taylode:
Im looking to purchase a cabin cruiser (Bayliner 288) to use as a dive/recreation boat with its primary purpose being a dive boat. My question is what dive-specific items would you recommend? Some of the things Ive come up with are:
· General first aid kit
· O2 & a Defibrillator (wife is certified ACLS)
· All the CG required safety equipment
· GPS with radar and weather
· VHS radio
Are there any glaring omissions that I left off?
If it matters, we will be diving mostly Northern California and occasionally Southern California.
Thanks,
Dennis
Pug was referring to what is essentially AAA for boaters. I use Tow Boat US. The insurance is cheap considering the benefit. I have the Master plan (unlimited coverage out to 25 miles) for about $125 a year.
Back to your original question. You will find this list a bit iterative (you will add to it over the years). I have a 19' Bayliner cuddy used mostly for diving.
The only glaring omission from your list is a depth sounder and compass. Though something tells me you just forgot to mention it as something you already have. I would also suggest a real dive ladder. I used the standard 1/2 swim platform ladder until it broke (1 step ladder not designed for the weight of divers). Then I used a gunwale ladder for a year. Then two weeks ago I installed a real X-mas tree stainless steel dive ladder and I LOVE IT!!!!!!! How did I ever use anything else....$260 for 4 step ss ladder and bracket that allows you to mount it to the bottom of a swim platform. My swim platform is a polymer so I had two ss plates made to help distribute the load a bit better than the standard bracket backing plate. I had a 240lb dive buddy climb out wearing his doubles, backplate, etc. It's a beautiful thing....if you're interested I can post links for this. It's a back breaker to lug your doubles rig from the water onto the swimplatform then into the boat. It's so much nicer to walk out with everything on.
I have GPS, depth sounder, trilens radar reflector (I boat/dive at night and sometimes in shipping lanes), 3.3hp kicker engine and bracket used also for my dinghy, Master Tow Boat US membership, 02 kit, as of two weeks ago SS X-mas tree dive ladder, extra fuses, serpentine belt, tools, CG required equipment, extra lines (trail lines for diving), definitely need at least 1 anchor with enough rode/line to anchor in your area, spot light (I use 2), VHF, 600 lb capacity inflatable boat with engine bracket, manual and 12v air pump, container of zip ties (extremely important for all things boating/diving
, compass of course, knife, nautical charts for all areas to be cruised, chart plotting tools in case GPS fails/breaks, fenders, extra supply of gear fluid (have to add small amount maybe twice per season), GOOP marine adhesive, WD-40, sunblock, paper towels, and last but not least....baby wipes (to clean your hands or whatever). That's all I can think of on my boat off the top of my head. Each with an important purpose though! I bought my boat brand new in 2000.
Good luck with the splashing of your boat. If you're buying used get a marine survey - it is worth every penny unless you are already a marine mechanic.
--Matt