OP
Hetland
Contributor
I have the Escape 200. I think it's perfect for three divers. Four divers with 2 tanks each is pushing the limit weight-wise for the hull rating. I've done 4 divers for inshore dives, where I'll be parking the boat near shore (like for a jetty dive), but offshore with four is not a good idea, unless you have light-weight divers and less than 2 tanks each (most of my regular dive buddies are in the 200lb range LOL)
I would also suggest tank racks. they make all the difference in the world when it comes to bouncing around in the gulf.
Then there is the ladder. Most smaller boats have woefully inadaquate ladders. This is especially true when you have 70 lbs of gear on your back and 3ft seas. The cheapest retail ladder I've found that is decent for diving is about $170, and you still have to mount it. If you forget the ladder is down when you put your boat in gear, you just bought another $170 ladder
If I was in the market for a new boat (translation: "IF I could afford a boat) I would go with a Sea Hunt in the 21'-23' range, with the deepest V hull model they had, and the newer "euro" or walkthrough transom. If money were truly not an option, I'd go with a 23'-25' Regulator (they have super-deep V's) and are near perfect for our waters around here. I'd also make sure to have one of those fancy anchor motors
as pulling 300' of anchor line is a p.i.t.a.* Also, in case you don't already know, you need enough anchor line to cover roughly 3x the depth you want to anchor in (I've noticed this is a very common mistake with boaters) or you'll just be dragging sand when your anchored. I'd also suggest a length of chain near the anchor, as it helps the anchor to set correctly in the sand.
* Special thanks to XRay for all the anchor work he did yesterday. It was appreciated.
I would also suggest tank racks. they make all the difference in the world when it comes to bouncing around in the gulf.
Then there is the ladder. Most smaller boats have woefully inadaquate ladders. This is especially true when you have 70 lbs of gear on your back and 3ft seas. The cheapest retail ladder I've found that is decent for diving is about $170, and you still have to mount it. If you forget the ladder is down when you put your boat in gear, you just bought another $170 ladder
If I was in the market for a new boat (translation: "IF I could afford a boat) I would go with a Sea Hunt in the 21'-23' range, with the deepest V hull model they had, and the newer "euro" or walkthrough transom. If money were truly not an option, I'd go with a 23'-25' Regulator (they have super-deep V's) and are near perfect for our waters around here. I'd also make sure to have one of those fancy anchor motors
as pulling 300' of anchor line is a p.i.t.a.* Also, in case you don't already know, you need enough anchor line to cover roughly 3x the depth you want to anchor in (I've noticed this is a very common mistake with boaters) or you'll just be dragging sand when your anchored. I'd also suggest a length of chain near the anchor, as it helps the anchor to set correctly in the sand.* Special thanks to XRay for all the anchor work he did yesterday. It was appreciated.
