I don't think it's that. I think that they've learned how to breathe and can easily make a tank last 60 minutes or more.
Aldora: what I've been missing
- Thread starter teknitroxdiver
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drrich2
Contributor
When people only have the option for an 80, they make do. Maybe with shorter dive times, or having to make an active effort to stretch their gas by willfully suppressing consumption various ways.
At the same time, some people (e.g.: some petite females) can pretty much get long dives on an 80 from the git-go, but no one tells them they should be using 63 cf tanks because for little people, an 80 is a gear solution to a skills problem.
Gas consumption rates vary. While experience, improved ease in the water, better trim and other factors (yes, active gas management for some of us) can much improve SAC, big tanks have their place (on my back whenever I can get them!).
Richard.
At the same time, some people (e.g.: some petite females) can pretty much get long dives on an 80 from the git-go, but no one tells them they should be using 63 cf tanks because for little people, an 80 is a gear solution to a skills problem.
Gas consumption rates vary. While experience, improved ease in the water, better trim and other factors (yes, active gas management for some of us) can much improve SAC, big tanks have their place (on my back whenever I can get them!).
Richard.
For the record:
To expect Yamaha outboards to not(or never) breakdown is ridiculous. We happen to have 12 of them operating( all 4 stroke) most of the time and we do not go through an entire month without one or more of them breaking down during a dive trip. Think about diving Barracuda or places even farther north—don't you think they have higher currents than where you go crabbing? Where would you go then? And even if not a serious problem how inconvenienced would be your customers. Running boats in Cozumel with just one outboard engine is silly. Why else do you think Aldora would spend so much money on outboards.
Dave Dillehay
PS Think prop strikes, electrical failure, dead battery, fuel filter, clogged injectors—hundreds of things to stop even the best Yamaha, no matter how well maintained.
To expect Yamaha outboards to not(or never) breakdown is ridiculous. We happen to have 12 of them operating( all 4 stroke) most of the time and we do not go through an entire month without one or more of them breaking down during a dive trip. Think about diving Barracuda or places even farther north—don't you think they have higher currents than where you go crabbing? Where would you go then? And even if not a serious problem how inconvenienced would be your customers. Running boats in Cozumel with just one outboard engine is silly. Why else do you think Aldora would spend so much money on outboards.
Dave Dillehay
PS Think prop strikes, electrical failure, dead battery, fuel filter, clogged injectors—hundreds of things to stop even the best Yamaha, no matter how well maintained.
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victorzamora
Contributor
The right tank for the right job. The 120s can be unwieldy for those of modest stature or with back issues. I prefer to dive with the least-hassle tank I safely can. If I know I'm going to be doing four or five dives a day, I don't mind them being shorter dives on nimble 80s. On Roatan, 80s do the job just fine. With shorter dives, I can wear a thinner, more comfortable suit, too. Lugging big heavy 120s on Bonaire shore dives would be insane when I can just load up the truck with 80s. On Cozumel, where I can do a backroll entry and doff my rig in the water and hand it up, the 120s are worth it. They are still heavy--you can't be careless about the backroll--and I choose to wear a 5 mm suit to give me a little extra buoyancy and warmth for the longer dives. Not as fun as an Al 80 and a shorty.
That makes a steel 3442 100 the right tank for the job. 30% more air. About the same weight as an AL80. 5 lb less on your weight belt.
Of course. But when we shore dive I take a 100 and one of my buddies takes a 130 and we break even. Never been to Bonair but can you imagine the advantage of getting in the water with less weight and having 30% more air?
