Whoa, that water is cold!

[FLauthor]

Went over to the Gulf Coast for some detecting. NOAA radio telling me that the water is 68 degrees. Hey, I can handle 68 degrees in my wet suit. Got over to the Gulf on Saturday, wind is out of the east 5 to 10 but the surf is rough. I suit up and step into the water and start wading out beyond the breakers where there is a sand bar. There are a few Canadian polar bears in the water, whooping and hollering when a cresting wave slaps me and Whoa boy is that water C-O-L-D!! 68 degrees my butt, try 50 degrees. Even with a wet suit on, I managed to recover a quarter, piece of iron and a pull tab and headed for the shallower water where I hunted in the knee deep water for the duration of my visit. NOAA radio better get a new thermometer because that one they are using doesn't work. Yea, fellow th'ers laugh because I am too. 30 years ago I could take a dip in cold water and actually hookha dive for 45 minutes. I dredged for gold in the frigid creeks of Dahlonega, Georgia for hours with a wet suit on. Now I'm 60 years old and my metabolism is shot. I won't be venturing back into that water again until the Spring thaw comes. At least the sun was bright and shiny and I got a mild sunburn but that's all in a day of detecting. Came away with 47 cents and got to chat with several detectorists who had better luck than I did.
Hey, I wonder if a dry suit would be better? What do you think? Hot coffee never tasted better after that cold water dip!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

A History of Mining on the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska - Grab it through Amazon!

[Buried Crap NJ]

I hope that doesn't to happen to me, I am 51 and the air temp Saturday was 19 and the water I was in was 34 I was in and out of waist deep water for 3 hrs. Took a lunch break and got back in for 2 hrs. Oh did mention it snowed 2 inches during my hunt. I never felt like I had to stop because of the cold. Don't get me wrong it was cold but we all must learn to live with what we got. Good luck and I hope it warms up for you. In the mean time it's 17 and we are getting 10 inches today and I'll see what cuts are out there for me to find some goodies.

 

[S.S.Tupperware]

The water is cool for sure...

 

[diggummup]

Spring thaw?.... In Florida? Now that's funny!!

 

[Sandman]

I am much older but not the oldest here. I do not tan anymore and shouldn't be in the sun anyway because of medications. I used to dive under the ice, but now I get cold easy. A dry suit is definitely warmer than a wet suit. The wet suit must fit well to allow water to enter but stay there and not move around or flow in and out. There are under garmets you can wear too to keep the warm water against the body. I also used to use wet suit dive heaters, sort of like those glove warmers.

If you decide to try a dry suit you MUST try them on at a dive shop as one manufactures size isn't the same as anothers. Good ones are expensive and if you aren't going to use it for diving you may not need extra instruction on its use.

Stay Warm,
Sandman

 

[stevemc]

When it gets cold over here, the shallow water can get real cold, because of the wind, and cold air. NOAA usually uses the offshore sea bouys that collect data, and the deeper water stays more stable and warmer. And yes it feels quite cold now. Last week or a week prior or so it was in the low 50s right on shore. If you go to NOAA Sea bouys page and find Gulf of Mexico chart and find Venice fishing pier, it is right near shore and is usually colder than the offshore ones. It should be getting cold again tonight. Air is supposed to be in the high 30s tonight and tomorrow night. Thick booties, with maybe thin fin socks inside and at least a 5mm wetsuit help. If you are used to the cold it helps being in cold water. I dont like it either, but dress to be able to stay in it. Also, if you stay in the water, bring a cooler with jugs of warm water in them, and pour it in your wetsuit prior to going in, and after getting out.

 

[beachboy]

I feel your pain, I am dealing with wind chills in the minuses. Hands can freeze if they get wet, have to be careful out there. Cold water is a killer. dry suites are very expensive.....

 

[scrounger d detector collector]

and how. 3 days knee to waist deep in 58 degree seas is nuff 4 now.

 

[stevemc]

Back to your question, yes a dry suit will be warmer than a wetsuit, but they are very expensive like $1000. And over $2000. If you are doing commercial diving it is a necessary item, but I just try not to even go in the water this time of year unless I truly need to. And then I use my 5mm wetsuit, and still pour hot water in before and after.

 

[FLauthor]

Yep, those dry suits are ex-pensive! I'm saving my money for a saltwater boat as I have some dive sites I'll be checking on when the warm water returns in the spring. My wetsuit is only 3mm and probably better suited for 60 to 70 degree water than the 40-50 degree. I know what hypothermia can do to my body. You have to respect Mother Nature or she'll get you.