Greater Tampa Bay Area CHAT/OFF-TOPIC thread, take XVIII

[AstroDad]

Anyone ever dive off a bass boat? I was out fishing by the Skyway on Wednesday and wondering what some of that structure I was fishing really looked like (and thinking of stone crabs). Obviously getting in the water will be no problem, but getting back in the boat might be a tiny challenge (for us 40+ crowd). The back end of my boat is only a few inches off the water, so assuming the bubble watcher helps it shouldn't be too hard, right?

Or are my meds causing brain damage?

 

[Salmonboy97]

I have dove off of two different bass boats.
My own 18' Nitro was extrememly difficult to get back on the boat, even after you took off your gear in the water. It wasnt designed with a ladder and the aftermarket one didnt work well.
A buddy of mine has an older model "fish and ski" boat that was designed with a decent ladder and that was MUCH easier. The gear still comes off before getting on though.
Both boats were very similar, competition style, fiberglass bass boats but the difference was the ladder. Defying doctors orders, I dove from HIS boat 4 weeks after bicept surgery and had very limited, (none) use of my left arm and was able to get back on. (it wasnt easy for me with only one good arm but the other geezers with me didnt have any problems)
So.......it would depend on the ladder system. If it is built-in or aftermarket makes a huge difference.
The thing you would have to look at is the freeboard of the vessel with the large load of divers and gear and the low profile of the boat in open water!
I sold my bass boat and bought a cuddy cabin.

 

[AstroDad]

Salmonboy97,

Thanks, that's good to know. Mine is one of those competition style boats ('95 Stratos, 18' w/150). It's not built for people getting in/out - it's basically built for speed. There will not be a large load - well within weight limits of the boat. I have no ladder, so an after-market one would have to found. Any one with a recommendation?

Doctor's orders... Yea, I'm about to get in trouble with mine... Oh well, he works for me, right?

Sell the bass boat? Never! I do have my eye on a nice (barely used) 32' Yellowfin though.... with the markets crashing, there should be some really sweet deals out there over the next six to twelve months.

 

[I Dive]

Salmonboy97,

Sell the bass boat? Never! I do have my eye on a nice (barely used) 32' Yellowfin though.... with the markets crashing, there should be some really sweet deals out there over the next six to twelve months.

You got it! Nobody is buying boats right now, which is driving prices down.Be patient for about 8 to 10 more months and you can get a steal!

 

[K Mejean]

Check out boaters world. They have a ladder system just for diving. It is a sport ladder I think. It will bolt up wherever you need it and the ladder slides into the mount so you can take it off. That way its not in the way of your fishing.

 

[Salmonboy97]

I sold my Nitro bass boat because it just wasnt enough boat to get me to the places I wanted to dive (20+ miles offshore). Now with gas so high, I hire charters. I was spending $180.00 just to top off the tank and that is a lot.
When looking for a ladder, be SURE to see how it will work with YOUR BOAT. My boat hull didnt have any straight sides to mount a ladder too. The only flat place I had was were the outboard was mounted. This made even a hang-over-the-side ladder difficult to use. Your is probably very similar. Good Luck!

 

[Reef_Haven]

Salmonboy97,

There will not be a large load - well within weight limits of the boat. I have no ladder, so an after-market one would have to found. Any one with a recommendation?

I found a hang over the side ladder on Breakers Reef. It's not new but should do the job. I work in Bartow, which isn't too far from Brandon. It's yours if you want it.
PM me.

 

[Chugger]

MichelleA - heya chica, I am not going to be able to go crabbing :sad: I was bitten by a cat today and can't make a fist let alone take on a crab.

See you on Friday.

Question is, Did you bite the cat back?

 

[Missdirected]

Question is, Did you bite the cat back?

 

[Missdirected]

SalmonBoy - still waiting on those piccers from today's dive. btw, I'm thinking Robin's screen name should be Deceptive Detective :cool2: