Boat diving: how many bags to bring onboard?

[Aerobics111]

Have been doing shore diving only so far and I stuff everything into the trunk of my car. Been thinking how many bags I need to bring for boat diving.

It looks like I need one mesh bag for all the gears, a dry bag for things I don't want to get wet, and another weight bag just for weights (some boats don't provide free weights)? Three bags seem a lot to carry...What do you guys typically do?

Edit: good point to add my location. Dive in Monterey but vast majority will still be shore diving in the future. Next boat dive in Monterey but most of my future boat dives will be on vacations and I need to fly with my gears.

 

[Tracy]

Two bags, one wet, one dry. Gear should be assembled at home or in the parking lot and brought onto the boat assembled, tested, and ready to go. Pack the weight pockets or weight belt at home and wear it onto the boat.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Around these here parts it's 1 or maybe 2 milk crates depending how fancy you feel... as @Tracy said get as much ready and done before you get on the boat.

Have fun!

 

[Manatee Diver]

That stay on the boat? A milk crate and a drybag for my drysuit undergarments/street cloths. Plus a drybag for my prosthetic leg, but that isn't required equipment for most people.

 

[Aerobics111]

Just for day trips (2-3 dives). Thanks for the answers!

 

[rob.mwpropane]

That stay on the boat? A milk crate and a drybag for my drysuit undergarments/street cloths. Plus a drybag for my prosthetic leg, but that isn't required equipment for most people.

Do you ever tell people you lost it in a shark attack? I would.

 

[Manatee Diver]

Do you ever tell people you lost it in a shark attack? I would.

Salt Water Crocodile.

 

[CycleCat]

I have my BCD slung over my shoulder, a Harbor Freight tool bag with my soft weights in the bottom and reg on top, a gear bag with fins/mask/snorkel/towel/save-a-dive/dry shirt/hat/dive log/sunscreen. If a wetsuit is needed, I go back to the truck for it and I'm done.

 

[macado]

I could probably write a novel about what NOT to bring on a dive boat but I'll try to keep it simple. Somebody already illuded to a wet and a dry bag. It's definitely a good idea to have a separate dry bag with a change of clothing or your drysuit undergarments, extra contact lens/glasses.

There are a lot of variables but one of them is the size of the charter boat (e.g., small inflatable, smaller six-pack vessel, larger inspected vessel, etc). In general try not to bring large roller bags with wheels or huge toolboxes/bins onboard. Anything that's not collapsible / easily stowable especially on smaller vessels. You'll likely annoy the captain / crew. There is always that one guy who has to bring EVERY piece of dive gear that he owns on a boat. I get it, just use common sense. There is definitely a limit to what extras and backup gear should be brought on a charter.

For local charters it's best to arrive with gear assembled (BC on tank with regs assembled). Much easier to do this on land than a rocking / swaying boat and of course it gives you a chance to verify everything which is much easier to do than on a cramped boat. Obviously this isn't always possible for vacation style charters.

A mesh bag works pretty well in the tropical or warmer water trips but a lot of local NY / NE divers use large milkcrates or 18-gallon rubbermaid bins to store their dive gear. You might find divers in your area do something similar.

There is fierce debate about which one is preferred It seems NJ guys seem to like milkcrates but I tend to see rubbermaid bins more in New England. Some boats have a "system." A couple of the dive boats I use or worked on have benches where 18-gallon rubbermaid bins fit perfectly underneath.
They both have their own pros/cons. Milkcrates are smaller, take up less space and things can dry out more easily. The rubbermaid bins are larger, fit more gear and then can function as a bonus rinse tank for washing gear. In both examples I run a piece of paracord along the sides so I can clip things off inside the bin. Everything inside my bin has a bolt snap and gets clipped off or secured.

For a small RHIB / inflatable style boat I prefer not to bring any sort of bin if I can avoid it. In these situations I am already wearing my drysuit + undergarments and most of my "extras" will be stuffed in my pockets. Definitely try to avoid bringing any larger suitcases or bins onboard inflatable boats but this advice also applies to any smaller vessel where deck space and storage is at a premium.

 

[Bob DBF]

There is always that one guy who has to bring EVERY piece of dive gear that he owns on a boat. I get it, just use common sense.

I couldn't fit all my dive gear in my SUV to get it there.

If I haven't been on the boat, or know someone who has and can advise me, I talk to the dive op and ask what is customary for for the trip, I've always found them helpful and appreciative.