depth are the thermoclines and the biggest changes in temps? Are there any sort of charts that show the lake temps? I have never done lake diving before.

thanks!!

Hi Bluesman and welcome to the Winnipesaukee Forum. You'll find lots of information and friends here.

I dive in a 7 mil full wetsuit during the months of late June through early September. If I'm going below 30 feet, I also wear a hood and gloves because the water temp will drop into the high 50's - low 60's. My deepest lake dive last summer (Aug 9th) was to 85 feet where the water temp was 55 degrees. However, my coldest dive (Aug 12th) was to 51 feet and 52 degrees. If your max depth is around 30 feet, expect water temp to be 63 -66 in most places. The warmest water temps are in August.

If you need equipment, Dive Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro has a nice selection. Perhaps we'll get a chance to "blow some bubbles" together this summer.

[Bluesman]

Thanks for the info and tips. I was snorkling the lake in a bathing suit August last year and it was nice and warm at the surface but there seemed to be a big change at around 12 or 15 feet when I was free diving down it got chilly.

Senter Cove Guy you mentioned that the temp drops below 30 feet. Is this typical throughout the lake?

I only currently own a 3 mil farmer Jon and "surf" jacket with nylon arms that I used for Jetskiing, so I certainly need to invest in something else. I am skinny and don't have a lot of natural insulation so It sounds like a 7 mil one piece would probably be the way to go. I could always add a shorty over it I guess If I had to.

Is a standard 7 mil too warm for any typical lake dives? I usually can't be too warm!

[bilproject]

A 7mm will do for most dives. If you get cold easily and want to do a lot of diving below 30 feet than a dry suit would be best. You will need special training for the dry suit. There is a lot of exploration that can be done above 30 feet. The vis is usually better at the shallower depths. I have not been down 80 feet in the lake but I can't imagine the vis being more than a couple of feet at that depth. At 30' on a good day it's 15-20 feet. My buddy and I plan on doing some diving this year in the lake maybe we'll see you out there. A shout out to Hans... where you been? Have'nt seen any ice diving posts! Remember you are always welcome at my dock.

[Bluesman]

It would be great to hook up with some folks at the lake. I have a boat on the laconia side.

I have done lots of warm water but the only New England ocean diving I did was for my Open water cert off off back beach in gloucester. I was wearing a one piece 7mm I think with hood and gloves in September and my face, hands and feet were numb after 45 minutes in less than 30 ft. I remember I could barely do a manual inflate of my BCD for the test my lips were so numb.

How do the lake temps compare to the ocean? Are they this cold below 30 feet?

I did a quick check of popular dives and these are the depths reported

Lady of the Lake - 30'
Belknap Steamboar 20'
Clark's Point - 45 - 100 (Wall)'
Diamond Island Navy Site 25+'
Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard - 45'
Horseboat Barge bear island 40'
Laker Wrecks - Located off Ship and Moose islands 10 and 37 feet. to 100'
Loon Cove - Echo Junior wreck 45'
Parker Island - Rock formations 15-60'
Rum Point - West Alton 40-60'
Steam Barge - Weirs Beach 50'

[Senter Cove Guy]

Here's a date/depth/temp sampling from my dive log over the past few years.

Lady of the Lake - 30'
07/05/09 31 feet 63 degrees
07/26/09 31 feet 68 degrees
08/02/09 31 feet 68 degrees
08/16/09 30 feet 70 degrees
09/06/09 30 feet 68 degrees

Belknap Steamboat 20' - Not really worth diving.

Clark's Point - 45 - 100' (Wall)
07/26/08 90 feet 57 degrees

Diamond Island Navy Site 25+'
07/22/07 29 feet 70 degrees

Diamond Island Wreck - Empty Pockets in 55 feet
08/21/05 58 feet 57 degrees
07/29/06 58 feet 55 degrees

Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard - 45'
Never dove

Horseboat Barge - Bear Island - 40'
Never dove

Laker Wrecks - Located east of Ship & Moose Islands 10 & 37 feet. to 100'
08/22/09 30 feet 70 degrees
09/04/09 38 feet 66 degrees
09/06/09 38 feet 70 degrees
08/09/09 85 feet 55 degrees

Loon Cove - Echo Junior wreck 45'
Dove once - Couldn't find stats

Parker Island - Rock formations 15-60'
08/13/04 42 feet 57 degrees
06/21/08 43 feet 55 degrees

Rum Point - West Alton 40-60'
07/27/08 37 feet 63 degrees

Steam Barge - Weirs Beach 50'
07/29/07 50 feet 52 degrees
08/23/07 49 feet 52 degrees
08/12/09 51 feet 52 degrees

[Bluesman]

That is a great list thank you very much for posting, the detail helps a lot!

I guess the only question is weather to get a straight 7mm suit, or some farmer john setup? I like the farmer johns but hate the bulk and additional weight you need to add.

Do you find the 7mm is too warm when the temps are in the mid - high 60's??

[Senter Cove Guy]

Originally Posted by Bluesman

That is a great list thank you very much for posting, the detail helps a lot!

I guess the only question is weather to get a straight 7mm suit, or some farmer john setup? I like the farmer johns but hate the bulk and additional weight you need to add.

Do you find the 7mm is too warm when the temps are in the mid - high 60's??

Definitely not. I own a 3 mil and a 7 mil wetsuits. I once dove in my 3 mil in 72 degree water and was cold towards the end of the dive. I wear the 7 mil all summer and add a hooded vest and gloves when I know the water temp is going to be below 65 degrees. I'd much rather be a little warm than a little cold.

I have found that my 1 piece X-Flex 7 mil wetsuit is really comfortable, especially when combined with a Lycra skin which makes getting into and out of the wetsuit really easy. As previously mentioned, add a hooded vest for colder water comfort.

[Production Trlr and Dock]

Just to let you know Production Trailer and Dock in Meredith has opened up "Central NH Divers".
We purchased the inventory and equipment from the former Fathom Divers in Gilford.
We will be offering a full sales and service center with retail product in the store, air fills, rentals, equipment service, and dive classes and dive trips in conjunction with Dive Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro - Great People!
Let us know how we can better serve the local diving community!

[scubajay1153]

All kidding aside, great info here for you! I do dive in August in shorts and a neoprene t-shirt in water as deep as 25 feet but it does chill you pretty quickly at that depth.

And Howie, ya beat me to the punch!