First live aboard pointers?

[Ministryofgiraffes]

Dude, you aren't the only one whose been traveling for decades with camera gear.

Actually he did something in the medical admin field, most of his friends on the boat were doctors from the NYC area - mostly all very nice people.
He even was most of the time.

He kept other lenses/gear in the case all week but rarely opened it. The boat had all sorts of customer accessible storage also - T/CEX2

Justify it all you want, he was a jerk.

As long as we're name-dropping, I shoot an Anphibico Evo with about $2500 of wide angle glass. I don't need to keep it on the dive deck though, in fact I prefer not to. None of the other photo/video shooters on the boat felt theneed to keep their hard cases on the dive deck and many were shooting better rigs than his Ikelite. This was not his first rodeo either,

I also purposely bought a hard case roller for my gear since I have had to gate check it at times.

How do you like those Keldans?

We've probably hijacked this thread enough.

Peace out,

cool, we are all on the same page then. So the message is, if you bring a big pelican case, don’t insist is stay on deck if it can be stored elsewhere. ( I don’t disagree with that) That’s the key point of the jackassrey, not the actual bringing of the case.

we have a consensus.

The keldans 8x flux are better than decent and very good for macro, but you need to make sure you have long arms you can really get an amazing colour spectrum, but you have to be quick as they run hot so hurting critters is always a concern. Much better when diving solo as well as they light up pretty much the whole reef so stuff can disappear pretty quickly especially at night . I wouldn’t want to ruin the dive for others... I search with spot then just turn them on for the shot.

 

[Ministryofgiraffes]

Also, make sure you bring Lycra dive socks..and probably a good idea to bring som blister plasters..you feet get pretty banged up from 5 dives a day. A good set of (inexpensive) Lycra dive socks and boots are a lifesaver. Take an extra pair and save someone else’s trip too..

 

[chillyinCanada]

Also, make sure you bring Lycra dive socks..and probably a good idea to bring som blister plasters..you feet get pretty banged up from 5 dives a day. A good set of (inexpensive) Lycra dive socks and boots are a lifesaver. Take an extra pair and save someone else’s trip too..

I can't believe I forgot to mention the lycra socks!



Oh yes, lycra socks Absolute must have!!

 

[Dan]

On the last day of the trip, when you need to dry up your gear (booties, BCD, wetsuits, etc.) before packing them up, but the weather is not cooperating with you (rainy day, no sun shine, etc.) ask the crew to let you dry them in their engine room.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I stuff my booties with newspaper before packing to go and then carefully store the newspaper keeping it dry whilst the trip progresses. Then before replacing them for the journey home, I stuff that newspaper back into the booties.

 

[NothingClever]

1) Newspaper in the booties....works a charm.

2) Surf robe...nice to strip down, dry off and pull up some dry shorts all on the wet deck before heading into the salon (dry area).

3) Baby wipes.

4) Pack light....most people are more interested in your underwater experience than your variety in topside apparel.

5) Foldable hanger for your wetsuit to drip dry between dives.

6) Eat light and stay away from spicy food....the dives will come at you quickly with little chance for your food to digest. It’s miserable when your lungs are working against a really full stomach. And nothing worse than dive-induced heartburn. I guess a full on case of DCS would be worse but you know what I mean.

7) Stay hydrated....you’re going to be more exposed than if you were sitting at home so make sure you’re staying in front of things. You should be peeing a lot and staying hydrated will help your body process different foods in vacation portions.

 

[Mo2vation]

Lycra socks. Best with no raised toe seam. On warm water LOB's I generally do every available dive...so up to 5 a day + a night dive. You feet, when diving wet that much, can become hamburger. My first LOB by day 3 my feet were duct taped up...ever toe and the top of my feet. Then I started bringing Lycra socks... really helped.

Now I never go on a LOB without two pair.

- K

 

[Dan]

I stuff my booties with newspaper before packing to go and then carefully store the newspaper keeping it dry whilst the trip progresses. Then before replacing them for the journey home, I stuff that newspaper back into the booties.

I stuff the booties with spare socks & underwear on the outbound trip & dirty socks & underwear on the inbound trip

 

[NothingClever]

I stuff the booties with spare socks & underwear on the outbound trip & dirty socks & underwear on the inbound trip

That’s slick...I like that.

 

[Dan]

That’s slick...I like that.

I’m a bit slow when it comes to packing for liveaboard trips.The lightbulb in my head came on after 10 such trips.