Hey, I started diving in SoCal where they pack 24 or so divers onto a boat. Granted, it's a bigger boat, but crowding is inevitable if there's a full load. Then I did group trips where we again use larger boats filled to the brim. You don't appreciate a roomy "six pac" until you've actually tried it and then it's very hard to go back. Sort of like the difference between first class and coach on an airplane. Actually, it's exactly the same difference, except you unfortunately don't get free cocktails on the "six pac"