So my 100th dive is not going to be in Indonesia as planned, it is going to be here at home. Since there are so many NC Wreck diving fans here, I thought I'd post this question here instead of on our local forum.
Help me PICK:D
What is your favorite wreck out of Morehead within recreational limits and not one of the extended day trips? Although I had a great day on the Proteus when I dove it, it was hardly worth the nearly 4 hour trip out there to do a non deco dive. No subs please, I'm subbed out and am thinking more along the lines of LOTS OF SHARKS, and some easy penetration.
Drewski
September 15th, 2010, 09:37 PM
The wreck formerly known as the Papoose remains a favorite of mine. It meets all those qualifications...
lulubelle
September 15th, 2010, 09:54 PM
The wreck formerly known as the Papoose remains a favorite of mine. It meets all those qualifications...
You know, you may be on to something. Sort of diving redux. At the risk of having the diving police jump down my throat, the Papoose was my first dive after OW. So returning there for my 100th would be cool. I did that dive on air with tables (a fantastic...what was it...13 minutes?)
My favorites this summer have been the Caribsea and the Proteus, but the Proteus is simply too far out from Morehead, and the Caribsea not always easy to get to.
lulubelle
September 16th, 2010, 07:32 AM
Oh come one, surely someone else has a favorite?
battles2a5
September 16th, 2010, 07:55 AM
I'd give another vote for the Papoose. Lots of sandies and easy penetration. If you want a TON of sharks and easy penetration, the Spar doesn't disappoint. It's an artiifcial wreck but I've never seen that many sharks on any other wreck.
ScubaSam
September 16th, 2010, 07:56 AM
So my 100th dive is not going to be in Indonesia as planned, it is going to be here at home. Since there are so many NC Wreck diving fans here, I thought I'd post this question here instead of on our local forum.
Help me PICK:D
What is your favorite wreck out of Morehead within recreational limits and not one of the extended day trips? Although I had a great day on the Proteus when I dove it, it was hardly worth the nearly 4 hour trip out there to do a non deco dive. No subs please, I'm subbed out and am thinking more along the lines of LOTS OF SHARKS, and some easy penetration.
My bias toward the Papoose and the Spar is due to this past Saturday's dive on both where conditions were the best I've ever experienced while diving NC. Flat seas, 60+ft viz, 80 degree warm blue water and a TON of sharks the Spar, both can be penetrated.
You cannot go wrong with either of those two wrecks! And if you have 80 degree water temps, you could do your 100th dive naked....IJS. :D
Safe dives. Let us know which wreck you end up diving!!
Tortuga James
September 16th, 2010, 08:31 AM
My Favorite dive (not necessarily favorite wreck) is the Naeco Stern. The animals are just so damn big and abundant there.
This is not a shameless plug, but you will probably have to charter a 6 pack to get there on any given day and that is never a given even then. It borders on extended day at 42 miles from the inlet.
The Normannia is another one of my favorites, but I would try to get there on a boat out of Masonboro.
ScubaSam
September 16th, 2010, 08:56 AM
My Favorite dive (not necessarily favorite wreck) is the Naeco Stern. The animals are just so damn big and abundant there.
This is not a shameless plug, but you will probably have to charter a 6 pack to get there on any given day and that is never a given even then. It borders on extended day at 42 miles from the inlet.
The Normannia is another one of my favorites, but I would try to get there on a boat out of Masonboro.
Ok, Capt., I'd like to do your recommendations the next time I'm in NC and that includes the "Scooby Doo" wreck. :D
battles2a5
September 16th, 2010, 10:11 AM
Lulubelle, if you charter something to the Naeco and you need people count me in.
lulubelle
September 16th, 2010, 11:30 AM
My bias toward the Papoose and the Spar is due to this past Saturday's dive on both where conditions were the best I've ever experienced while diving NC. Flat seas, 60+ft viz, 80 degree warm blue water and a TON of sharks the Spar, both can be penetrated.
You cannot go wrong with either of those two wrecks! And if you have 80 degree water temps, you could do your 100th dive naked....IJS. :D
Safe dives. Let us know which wreck you end up diving!!
Thanks Sam. I haven't been to the Papoose this summer, so that is a strong possibility. Have you been to the Caribsea? I love that one!
My Favorite dive (not necessarily favorite wreck) is the Naeco Stern. The animals are just so damn big and abundant there.
This is not a shameless plug, but you will probably have to charter a 6 pack to get there on any given day and that is never a given even then. It borders on extended day at 42 miles from the inlet.
The Normannia is another one of my favorites, but I would try to get there on a boat out of Masonboro.
No shameless plug need Capt, I'd prefer to charter a six pack, and yours is very well thought of by all. Only reason why you haven't seen me is that generally there are 2-3 of us wanting to dive, not enough to fill up your boat. Haven't been able to match up dates on your "open seatings."
Are you booked next Sunday the 26th? So far, there are 3 of us, plus Battles if we go to the Naeco.
Lulubelle, if you charter something to the Naeco and you need people count me in.
OK, let me work on that....we have nothing booked yet, and one person waiting to see if she goes out this weekend before she decides whether or not to join us.
Tortuga James
September 16th, 2010, 11:39 AM
October 9th and 10th are my next open weekend dates. Pick any weekday.
As a caveat. I am a little picky about who I will take to the Naeco. It is 140' to the sand. With the Proteus under your belt, you are fine, but just keep that in mind as you put together a group.
lulubelle
September 16th, 2010, 11:47 AM
October 9th and 10th are my next open weekend dates. Pick any weekday.
As a caveat. I am a little picky about who I will take to the Naeco. It is 140' to the sand. With the Proteus under your belt, you are fine, but just keep that in mind as you put together a group.
Thanks and understood. Weekdays are not an option for me at present (due to a number of absences which were not planned) unless, of course, I end up on the layoff list which is coming in which case I am IN!
I'm a little picky about who I dive with offshore period! And even more so for the deeper wrecks. So far, I have not ended up on a boat with a bent, injured, or dead diver and I aim to keep it that way.
SPEARIT
September 16th, 2010, 03:10 PM
The Normannia is another one of my favorites, but I would try to get there on a boat out of Masonboro.[/QUOTE]
I agree with you, Ken, she is one of my favorite dives also. I still have the beer bottles I got there in the 80's.
Have you dove her since your trip with me?
Tortuga James
September 16th, 2010, 03:19 PM
I agree with you, Ken, she is one of my favorite dives also. I still have the beer bottles I got there in the 80's. Have you dove her since your trip with me?
That was that last time I dove it...that was a good day, September I believe. I have been thinking about a fun day down there on Tortuga, but that is a 60 mile run. I would like to dive her again.
Eastbayfe
September 16th, 2010, 08:54 PM
My favorites this summer have been the Caribsea and the Proteus, but the Proteus is simply too far out from Morehead, and the Caribsea not always easy to get to.
My favorite has been the Caribsea and I have never seen as many sharks as the last time I was on it. You are a witness to that. The Spar can be a good dive and I enjoy sharing the pilothouse with the Spadefish. The Naeco stern section was a spectacular dive with Capt. James this late summer. The water clarity was unbelievable. Definitely my second favorite.
lulubelle
September 16th, 2010, 09:45 PM
My favorite has been the Caribsea and I have never seen as many sharks as the last time I was on it. You are a witness to that. The Spar can be a good dive and I enjoy sharing the pilothouse with the Spadefish. The Naeco stern section was a spectacular dive with Capt. James this late summer. The water clarity was unbelievable. Definitely my second favorite.
That was a good dive Frank, rollers, seasickness, and all. I forgot all of it once I saw that army of Sand Tigers. Karen and started that charter just because we hadn't been there. Well worth it.
You know, we had the same experience on the Proteus, maybe even more of them. Karen and I dropped, we had maybe 30 feet of viz, and everywhere we could see, up, down, and sideways....sharks. I looked up and grinned at her and we descended right into them.
Sorry I missed the Naeco trip. I will put that on my list.
SPEARIT
September 17th, 2010, 06:51 AM
That was that last time I dove it...that was a good day, September I believe. I have been thinking about a fun day down there on Tortuga, but that is a 60 mile run. I would like to dive her again.
I have some open weekdays for the rest of the season. We can take my boat(it's about a 35mi run out) and dive her. I still want to find one of the rum bottles intact. Call me and we'll set it up.
Tortuga James
September 17th, 2010, 09:02 AM
I have some open weekdays for the rest of the season. We can take my boat(it's about a 35mi run out) and dive her. I still want to find one of the rum bottles intact. Call me and we'll set it up.
That would be great. I will get up with your soon.
Buoyant1
September 17th, 2010, 11:35 AM
You DO know that it's customary to do your 100th dive ...um...nekkid! :popcorn:
lulubelle
September 17th, 2010, 03:35 PM
You DO know that it's customary to do your 100th dive ...um...nekkid! :popcorn:
So I'm told. But if I want the marine life to hang out with us, not to mention my dive buddies, I may want to wear a suit. Plus, way too many jellies here to go commando.
Akyla
September 18th, 2010, 12:31 AM
Although I had a great day on the Proteus when I dove it, it was hardly worth the nearly 4 hour trip out there to do a non deco dive. No subs please, I'm subbed out and am thinking more along the lines of LOTS OF SHARKS, and some easy penetration.
OR you could just drive to Hatteras to dive the Proteus. We make that run in under 90 mns if the seas cooperate and it is certainly worth that much time on a boat. When you are no longer subbed out, the Tarpon sits right next to the Proteus...
lulubelle
September 18th, 2010, 01:25 AM
OR you could just drive to Hatteras to dive the Proteus. We make that run in under 90 mns if the seas cooperate and it is certainly worth that much time on a boat. When you are no longer subbed out, the Tarpon sits right next to the Proteus...
Indeed it is worth that much time on a boat. I'll keep that in mind. I dive mainly out of Morehead because I have a place there.
