Super Costly Underwater Breathing Adventure

[tedtim]

The cost did not seem to be to high until my wife saw some underwater photos from one of my dives in Cozumel (yes, she was a non-diver on the trip). Now, whatever the cost was, it is almost double. Good thing she is not interested in a dry suit. We can use that money on the next trip.

I look at it this way.
Take home pay minus mortgage and utilities expenses minus cost for kids to go to college equals money to spend on diving. The trade off is between eating and diving. Food is soggy underwater, but I do save some cash for the post dive adult decompression beverages.

 

[idocsteve]

Some of my gear was purchased secondhand, some was purchased new; either online or from my LDS.

• VT Pro $650.00
• Veo backup computer $300.00
• Digital strobe $275.00
• Spare Air $192.50
• Tank $130.00
• Camera Housing $125.00
• Beuchat Reg $106.00
• Coolpix camera $90.00
• Wetsuit $72.00
• Tabata Reg $65.00
• BC $120.00
• Wreck Reel $50.00
• Mask $50.00
• Weights $30.00
• Addl gauges $30.00
• Slate w/compass $30.00
• Gear Bag $30.00
• Fins $25.00
• Boots $36.00
• Hood $25.00
• Safety Sausage $18.00
• Dive Light $15.50
• Jon Line $15.00
• Retractor snap/belt hook $15.00
• RDP Tables $11.00
• Snorkel $14.00
• Gloves $13.00
• Weight Bag $12.50
• Snips $12.00
• asst Snaps $10.00
• Tank Holders $6.00
• goodie bag $5.00
• BCknife $2.00
• digital bot timer/depth $40.00
• pocket, snorkel, hanger, spr air holster $90.53
• slc light $41.00
• Total: $2,751.50

 

[in_cavediver]

Spoon...why only half your paycheck?

Yeah, haven't you heard of the rule of thirds?
1 third for the way in
1 third for the way out
1 third in reserve

If that's still not enough, you may need to stage paychecks along the way....

 

[Gary D.]

What I spent in 62 wouldn't even get one a cheapo suit today. So figuring for inflation over the 40+ years.
OW class $25.00
UW watch $1.00 (Timex, tuna can, resin, 4-1/4 20 brass bolts,washers and wing nuts, scrap rubber and a scrap piece of Plexiglas)


Misc. stuff:
$936,786,987.99
X a bizillion
_______________
= A whole flippin bunch of cash.

Then we have to add up the wife's stuff.

Enough to where I'm in the flippin poor house. But then again I get $.50 an hour for dive pay which off sets it.....

Gary D.

 

[Missdirected]

Uh oh! as a newbie with a modest paycheck, I'm thinking I need a second job!!!:11:

But seriously, I have found the money to go on vacation twice a year, so I wouldn't count the travel as part of the expense. I think I can budget in the equipment over time. I won't be buying much until I get some experience and feel confident that it is something I will keep up with.

Someone with discipline. No desires. Hmm...maybe I should try that. Nah, I like my toys!

 

[JohnW]

It really is a cheap hobby one you have all your stuff.
$2.50 to $6.00 for Air Fill
$20.00 Gas to Dive Site

It's just getting all the stuff in the first place.........my wife also just convinced me we have to go to Hawaii for me to Scuba Dive at Christmas(she doesn't dive, she say's she will guard the sand on the beach while I'm out diving). Not to mention the Trip to Catalina in November with my Dive Buddy.......Now the equiptment cost looks really cheap.

 

[spectrum]

I'm just interested in seeing how much everyone has spent on this great hobby.

My wife and I are in for a total of $7567 so far. Computers and drysuits and AOW are still ahead of us.

We came to scuba with complete skindiving gear includding 5mm suits, weights and the basics. We've added OW certification, 7mm suits, more weights, 5mm gloves, regulator/alternate/gauge-compass console sets, BCDs, knives, 2 E7-80s each, shears, primary and secondary lights, flag, sausage, Storm whistle and SMB.

With 100 combined dives since certification we're at break even for just renting the basics locally over those dives alone.

It's pricey to get started, there are some annual expenses and we still have some things to add but we're off and running and wouldn't tradde it for the world. The dive by dive expenses are dirt cheap for shore dives which are fine with us.

Pete

 

[spectrum]

Yeah, haven't you heard of the rule of thirds?
1 third for the way in
1 third for the way out
1 third in reserve

If that's still not enough, you may need to stage paychecks along the way....

How does it work out as Rock Bottom?

Pete

 

[spectrum]

Uh oh! as a newbie with a modest paycheck, I'm thinking I need a second job!!!:11:

But seriously, I have found the money to go on vacation twice a year, so I wouldn't count the travel as part of the expense. I think I can budget in the equipment over time. I won't be buying much until I get some experience and feel confident that it is something I will keep up with.

You make a good point about the travel side.

I have yet to make a dive trip yet but the cost is fairly modest compared to many other destinations and atractions with admissions with food and lodging all alacarte every day. A big part of it is deciding where to put your discretionary dollars. SAme for building up your gear locker.

Pete

 

[xiSkiGuy]

I thought I would save money by getting a part-time job at the LDS.

I think it has cost me considerably more. I hardly work a shift without coming home with something new. . .