Doc Wong Pt Lobos Scootering Video

[Kevrumbo]

Not a chance I'll hook up with Ken... Jaye's already done that.

And until I see a reason why I personally should use a scooter, I'll resist the urge. I don't see them as recreation, but as a tool. As I said, there are some uses that I'd consider appropriate... although that's just one person's opinion. Certainly you raise some good points on uses that might be appropriate.

Invaluable tool Drbill . . .for staying on station/on site at the Yellow Wall off the high pinnacle at Farnsworth Banks. Scooter up to the Wall, drift back along and out with the current; Scooter on up, drift back along & out --repeat ad libitum.

Anywhere there's potential for strong current (West End, Arrow Point, Long Point, Ship Rock, Blue Caverns etc. on Catalina; Windowpane, Nine Fathom Reef on San Clemente; Begg Rock off San Nicolas; Boomerang and Skyscraper Seamounts off San Miguel), I'll always utilize my X-Scooter. . .

 

[drbill]

Thanks for the offer, Harry! Didn't mean to hijack your thread. Yes, we do have some cowboys down our way... after all, it is SoCal... not the more civilized NorCal.

You're right... in areas where there are few divers, it should not be an issue re: other divers. In places like our dive park, it can be.

As for marine life, we have no idea what the underwater sounds or electrical currents could do. Would be interested in your observations re: how marine life reacts to the presence of the scooter.

I do have friends that use them on their deep dives to reduce air consumption and increase bottom time. I just think in cases where scooters aren't a needed tool, it really takes away from the experience of the natural environment. You know... Cousteau's "Silent World."

 

[Meng_Tze]

swimming and DPV divers should all have some level of courtesy and etiquette. That is at the heart of this. Yes it is fun to scooter around, just be aware of swimming divers and try not to overrun them. On the other hand, swimming divers in an area heavily visited by DPV divers should be aware of that.

Live and let live.

I use my scooter in caves and often have to either get along the opposite wall/lower to pass swimmers, or I will actually stop and wait for swimmers to pass/cross/enter. My scooter is easier to speed up and I remember swimming in systems almost overrun by scooters.... don't want to become what I loathe.

Of course in an emergency/ practice drill.... all bets are off....

 

[RoyN]

I've used a scooter before, I just don't have one because they are too expensive and don't want to be lugging it around too. Rather just get a small inflatable zodiac.

 

[AndrewJD]

Sound profiles and electrical current from a scooter....

The inflatable zodiac overhead causes far more noise then any scooter I've dove with. About electricity, I'd be more concerned with the impact of divers shining their HID lights on fish then the electrical currents generated by a scooter. How about the sound of the 1st stage regulator when we breath? It scares the **** out of more sea life I've encounted then my scooter.

Jonathan

 

[diverrick]

Having never used a DPV I might add, that Pt lobos can be quite a long swim if you wish to get to anything really good IMHO I almost always wish I had one every time I even attempt to cross Whalers cove where you put in. Not to mention if you wish to go out and around to some other dive sights, not possable with out a boat or a DPV, unless your super man and have a ton of air straped on. I am with Dr bill.. Its a tool to get you to where you want to go, and hopefully back again.

 

[RoyN]

The inflatable zodiac overhead causes far more noise then any scooter I've dove with.

Oh yeah, couldn't agree more, can't stand the noise and the gas fumes, thats why I'm gonna paddle to the dive site like a kayak. No offense to anybody here, but I've seen big divers that could use the exercise and go on a proper diet since paddling will not only build characters, but help lose those calories and build muscles. But then too many factors such as anchoring the raft, incoming swells, and the vehicle to transport it will insure I'll never buy a zodiac, kayak, or whaler boat. Sorry, don't have an SUV. No, not gonna buy a scooter too, same thing, don't know where to put it while diving, don't wanna carry it around and stuff.

Cheers

 

[TSandM]

I've heard from our local scooter-intensive group that six gill sharks seem to be attracted to and interested in the scooters, and often swim alongside the deep scooter folks for some distance.

I agree that you don't see the little stuff when you're on the trigger. But the lovely thing about the X-scooters is that you can get where you're going and clip them off and kick dive the site, and you hardly even notice the scooter is there.

A lot of our Puget Sound sites are very current intensive, and although current can be predicted to some degree, the predictions are not always accurate. For current-sensitive sites I dive from shore, I think I'll be taking my scooter with me for insurance more and more. There, it can actually be a safety thing.

 

[AndrewJD]

On a side note, an entry level inflatable will run you $17K with out a motor. Throw in a trailer and a vehilce that can haul it, the mainenance etc...

Compare that to a $4K scooter that weighs 38lbs and only needs to be rinsed with fresh water....

Jonathan

Edited Note: I mean a rigid infateable not a sunbathing raft

 

[RoyN]

The one I've seen is the cheap ones like this one here. Otherwise, this is a far fetch dream.

Jonathan, do you carry the scooter around with you throughout the whole dive or you leave it at this rock and then when you're done exploring, come back to it, and then take a ride back to the boat ramp?