Gilboa for the first time...

[PvtStash]

6 of us went to Gilboa today in lieu of a cancelled wreck dive at Port Sanilac, MI. It was the first time at Gilboa for 5 of us.

It costs twice as much to dive there as in addition to the actual diving costing most there is also a parking fee (that is applied NOT be vehicle, but per Person IN the vehicle, which I think is BS). There is a 2 page form to fill out/ initial , but they keep it on file so you dont have to fill it out Every time (like you do at Portage) just re-sign it.
Its also twice as far away than either Portage Or Whitestar, but I wasnt driving...

That being said it IS the Best of the 3 quarries I've dove in. Lots of fish, many different kinds, some Monster catfish, helicopter, plane, tubes... the Long dock with the tables... the Huge entrance/exit platforms w/ stairs into the water... Primo... top-notch.

Only downside to the actual Diving is that it IS colder there than either of the other 2 quarries... it was 52 degrees @ 50' .... its like 56 degrees @ 76' in Whitestar's Crusher Pit... I attribute the colder temperatures to that HUGE sink of deeper water immediately adjacent to where I was diving... yeah there's No ambiguity as to where your Not allowed to dive (w/o the proper gear/cert)... there's a wall, and then the Abyss beyond... pretty clear-cut.

I complain about the higher costs but I understand that Giboa doesnt have the party/beach thing or the park/beach thing going as income streams and so must get All their operating capital from the Diver Pool ... But its clear to see that they are taking that money and putting a good portion of it Right back into the facilities; we saw a firetruck and another boat waiting to go in out near the front parking lot. We did 2 dives and all had a great time.

I'll probably end up diving Gilboa 2-4x/yr.

 

[Jchoby]

Yea, I tend to dive Gilboa a lot through out the year. It has a lot of things to keep one interested. Second choice would be White Star followed by Portage. I'll hit Natural Springs when a buddy goes there but I stay clear of Circleville. We are going to have a meet-n-greet at Gilboa in late Oct. Feel free to drop in and dive with us....

 

[micklock]

Why was your wreck dive cancelled?

 

[almitywife]

on my dive wist list is Gilboa! ive never dived a quarry or fresh water before. the cost of it sounds scary though... but then again if you see what we pay for sydney parking then i guess its not too bad overall

any pics??

cheers

 

[K9Pig]

I was there during the week in July and didn't have to pay parking fees, but that's only during the week.... Temps are pretty much the same... Great place to dive. I only wished that I didn't live 9 hours away. Did you feed the fish from on top of the bus? If not it's a must, TRUST ME you will enjoy.. The owner Mike told me that he is looking for a DC-8 airplane to suspend under water for traininng..

 

[Jchoby]

on my dive wist list is Gilboa! ive never dived a quarry or fresh water before. the cost of it sounds scary though... but then again if you see what we pay for sydney parking then i guess its not too bad overall

any pics??

cheers

I don't think the costs are too bad. Entry fee is $15.00 and day parking (near water) is another $4.00. Not counting cost of air, that's a whole day's fun for $19 bucks. Sure its a few more buck that then other places but given the diversity of the site, it is a great place to go. The other sites have their pluses as well but I seem to migrate back to Gilboa.

 

[rickydazla]

on my dive wist list is Gilboa! ive never dived a quarry or fresh water before.

You'd come all the way to the Great Lakes from downunder and then dive in quarry?! Strewth!

 

[almitywife]

I don't think the costs are too bad. Entry fee is $15.00 and day parking (near water) is another $4.00. Not counting cost of air, that's a whole day's fun for $19 bucks. Sure its a few more buck that then other places but given the diversity of the site, it is a great place to go. The other sites have their pluses as well but I seem to migrate back to Gilboa.

is that $15 per person???? i have to get my head around its a private park and those helicopters, trains and platforms gotta be paid for somehow

You'd come all the way to the Great Lakes from downunder and then dive in quarry?! Strewth!

heck yeah!! afterall, when in rome as they say - it will be something VERY different for us


cheers

 

[tiggrr]

on my dive wist list is Gilboa! ive never dived a quarry or fresh water before. the cost of it sounds scary though... but then again if you see what we pay for sydney parking then i guess its not too bad overall

any pics??

cheers

Darlin, you come up here and you MUST do the wrecks of the Great Lakes. Dive Gilboa if you like (its fun) but, don't even think of leaving before a wreck dive or 2.

PM me when you are ready and I will personally see you have a fun experience with wreck diving. That includes brownies.

 

[gtxl1200]

6 of us went to Gilboa today in lieu of a cancelled wreck dive at Port Sanilac, MI. It was the first time at Gilboa for 5 of us.

It costs twice as much to dive there as in addition to the actual diving costing most there is also a parking fee (that is applied NOT be vehicle, but per Person IN the vehicle, which I think is BS). There is a 2 page form to fill out/ initial , but they keep it on file so you dont have to fill it out Every time (like you do at Portage) just re-sign it.
Its also twice as far away than either Portage Or Whitestar, but I wasnt driving...

That being said it IS the Best of the 3 quarries I've dove in. Lots of fish, many different kinds, some Monster catfish, helicopter, plane, tubes... the Long dock with the tables... the Huge entrance/exit platforms w/ stairs into the water... Primo... top-notch.

Only downside to the actual Diving is that it IS colder there than either of the other 2 quarries... it was 52 degrees @ 50' .... its like 56 degrees @ 76' in Whitestar's Crusher Pit... I attribute the colder temperatures to that HUGE sink of deeper water immediately adjacent to where I was diving... yeah there's No ambiguity as to where your Not allowed to dive (w/o the proper gear/cert)... there's a wall, and then the Abyss beyond... pretty clear-cut.

I complain about the higher costs but I understand that Giboa doesnt have the party/beach thing or the park/beach thing going as income streams and so must get All their operating capital from the Diver Pool ... But its clear to see that they are taking that money and putting a good portion of it Right back into the facilities; we saw a firetruck and another boat waiting to go in out near the front parking lot. We did 2 dives and all had a great time.

I'll probably end up diving Gilboa 2-4x/yr.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh from the eyes of a new diver. I remember my first dive at Gilboa myself. Dont worry the excitment of Gilboa will wear off.