Getting back into diving

[Celt]

I don't think you understand sidemount well enough since you keep bringing up problems that don't exist.
Getting tanks on and off in water is extremely easy and safe with neutral tanks. Especially since you can enter with an inflated BCD and clip tanks before releasing them from the line you've run off the boom if needed. Or you can very easily clip them on while standing on the swim ladder.

Sailboats are tricky to dive off. A set of LP50s or even AL40s for rec dives would make a lot of sense and be super easy to handle.

Are you seriously suggesting leaving a diving tank hanging on the end of the boom of a 40 footer, while you try to clip it to a harness, have you ever actually been at sea. Even in perfect conditions the wake of another boat is going to make a giant hammer out of that tank.

 

[Celt]

I think I should expand on the technique of using a boom to get a rig from the cockpit of a sailboat to the water. As soon as the rig touches the water it must be released and allowed to float to leeward away from the boat on a lanyard. This can be done using a slippery clove hitch knot on the end of the tackle. The boom is immediately brought inboard and secured. In your own time the diving rig can be taken to the stern and allowed float clear.

 

[grantmac]

Are you seriously suggesting leaving a diving tank hanging on the end of the boom of a 40 footer, while you try to clip it to a harness, have you ever actually been at sea. Even in perfect conditions the wake of another boat is going to make a giant hammer out of that tank.

My full time job is at sea. Including diving from a variety of platforms using backmount equipment. I sidemount on my own time.

 

[Celt]

My full time job is at sea. Including diving from a variety of platforms using backmount equipment. I sidemount on my own time.

Diving from a sailing yacht and diving from a power boat with a platform on the stern are 2 different things. Of coarse if the OP,s yacht does have a swim platform it kinda makes this entire tread moot.

 

[grantmac]

Platform(s), not platform. Ie: several different boats and ships including the use of cranes to recover gear in the open ocean.

Unsure why every time someone mentions sidemount you seem to feel the need to tell them how you couldn't figure it out.

 

[Celt]

Platform(s), not platform. Ie: several different boats and ships including the use of cranes to recover gear in the open ocean.

Unsure why every time someone mentions sidemount you seem to feel the need to tell them how you couldn't figure it out.

I’ve no intention of getting into the old sidemount v backmount debate and hijacking the OP,s tread. I was giving my experience of diving from a yacht and how I managed the weight issue.

 

[Uisce Beatha]

I had no idea the amount of stuff I would stir up by using the words "sidemount" and "sailboat" together! I love it, especially in the Introductions & Greetings forum. Here's some more background on my boat and method. I have a Catalina 42 with has a swim platform and ladder. I can easily maintain control of my tank as I sit on the platform donning my mask. Standing on the swim ladder half in the water, I scoot the tank out laying on it side and clip the tank on and secure the valve with the bungie. Then I push off the ladder and put my fins on. I am in the water ready to dive without having to stand or twist with a bc and tank on my back. No lines to tie or mange, no bashing into the hull and no inflated bc to put on in the water. I have only tried it with a single tank but I do like the idea of using a couple small aluminum tanks. I think that would be easier still. Thanks for everyone's feedback and "lively" discussion!

 

[grantmac]

I had no idea the amount of stuff I would stir up by using the words "sidemount" and "sailboat" together! I love it, especially in the Introductions & Greetings forum. Here's some more background on my boat and method. I have a Catalina 42 with has a swim platform and ladder. I can easily maintain control of my tank as I sit on the platform donning my mask. Standing on the swim ladder half in the water, I scoot the tank out laying on it side and clip the tank on and secure the valve with the bungie. Then I push off the ladder and put my fins on. I am in the water ready to dive without having to stand or twist with a bc and tank on my back. No lines to tie or mange, no bashing into the hull and no inflated bc to put on in the water. I have only tried it with a single tank but I do like the idea of using a couple small aluminum tanks. I think that would be easier still. Thanks for everyone's feedback and "lively" discussion!

Easy days diving off that platform. I'd recommend LP50s if you can get a set. Absolutely brilliant to dive and a lot of gas for the weight.

 

[Celt]

I had no idea the amount of stuff I would stir up by using the words "sidemount" and "sailboat" together! I love it, especially in the Introductions & Greetings forum. Here's some more background on my boat and method. I have a Catalina 42 with has a swim platform and ladder. I can easily maintain control of my tank as I sit on the platform donning my mask. Standing on the swim ladder half in the water, I scoot the tank out laying on it side and clip the tank on and secure the valve with the bungie. Then I push off the ladder and put my fins on. I am in the water ready to dive without having to stand or twist with a bc and tank on my back. No lines to tie or mange, no bashing into the hull and no inflated bc to put on in the water. I have only tried it with a single tank but I do like the idea of using a couple small aluminum tanks. I think that would be easier still. Thanks for everyone's feedback and "lively" discussion!

Thanks for the update a swim platform makes life much easier for diving from a yacht as your gear is already at the water line. I did deliveries and some had platform sterns but others high boarding ladders. I think you have things figured for yourself but watch yourself coming back to the platform if she’s tight on a mooring in heavy traffic. All the best.

 

[Luiz Laba]

Greetings

I'm an older diver getting back into the sport. I got certified in 1995 and will be diving while cruising. Starting out from San Francisco then down the coast and on to the Sea of Cortez. My main focus will be learning to sidemount.

Welcome back, I also started diving again after almost 3 years due to a major heart attack and open heart surgery, all is good and still DOING GREAT. Get the basics again and you will do just fine.
Take care,
LCL