nativenarcosis
Guest
Can anyone recommend an easily towable dive flag that is neither cumbersome nor a burden? I have looked at a few on LP but pictures don't speak a thousand words.
Spanks,
Eric
Spanks,
Eric
Dive flag recommendation
- Thread starter nativenarcosis
- Start date
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The Kraken
He Who Glows in the Dark Waters (ADVISOR)
ScubaBoard Supporter
Scuba Instructor
Divemaster
I like the innertube type with the integral diver down flag sold by Leisure-Pro and Divers Supply. Very little drag and has a place to put neat little things that one may find on the bottom, or perhaps store a wee bit of additional weight.
RIDIVER501
Contributor
picture worth a thosand words.
This is the one I am using very low drag barely know it's there
This is the one I am using very low drag barely know it's there
mstudley
Contributor
I have the same flag pictured in the thumbnail that RIDIVER posted and have to agree that there is no real noticable drag and I haven't had any issues with it.
Personally I dislike the green 'wind/unwind it yourself' type line that is also in the picture. I use a reel (I think it's an Oceanic flag tender) and will never go back to those green things.
Are the reels more expensive? Yes. Are they worth every penny? Sort of. I would say yes if mine was ratcheting instead of on/off but I do like it quite a bit. Just my 2 cents anyway.
-- Matt
Personally I dislike the green 'wind/unwind it yourself' type line that is also in the picture. I use a reel (I think it's an Oceanic flag tender) and will never go back to those green things.
Are the reels more expensive? Yes. Are they worth every penny? Sort of. I would say yes if mine was ratcheting instead of on/off but I do like it quite a bit. Just my 2 cents anyway.
-- Matt
ClassAction
Guest
The Kracken:
I just got the same one but haven't used it yet. It's pretty substantial -- seems bigger than most of the flags I've seen. Also, I like the fact that it's a flag paired with a bright yellow innner tube that reads "diver below." There are a lot of idiots out in boats/jet-skis who probably wouldn't know what a dive flag is, so the tube is helpful...
One question: The instructions say to attach the weight to the bottom of the tube. I assume that's only if you plan to carry with you? I would prefer to just anchor it to the bottom and stay near it (dragging it with me if I decide to move). Wouldn't I want the weight at the end? Both places? Thanks.
RIDIVER501
Contributor
ClassAction:
I'd check local laws. someplaces you can get fined if you just anchor your flag and swim away from it. No that it is common in the places that have such laws, but better safe the sorry.
ClassAction:
I had a float like that until a dive buddy decided to use it as a surf board (long story, for another day). :11: The float comes with a little clip that hooks to a ring in the center of the bottom. The other end of the clip has a short nylon strap that you attach to a 2 lb hard weight. The flag line snaps into the same ring. Be sure to use sliding gate snaps (not suicide clips) when you rig your line.
I really liked that float. You can put a bottle of water, a trash/goodie bag and other useful stuff in the center hole.
When mine got trashed, I kept the float part (the flag and weight are on the bottom somewhere) and attached a clip. Now I use one of those little foam ball flags and attach the yellow float to the line when I'm out with snorkelers, when I've got lobster gear that I want to take but may or may not use, etc.
Good luck,
Grier
MSilvia
Contributor
I use the same bouy type flag as RIDiver, but I ditched the plastic spool-thing, and got a sturdier plastic ratcheting reel on Ebay for $25 or so. It's a great combination, and significantly easier to manage than the spool was.
I'm not a big fan of the tube floats, as in my experience they aren't as stable and tend to catch the wind more. My first flag was on one of those, and it tipped over during the dive so no one could see it.
I'm not a big fan of the tube floats, as in my experience they aren't as stable and tend to catch the wind more. My first flag was on one of those, and it tipped over during the dive so no one could see it.
OP
nativenarcosis
Guest
RIDIVER501:
Where did you get that particular one from???
Curly
Contributor
I just got one of the ball-float jobs from LP a few weeks ago. Works well. Got the spool there as well, and then went to the local hardware house for 100' of polypro line.
The maiden voyage: http://www.pbase.com/image/32109305
Stays upright (from what the surface dwellers tell me), highly visible, and virtually no drag. Nice lead weight on the bottom, which has a large hole in the middle which reduces drag, and provides a nice, low place to tie the polypro line with a clinch knot. If I have to tow a flag, this one works just fine. $14.99 + line spool + line.
The maiden voyage: http://www.pbase.com/image/32109305
Stays upright (from what the surface dwellers tell me), highly visible, and virtually no drag. Nice lead weight on the bottom, which has a large hole in the middle which reduces drag, and provides a nice, low place to tie the polypro line with a clinch knot. If I have to tow a flag, this one works just fine. $14.99 + line spool + line.
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