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Thought I would post and share my recent dive trip aboard a 'cattle boat' here in PBC.
I have free time during the week, and unfortunately, most of my dive buddies do not, so instead of taking our own boats on the weekends, I am usually stuck on dryland during the week, or have to go on a charter.
I had heard some good things about JDC, and coupled with the fact that I had heard the bugs were going off, booked their 3-tanker for friday.
Well, I was glad I did. Maybe b/c it was a weekday, but I think the same holds true for the weekends, this is in NO WAY a cattle boat operation at all. Maybe 11 divers onboard and plenty of room to move about, friendly guides/staff, and (maybe b/c a large part of my job has me running boats) the most important part was the fact that the boat actually looked maintained/clean. I mean don't you hate showing up at a boat and seeing that the salt from the day's prior trip hasn't even been hosed off???
I was there specifically to target lobster and the staff accommodated. Ended up with 4 really big bugs, saw TONS of baby-bugs, and overall had a great day. (have to give a huge thumbs-up to one of the guides, somehow he ended up about 10-12 feet above me on the second dive and I hear his clacker going off, so I barrel roll to see who is above me, and he is pointing out lobsters that are coming up ahead of me on the left and right; it got so easy I felt I was trick-or-treating!!!
Viz was about 80 feet, they provided a good brown bag lunch, and I immediately felt more like a welcomed friend than just a 'paying passenger.'
Another huge plus, they have their own dock so when you are done with the day, you actually don't feel super-rushed to stuff all your wet gear into your car and leave. I rinsed my stuff, had it spread out all Sanford & Son style all over the place on the dock and didn't get a stink eye over it.
Oh yea, not that I am a cheap SOB, but I like to shop around, and the entire trip was also about $30.00 cheaper overall than the closest diveshop/boat if your counting your pennies, not including tips. When I say entire trip I mean trip, 1 steel tank rental, fills at the end of day, etc.
Another nice thing, the divers were not constantly 'reminded' that the crew works for tips. In fact I think it was maybe mentioned once, sort of a 'hey sure we appreciate tips but we just love to dive;' I have been on other operations in the area where it was mentioned no less than 9 times (and yes I began counting b/c it really started to irk me when they kept saying it) and that begins to make you NOT want to give them a nickel 'cause you feel you are getting 'worked' for a handout.
So anyhoooo, I had mentioned to someone on the boat that I was 'homeless' during the week and looking for a good dive boat, and I think I have found my new home! In fact I think I am gonna do their 2-tank Sunday morning dive tomorrow.
I'm always looking for dive buds on Fridays. I usually go out with Sea Experience II out of Fort Lauderdale...another "cattle boat" that doesn't feel like a cattle boat, lots of room to spread out, friendliest crew in SoFla, and I have never once heard them mention tips. You park a few feet from the boat, and they have their own dock.
Scooter-- is this the JDC Pompano Boat ran by Captain Paul B? HE is well known in the SB Family as a great Captain. HEre is a pic of some SB'ers from I think 2005 on Capt Pauls old boat the Temptation.
Ima gonna have to put a trip together on his boat in Pompano soon...
"...to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned LIONFISH! Thus, I give up the spear!"
Scooter-- is this the JDC Pompano Boat ran by Captain Paul B? HE is well known in the SB Family as a great Captain.
Ima gonna have to put a trip together on his boat in Pompano soon...
OE,
I hope I'm the Captain Paul of whom you speak! If so, thanks for the kind words. If you're serious about diving at Pompano Dive Center why come in November. We have a special all month, $45 two tank dives. (Tanks and gratuity not included) I promise not to beg for tips!
Ima gonna have to put a trip together on his boat in Pompano soon...
Quote:
Originally Posted by PompanoPaul
OE,
I hope I'm the Captain Paul of whom you speak! If so, thanks for the kind words. If you're serious about diving at Pompano Dive Center why come in November. We have a special all month, $45 two tank dives. (Tanks and gratuity not included) I promise not to beg for tips!
Such a deal!!! Eric, let's do this on a FRIDAY OK? Except not Friday November 13 when I'm booked on Sea Experience with the Diving Divas...wanna join us?
Friday November 13 when I'm booked on Sea Experience
Debby!
Do not dive on Friday the 13th!
Jason will be waiting for you at depth and will slash your hoses!!
OK enough screwing around...
Jupiter Dive Center is a class outfit.
I have been out with them several times and can always reccommend them to people without fear.
I am glad you had a good trip.
They are a good "Moo Boat" that just DOES NOT feel like a cattle boat.
Chug
__________________
Charter member of the NAABELF!
(North American Association of Bigots for the Elimination of Lion Fish.)
I am partial to Coasties and P.J's, because they carry band-aids and are like 911 for Seals, Rangers, Recon, and Pilots.
It's all about fun folks!
Debby-- I do not even have my calendar marked up to when I have Friday off again.. I'd have to burn some time off to get a Friday off anytime in the next four months... although.... free room always makes a trip worth while.. I have my own SB Conch Approved matress. I miss the SB Airmatress events.. JENNY you listening.. I say that because you have been to and hosted many..
"...to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! and since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned LIONFISH! Thus, I give up the spear!"
Such a deal!!! Eric, let's do this on a FRIDAY OK? Except not Friday November 13 when I'm booked on Sea Experience with the Diving Divas...wanna join us?
Ummm... what is a Diving Diva?? and can I come watch?!?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orlando Eric
Scooter-- is this the JDC Pompano Boat ran by Captain Paul B? HE is well known in the SB Family as a great Captain. HEre is a pic of some SB'ers from I think 2005 on Capt Pauls old boat the Temptation.
Ima gonna have to put a trip together on his boat in Pompano soon...
I think JDC has a 'sister' shop in Pompano and it is the one you have mentioned. The Capt. on my friday dive was Capt. Mike; he did a real good job and also spent some time with me after my dive to explain/plot strategy for my next trip. ( I got impatient on my last dive/drop and instead of LISTENING TO THE CAPT. and drifting with the current waiting to come up on some bugs, I kicked over about 25 yards to the west to get to the reef ledge. Apparently missed some good lobster holes BUT the ledge itself made up for it; it was SCHWEET!! Some areas had over 10-15 foot of relief and I got to drift through a huge school of reef dwellers, in and around some formations, etc etc)
Debby-- I do not even have my calendar marked up to when I have Friday off again.. I'd have to burn some time off to get a Friday off anytime in the next four months... although.... free room always makes a trip worth while.. I have my own SB Conch Approved matress. I miss the SB Airmatress events.. JENNY you listening.. I say that because you have been to and hosted many..
Heck, I have a spare bedroom. No need to sleep on the air mattress.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ScooterSouthFlorida
Ummm... what is a Diving Diva?? and can I come watch?!?
Three female former SCUBA instructors who used to bring students out on Pro Diver and Pro Diver II back in the day when Capt. Bill used to drive her. We bumped into one another on a dive on his fast, spacious new boat Sea Experience II, it was a fun reunion, and now we dive together on Fridays whenever we can. If you want to dive with three middle-aged chicks who are very experienced divers, sure, you can come watch.
We went on the friday 3 tank dive last month and it was fantastic. 4 divers + DM definitely no cattle boat feel. Plenty of time for surface intervals, etc. Surprised they went out with that few people.
I dove once with them on a weekend with a full boat and I can't honestly say on that trip it didn't have a cattle boat feel. Not a bad trip, just crowded. Of course since my dive crew does >75% of our boat trips on 6-packs we have a biased view.
We'll definitely book more friday 3 tank dives with them in the future.
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