Tractor Tom
Contributor
Hi guys!
Well, our business trip to South Florida went well, and it looks like the boss lady and I will soon be selling tractors from a leased site in Okechobee, or near there.
While we were in the area, we hopped down to Islamorada on Friday and I got to dive with the kids at Ocean Quest on Saturday and Sunday morning. All week, I watched the weather, and the coming cold front, and was SURE that the boat wouldn't leave the dock, but when I arrived at the shop on Saturday morning, it was loaded with tanks for me and the two other guys diving that day, and off we went to the Eagle for a first dive.
Conditions on the surface were a bit bumpy, but not too bad to stand, and the water was WARM conpared to the Great Lakes where I usually dive. Got to try out my new 3 mil steamer and beenie, both of which worked just fine. Vis was in the 40 foot range, sea life was excellent. Saw both of the Grouper that tend to live on the wreck and had a good dive.
Back on the boat, and a short run to Victory reef. Current was up a bit. Dive was around 60', but my buddies navigation was good and we made a nice sweep around the area for 35 minutes or so. Vis was still around 40 and water temp was right around 75 or so. Ride back to the shop at Smugglers Cove was just plain ROUGH, with us running into the wind.
Sunday, we went again in the morning. With two dives on Crocker Reef. One on the deep end, and a second on the shallow end. Surface was quite a bit calmer, but the vis was going away. Maybe 30' or so, in 77 degree water. Second dive, it was even worse, with my buddies navigation skills put to the test with only about 18-20' of vis. We eventually found our way back to the boat, but had to go to the surface to take a peek to be sure where it was. Still was enjoyable, to dive in a wetsuit in nice warm water.
Drive back to Michigan was LONG, but uneventful. About 22 degrees with a 20mph wind from the west and blowing snow, with 2-4" of fresh stuff on the ground. Will be glad to get back down to Florida and the warm weather!
Thanks for the good diving, wish I could have seen a couple of you in the Keys....
Well, our business trip to South Florida went well, and it looks like the boss lady and I will soon be selling tractors from a leased site in Okechobee, or near there.
While we were in the area, we hopped down to Islamorada on Friday and I got to dive with the kids at Ocean Quest on Saturday and Sunday morning. All week, I watched the weather, and the coming cold front, and was SURE that the boat wouldn't leave the dock, but when I arrived at the shop on Saturday morning, it was loaded with tanks for me and the two other guys diving that day, and off we went to the Eagle for a first dive.
Conditions on the surface were a bit bumpy, but not too bad to stand, and the water was WARM conpared to the Great Lakes where I usually dive. Got to try out my new 3 mil steamer and beenie, both of which worked just fine. Vis was in the 40 foot range, sea life was excellent. Saw both of the Grouper that tend to live on the wreck and had a good dive.
Back on the boat, and a short run to Victory reef. Current was up a bit. Dive was around 60', but my buddies navigation was good and we made a nice sweep around the area for 35 minutes or so. Vis was still around 40 and water temp was right around 75 or so. Ride back to the shop at Smugglers Cove was just plain ROUGH, with us running into the wind.
Sunday, we went again in the morning. With two dives on Crocker Reef. One on the deep end, and a second on the shallow end. Surface was quite a bit calmer, but the vis was going away. Maybe 30' or so, in 77 degree water. Second dive, it was even worse, with my buddies navigation skills put to the test with only about 18-20' of vis. We eventually found our way back to the boat, but had to go to the surface to take a peek to be sure where it was. Still was enjoyable, to dive in a wetsuit in nice warm water.
Drive back to Michigan was LONG, but uneventful. About 22 degrees with a 20mph wind from the west and blowing snow, with 2-4" of fresh stuff on the ground. Will be glad to get back down to Florida and the warm weather!
Thanks for the good diving, wish I could have seen a couple of you in the Keys....
