Where do you store dive tanks on board?

[Bruce]

I am curious where other members store their dive tanks. We plan to rent some in Bimini this year but do not want them bouncing around the boat.

 

[Boat Crazy]

One option is to make a rack that fits on the floor of the boat out of PVC pipe. You could precut the pieces and then store when not in use. Use straps to help keep it in place.

 

[Boat Crazy]

@Bruce 06AR30 on the other site has an awesome setup. Not sure if he is on this site. I Googled yamaha jetboaters scuba setup on yamaha boats. It is a four tank holder that mounts in the table leg holder.

 

[txav8r]

I don't know @Bruce , with about 100 ocean dives under my belt, a dive boat takes a beating. I would keep all the gear outside the boat on the swim deck and fashion a rack that could be secured there. Your entire floor and swim deck are covered in seadek, so anything can damage or put a permanent depression in it. Inside a compartment standing vertically might be the best option but you can't hold more than about 4 tanks easily. They are heavy and setting up in the small confines of our boats would be just more wear and tear than I would want, but precautions certainly could be taken. I have often wondered about such things and any exterior fun such as camping/diving/fishing/etc., I would want another choice. Have you considered buying a zodiac to tow on your adventure? You could have a small dingy with racks installed, carry spare gear, give the kids a boat to paddle around, or could have an outboard on it. Just an thought...

 

[Jim Robeson]

How long can you hold your breathe????

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Buy a Brownies third lung!

 

[Julian]

I would think something like this would work well:

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aqufth3/3-foam-tank-holder-5-when-stacked

There are a number of foam form solutions you could use on the rear deck or floor.

 

[txav8r]

I would think something like this would work well:

http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aqufth3/3-foam-tank-holder-5-when-stacked

There are a number of foam form solutions you could use on the rear deck or floor.

You could even make those yourself...its another noodle mod!

 

[Bruce]

Buy a Brownies third lung!

I am thinking about one of these which is sort of the poor mans equivelant.



We saw some marketing for SNUBA and were thinking about trying it in Bimini this summer. But I can buy that functionally similar unit for the cost of a few hours of SNUBA. The concept of SNUBA is that it is safe for all ages and does not require extensive training since the hose limits you to 20 feet of depth and you do not manage buoyancy. You just have to remember to go up slowly and breathe as you do.

 

[txav8r]

Unless it is a full face mask, the hose will pull on a regulator and make it difficult and uncomfortable in your mouth, depending on where the hose is and the angle to you. I changed rigs a few times and what was a common length HP hose for one regulator just caused a different regulator to rotate uncomfortably in my mouth. Kind of like rental gear, it sucks. If your only going to use it once for an hour, you can live with it. If your going to be using it all week, multiple times a day, making sure it fits well is very important. Training is important because it teaches things that absolutely must be a muscle memory type thing. Even a mistake at 20' can kill you. I have seen outfits teach things on a resort course that were so scary that we left because we didn't want to be there when someone died or embolized. I don't know your level of training or whether you intend to get the kids into this or not, just look at it as a high risk thing. Also, check your life insurance, scuba diving is often excluded. Just some things to consider, because even on some of these more recreational products, things can happen. Not many resort course trained folks survive when things they haven't been trained to recognize happen. Simple things like clearing a mask, can cause complications at 20'. Regulators can free flow too, and HP seals blow all the time. Just things to be aware of. I know there are plenty of "resort courses" out there and probably many have done them. But in foreign countries, they have no liability for your safety, and you don't see the press of their safety record. Scuba diving is fun and I don't want to discount it, but it is a skill too. So get training for anyone that is using your equipment. The training is fun too, get certified!