Shipping tank to Bonaire

[Rred]

"I would already have the visual done for nitrox"
There's no visual for nitrox. On the other hand, you don't know what the TSA has done and if some guy poked his greasy fingers in the threads while inspecting the tank? That's contamination, honest. Once a tank has been opened and left in uncontrolled circumstances, it should not be used for nitrox until it has been "oxygen service" cleaned and closed up again. Because there's always SOME chance of a problem.
So a careful diver in Bonaire is going to need that tank opened up, cleaned, and checked out anyway. Technically, it could still be a good deal for them since what you are doing is (illegally) avoiding the import duty on the tank when you "import" it to Bonaire and sell it there. No big argument there...the only question is the reality of dive gear prices in Bonaire.
I suppose you could always list it on ebay as "local delivery only, IN BONAIRE, on (date)" and see what the market offers.

Two dives a day for a week, let's say 14 dives, and a rental is often $4-5 more than just a fill. So, what, it would cost you $70 to rent a tank, instead of dragging one around and buying and selling and all?

 

[KeithG]

There shouldn't be a cost for inspection in Bonaire. Waiting is an aspect to factor in. Trying to save money only

This is not the way to save money. Have 1 less beer each day instead...

 

[Kharon]

You can get unlimited air from numerous sources for about $150-$160/week. You can take 4 tanks and dive all morning, return them and get 4 more and dive all afternoon, return them and get 4 more and dive all night - if you can dive that much. Nitrox is included if you have the cert. Your idea just doesn't make sense. Consider the cost of shipping (exhorbitant to and from BOnaire), or if not shipped the extra checked "bag" fee (unless you aren't taking a checked suitcase), possible scuba gear transport fee (some airlines), and the hassle of transport and then having to return to a fill station after every dive. And then trying to sell it - you know you are going to take a loss on the price, don't you. This is a total non-starter for anyone who has been to Bonaire.

 

[Damselfish]

You're a relatively new diver who I have to assume has not been to Bonaire before. I suggest taking the advice of experienced divers that have been there many times. There may be rare situations where taking a tank someplace makes sense, but taking an AL80 to Bonaire is not one of them.

 

[oldschoolto]

Bring a pair of al40's.. or 4 19cu ponys or HP 100's .. something like that is hard to come by.. al80's are a dime a dozen and most places only fill at that price for locals..

So, as someone who spends lots of time on Bonaire... (I have a pony farm) lol .. Go and get a dive card for rentals if diving no more than two dives a day or get the unlimited package if doing more.. You will be able to grab tanks and go do two dives and if you ask.. most places will let you grab 3 tanks if you're heading north .. You'll spend more on gas at $4 bucks a gallon running around .... Have a great time on Bonaire.. it's a GREAT place..

Jim...

 

[Scared Silly]

You going to dive one tank then wait to have it filled so you can do your next dive? Seriously?

I've heard of some wacky ways to save money but this make the least sense of any I've heard.

No-one wants to buy one from you at full retail. And yours will be used not new.

That is my thought. If the OP really wants to save money they should just buy a used cylinder and leave the damn thing there (It is Bonaire someone will take it).

This is not the way to save money. Have 1 less beer each day instead...

Bite your tongue man ... there are better ways to save money. Skip lunch but not the beer.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Taking an aluminum 80 to Bonaire for one's own use is like taking a cooler to the Arctic. Okay, it's not like that at all, but surely there is a clever analogy. I'm just not feeling clever enough today to think of it. Tanks are a commodity on Bonaire. There are drive-through air stations, where people pick up a load of filled tanks and stack them like cordwood in their rental trucks. I would imagine that Bonaire dive ops buy tanks in quantity from some wholesale source and wouldn't be interested in a single aluminum 80, but I could be wrong. You might find an interested local. I know someone who just sold or is in the process of selling his house on Bonaire and probably unloaded some tanks on his former neighbors. Have you posted on the Bonairetalk forum to see if anyone would be interested in buying it? For that matter, if you are seriously intent on being thrifty and pretending you are a local during your stay and taking on the headache of selling the tank when you leave--which I think is silly, but you didn't ask for my opinion--then maybe consider buying a used tank from someone on Bonaire and attempting to sell it when you leave?

 

[elliselectric]

The suggestions are all good and I now believe I will try renting a tanking and filling it at $6.50 a fill at Tropical Divers.

 

[covediver]

The great thing about diving Bonaire is you pulled up with an empty tank, grabbed a full one, and you were on your way.

 

[elliselectric]

AB-Diving has the best value rates so far, $139 Air 6 days unlimited @ $5 extra each day Nitrox is required.