Are there any other divers on this board?
I am a diver, and keep my gear on the boat. I get quite a few of odd jobs, (hulls, zincs, props, etc...) and am surprised that there are not more people doing this.
Do you dive? Do you carry your gear on your boat? Do you use it often?
I'm an ole diver.Got my NAUI in 1978.It's a lot easier test now.Judy has her license too.We kept our tanks,suits,bc etc in the port cockpit locker on Revival...there was lots of room forward,with tanks on the bottom and remaining gear on top.Even room leftover aft for fenders,lines etc..Going to be a tight fit with the flicka...only one puny locker. The visability is awesome in the Bahamas..We've dove wrecks and seen rays and barracuda.While at Walker's Cay a few years back (before it closed down) Judy went 'shark diving'...I just asked her to scan the pics at work next week so I can post them.They would take you out...you would dive to the bottom...then they would dump fish parts over the side to attract the sharks....and DID THEY !!! There had to be 30...no guff !! Notice I said 'Judy" went....this cowboy stayed on the boat !!! I figured I would have hiperventalated and used up my air in 5 minutes.She took a ton of pics with one of those disposable underwater cameras...worked great!! Not my idea of fun. Did I mention she likes heavy weather too.
While I don't dive, I know at least one couple bought the same boat I have for use as a diving platform. The amas allow the divers to dump their tanks before climbing up the swim ladder.
From what I remember, they're both PADI instructors down in Florida or thereabouts.
Next summer, I'm planning on getting my SCUBA certification. It seems like it could be a useful skill to have, as well as a lot of fun as a hobby.
Got my PADI cert in '76. I'm debating whether to go with one of these new compact hookah rigs or with the tanks. Like you I figure the occasional bottom cleaning or zinc job might supplement the cruising kitty.
Haven't had a tank on in 38 years now. Used to do cave diving way before anyone HAD to be certified to get air. 1965, 1966. Also did body recovery stuff for a fire department over in Florida. Used a Healthways double hose regulator for that work- the bubbles came up behind your head and didn't stir up mud.
When I was living aboard I bought Hookah gear and used that to do salvage work. Worked aboard a tow/salvage boat down in Boot Key Harbor in the early 80s. Then did salvage type stuff up in Jacksonville for a while- refloating sunken docks, changing props, cleaning hulls, etc.
Still have the Hookah setup although it hasn't been run since 1985 or so. Don't know where I'd store it onboard the Meridian.
Carlie / Joe...if you haven't had new equipment on , you'd be surprised !! It really has come a long wag. Reg's are way smoother ,The BC's I used way back were manual inflate/deflate....now they connect to the tank and you just 'press a button' to add air or dump it. I hadn't been down in around 20 yrs but Judy and I got new 'low end' equipment back in 01 or 02. Even the 'low end' stuff is real nice. Fin's,full 2pc suite with boots/gloves,nice BC,tank,reg,triple gauge etc all came in around $700 per person.Would have cost as much in the 70's. When you get playing around a wreck in clear water with schools of small fish ...ya get that 'Jacque Costeau' kinda feeling. Back home is dark water-poor visibility and the odd bass.
I had 4 diving jobs this weekend. The water was kinda cold, especally as I only have a 3mm suit.
It is a great skill set to have if you work around boats, and it is EASY as pie to get. I am telling you ANYONE can pass the PADI course, and dive. You don't even need to know how to swim (a frequent concern I hear).
I got all my gear in trade for an outboard motor, and a couple other things I picked up along the way.
Diving is one of those hobbies that people do once, and think they are going to do forever, so they run out and buy lots of expensive gear... .and never use it.
Save your money, find one of these people, and buy their old stuff..... frankly my 12 year old daycor regulator breathes as well as the new one I used in the course, and my BC may not look as spiffy as the new stuff, but works every bit as well.
FWIW.
Charlie, I was hoping to avoid having to fill tanks, but the extra space for storing the hookah rig would be hard to find. Thanks for the info.
Frank, I visited a dive shop in Dallas and was amazed at some of the stuff they were telling me, like no dive tables. I was kind of concerned about putting all my eggs in the computer basket though. I work on these thins IRL and have concerns about crashes which would dump your dive data, but the dive shop guy assured me that wasn't an issue. What is your opinion on this?
The push button BCs were just coming out when I got certified. Needless to say not in my budget at the time. :)
Faith, the PADI cert must have changed since 76. You definitely had to be able to swim back then. ;)
Yes, I believe it has changed.
I was surprised, swimming was not even brought up as a requirement. I think it is because so much emphasis is placed on buoyancy control... with the skills you take away from the open water cert (basic) you really don't need to know how to swim (although I believe everyone who goes out on the water ought to be able to).
I know that the requirements in the past were much more difficult, but I think PADI has changed. I don;t know that it is as much that they have 'dumbed it down' as they have become more inclusive.
Diving is a great thing for the elderly, physically challenged, and pretty much anyone now. It has really changed. I think PADI saw that there were a lot of people (and dollars) out there that would enjoy diving so they took an objective look at the quals and saw that it was really not that demanding.
The instructor I had did a great job, and I don't mean to imply that they are just giving the cert away. I think they are focusing more on theory and application then on physical conditioning now. I have heard that some outfits in resort areas are pretty lax with even the new standards. :o Not such a good thing.
What I am getting at with all this, is not to diminish the stuff the guys went through that qualled in the past, but rather to encourage anyone who might be thinking about doing it now.
It was not hard to do, is great fun, and opens up a bunch of options.
Joe-
One thing to consider, a small hookah unit may store in the same space as a pair of tanks, yet give you significantly more diving time without the hassles of re-filling tanks. Just a point to think about.
I see
'hookah' unit posted....are they what was sold in the 'head shops' in the early 70's??
Quote from: Frank on November 07, 2006, 08:52:22 AM
I see
'hookah' unit posted....are they what was sold in the 'head shops' in the early 70's??
Frank - The 70's hookahs were to get "high", while the hookahs referred here are to do just the opposite. :D ;) (Oh, PS - Judy sounds like a 'keeper'. ;D)
It's not 12V stuff, but guys here in my marina use a small oil-less air compressor from Lowes/HomeDepot, rigged to scuba gear, as a much-cheaper hookah than the purpose-built ones. I understand it is VERY important that it be an *oil-less* compressor. :)
One disadvantage of an onboard hookah is depth/range, I'd imagine...
Quote from: CapnK on November 07, 2006, 09:13:12 AM
Quote from: Frank on November 07, 2006, 08:52:22 AM
I see
'hookah' unit posted....are they what was sold in the 'head shops' in the early 70's??
Frank - The 70's hookahs were to get "high", while the hookahs referred here are to do just the opposite. :D ;) (Oh, PS - Judy sounds like a 'keeper'. ;D)
It's not 12V stuff, but guys here in my marina use a small oil-less air compressor from Lowes/HomeDepot, rigged to scuba gear, as a much-cheaper hookah than the purpose-built ones. I understand it is VERY important that it be an *oil-less* compressor. :)
One disadvantage of an onboard hookah is depth/range, I'd imagine...
Ohhh, I was wondering about that ;D
Frank, same idea, different input. ::)
AdriftAtSea, that was why I was considering one so I wouldn't have to worry about topping off the tanks. A small electric hookah would be great for bottom maintenance. Guess I should start looking around. One of these and one tank might be just the ticket. :)
CapnK, the small hookahs I have seen are good for about 20 ft, which would be great for bottom cleaning, which is what I had in mind. I'd probably need a tank too for anchor checking, but the advantage of the hookah is you never run out of air, well at least until your batteries die. ;)
Faith, that's interesting. We had to do all kinds of stuff, even rescuing your buddy and bringing him in through the surf. Ah, but it was fun... :D But thinking about it, really probably not necessary.
As promised...(cheap disposable underwater camera)...remember I did not take these...Judy did ...I'm not crazy
more
again
Back in my power boating days I would go diving and spear fishing about every weekend. I still have all my stuff and my boys use it on occassion. I have been trying to figure our how to get it on board PD for my trip. When I painted her bottom, I probably should have raised the water line. :)
I loved diving and have every intention of burning some air while in the Bahamas. I have been considering a hookah. Then I could connect it to the tank either on board or in the dinghy and dive using it. I found a shortie wet suit in Ft. Lauderdale last week and got it for $25 at the Sailorman. I think I have a cubby hole I can fit it all in. I will be glad I have it when it comes time to clean the bottom or cut off crab lines.
Yes, a scuba rig and wetsuit will come in handy. I certainly wish I had a wetsuit and at least a mask as I had to dive on a friend's prop just before I went in the hospital. Somehow, his friend's 9 year old son had managed to wrap a single line around both prop shafts. UGH...
Here's a couple of cool pics I took while diving a shallow wreck at Manjack Cay,Abacos.(the sharks were at Walkers Cay).Judy swam right by the ray..not seeing it in the sand.They settle to the bottom and 'flutter' to have the bottom silt settle on top of them as camouflage.No 'stinger' on this ray.
in the sand
Judy on deck. Our 'dive boat'. We have since gone smaller and smaller.
FWIW,
PADI (aka Pay Another Dollar In) just sent me a rebate offer that anyone who is considering getting certified can use. It is for a $50 rebate on the openwater course.
Here is the link (http://www.padi.com/padi/en/promo/godive/generate.aspx?cardno=0602011830)
(http://www.padi.com/padi/en/promo/godive/images/GoDiveReferra.jpg) (http://www.padi.com/padi/en/promo/godive/generate.aspx?cardno=0602011830)
FWIW,
Getting certified this time of year (winter) may seem nuts (and probably is) but having gotten certified in December, myself my last two openwater diveves were at a 37degreeF water temp. This has the distinct advantage that every dive since seems warm :)
Just something to think about.
;D
Sounds like my sea safety survival certification. The first one was int he dead of winter in 9C water....
My recent one for the coast guard was balmy by comparison...I actually got so comfy floating around in a solas jacket that I went to sleep...drifted off, you might say.
The inside of modern liferafts smell better then they did a few years ago too.
Alex.
Some of you might recall the original plan was to have Rose certified before we left on our trip. That did not work out too well, the instructor I hired allowed a newly certified instructor to handle Rose's pool dive... and he forgot to take her and the other girl down slowly to remind them to equalize. Rose perforated both of her eardrums, and has just finished surgery to repair them.... ::)
Anyway, while most of my dives have been solo (as tutored by solo diver, I still do not recommend this to anyone) I did not want to dive solo in unfamiliar waters... so while we carried the dive gear onboard it only got used once on the trip.
The wonderful thing about the Bahamas is that the water is so clear, and everything is so accessible that snorkeling is good enough for most everything you could want to do. :)
I did go on one dive with a dive boat, Rose talked me into it, and it was my birthday present. Lots of fun, and well worth the price of admission. ;D Looking at this thread I am reminded I have one of those disposable underwater cameras I still need to get developed. Of course I could have rented the gear, but was still glad I had it onboard in case I had some significant underwater repair to do (rudder repair comes to mind). It would also have been handy if I had come across some dive work.
The BC laid in it's bag on the bottom of the cockpit locker, and the fins and mask I needed for snorkeling anyway. The only real space concern was the tank and I just carried one of my 30's anyway so that was not too bad.
I do plan to do some diving here, Pensacola is known as one of the best dive spots on the gulf coast... some say the US. It is not very easy to get into and out of the boat, but much better then paying to fuel to ride a dive boat IMHO.
Any one else carry / use dive gear on their boat?
I am so glad to hear you have at least some jobs cleaning hulls etc. as I wanted to do the same thing. I have not been diving in a couple of years. I too learned the " hard way " from a Naui course in 1973. I did my open water checkout in a gravel pit in Ohio . I am from Michigan where the water is not quite as clear in most areas as it is down in parts of Florida.
When I take off for parts unknown I will certainly have all my gear in the cockpit locker. I too had thought about a hookah or a 50' regulator hose for bottom cleaning.
Thanks,
Jerry
I just realized that faith you were writing about diving back in 06 . That's what I get for not paying attention.
Do you still dive and do you still find small jobs often? I don't need much money to help out the cruising kitty,not that I am well off it's just that I don't have many bills and don't require much $.
I plan to sail Florida,Bahamas and perhaps Eastern Caribbean.
Quote from: Gerald A. Gotts on March 10, 2009, 11:29:04 PM
I just realized that faith you were writing about diving back in 06 . That's what I get for not paying attention.
Do you still dive and do you still find small jobs often? I don't need much money to help out the cruising kitty,not that I am well off it's just that I don't have many bills and don't require much $.
I plan to sail Florida,Bahamas and perhaps Eastern Caribbean.
Diving in the Bahamas is going to be a bit of a harder trade to peddle. The professional diving I did was in a silty environment (near zero vis), and my best business was when the water temp was cold enough that I needed a wet suit, or when the alligators were seen about. The other reason was because the job was just too technical, or too involved (or too un-fun) for someone to do themselves.
The water in the areas you mention is much much nicer. The water temp is better, and the visibility is much better. Most everyone who has a boat will do their own simple cleaning, or will know someone who will do it for them.
Of course there are legal issues related to 'working' in the Bahamas, but that said... if you brought a variety of zincs (shaft zincs, and a few common strut zincs) you may be able to pick up some change, but I would not rely on it for your meals.
I was done on the docks yesterday in Seattle. Some stud comes by in a drysuit with two handlers and gear, looking down on all the sailors that needed their help. I would have liked to don my drysuit at the time and dive just to give him competition. But the water is about 46 degrees...hmmm.... Maybe the attitude is OK
I am looking into getting certified this summer. We'll see how it goes...
I just ran across this little site (http://angelfishphotography.com/TropicalMinimalistDiving.htm), and thought it was interesting.
I would call it the "sailfar approach to scuba" - SATS diving :)
I got certified when I was about 15 or 16 years old it was alot of fun but have forgotten everything since then haha I'm sure a refersher course is all that is needed
I think scuba is a natural extension of the spirit of adventure we all share in small boats. The only problem is that it takes a fair bit of stuff to do it right. I think diving in the Caribbean with a good knowledge base and off the back of your own boat must be pretty great. I just haven't gotten to that level yet. I want to go with rebreather, probably a KISS sport. But that is just me. The idea of carrying a months worth of gas were before you would only carry a couple of days worth appeals to me.
On the other hand, extreme sports placed together I believe is synergistic to the risk involved. Take small plane flying and diving. I feel the risk is of death is a multiple of the risk of small planes and the risk of diving. I do not know about sailing and diving, but I am keeping an open mind. One thing that would certainly put more risk in the equation- the ability to get help quickly in a small sailboat out somewhere in some remote islands would be diminished.