Conference vicki::boats

    re .0	Not that I have shares in the place or anything like
    that (see other notes), but around middle Mass I recommend Water
    Skis Plus in Spencer.  Its on Rte #9, about 5 miles west of Leicester,
    the last land mark before it is the Spencer country Inn on the left,
    then look for a small trailer sign on the right, take the right
    turn there and its a couple of hundred yards up on your right. 
    Call them first because around this time of year they go onto a part
    time schedule, though they'll come up to the store from the house
    almost anytime if you call ahead.
    
    	(617) 885-3335, though it may be 508 now, this is an old card.
	Ed and April Bellefeuille (they use an Amuricanised pronunciation,
    		but its THEIR name, who am I to argue:-^))
    	389 East Main Street
    	Spencer Mass, 01562
    
    	I think they open up for longer hours again after Thanksgiving,
    for the gift giving (include self) season.

    	Reg
    

    I am far from a die hard skier, but I bought a wet suit this spring so
    as to be able to put my dock in the water in early April. See, I pull
    my dock out in the fall so as to not have it ripped apart by the ice.
    Then I put it back in in the spring as early as possible so I have a
    place to tie up my boat. 

    What I got was a 2.5 mil skiers wet suit from Ski Limited. It seems
    great to me! I spent approximately 6 hours in the water, most of the
    time I was in up to my knees, but 1 1/2 of hours of that time in up to
    my neck. I never even took a chill, and then temperature that day was
    around 40-45 F.
    
    It cost $89 for the suit and $9 for the feet (I got hard soles for
    walking on the floor of the lake). Let me know with a reply to this
    note if you want Ski Ltd's telephone number and the wet suit order #. 

    
    
    
    Now is the time to check out the dive shops because they usually
    sell off their rental equipment this time of year. I know you can
    buy a wetsuit for $100. at Underwater Explores in Beverly Ma. this
    month.
    
    
    
    

I bought my wetsuit at Nashua Ski & Sports Mart, Nashua, NH.  Its right
across from Chestnuts on Spit Brook Road.  They carry MISTRAL wetsuits,
which are windsurfing wetsuits, but fine for waterskiing.  Mine is a shorty,
they did have full length wetsuits, I must warn you however, they are
not cheap!

If you have until next spring, I would recommend mail catalogs.  Overtons,
Ski Limited, and Barts' carry a full line of wetsuits for men and women.
There was a problem with ordering from Overton's, the wetsuit I wanted
was made by CASAD.  Seems CASAD's sewing machine had broken down and 
all suits were on backorder for 2 months, so if you order from one of these
catalogs, check to see that the suit is in stock. 

Jeanne

    I have a "dry suit" that I find more useful than my wet suit.  For
    	
    the most part I use the dry suit in APR, MAY, 1/2JUN, SEP & OCT
    
    and the wet suit the rest of the summer.  Dry suits are more expensive
    
    but are much warmer if you are into cold water skiing.   We found
    
    "canvas" type more rugged than the rubber type.    I'm not sure
    
    if Ski limited or Overtons carries canvas type dry suits or even the
    
    shop in Spencer but Barts and Sieples does.    Expect to pay $200
    
    plus for a new one but - they work good and will outlast the other
    
    rubber/neoprene type.
    
    

    re .5	Of course I'd *_LOVE_* to have a dry suit too, BUTT !
    (There's always a butt)  I don't have anyone willing to get chilly
    just driving the boat at the lower end of the temperature range
    I'm happy to wet suit at, so it wouldn't make a lot of sense.  PLUS,
    the risk of frost is too high then, so the boat has to be in its
    winterized state.  I suppose if I had a heated garage for the boat
    AND a warmer blooded driver .or. a heater in the boat...?, etc.
    <sigh>  I guess its just about over for the year again.
    
    	R
    

    
    
    re: Acouple ago...
    
    
    	Backorders from Ski Limited.... I ordered a wetsuit about
    3 weeks ago, at the time I placed the order, it was "in stock"
    then that afternoon, it was on backorder and should be in in a 
    week. Oh well you get the idea... I have to admit this is the
    first time I have gotten the runaround from them. As I said
    to the sales rep, "The lakes will be frozen by the time you ship
    that wetsuit!"...
    
    Rick

	Is my understanding correct that a 'run of the mill' divers wetsuit
does not meet the legal requirement for skier's flotation in Mass???  I am
under the impression that a skier's wetsuit must have a fabric coating and
will have some type of tag indicating it meets the specifications to be
acceptable to 'big brother'.

	I've done a lot of diving in cold water (including under the ice), so
I am familiar with neoprene wetsuits and their inherent bouyancy.  If I am
correct, could someone explain to me what makes a skier's wetsuit different
from other models?

	Thanks,
		Al

    
    	Re: .8
    
    		As far as I know, no wetsuits on the market are
    Coast Guard approved for flotation. Your average wetsuit 
    *does not* have any flotation (Skiing or otherwise). Usually
    floatation is only found in barefoot suits, along with
    padded protection for certain areas of the body.
    
    		The main difference between the different types
    of wetsuits (ie: Scuba, Windsurfing, Slalom, Barefoot...)
    is style. The cut and fit of the suit is geared toward the
    specific event. Although trickers don't wear wetsuits, if
    they did they'd scream if you tried to put them in a barefoot
    wetsuit due to the restricted movement. (BTW: That's the
    trickers argument against wetsuits and PFDs)
    
    Rick

    Thanks for all the info !  I think I'll check out the place in Spencer.
    I'd like to talk to someone in person rather than going through
    a catalog since I'm still not sure what I'm looking for.  Any advice
    on different styles, etc would be appreciated.  Also where can I
    get some of these catalogs to get some more ideas ?
    
    dumb question ... What is a dry suit ?
    
    Thanks,
    	Denise

    Regarding Divers WET Suits vs Skieres wet suits. 
    
    Theres a BIG differance. The thickness of a divers suit is 3/8 "
    for a cold water suit. A warm water suit is 1/4 in.
    
    A skiers suit is much thinner 1/16 to 1/8 in. thk. To allow more
    movement.
    
    Price is also VERY different. I just bought a New Henderson Cold
    water diving suit at a super price of $380. Normally lists for $495.
    You could buy one hell of a water skiers suit for that price!
    
    BTW - My old 3 yr suit is fore sale $175. I out grew it. ie: Got
    Fat.
    
    A dry suit is also not the same- When I haer a skier say they bought
    a dry suit for $200. it make me cringe. A good Divers dry suit will
    run you betwee $1,500. and $2,000.  Not the same by any means!
    
    I also use my wet suit for canoeing in Feb and Mar and April when
    the water is fridge ( BRrrrrr!) So I suppose that if you did all
    type's Diving, Canoeing, Sking, Surfing, Windsurf. A divers suit
    would be your best buy.
    
    I bought mine at a place called Andy's in fitchburg. They have all
    types and I found them to be cheapest in N.E.
    
    I dropped a considerable ammount of cash on the suit, Hood, Boots,
     and other things so I was ready to drive a couple of hundred miless
    for the best price.  Call Around, Prices vary widely!
    
                                            Walt
    

    re .10
    A dry suit is made of water proof material with leak proof wrist,
    neck, and ankle seals. All seams are sealed and a water proof zip
    is for access into the suit. As they are nice and water tight you
    can put some nice warm clothes underneath and go skiing when everyone
    else is suffering from hypothermia. however real skiers avoid these
    things and go skiing in the middle of winter in their 3mm summer
    suits and still enjoy themselves :-)
    
    jim wishing_he_had_the_time_and_inclination_to_buy_a_dry_suit

    
    	<Insert disclaimer about searching the file already>
    
    	I know someone mentioned a place that alters wetsuits, but
    I sure can't find the note. Any ideas?
    
    Rick

    Inland Divers at Liecaster (sp) MA a little west of Worchester.
    
    Did a nice job fitting my wifes shorty diving suit.  Return by UPS,
    only needed to drive there once.  Was a few years ago though.
    
    Don_who_still_sees_the_chiropractor_after_the_last_footin_fall
    
    

    Inland Divers is in Leicester, on Route 9, about 200 yards
    East (toward Worcester) from the lights at the "center" of
    Leicester.  (This is the intersection of routes 9 and 56.)
    
    Their phone number is (508) 892-3323.  Last I knew, their
    hours were from about 0800 to past suppertime...  shouldn't
    be any problem calling during your "office hours".  
    
    It's been most of a year since I was in the shop, but they
    had a pretty big setup for making (or altering, which is re-
    making) suits.  It took a hefty addition on the back (which
    Ero Sundstrom, the owner, did himself...) to house the half
    dozen sewing machines, cutting tables, etc. etc..  If you do
    go, they might (MIGHT!) even let you see the place, if you 
    asked nicely.....
    
                                    - Ed -

    Anyone got an address or phone number for Eagle Wetsuits?
    I need some info on their 1990 line (while the '89s are still
    available)
    Doug.

	...but it you want to go straight to the source...

	Eagle USA
	650 Century Plaza Drive #120
	Houston, TX 77073

	FAX: (713) 443-3546

	...and toll free!

	(800) 231-0379

	-r.

    Thanks Ric,
      I'll call now! Then maybe take a ride to Plaistow for a test
    dri..,err test fit.
    DW

    FYI: Sport Shak will not be an Eagle dealer in '90, although the still
    have a few Eagles left in odd sizes. (i.e. X-Small and X-large)
    They will continue to be a Surfer House (Ski-Warm) dealer.
    D.W.

    I noticed in my Overtons and Ski Limited catalogs that you have a
    choice of barefoot wetsuits as well as barefoot drysuits. I know you
    get floatation padding in a wetsuit, is there floatation padding in 
    dry suits. I didn't see any USCG approved drysuits which makes me 
    think you get more pressure resistant wrist & ankle cuffs. If there's
    no floatation padding in a dry suit then what do you use for a PFD ?
    
    ~jeff 

Jeff ... barefoot drysuits are intended to be used with (at least) a barefoot
wetsuit worn underneath.  The barefoot drysuit does not provide any padding or
flotation, but they are usually "baggier" so you can wear something underneath
(even a PFD!).  The wrist and ankle seals are not much (if at all) different
from other drysuits.  If you fall hard enough (and you *will* fall hard enough
:-)) some water will get in, especially if you barefoot backwards.  It's just
the physics (or hydrodynamics) of the sport.  There's that fine line trade off
between letting water in or cutting off your circulation!  :-)

Drysuits not designed for barefooting tend to be more of a "form fit" (much like
a wetsuit) but are made of water resistant materials, have water resistant seams
and zippers.

I have not seen (nor do I expect to see) a USCG approved drysuit (although good
ol' CASAD may be up to something :-)).

...Roger...

    
    Does anyone have any info/experience with getting wet suit
    alterations.  I have seen Inland Divers mentioned here
    and I was looking to see if anyone knew of any other places.
    
    I'm looking to get a pair of shorts shortened a couple inches
    so they dont stick out the botom of my barefoot suit.
    
    Thanks,
    Mike Smith

    Mike ---
    
    Where are you? And what kind of wetsuit do you have?
    
    I ask because if you have a certain kind of wetsuit, you can get it
    altered by the manufacturer.
    
    If you're in MA, you can call Ultramarine Divers at (508) 369-1154.
    They can probably put you in touch with somebody local who can do 
    that sort of work. Otherwise, the only two places I've heard of that
    do wetsuit alterations are in Florida and California.
    
    Keep in mind that it may end up cheaper to just buy a new shorty. 
    Performance Scuba (a mail order operation) sells shorties for less than
    $100, and they guarantee what they ship you.
    
    FWIW
    
    John H-C

    From: [email protected] (DURDA
    Subject: Re: Does anyone do wetsuit alterations?
    Date: 26 Mar 92 14:20:16 GMT
    Organization: Dept. of Astronomy, University of Florida 
    (astro.ufl.edu)
    Lines: 24
    News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4
    
    
      in message <1992Mar23.032906.6371@debbie> ennisj@debbie (Jay Ennis)
    writes:
    
    > The 1/4" wetsuit I purchased a few years ago seems to have shrunk
    :-).
    > OK, maybe it was something else.  In any case, I wonder if anyone
    knows of a
    > company that will do alterations.  What does it cost etc. ?
    
      Try writing or calling:
    
        White House              (not THE White House  :-)  )
        8812 Brooksville Rd.
        Silver Springs, MD 20910
        (301) 589-6050
    
      Although I have not dealt with them, I hear they are pretty good.
      --Dan
    
    ----------------------------------
    Daniel D. Durda
    Department of Astronomy
    University of Florida
    [email protected]
    ----------------------------------

I'm probably dating myself and sticking my nose someplace it don't belong, BUT..

back in the '70s when you needed to modify/repair your wetsuit you went to a
dive shop and bought a little can of neopreme cement for $5, made your 
cuts/alterations/ patches, covered the edges you wanted to stick to each other
with the cement and let it dry.  After the cement was no longer tacky to the
touch, you carefully touched the edges together (there were no second chances
here) and VOILA... a joint which was stronger than the original material. 

I realize that today's wetsuits are all fancy colors and nylon coated to 
increase abrasion resistance and make the suits easier to get on and off, but
for the simple repair on a pair of shorts as was described in the earlier note,
this seems to me to be a reasonable alternative to expensive tailoring or
a new outfit...

Maybe I just don't understand the problem!!!

Al

    I would call your manufacturer. They are the only people who have the
    means to make alterations to your suit and keep it  bullet-proof
    to tears and such. They will use the right glue and stitching
    that through their testing has proved to be most effective and
    comfortable.
                        Matt