Your gear & dive boats

[Marie13]

I'm hoping to get out onto Lake Michigan for a dive before the end of the season. Everything I've read says to keep your gear in as small of a space as possible. At this point, I've got a mesh backpack which handles mask, fins, snorkel, regulator case, and BP/W (barely). I'll be diving dry, so I'll also have that gear to deal with.

Would a rolling bag of some sort be the best way to handle everything?

 

[TMHeimer]

I guess you'll get a variety of replies, so here's what I take:
--Standard zip up gear bag (well, it IS a hockey bag, but I don't boat dive enough to worry about it's zipper, etc.). This holds everything except the next items.
--Large mesh bag for all weights, unless I carry the belt separately.
--BCD can go in the hockey bag or on tank, whichever the crew wants, etc.
--a Dry bag for non diving stuff (hat, towel,clothes, etc,)--find out where the "dry stuff" place is on board.
--small cooler for lunch, water, soda, etc.--goes in hockey bag.

 

[ripman3]

Everything goes in my dive bag. Bcd goes on tank. Small bag for dry stuff. Small cooler. Thats it.

 

[stuartv]

The rolling gear bags are usually too big to fit well under your bench. I always make a little frownie face on the inside when I see someone rolling one onto a boat with a full manifest.

I use a Stahlsac mesh backpack thing. It's great because it's huge and amazingly strong, but after I pull all my gear out it takes up virtually no room under my bench.

 

[Marie13]

Well, dang. It's a 2 tank trip and I'll willingly pay the $35 extra for the shop to take my 2 rental tanks to the boat. Between my gimpy knee and my sciatica, I will only unwillingly give up wheels.

 

[Jack Hammer]

I use a 18qt rubber maid tub and put it under the bench. Fits great plus it keeps my clothes dry. All my other stuff goes in it too. The trick is to keep your gear out of the center "aisle" while on the boat and not just dump everything into a $*** pile. That way everyone has room to move and gear up.

 

[Doby45]

I also use the mesh bag that becomes nothing under my bench. Biggest key is get your crap on quick and don't spread out like some nasty teenagers closet exploded all over the deck. Really pre plan how to best get your gear on

 

[SCRedWolf]

I'm hoping to get out onto Lake Michigan for a dive before the end of the season. Everything I've read says to keep your gear in as small of a space as possible. At this point, I've got a mesh backpack which handles mask, fins, snorkel, regulator case, and BP/W (barely). I'll be diving dry, so I'll also have that gear to deal with.

Would a rolling bag of some sort be the best way to handle everything?

My wife uses this mesh backpack that does have wheels on it. Once empty it doesn't take up much space (albeit a bit more than a simple mesh bag) under the bench since the only rigid part is the wheel assemblies and a plastic plate that connects the wheels. Our dive shop recommended this backpack for her to use on their boats (converted pontoon boats).

 

[mainedvr]

If its a boat I have never been on I take my mesh bag or give them a call and see what they think. Boats I use more that have more space and I know its not an issue I use my roller bag. One of my local dive boats is very small for 22 people if everyone had a rolling bag it would actually not fit. The boat does inshore local dives and is fun but again just have to see what each boat can handle. Have fun I would love to do Lake Mich.

 

[stuartv]

Well, dang. It's a 2 tank trip and I'll willingly pay the $35 extra for the shop to take my 2 rental tanks to the boat. Between my gimpy knee and my sciatica, I will only unwillingly give up wheels.

$35 for them to carry your tanks to the boat for you?!? I can't think of a single boat I've been on where they didn't schlep rental tanks for you automatically. Some of them even ask to schlep your gear bag for you, too. $35 is outrageous!