Flower Gardens in March?

[Texas Torpedo]

I haven't had the pleasure of diving the Flower Gardens yet so I'm anxious to go. It looks like there are a number of trips scheduled for March and I'm wondering if there are anyone else planning to go? I'm probably going to reserve for the 18th or 20th.

David

 

[Illini_Fan]

It is fun diving, I'm planning on going in June. I've never been there in the Spring time.

 

[Texas Torpedo]

Does anyone know if the Fling is currently doing high pressure fills? I read on Tom's website that they are not, but it shows on the Fling FAQ that they have one HP whip.

Thanks,
David

 

[paulw]

Hey David give Mack at Oak Hill Scuba a call 512-892-4900, he should know. He just returned from a trip with them.

 

[Texas Torpedo]

I misread / interpreted it. The FAQ says doesn't say they do high pressure fills. It says they only have one high pressure DIN whip. My speed reader must be broken.

 

[redacted]

March can be a pretty rough trip with most canceled due to high seas. As long as you don't mind the challenge, go for it. Even when the seas are a go, 3 to 4 feet seas make reboarding interesting. Care and patience is the key. Although water temps will be in the mid-60s, 5 dives in the 80 to 100 ft range means there is no such thing as too much thermal protection.

 

[carrielsal]

I am also thinking about going out next month, but I need to find a spot as a trip leader.

 

[andercb1]

Hmm that's during my spring break... David give me a call or pm me!

 

[Texas Torpedo]

I am also thinking about going out next month, but I need to find a spot as a trip leader.

Yeah, me too... :mooner:

 

[Mack Diver]

Here goes.

Fling does NOT do HP fills. They will fill to 3000 and thats it. They also provide AL 80s, so no need to bring your own tank, unless you have a special need to. If you take a DIN tank, best advised to bring a DIN adapter to assist in the filling process.

Like AWAP said, March trips can be tricky. We had one Feb trip cancel, but the next one was a go. Still the waves were 5 foot with 7 - 8 foot swells. Of course, on Sunday, seas were at 2 - 3 foot. Needless to say, re-boarding the boat is a practiced art.

Water temp was 65 while we were out. I dove dry and my buddy dove a 6.5 mil two piece. Both of us were comfortable, but I was the one not shivering back on board the boat.

I'm tenatively scheduled to go again in March, but we don't have a firm date set yet.