ChrisF
Contributor
Hi there,
I have not been on the board in quite a while, but I had such a great dive this weekend I just had to share
We took our boat out to the Sheridan on Saturday. I've been on the wreck 3 or 4 times previously, but this was the first time in my own boat. I purchased a new (to me...) boat last July that's up to the 22 mile run off of Clearwater bell, so I finally got to make the trip without a charter. I was joined by three friends who chipped in for gas. It just doesn't get any better.
I only carry 300 feet of anchor line, so I was a little uncomfortable anchoring in 80 feet of water. On that particular day with 2 foot seas and minimal wind, it probably would have been fine, but I'm a better safe than sorry kinda guy, so I rigged up a float with 100 feet of line with some chain at one end to tie into the wreck. To be honest, I expected it to be at least a little hard, but it was a piece of cake. Vis was about 50 feet, and locating the wreck was a snap.
Once we were all tied in, my buddy and I had a cool dive. I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but the wreck seemed like it's listing more to starboard these days. We saw a couple Jewfish and some Barracuda. Upon closer inspection, I also found that it's covered in arrow crabs. They were everywhere! I don't remember seeing so many on previous visits. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures because I left the camera on the boat for the first dive. Since the whole tying into the wreck thing was new to me, I didn't want the additional task load. Next time I dive it, I'll definitely bring the camera.
On the way back in we stopped at Mastadon Tabletop, a circular ledge with a 4 - 6 foot profile. This dive made the perfect end to a fine day on the water. We saw lots of grouper, some snapper, and more jewfish. The highlight of the dive was when we were visited by a hawksbill sea turtle. There a few pictures at http://www.csfrancis.net/2007_sheridan.htm if you're interested.
Now for the question. DeLoache's book says there is a natural ledge about 1/4 mile Northwest of the Sheridan/Blackthorn. Anybody been out there? What's it like? I'd like to visit it on my next trip out.
I have not been on the board in quite a while, but I had such a great dive this weekend I just had to share
We took our boat out to the Sheridan on Saturday. I've been on the wreck 3 or 4 times previously, but this was the first time in my own boat. I purchased a new (to me...) boat last July that's up to the 22 mile run off of Clearwater bell, so I finally got to make the trip without a charter. I was joined by three friends who chipped in for gas. It just doesn't get any better.
I only carry 300 feet of anchor line, so I was a little uncomfortable anchoring in 80 feet of water. On that particular day with 2 foot seas and minimal wind, it probably would have been fine, but I'm a better safe than sorry kinda guy, so I rigged up a float with 100 feet of line with some chain at one end to tie into the wreck. To be honest, I expected it to be at least a little hard, but it was a piece of cake. Vis was about 50 feet, and locating the wreck was a snap.
Once we were all tied in, my buddy and I had a cool dive. I'm not sure if it's just my imagination, but the wreck seemed like it's listing more to starboard these days. We saw a couple Jewfish and some Barracuda. Upon closer inspection, I also found that it's covered in arrow crabs. They were everywhere! I don't remember seeing so many on previous visits. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures because I left the camera on the boat for the first dive. Since the whole tying into the wreck thing was new to me, I didn't want the additional task load. Next time I dive it, I'll definitely bring the camera.
On the way back in we stopped at Mastadon Tabletop, a circular ledge with a 4 - 6 foot profile. This dive made the perfect end to a fine day on the water. We saw lots of grouper, some snapper, and more jewfish. The highlight of the dive was when we were visited by a hawksbill sea turtle. There a few pictures at http://www.csfrancis.net/2007_sheridan.htm if you're interested.
Now for the question. DeLoache's book says there is a natural ledge about 1/4 mile Northwest of the Sheridan/Blackthorn. Anybody been out there? What's it like? I'd like to visit it on my next trip out.
