Bonaire....steel tank rentals?

[Capt Gary]

Going to Bonaire Jan/2010 and am looking for dive shop that rents steel tanks. Anyone know of a shop that can accommodate us. Will need 8 and of course a lot of fills.

Good Diving,

 

[Cecil]

Well first question is why? Your best bet is probably Walt Stark with Rek Tec, he does technical diving on Bonaire and may have them.

 

[Capt Gary]

Well first question is why? Your best bet is probably Walt Stark with Rek Tec, he does technical diving on Bonaire and may have them.

Steel tanks distribute the weight better on your back than putting lead on your waist. Distributing the weight on your back tends to level you out better than having weights on your waist or in around your waist in a jacket pocket and dragging your lower portion of your body down. Better trim...Better Air Consumption....Better Chances of not damaging aquatic life.

With my steel back-plate and a steel tank, I don't use any lead weight. Secondly and most importantly my wife likes them for the same reason and I promised her I'd try and find her a set.

Good Diving,

 

[herman]

....................... Secondly and most importantly my wife likes them for the same reason and I promised her I'd try and find her a set.

Good Diving,

If moma ain't happy no is happy....know that one well. If anyone has them it will be Walt.

 

[Scott from LongIsland]

you can rent Steel tanks at Tropical Divers. It is across from the Plaza Resort. It is a German run dive shop. I used them last year and thought they were excellent. They have different sizes available too which is nice...Nitrox too of course.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Steel tanks distribute the weight better on your back than putting lead on your waist. Distributing the weight on your back tends to level you out better than having weights on your waist or in around your waist in a jacket pocket and dragging your lower portion of your body down. Better trim...Better Air Consumption....Better Chances of not damaging aquatic life.

I also prefer the buoyancy characteristics of steel tanks over AL tanks. However, the path of least resistance might be to get a couple of those inexpensive XS Scuba weight pockets and attach them to your tank cambands.

It looks like you'll be able to get the steel tanks, but you may have to wait for them to be filled and you'll be limiting yourself to one location for tank drop off/pick up. Bonaire dive ops have scads of filled AL80s (air or nitrox) lined up and ready for diving.

Have fun on your trip.

 

[Cecil]

I agree with you about steel tanks and that is what I use at home in the really cold water. He11 steel means I have to carry 12 pounds less to the water. But that's in cold water, on Bonaire you're weightless (in comparision), so I have a hard time understanding the need........

But as was stated, if momma's not happy, that's more than sufficient.

If you do not get an answer, I can always ask over on BT.

 

[Rainer]

With my steel back-plate and a steel tank, I don't use any lead weight.

Hmm, with my steel plate (-5), wearing a full 3mm suit, with an AL80, I don't need any lead. WW diving is about the only time I don't dive steels.

 

[CompuDude]

Hmm, with my steel plate (-5), wearing a full 3mm suit, with an AL80, I don't need any lead. WW diving is about the only time I don't dive steels.

Of course, for a valid comparison you'd need to compare against other people's weight needs in their cold water rigs... or perhaps a body fat percentage comparison could also help.

Ain't a lot of meat on your bones, IIRC... I suspect someone like me is just a tad bit more floaty.

 

[Scott from LongIsland]

I also prefer the buoyancy characteristics of steel tanks over AL tanks. However, the path of least resistance might be to get a couple of those inexpensive XS Scuba weight pockets and attach them to your tank cambands.

It looks like you'll be able to get the steel tanks, but you may have to wait for them to be filled and you'll be limiting yourself to one location for tank drop off/pick up. Bonaire dive ops have scads of filled AL80s (air or nitrox) lined up and ready for diving.

Have fun on your trip.

I am not sure why you would infer that this is the case but it is incorrect.

I never waited and there were many many tanks available at all times that I was there. How many places does one need to pick up and drop off tanks??