Best way to carry dive gear on Catalina Express

[orch1ds]

Hi...

How do you carry your gear when you go on Catalina Express? I'm not used to carrying gear on my back. I use my giant bag with wheels usually. But I think its beyond the size limits for the express.

Are they very strict when it comes to dive bag sizes?
How should I carry my weights? I read that it needs to be stowed separately. Do I really have to do that? I have a lot of them and would be really bummed if they got stolen. Is that an unnecesary concern -- theft?

I was thinking I should get a cheap mesh bag/backpack style.

Thanks!

 

[jlyle]

I use a two-wheeled dolly (Home Depot) and bungee cords. You have to disassemble the dolly once you get to the luggage hand-off, but that's simple. The dolly system makes it easy to wheel your gear through town and to the boat. Do NOT buy a four-wheeled dolly - they won' take them.

Weights/tanks are carried on the back of the boat. I've never heard of anyone losing gear on the Express.

My friend Tim:

 

[D_B]

This is what I, and a lot of others use ... 29" Stanley Rolling Tool Chest, #029026R ... Stanley Hand Tools :* 029025R *-*

It fits in the Catalina Express hold, It's water tight, holds all/most of my dive gear, fins, regs, wetsuit, boots, gloves, BC , small mat to change on, towels .. and I've even strapped tanks on it with a ratchet tiedown (tanks can't be on it when in ferry)

.. small weights and clothes go in back pack .. you can rent a weight belt at the dive park but you usually can't find weights in less than 5lb increments ... you cold take with you just the ones needed to make your exact weight

 

[jlyle]

Seen in Avalon:

 

[jlyle]

From the Express website:

Each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 21×24x36 and weighing no more than 70 pounds each, to be stowed in the luggage compartment. In addition, each passenger may bring one carry-on that fits under airline style seating. Flammables or dangerous items are not allowed. Please make sure you have an ID tag on each item and do not leave luggage unattended in the terminal at any time. Unattended luggage is subject to search and seizure.

The Following Articles May Be Carried On Board At Passenger’s Own Risk And Liability For Loss, Damage Or Theft. Space Available Only

Dive Tanks
A passenger is allowed to bring only one dive tank and weight belt on board free of charge in addition to any personal baggage. Any such dive tank and weight belt must be kept in the available tank racks or crew designated area on board the vessel. No additional dive tanks are allowed and weights are not to be stored in luggage. Catalina Express assumes no liability for loss, damage or theft of dive tanks or weight belts.

Dive Bags
A passenger is allowed to bring only one dive bag, containing properly stowed miscellaneous dive equipment. The dive bag must meet luggage allowances and must be kept in a crew-designated area on board the vessel.

 

[rakkis]

As long as it's not something ridiculous, the size limitations aren't really enforced. Just use something reasonable.

I would advice renting lead/tank there. For normal recreational dives off Casino Point, the rental 72s they have are decent. And it saves a lot of back strain carrying stuff back and forth.

 

[drbill]

Fortunately when I board the Catalina Express, I'm going to the mainland to shop rather than dive. However, on those occasions when I've gone over to diver I've used my trusty old handcart to get my gear to the boat.

 

[fisheater]

Here's the rig that I use regularly, and have used on the Catalina Express.

 

[SharkMonkey]

Check out www.californiadivecompany.com they have a perfect dive box to carry all your dive gear in one place including your tank and weights. I love it!!! You can also select the two different types of wheels. You can put it in your car and not worry about getting your car interior wet or full of sand. When you are finished diving for the day, you can fill it with fresh water and rinse your gear. There is a drain plug to facilitate the process of rinsing your gear.

 

[Teamcasa]

This is what my wife and I use. Perfect for diving the park via the Catalina Express