Professionals not recommending Rainbow Reef FL Keys/

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Reception to OP's post on r/scuba was markedly different - interesting reading through the comments there vs here.

I wonder how many of those commenters can assemble their own dive kit.

 

[RyanT]

I'm not a fan of Rainbow Reef's business modal (e.g. cattle boat); I don't dive with them. However, I'm going to agree with some of the other posters here. If you're an experienced group of instructors, then you can make your own decisions. I've been out on a number of S. Florida boats when conditions went south. As a an experienced diver, you make your own decisions about whether or not you want to dive in said conditions.

 

[The Chairman]

I'm not a fan of Rainbow Reef's business modal (e.g. cattle boat);

To each his own, I guess. Even most six-packs are crowded until you get into the water. Too many divers want to spread their kit all over the boat, making the situation worse. I need just 2 foot of bench to kit up, and that much under my seat for my fins and other accoutrements. I've learned after thousands of dives to be flexible and allow for the needs of others, even to the detriment of my own. Once in the water, I know how to avoid the thrashing of the masses. At the end of the dive, I sit patiently at my safety stop, conditions permitting, and wait for everyone else to get on board. When the last one gets to the ladder, i ascend and board, avoiding all that mass confusion. Then, while all the other divers are comparing notes, I efficiently swap tanks, then depart that area before the real madness begins. I don't understand why divers wait until the boat starts moving to swap tanks. Madness.

It was interesting to see the exact same post on Reddit and then it was noted that this seems to be a seagull post, where he swoops in, craps on RR and leaves. Someone should post a link to this discussion over there.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I'm not a fan of Rainbow Reef's business modal (e.g. cattle boat);

There are times when it seems like a cattle boat, very rarely and usually because some other circumstance as: Captain not showing up for the other boat, other boat broken etc.....

Even most six-packs are crowded until you get into the water.

The six packs are even more crowded unless the divers keep their gear under control. The six-pack boats rock and roll a lot more in 3–4-foot seas.

 

[The Chairman]

The six-pack boats rock and roll a lot more in 3–4-foot seas.

It depends on the boat. I've been on some spacious 6 packs. Key Largo Dive Center uses a converted lobster boat. It's pretty stable and huge. It's also great for taking out students. But RR is huge for a reason. They are professionals and act as such.

There seems to be a real attitude among some divers towards classes. They just don't want to endure them and get all pissy that we have to accommodate them as well as the seasoned divers.

 

[scubadada]

...There seems to be a real attitude among some divers towards classes. They just don't want to endure them and get all pissy that we have to accommodate them as well as the seasoned divers.

Most of the classes in Palm Beach County where I dive, Boynton Beach, Palm Beach, Jupiter, do their first 2 check out dives at the Blue Heron Bridge and their 3rd and 4th dives off one of the charter boats. Since the dives are drift, the classes disappear after they jump and are generally back on the boat well before I return. Classes do not affect my diving in the slightest and I am glad to applaud at the end of the trip for the newly certified divers.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

Key Largo Dive Center uses a converted lobster boat.

They have a Newton now - 46 footer, I think.

 

[The Chairman]

They have a Newton now - 46 footer, I think.

I left over 7 years ago. Things change, and that's good for them. I did a lot of work on that old boat. Never let them know you're a certified diesel mechanic.

 

[Tracy]

The six packs are even more crowded unless the divers keep their gear under control. The six-pack boats rock and roll a lot more in 3–4-foot seas.

I'll put my six pack against any of RR's Newtons and I bet I roll less.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

I'll put my six pack against any of RR's Newtons and I bet I roll less.

Hah---I bet the Seakeeper does the trick eh? Seakeeper Web Site