Dive Boats

[SpearDiverTampa]

Hello all
I am fairly new to the board as well as spearfishing. I am tired of constantly having to jump on freinds boats or pay for a spot on dive boats. I have a 22' Grady White, and am thinking about putting a swim platform and some tank racks on it. I am curious what the average size of private boats that you dive off are, and if any of you dive from boats that small, or if it will be just too crowded. Any feedback would be much appreciated.
Chris

[inletsurf]

Welcome.
I dive 22 miles out of Sebastian in a 22' Proline. Its mainly just my buddy and I, maybe another person sometimes. We make do with what we've got.

[liberty hound]

I have a 25 ft. aquasport. But I dove about 9 years out of a 20 ft. Pursuit. You can get lots of good diving out of you're boat.

[Diver Dan]

Hey SDT, I dive out of a 22' Regal WA and go up to 30 some odd miles out depending on weather. Just be alert and smart. Make sure u tell someone where u r going and when u should return. Having another boat with you is always good. Just be prepared, check the weather etc... I speak from experience because the name of my current boat is "Bottom's Up". P.S. don't overload it and check the bilge pumps!

[Screen Name]

Providing the motor and rigging were all good. Suggest you experiment with placement of the tanks. I find that they work really good when placed forward. Try them in your forward lockers first. The boat will cut the seas even better than it does when empty. Too much stern loading may have the opposite effect.

The main thing to keep an eye on is how it rides at anchor in a rough sea, whether your tanks are forward or aft. You don't want to take waves over the bow or stern while at anchor or you might make us a new dive spot.

Trim tabs are essential, and use the biggest ones on that you can, regardless of what they tell you. Go 2 sizes bigger than reccomended, in my opinion.

Overall, a system where you can move the weight around on the boat depending on the conditions makes a big difference on a small boat.

[rusty]

You should have no problem. Like the other people said, most important is keep an eye on the weather, it can change really fast in the gulf, if it's going to be too rough, don't go out. Other than that, with a portable 6 tank rack, and a way to get back in the boat, your set.

[dlock]

I dive out of a 19' Bayliner CC. I limit it to two divers and one bubble watcher/linefisher. We take up to 6 tanks total. You just have to be careful of the weather when loaded down. I don't venture out more than 14/15 miles,normally we just go out to Clearwater Reef or the Tarpon Springs area. I would suggest getting the "Roll Control" tank racks, they kick ass. You can install them in various spots around your boat and when not in use they fold down out of the way. They are very sturdy and dependable. Hope some of this helps!

[BobK]

The biggest problem I've run into, with my own boat, is having enough people that I don't have to leave it unattended. But, that was another thread :)

[SpearDiverTampa]

Thanks alot for all the great feedback and words of encouragement. I guess I will make sure its rigged up in time for some warmer water. Please keep the tips coming.

[contender]

I think the bigger issue is safety and back up. If you plan on going 25 miles or more out, you should probably have dual engines. I bought a Contender 23' and then realized I wanted to spend my dive time in the Middle Grounds.

So I sold the 23' and got a 31' Contender w/dual 250s. Plenty of room for up to two dozen tanks (they all disappear) below decks in storage spaces. With full fuel, equipment, ice, etc., she can still run at 40 knots !

[gulfdiver]

23' Aquasport in no more than 4-5ft seas.

[fizisition]

I love diving out of my 24 sportcraft , always watch that weather
have mechanical knowledge of your boat and always maintain
your authority as capt.