Fabulous Folly 10/22

[reefseal]

With warm weather, had to duck out of work early to dive Cape Ann. Chose trying folly as it had been a while since have dove it. Also, this time of year, especially for a dusk/night dive, leaving car parked isn't an issue. When got there, folly was completely glass. high tide was at 8:30 PM.

Noticed one other flag in water as I was going in. I dove in as sun was setting and in at 5:30

Dive 1 - Went to left side. Bottom time 65 min. 61 fsw max. Water was about 50 degrees at depth (57 degrees at surface) though my computer profile showed one spot where got just below 50 for a while. Followed the wall out to the to end of point and took my time coming back going up and down the sides of wall. The sun had set during my dive. I was blown away by the bioluminescence.. The moon was almost full moon. that and the the clear sky must have had something to do with it. The vis was probably in 15-20 foot range.

When surfaced, was dark but noticed a group of divers ready to go in for their first dive.

Dive 2. in at 7:05 PM 58 min. Max depth 35 fsw Chose to do the right side and glad I did as stumbled across a huge Torpedo ray. This one was probably the biggest I had seen in a while. I then crossed over to the other side and came back on the left side. Same thing, up and down walls. As coming back to shore across sand, saw a few squid and lots of Strippers.


An awesome dive. I had forgotten how cool Folly is to dive.

 

[dave4868]

Nice dive report! Thanks!

Folly's on my list this fall, especially for the chance to see a torpedo ray. Seems to be a good site to see them.

Dave C

 

[reefseal]

I saw my first one ever there. Blew me away when saw it. They are sort of intimidating. My most scarious Torpedo ray story.. Was diving Lanes Cove to l figure out boyancy on new dry suit. Was descending along wall. The vis was really bad and I was sinking fast as I was way overweighted. When I put my hand down to feel the bottom, the bottom moved! Fricken almost made a mess in my new dry suit. Then realized it was a torpedo ray. Man was I was lucky I didn't touch the wrong part!

Still, impressive animals.

 

[dave4868]

I saw my first one ever there. Blew me away when saw it. They are sort of intimidating. My most scarious Torpedo ray story.. Was diving Lanes Cove to l figure out boyancy on new dry suit. Was descending along wall. The vis was really bad and I was sinking fast as I was way overweighted. When I put my hand down to feel the bottom, the bottom moved! Fricken almost made a mess in my new dry suit. Then realized it was a torpedo ray. Man was I was lucky I didn't touch the wrong part!

Still, impressive animals.

That is scary but also funny because I know how a torpedo ray hates to have anything touch its back!

I know because I've occasionally stroked their backs with the capped end of my spear. They usually ripple their skin just before they slowly turn toward you to give you a "hug".

I always decline the "hug", though.

Dave C

 

[diver 85]

regarding the 2nd dive, was it a free show or was there a cover charge......I'm going to guess a cover with there being 'lots of strippers'--lots of overhead----..............lol..........

 

[reefseal]

Always gets others attention! I always forget is it stripers or strippers. One way to attract others to a dive site!

 

[Bretagus]

The squid at Folly are awesome... night dives there are always the best.

But I'm wondering, whats the difference between a skate and a torpedo ray? I think I've seen both, though I've always called them skates.
-Brett

 

[Rainer]

whats the difference between a skate and a torpedo ray? I think I've seen both, though I've always called them skates.
-Brett

Night and day! Just google for images of each. Skates won't tend to shock the crap out of you. I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of skates, but only two Atlantic torpedo rays (one at Folly, one at Cat Rocks). The ATR I saw at Folly was easily 4.5' wide.

 

[dave4868]

The squid at Folly are awesome... night dives there are always the best.

But I'm wondering, whats the difference between a skate and a torpedo ray? I think I've seen both, though I've always called them skates.
-Brett

Size for one thing.

Female Atlantic torpedo ray next to lobster trap. (Cathedral Rock, Rockport, MA)

Male Atlantic torpedo ray about 5' long. (Nubble Light, York, ME)

Oh, and their behavior can be a little unpredictable.... :no

Dave C

 

[bythesea]

Yup,
Thats the sucker that nearly made me have a smelly drysuit,LOL. I had my hand sunk into the sand at the very end of Cape Cod doing a safety stop and looked around to see that I had company. At first I thought it was a monkfish but it was way to big. When I remembered my friend talking about them I decided to find a new spot