Snorkel mask and fin set

[Tomfoolery]

Since this seems to be the defacto general forum, and since there doesn't seem to be much traffic in the Front Room forum, I guess I'll post this here.

I'm interested in a snorkel, mask, and fin set, but have never used any of those in the past. Ever. Not even a mask. WM has a set marked down from $70 to $27, with a carry bag (nice for boat storage, obviously), but I know nothing whatsoever about snorkeling. Is this worth the try? Is there something I should know before buying?

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/aqua-lung ... --14162523

[dlandersson]

Seems like a very fair price.

This is what I went with (to dive for thingys I'd dropped, mostly) - but only because yours was not available.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_n_1?f ... 2941120011

Since this seems to be the defacto general forum, and since there doesn't seem to be much traffic in the Front Room forum, I guess I'll post this here.

I'm interested in a snorkel, mask, and fin set, but have never used any of those in the past. Ever. Not even a mask. WM has a set marked down from $70 to $27, with a carry bag (nice for boat storage, obviously), but I know nothing whatsoever about snorkeling. Is this worth the try? Is there something I should know before buying?

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/aqua-lung ... --14162523

[Tomfoolery]

The closest I got to snorkeling was during my honeymoon in September of 1987, in Bermuda. If anyone remembers, that's when Hurricane Emily hit. It officially dissipated the day I got married. We were supposed to learn scuba there, but the ocean was so rough, we never even went in the water. The hotel was a wreck, and so were the local roads. Even the weather was pretty crappy, with lots of rain. That didn't stop me from scootering around the island, in the rain, in a plastic poncho, sometimes with my new bride on the back, as I was still motorcycling in those days (and had been for decades).

I still have the 27+ year old, never used underwater Ikelite Kodak disc camera set. Brand spanking new, never opened. Wasn't cheap to buy in Bermuda, either.

Anyway, I'm not getting any younger, and while scuba may be out of reach at this point, snorkeling should be a reasonable alternative. Even if for no other reason than something to do on a hot day on the boat.

[Tony E]

I bought a set for my mac as well as last year I used them everyday. That set looks great. Thats a good starter set for a great price. Once you use that set for a season then you will know about things like how does the mask fit on your face and does it seal tight or not. The snorkels now a days are great as they have a ball in them that seals the tube when you dive so when you come back up you just exhale in one big breath and it clears your tube and you are back on your way. I bought a set like this at Costco for approx $70.00 and after a couple uses the clips on the flippers broke but I just "MacGyver'ed" them and they still work. For that price I would buy two sets for you and a friend to go together:) Have fun!

[Azzarac]

Gee Tom, thanks for costing me more money! LOL. Some years ago I purchased a tank, regs, BC and wetsuit with the intent to get certified and dive with a buddy of mine in southern Missouri but he developed some health issues shortly afterwards and I never completed my certs. Now I'm thinking maybe its time to finish what I started, and even if I don't, these should be fun to have on the boat. BTW, they get good reviews on Amazon and WM's sale price can't be beat. Thanks!

[paul I]

Since this seems to be the defacto general forum, and since there doesn't seem to be much traffic in the Front Room forum, I guess I'll post this here.

I'm interested in a snorkel, mask, and fin set, but have never used any of those in the past. Ever. Not even a mask. WM has a set marked down from $70 to $27, with a carry bag (nice for boat storage, obviously), but I know nothing whatsoever about snorkeling. Is this worth the try? Is there something I should know before buying?

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/aqua-lung ... --14162523

That is an excellent price for the set and I doubt you will do much better by looking around.

As far as learning to snorkel, when you go out on a typical snorkel excursion, beginners get a 5 minute lesson, most of which is involved with getting the mask to fit well so it doesn't leak and what areas to stay away from. I've never seen anyone fail at it. It really is that easy. The biggest problem you will face is finding a place to go where there is actually something worth seeing in the limited visibility of the great lakes.

[kevinnem]

I used to dive a bit.

So first thing you should know is that I don't really consider mask/snorkel something you can buy online ... they are like shoes. A mask that fits you perfectly might not work for me, and vice versa. The way to test if a mask "works" for you is to flip the head band around to the front, put the mask on your face, inhale a little bit to "suck" the mask on , and then just wait. If the mask holds the "air seal" you created, then it works for you , if air leaks and causing it to pop off (usually within a few seconds), it isn't good for you . The fit of a mask is mostly unrelated to the cost (not excluding the crap "toy" ones).

Next is to adjust the head band, most people put them on too tight, . they try to squish the mask on .. and think if they make it tighter, it works better at keeping the water out. It doesn't - when over-tightened, it distorts the masks and seals and makes it worse. it should be slightly snug, that is all.

Next -- how to stop it from fogging up. Here is what you do ... dunk it in some water to briefly rinse it off. Then dump the water out and spit in each 1/2 (left/right), rub the spit around with your finger, then dunk it again in water --- ready to go.

The snorkel should be position so it feels good, I don't know how well a lot of the "features" work, I never really noticed, but have used a few styles. there are 2 ways to clear a snorkel I am aware of , I HIGHLY suggest you get used to both, because when it becomes easy to do it, the enjoyment it much higher. The first is "whale style" where when you surface you exhale quickly and forcefully, this shoots all the water up the tube. The second is the barrel roll, .... as you ascend from depth, you roll away from your snorkel, and as it goes inverted you exhale.... pushing the water out, and making a air pocket in the tube, as you surface, you spin form 90 degrees to the water, to face down, and the tube is already clear of all water.

Lots of people think snorkeling is limited to sitting on the surface looking down. But once you get a little better at it , it becomes so easy to dive to 15 feet or more, .. swim for a bit then pop up for a breath or 2 and head back down. --- dolphin style.

[Russ]

For that price, go for it.
I bought these on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/U-S-Divers-Cozume ... 1425153666

Today's snorkels are much better than I remember years ago. The top has auto close and the bottom has built drains so you can dive down and come back up and just blow out to clear it.

My biggest problem is always fogging of the mask. Most people just spit in it and rub in around. If that's too gross and you want something fancy, this stuff works. Or just a dab of dish soap.
http://www.amazon.com/Jaws-Quick-Spit-A ... =mask+spit

Last year Costco had the same set for cheap. I missed out and had to order online.

Good for cleaning the bottom of your boat too.


--Russ

[dlandersson]

Isn't that what the kids are for?

Good for cleaning the bottom of your boat too.

--Russ

[Stevenhigbee]

When I lived on Maui and snorkled several times a week, a full-foot fin was essential, to avoid the constant abrasion of the strapped fins on various parts of the foot.

But the strapped fins can fit different sized feet.

I like clear sides on the mask for periferal vision.

I always despised the valved snorkles, because they could close when taking a deep breath. But maybe they have improved. You're supposed to look up and exhale while surfacing anyway, which is the right position to drain the water out of the snorkle. But I used to dive down to 30' or so to swim alongside the turtles.

It's an adequate starter set. Great price. If you later decide to upgrade to something better, you will know what features you don't like, and why you are willing to pay more.

[Russ]

Isn't that what the kids are for?

Good for cleaning the bottom of your boat too.

--Russ

Good point. Tie a line to them and pull them from the bow to the stern. Gets all the crud off the bottom.

[gabid]

....

So first thing you should know is that I don't really consider mask/snorkel something you can buy online ... they are like shoes.....

Totally agree with kevinnem post. You better walk into a diveshop to get fit with a mask.

[paul I]

....

So first thing you should know is that I don't really consider mask/snorkel something you can buy online ... they are like shoes.....

Totally agree with kevinnem post. You better walk into a dive shop to get fit with a mask.

Guys, I dive too, and for someone who wants to get serious with this you are giving good advise. But he has never used any of this stuff before. This is just something he wants to try. He doesn't need top notch equipment at this point. Did you have dive shop quality equipment the first time you put a mask and snorkel on? I didn't, and it was years before I felt I needed to invest in better equipment.

If he goes into a shop and gets fitted and buys a mask its going to cost him at least $40 just for the mask, if they even have one that cheap. It'll be close to that same amount for fins, $20 bucks or so for a snorkel, and nothing but a plastic bag to carry it all home in. If it doesn't cost that much in the high priced environment of a dive shop, its probably REALLY crappy equipment, and more cheaply made than the stuff he's considering. There is plenty of time to get better equipment once he knows he's gonna use it, and at that point he'll know what he does/doesn't like about this stuff. Got to be a little frugal sometimes. We all sail MacGregors, after all. We have an image to uphold.

[Gazmn]

Tom,
Price is right & snorkeling is fun. Even up here - though in clear water, it's better.
This looks like a shortened fin. It'll still work fine. But looks shorter than the others listed.

Enjoy

P.S. Costco & BJ's has them for 40 bucks. I keep several on my boat for guests.

[paul I]

Tom,
Price is right & snorkeling is fun. Even up here - though in clear water, it's better.
This looks like a shortened fin. It'll still work fine. But looks shorter than the others listed.

Enjoy

P.S. Costco & BJ's has them for 40 bucks. I keep several on my boat for guests.

If you are like me and most of the folks I've snorkeled with, you wont bother with the fins anyways unless you're dealing with currents..