Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

[hostage]

Right now I have a nice and comfy 19ft Maxum Cuddy. I bought it to go out on the water, cruise and do water sports. My main problem is that I can't find ANYONE who wants to go tubing, water skiing, or wake boarding. I do spend more time fishing, than I do water sports. I am not even big on fishing. On the other hand I am big into scuba diving and I have a lot of people I know that dive and are in a scuba club with me. I am wondering if I should sell my boat and go for something that is more geared for scuba that might allow me to do water sports on rare occasion. I am thinking an outboard w/ a center console. I don't think the wife would like the change all that might as it looks like the cuddy is more comfortable than a center console, but I think the center console would meet my life style. Right now I don't dive off my boat as I am to scared to hurt her. A center console I would have no issue having it beaten up.

Are center consoles lighter than and can carry more people than you typical run about of the same size?

-Solarity

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

Are center consoles lighter than and can carry more people than you typical run about of the same size?

Nope

 

[Air Traffic]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

It would seem like your biggest concern would be the ability to put a rack in that can store your tanks as you don't want them clanging around. A broken valve with 3000psi wouldn't be much fun. Also the ability to have a place where your spotter could help lift the gear out of the water without breaking thier back. greatest boat I ever dove off was an old landing craft down in the Cayman Islands, drop the front down and slide in and out of the water. Good luck.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

Sounds like it is time to find some new friends if you can't find anyone who wants to participate in your watersports (presumably for free or beer)

 

[pckeen]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I say sink the boat, market it as a sunken shipwreck, and begin charging tourists for your time.

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I know I will need to have tanks secured and have a ladder that can support the weight of a diver.

 

[Elkhornsun]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I used a 17' Boston Whaler and it was great for 4 divers with their gear. I added a combo bench seat and cooler in front of the console and still had room to handle the anchor. Behind the console's seat I placed a 8-tank rank mounted to a piece of marine plywood with a rubber bottom. At the rear transom I had a platform made that was 15" across and made for a step coming up out of the water. To the rear transom I added a bracket for a "swimming" ladder that consists of a center post with steps so it is easy to stand on it with fins on your feet (West Marine sells them).

The boat was great for fishing and could pull a water skier and the two large chests (under each bench seat) provided plenty of dry storage for food and clothing. The 17' Whaler was short enough that I could even launch it using the hoist at Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach or similar locations that lacked a boat ramp.

Boats that are designed solely for a single function are terrible for anything else. A ski boat would get beat up pretty fast by divers with their tanks and weight belts, etc. and same applies to using it for fishing. The Whalers are a great general purpose platform and work well for a wider range of activities, including diving.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I used a 17' Boston Whaler and it was great for 4 divers with their gear. I added a combo bench seat and cooler in front of the console and still had room to handle the anchor. Behind the console's seat I placed a 8-tank rank mounted to a piece of marine plywood with a rubber bottom. At the rear transom I had a platform made that was 15" across and made for a step coming up out of the water. To the rear transom I added a bracket for a "swimming" ladder that consists of a center post with steps so it is easy to stand on it with fins on your feet (West Marine sells them).

The boat was great for fishing and could pull a water skier and the two large chests (under each bench seat) provided plenty of dry storage for food and clothing. The 17' Whaler was short enough that I could even launch it using the hoist at Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach or similar locations that lacked a boat ramp.

Boats that are designed solely for a single function are terrible for anything else. A ski boat would get beat up pretty fast by divers with their tanks and weight belts, etc. and same applies to using it for fishing. The Whalers are a great general purpose platform and work well for a wider range of activities, including diving.

Elkhornsun, As in Elkhorn slough? You from my neck of the woods? I'm in Prunedale.

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I used a 17' Boston Whaler and it was great for 4 divers with their gear. I added a combo bench seat and cooler in front of the console and still had room to handle the anchor. Behind the console's seat I placed a 8-tank rank mounted to a piece of marine plywood with a rubber bottom. At the rear transom I had a platform made that was 15" across and made for a step coming up out of the water. To the rear transom I added a bracket for a "swimming" ladder that consists of a center post with steps so it is easy to stand on it with fins on your feet (West Marine sells them).

The boat was great for fishing and could pull a water skier and the two large chests (under each bench seat) provided plenty of dry storage for food and clothing. The 17' Whaler was short enough that I could even launch it using the hoist at Stillwater Cove in Pebble Beach or similar locations that lacked a boat ramp.

Boats that are designed solely for a single function are terrible for anything else. A ski boat would get beat up pretty fast by divers with their tanks and weight belts, etc. and same applies to using it for fishing. The Whalers are a great general purpose platform and work well for a wider range of activities, including diving.

Would you happen to have a picture of your setup? I am thinking min of 4 dives, though I would like 6 people. My tow vehicle can tow up to 4500 lbs.

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I see a couple of boats on craiglist that are setup for diving:

1998 21' Penn Yan with Johnson 200 hp Motor & Trailer

Fiberglass/Inflatable Boat ~ 90 HP Yamaha ~ Great for Kids (seems a bit pricey)

I haven't done any serious looking at this point I am just kicking tires.

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

Boats don't have tires. ;-)

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

Boats don't have tires. ;-)

There is one in every thread

...but the trailers do

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I've seen PLENTY of tires on boats

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I've seen PLENTY of tires on boats

That joke is much better when you have the image attached =p

 

[lncoop]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

No no, smoke. That would be a terrible dive boat. How would the divers get back aboard? Sheesh. Sometimes I just don't understand you guys.:facepalm:

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

No no, smoke. That would be a terrible dive boat. How would the divers get back aboard? Sheesh. Sometimes I just don't understand you guys.:facepalm:

Easily you go as deep as you can go, drop your weight, inflate your BC, and swim as hard as you can. You fly out of the water like flipper and land in the boat with just enough time for your blood to boil. ><

 

[Wind dog]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

Then straight to the hospital with an air embolism.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

obviously you guys aren't paying attention.... notice the constant bilge discharge..... when ready to dive you simply turn off the bilge pump... the whole boat goes down... then you have 2 in 1 ... a dive boat AND a wreck to dive

 

[hostage]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

On a different note anyone have an input on those boats?

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Thinking of changing my boating style to scuba?

I know I will need to have tanks secured and have a ladder that can support the weight of a diver.

It's not just the weight of the diver you need to be concerned with; the type of ladder can make a huge difference in how easy it is to get back on board. Coming up a ladder with twin 80s on your back and your fins still on your feet is best accomplished with a ladder like this:



Alternately, you can always wiggle out of your gear at the surface and let the BC support it, then have somebody pull it back on board. Then you're left with essentially a swimmer getting back on board. Your choice of ladder becomes much less critical at that point. In any case, the deeper the ladder goes into the water, the easier it is to climb it.