Offshore Panama City dive on Friday, May 13

[PatMyGreen]

Forecast looks good!

 

[RaginCajun]

... the first trip on our new 32' 6 pack boat but we may end up putting everyone on Better Bottom Time if we get more than 6.

What kind of boat you guys getting? A 32 ft 6 pack...sounds roomy.

 

[PatMyGreen]

Its an all Red 2008 Kevlacat with Yanmar 315HP I/Os. Its a center console layout with a massive Hard top that you could have 6 people layout tanning on. I'll be putting an enclosure on it though to keep wind off of everyone. This thing runs better the faster it goes. 36MPH cruise speed (literally twice that of the Steel Slinger) with twice the fuel economy. I had it up to 46MPH into true 3' gulf chop and I was able to drink my coffee without holding onto anything while standing up. I've got a bucket list of things to fix up on it before its ready to roll though. These boats are great designs but the manufacturer in the states really fell off in the last couple of years before they cashed in their chips. So I am re-working some parts of the boat and redoing the electronics. Today's mission is new VHF and getting the welders to come do a proper job on the Aluminum Top. I'll post pics after I get the paint touched up (its faded) and she is pretty again. Also for some reason they put grey rhino liner across the deck, which is a great durable non-skid coating for a boat.... but grey! In Florida! Its not even Summer and I can't walk on it barefoot... so thats got to get turned white too.

We have already pimped it out with matching Red and White E-SeaRider bean bags from the shop though.

 

[Hetland]

Sonic has Chicago dogs!

I was really excited to try one, but they can't come close to the dogs in front of Pat's place. It's like comparing a McDonald's hamburger to a McGuire's hamburger.

 

[Mopar]

Can we get a dive report on todays dive?

 

[PatMyGreen]

Vis was a disappointing 30' after all the recent hype and temp was 73-75*F. Calm-2' seas. Sites were the Tarpon ans Span 14, fishing boats had the Bart covered up. Lots of jacks, spades, cuda and snapper. The Goliath made her appearance on the span. I hated being in the shop today for sure!

 

[PatMyGreen]

I stand corrected, vis was 30-60'. On the span they could see it from the surface!!!!!!!! Of course its my turn to drive today in thunderstorms and 5' seas...............

 

[SandyRobinson]

I'l add to the reports. We had two nice dives. Temps were 72 at both sites at the bottom - warmer at the top. I did not even notice the seas at the dive sites. On the Tarpon, I am guessing we had 60' viz with not much current. At 70', we could easily see the bottom of the boat. I thought viz at the Bridge Span was a little less and the current was a bit more but very managable. Like Pat said, you could see it from the boat. On the span, I guessed viz to be 40.

Captain Pat (Panama City Dive Charters) put us with Better Bottom Time. We had a great time with Captain John and Divemaster Kelly. My first trip with them, and they have a nice operation and were professional and efficient.