Madeira Dive Site Questions

[Qix]

I have a few questions regarding diving the Madeira. While on a vacation up north we stopped by the site. They did a great job on the parking area, path and steps down. I wish I had my gear with. The water was calm as a bathtub - zero waves. So I was wondering if some of you who have dove this site could give some advice:

1.) The water was very calm that day - is that unusual or is there a certain wind direction or weather pattern that caused those conditions.

2.) In late summer, early fall are there any average surface and thermocline water temps to expect.

3.) Do you have any recommendations for divers doing this site for the first time (ie currents, misleading conditions, park specific rules, etc)

4.) Do most people (that actually tow a float) just clip it to the buoy lines during the dive?

5.) Is it worth renting a DPV for a site like this and if so, can they tow two divers at a time.

Our group is pretty small. Most already dive dry with good coldwater gear. One or two are thinking of diving it in 7mm farmer john's.