EireDiver606
Contributor
Now that is a dive boat. How fast is it? What’s on the back? Engine size?
Diving from your own boat vs. a charter
- Thread starter Jeff Dykes
- Start date
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EireDiver606
Contributor
[QUOTE\] It is my observation that you really want to be pretty good at both diving and boating when you start combining the two activities.[/QUOTE]
I agree. The OP needs to have a dive cox on board while diving (at least where I am) for insurance reasons. I would personally do it for peace of mind and safety. If you are new to boating, I would not dive and boat yet. Go boating first, then when you’re used to being on the water etc, etc then combine the two.
Get a fire extinguisher and all the other safety equipment needed. It’s not less expensive than a charter.
I agree. The OP needs to have a dive cox on board while diving (at least where I am) for insurance reasons. I would personally do it for peace of mind and safety. If you are new to boating, I would not dive and boat yet. Go boating first, then when you’re used to being on the water etc, etc then combine the two.
Get a fire extinguisher and all the other safety equipment needed. It’s not less expensive than a charter.
We usually cruise around 20mph/32kph with twin Honda 150s but can get up to 40mph/64kph in an emergency.
We carry two fire extinguishers and all required safety equipment. The best advice I can give is to take a Coast Guard safe boating course.
EireDiver606
Contributor
64kph? Now that’s fast for a boat that size. Nice.
That's with no dive gear onboard and flat seas. Merry always wants to slow down so we don't slam on the swells. Being a guy, I tend to push the throttles forward a bit. 
They say there is no such thing as a perfect boat. Mine is as close as I can afford. I'd love to have more deck space, compressor and a larger head but that would come with a lot more expense, including higher slip fees. My slip fee is $500 per month whether I take the boat out or not. I really hate it when the ocean is rough for days or weeks at a time. When it's good out there the boat is worth every penny.
When I was between boats I made a lot of beach dives and dived from friends' boats. It's still enjoyable but there is nothing like the freedom to dive wherever you want. Unfortunately, in boating as in life, freedom comes with a hefty price.
When I was between boats I made a lot of beach dives and dived from friends' boats. It's still enjoyable but there is nothing like the freedom to dive wherever you want. Unfortunately, in boating as in life, freedom comes with a hefty price.
Hank49
Contributor
Owning a boat that lives in a rental spot at a marina and needs dry docked, etc etc, vs a boat that you park in your yard 400 yards from the boat ramp....
I do most work, like lower unit oil change, installing fishfinder, lubricating, etc.
I don’t spend much other than fuel and maybe $2000 on maintenance per year.
I do most work, like lower unit oil change, installing fishfinder, lubricating, etc.
I don’t spend much other than fuel and maybe $2000 on maintenance per year.
We debated about a trailer when we bought No Pressure. I love turnkey ability. We go to the marina about a mile and a half, set up our tanks and go. There is a haulout at the marina that we use when we change the lower gear oil. The rest of the maintenance I can do in the slip. We're in SoCal so no drydock needed.
Trailering the boat would require a trailer and truck, registration and insurance for each plus a storage space for the boat and trailer. I'd spend a lot more that way for the convenience of working on the boat at home. You also have the launch fees and dealing with idiots at the launch, especially in Summer.
Trailering the boat would require a trailer and truck, registration and insurance for each plus a storage space for the boat and trailer. I'd spend a lot more that way for the convenience of working on the boat at home. You also have the launch fees and dealing with idiots at the launch, especially in Summer.
Ana
.
Trailer or no trailer.
I think half of the internet could be used to consider this dilemma.
Is not for me my husband, we tried it for a bit and annoyed us to no end. But I'm not blind to the enormous benefits of trailering a boat.
Maybe in California is more expensive than a Marina but in Florida (most parts of FL anyways) isn't.
So with money not being a factor we could go on to the not so bright people you interact in the process of getting the boat in the water;
As always it comes down to finding what works for you. I realized that neither trailer nor marinas were good for me, but I wanted a boat, so a lift was my only solution.
There are plenty of houses in Panama City right in the water with access to the pass so the OP can also pick a way for him to enjoy best his vessel.
I think half of the internet could be used to consider this dilemma.
Is not for me my husband, we tried it for a bit and annoyed us to no end. But I'm not blind to the enormous benefits of trailering a boat.
Maybe in California is more expensive than a Marina but in Florida (most parts of FL anyways) isn't.
So with money not being a factor we could go on to the not so bright people you interact in the process of getting the boat in the water;
- boat ramps? No need to get into this. Boat ramps are magnets for let's say "creative" people testing every "Don't" rule for launching vessels.
- marinas? Unlike many may think, not all marinas are equal. Some appear great and you don't realize it until later on when you look at the boat with fresh eye and realize WTF!. Nothing major, just a bunch of little events that on their own don't mean much. Wasn't great for me, and not because I went to a discount place, because of distance to my house I went to the top rated marina in my area
- On holidays they get additional personnel that is less than qualified to operate the giant fork lifts or even the boats.
- Depending on who answered the phone when you call, your boat may or may not be in the water when you come in ready to go, the wait would be 20 minutes or 1.5 hours also depending who was the attendant.
- the boats stored above yours may leak crud right on your vessel.
- the evening you came late and decided to pay extra for them to wash it and 2 days later when you go onboard realize they didn't even flush the engine, much less rinse the hull or deck.
- ...and more things that I rather not remember, it didn't feel like a "turnkey" situation.
As always it comes down to finding what works for you. I realized that neither trailer nor marinas were good for me, but I wanted a boat, so a lift was my only solution.
There are plenty of houses in Panama City right in the water with access to the pass so the OP can also pick a way for him to enjoy best his vessel.
I'm lucky to have never been a marina like that. At the marinas I've had boats in we just walk to our slip and go.
Of course, marinas are not exempt from the types you see at the launches.
Of course, marinas are not exempt from the types you see at the launches.
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