Scuba and Sailing

[OldNSalty]

Just wanted some input.

My wife and I have talked about getting a boat. We both kind of like the idea of getting a sail boat but would it be practical to dive from? I am thinking that most of the off shore dive sites around Pensacola/Mobile would be too far out to dive because of the inherent lack of speed that comes with sailing.

Has anyone tried this?

 

[Froid]

OldNSalty,

We used to dive off a sailboat in California years ago. It was racing yacht and had a open stern with a detachable ladder.

How usable a sailboat is for diving really depends on the size and layout of the boat. What size and manufacture of boat are you thinking of using?

Most sailboats have a high freeboard, which will make it difficult to gain re-entry without a dive ladder. The big key is to have a good ladder to aid in returning to the deck. Pretty much any boat that is stable can be used for diving if set up correctly.

Most sailboat with inboard engines can run at about 5 to 6 knots under power. If you have a motorsailer you can run about 9 to 10 knots depending on the size and displacement of the hull.


Froid

 

[Hetland]

Have you ever owned a boat? That will make a big difference. I personally LOVE sailboats. I'm lucky enough have a friend or two that own them, and as much as I love the idea of owning one myself, I have learned through observation that when tempted to buy a sail boat, it's time to lease one instead. For what you spend on maintenance, fuel, MINOR repairs, and slip fees, you can easily go once or twice a year to the Virgin Islands and spend a week on a crewed sailboat. You'll share the boat with one or two other couples, and the mate will fix you three great meals every day.

There is nothing like hitting your hull speed and hearing nothing but the splash of your wake and the ripple of the sail in the wind. Sadly, a bunch of time, money, and energy go into making those sounds possible. Why not let someone else worry about the day-to-day and just take a few trips every year?

The cheapest thing on a powerboat runs $100, but the cheapest thing on a sailboat costs $200

 

[OldNSalty]

Nope-haven't owned one yet. Right now we are just in the 'gather info' stage so we haven't started thinking about specifics other then power vs sail. We both grew up on the water and would like our kids to enjoy some summer days out and about.

 

[Hetland]

If money were not an object, and I was going to buy a dive boat tomorrow, I would look for a 23-28ft deep-V or twin hull (catamaran) with two engines. They're small enough to trailer, yet big enough to take decent waves without knocking your teeth out. If one motor goes, you have a second to get you home, and if bad weather creeps up on you, you can motor it back to the dock much faster than you could a 6-8kt sailboat. Of course wind is free, but two outboards require petrol to move even an inch.

Whatever you decide on, invest in the best dive ladder you can afford, a good ladder makes all the difference in the world. Most importantly.... Always make sure you have an anchor lackey! I can't stress that enough. Pulling 200ft of rope and an anchor 3 or four times a day, and you will be wishing you invested in a windless

 

[OldNSalty]

Yes, I agree if money wasn't an issue but one of the appeals of the sail boat was an assumption that operating cost would be low because of all that free wind. Now of course, I am not sure I could reach any dive site fast enough on just wind and if I crank up the motor...would I be better off just buying all power?

 

[Froid]

OldNSalty,

If the only thing is to get to the dive site, then there is no question but to go power. I would agree with Hetland about a cat. Stable dive platform, dual engines, and as both of our posts mentioned, a good dive ladder.

The other thing to think about is the intial outlay of $$ to purchase the boat. A sailboat will cost more per ft that a power boat of the same age and quality level.


Froid

 

[OldNSalty]

OldNSalty,

The other thing to think about is the intial outlay of $$ to purchase the boat. A sailboat will cost more per ft that a power boat of the same age and quality level.

Really!!! I thought it was totally the opposite.

 

[Hetland]

Sailboats have a maximum hull speed. If your hull speed is 8kts, then that's as fast as you are going to go, even if you have the engines going, and a sail full of wind. IIRC, a standard displacement hull sailboat is going to be 7-8kts. A dual hull will be faster, but you're talking big money there.

In this neck of the woods, I'd think a trailerable powerboat is going to be the most cost efficient in the long run.

 

[chucksaul]

OMG where to start... First remember BOAT stands for Break Out Another Thousand... I know this well as we have a 32 foot Dutch Flyer Sailboat. Diving from it (which we have done yet) will be a challenge, however, by rigging lines from your boom to winch you can haul equipment fairly easy. You will have to have a dingy with a good sized motor to chase divers. The nice thing is you have a hotel room on water. Initial cost may be greater for the sailboat, but, our next door neightbor with a 22 foot power boat has spent $750 this sesaon on fuel... So have we $7.50 in diesel. If you are intent on a SB look at either a Hunter or a Catalina (newer) that have the rear entry platforms. Also remember it takes twice as long as you plan to go from point A to Point B. Sometimes because of winds anad seas you dont get from A to B. Would we trade, probably not... Also remember a sailboat is pretty fixed unless you are looking at a 22-26' trailerable. And stay away from the MacGregor 26... Please no flames... We have ours in Galveston and that is where it will stay... We can sail all day and never pass the saame place twice... You generally cant do that on a lake.

Send me a PM if you want more info... We will be in GS and Pensacola (by land yacht) on the 17-19 to dive the O and do some shore diving so if you want to visit let us know.

Also, for a really good site with boats for sale (or sail) go to www.sailingtexas.com