Availability of large tanks?

[WOODMAN]

I looked, but didn't really see this addressed anytime recently. How is the availability of larger air tanks on Bonaire? I am a certified, card carrying airhog, and find that 100 cf (or larger, preferably!) tanks are really a necessity for me. (I even went so far as to rent a 130 cf tank in Miami to use on a liveaboard out of Fort Lauderdale one time- Worked great!) Any advice? Woody

 

[Mr. Sunday]

If you cant find a larger tank you might want to consider renting a 40 deco bottle and using it as a slung pony. I think its like $15 a day or so. A sling is easy enough to make and bring with you. Other than that you would just need a spare regulator.

 

[herman]

Never seen anything larger than an 80 but if they are to be had on island Walt at RecTec would be the place. Honestly, an 80 should do you. The best diving is around 30-40 ft. Get your trim, weighting dead on and SLOW DOWN, bet you sac drops a lot. I typically get 75 to 90 minutes out of an 80 on Bonaire.

 

[dvrliz1]

Woodman,

I will ask around tomorrow and see if there are larger tanks. I have never had anyone ask for anything greater than a 90, but I will check...

I'll post tomorrow if I find anything out.

Liz

 

[WOODMAN]

Never seen anything larger than an 80 but if they are to be had on island Walt at RecTec would be the place. Honestly, an 80 should do you. The best diving is around 30-40 ft. Get your trim, weighting dead on and SLOW DOWN, bet you sac drops a lot. I typically get 75 to 90 minutes out of an 80 on Bonaire.

Oh, if only. (sigh) I am 6'3" and about 300#, and every thing I have tried has come to naught. I have had about 6 experienced divemasters working on me, and they have all come to the conclusion that I am just a big guy and use a lot of gas. The consumption rate does go down a little with fine tuning of trim, weighting and all the rest as a typical dive vacation progresses, (I love liveaboards) but no matter what I do, I am always the first one out of the water. The 130 cf tank mentioned above brought me close to the others in bottom time, and at the end of the day, that is the only thing that seems to work. Does RecTec have a web site where I can contact them? Also, I seem to have heard that Buddy Dive had a few 100 cf tanks standing around. (better than nothing!) Thanks for your help, all. Woody

 

[Cecil]

Sounds resonable to me. Where are you staying, their dive shop should/could do the leg work for you. There are certainly larger tanks on the island.

I did have this kind of weird thought of you snorkeling above the divers and swimming down when they find something interesting. This does not seem a wise idea from a deco perspective.

 

[herman]

Here you go. Rec Tek Scuba Bonaire - Equipment rentals - rebreather, deco, DIN, reg, doubles

 

[WallDiver77]

Woodman,

Have you considered diving doubles? This will, of course, lead to the use of a BP/wing setup. I'm not sure how feasible it would be to shore dive with this set up, though, ... as I haven't (yet) tried it myself. Is there shore crane service on Bonaire?

 

[dvrliz1]

Ok, sorry it took me a bit to answer, but I did so me checking. I haven't been able to get ahold of Walt at Rek Tek, but I checked 5 other dive shops on island and no one has any 130 tanks on Bonaire, most of the others do have a couple of 100cfs......

Liz

 

[WOODMAN]

Thanks, Liz- I appreciate the effort. Most of them have 100 cf tanks lying around you say? Hmmm- better than nothing.... I did e-mail walt (per Herman's excellent directions- thanks!), and will keep you all posted as to what he says when he responds. Thanks for all your help. Woody