My thought process has been:
1. My favorite wrecks are 10-20 miles offshore.
2. Seeing them on a regular basis is a very expensive proposition. I've managed to negotiate $300 for a boat up to 4 passengers, but finding four people to dive with, believe it or not, has been difficult. That's why I built the website, and I still can't seem to fill a boat. Nobody can.
3. If I were to buy a boat capable of offshore cruising comfortably, I'm looking at a relatively large expense... The largest portion of which would probably be fuel. I'm looking at like $50 every time I went out. Of course, split between a couple of divers, that's nothing... But see #2 for the reason why that's not working.
4. If I were to split the charter with people, I'm looking at $75 per person... Close to what I'd be spending if I had the boat.
5. Small, fuel efficient boats aren't advisable offshore.
6. You can't easily sink a 'ski, and so they'll run in rough waters. Effectively, that's a small boat that can run offshore.
7. 'Skis are comparably very fuel efficient.
8. 'Skis are generally very fast, especially in smooth waters, building in a sort of safety margin that would be nice... The ability to outrun weather or get to help fast if someone got hurt.
...So why haven't I pursued this?
1. A good 'ski is nearly as much money as a good, solid, used boat. At least, one that I'd trust offshore.
2. Even the largest of 'skis are going to be full with one diver and gear... So I'd have to take two 'skis. So much for the savings!
3. Two 'skis would be needed offshore, anyway. Simply put, if you don't have a redundant engine offshore, then you need a redundant boat. Thus, two are needed. Again, so much for savings...
4. Towing gear in a sort of "trailer" could get really ugly in your average 4' seas. It would also slow the 'ski considerably.
5. No room whatsoever for surface interval or changing tanks, etc.
6. To "wreck" from a 'ski, I'd need to equip the machine with GPS (not hard... I have a handheld) and a depth finder, at the very least. Simply put, I don't know how well a depth finder would work on a 'ski.
7. Smallish fuel tanks mean that my range would be limited. I have not yet figured out if this would be an issue or not.
8. Jetski engines are generally less trustworthy than most boat motors, unless you're talking the new four stroke kind... And those are seriously pricey.
9. No protection whatsoever from the elements... Cold water, wind, sun.
10. While a 'ski might be able to handle average 4' seas all day long, it sure would beat me up. I think it'd be fun for the first hour... But then after that, I think it'd get pretty old.
11. Can't take friends... And certainly can't expand my buddy list.
12. Built-in safety margin of speed negated by the fact that getting an unconscious diver out of the water and onto a 'ski... Not to mention trying to keep them there while returning inland... Would be near impossible.
13. My favorite wrecks are between 50' and 100'... I don't know if I could seriously find a place to put 200'+ of line for the anchor.
Personally, I would love to dive from a 'ski, and the thought's crossed my mind many times. Unfortunately, I don't think it really would make for a very good dive platform... Especially since I can get a deep vee hull on a 21' boat that would fare a little better offshore... And provide a lot more flexibility in terms of buddies, gear, safety, etc.
...But then I'm back at the fact that it's gonna run me $50 every time for gas. Then, because it's a boat, I've got to have a place to keep it... Maintenance...
...So unfortunately, I'm stuck with the idea of a charter. Still. The problem with that, of course, is the fact that I've got to dive what they say to dive, and I can't do any proper exploration...
Help.
: and No to your questions.
