Diving South Florida in September or October.

[Eric Sedletzky]

I sent you an email inquiring about an aluminum plate earlier in the week. I am wanting it for FL ocean diving. Using steel tanks and little or no wet suit, the AL plate would be much better than the SS plate I have.

Right now all plate stuff is on hold until I can dig myself out of the pile of work that has fallen on me. But I’m going to really work hard to try and have a few ali’s with me of various sizes, and especially the new Contour EZ-Pak (aluminum) which is a super simple economy travel plate I came up with.

Right now it looks like we might book the second week in September based on everything I’m reading here.
How do tanks and weights work there?
Does the boat provide an Al 80 and a crate of misc weights to dig through and use?
I’m probably going to just use a three mil, aluminum Contour plate with VDH 18 wing, and an empty belt that I can string on a couple loaner weights.
Do I have go through a dive shop to rent that stuff?
I’m looking to do just some normal recreational dives, 80’-100’ max, nothing crazy. I don’t take pictures, I just like to cruise and enjoy the vistas.

 

[aquacat8]

Jupiter dive center rents steel tanks, best to dive nitrox for those depths.

 

[Boiler_81]

Right now all plate stuff is on hold until I can dig myself out of the pile of work that has fallen on me. But I’m going to really work hard to try and have a few ali’s with me of various sizes, and especially the new Contour EZ-Pak (aluminum) which is a super simple economy travel plate I came up with.

Right now it looks like we might book the second week in September based on everything I’m reading here.
How do tanks and weights work there?
Does the boat provide an Al 80 and a crate of misc weights to dig through and use?
I’m probably going to just use a three mil, aluminum Contour plate with VDH 18 wing, and an empty belt that I can string on a couple loaner weights.
Do I have go through a dive shop to rent that stuff?
I’m looking to do just some normal recreational dives, 80’-100’ max, nothing crazy. I don’t take pictures, I just like to cruise and enjoy the vistas.

Weights are available on the boats. As aquacat8 said, you can rent either steel 100s or AL80s. I also agree with her on Nitrox, the depths there are perfect for it. Some of the boats even require it. I have a couple of steel 120s and weights stashed at my parents place for use when I'm down there. So, I'm not all that familiar with the rental and weight use process.

For the bridge dive, you can rent an 80 from one of the shops near the bridge. I don't know if they rent weights or not. If not, I bet you could find someone through scubaboard to meet up with to borrow weight and be a buddy to show you the bridge. I think I'm going to be down there late August through the 4th of September. I want to see the Goliaths and get in a night dive on the 3rd at the bridge. So, it looks like I will miss you.

As for the AL freedom plate, whenever you get to it is fine. I plan on leaving it in FL for warm water and using my SS here in MI.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Eric Sedletzky

The 3 ops in Boynton Beach I mentioned above all supply cylinders and weights, as does Narcosis in West Palm and, as per @aquacat8, JDC in Jupiter.

Good diving, Craig

 

[aquacat8]

They do charge for tanks though, don’t know about weights

 

[scubadada]

Weights are no charge

 

[Boiler_81]

A couple of additional notes, you will need a SMB for offshore dives. All of the boats I've been on require one for each diver. For the bridge you will need a flag.

 

[scubadada]

A couple of additional notes, you will need a SMB for offshore dives. All of the boats I've been on require one for each diver. For the bridge you will need a flag.

A flag is required for each solo diver or one per group. The boats I listed in Boynton Beach suppply flags. The boats I listed in West Palm and Jupiter put a DM in the water with a flag, you surface with the DM or on your SMB. Yes, you need a flag at BHB

 

[Boiler_81]

A flag is required for each solo diver or one per group. The boats I listed in Boynton Beach suppply flags. The boats I listed in West Palm and Jupiter put a DM in the water with a flag, you surface with the DM or on your SMB. Yes, you need a flag at BHB

I have only gone off shore in Jupiter and each time have had a DM towing the flag. I didn't know there were boats which didn't put a DM in the water. Thanks for the info. It's a benefit to me to have someone else towing a flag.

 

[aquacat8]

When the current is ripping on the surface that flag can really pull!