The perfect size small dive boat set up.

[Tracy]

One of the things I was hoping would be addressed here; how many divers can be comfortably accomodate on a 26' console outboard? This without adversely affecting the boats performance? One of the reasons I'm interested in cats is they have a little more useful deck area for a given length and beam.

I would guess 4 would be ok. Center consoles don't have much room. They are pretty worthless for anything except fishing.
If the horsepower is right and you aren't over the plate weight, 4 divers weight won't affect the performance much.
I put on a ton of fuel and another ton of divers and gear over my normal weight and I can still run 50mph if needed on my 28' boat.

 

[TheQuintessentialMan]

I would guess 4 would be ok. Center consoles don't have much room. They are pretty worthless for anything except fishing.
If the horsepower is right and you aren't over the plate weight, 4 divers weight won't affect the performance much.
I put on a ton of fuel and another ton of divers and gear over my normal weight and I can still run 50mph if needed on my 28' boat.

OK, what floor plan do you recommend for max diver space?

 

[Tracy]

OK, what floor plan do you recommend for max diver space?

I like an express model for floor space. Keep the helm tucked away on a side. I also like an enclosed helm. Weather happens and a t top doesn't do much for it. It also is never in the right place to block the sun.
If I was shopping for a plastic trailer boat to go out in the ocean, I would be looking for something like a Parker 2520. Trailerable beam, enclosed helm with enough room for 4 people to hang out inside. All the windows open up for when it is nice. You can engine it basically however you want. I think they normally have a 175 or 250 on the back but you can spec it with 500hp if you want. They have been making them forever and you can buy one at about any price point you want.
I have seen early 90s around $10K up to $200 for loaded new.

Here is a nice one that just sold for $12k with a 300hp on it.

Parker 2520 MV 300 Suzuki | eBay

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[passedoutwookie]

I run a 23’ Sailfish center console. Not the best boat for diving, but it’s definitely better than staying at the dock. You can put four divers on it, but it requires careful stowing of gear and everyone understanding the gear rotation, especially if everyone is bringing two tanks. Gear is assembled for the first dive at the dock before it is loaded onto the boat. We dive in pairs. While one team is down the other team prepares their gear for the next dive and stows it out of the way of the returning divers. We try to have the next team ready to roll off the boat as soon as we hit the spot. The surface team also monitors the other team’s bubbles and keeps the boat on the spot (we rarely drop anchor or tie in). When the other team surfaces the topside team is ready to grab spearguns and fish and gets them quickly stowed.

It definitely requires a captain who can direct the flow of gear until everyone gets the hang of it. If you don’t follow the protocol there is literally 0 deck space available very quickly.

Edit: I agree with @Tracy, a cuddy maximized deck space and gives better protection against the elements. If I were buying a dedicated dive boat that is what I would have.

Edit 2: with a 6 cylinder 200hp Yamaha the boat cruises around 24-28 and gets about 2mpg with a full load of divers, gear, fuel, and ice.

 

[Still Kicking]

Yep, center consoles are limited for diving because space divided in front and behind the console is not as useful as same amount of contiguous deck space (hope that makes sense). Forward space is useful mainly for storage so four divers gearing up on the back deck will tend to feel more crowded than a boat with a helm forward.

One solution is work out a system like Wookie indicated, but diving in shifts slows down the day and limits the number of dives each diver can make (may not be a big deal).

I would love an enclosed cabin but it hasn't happened for me (yet ). Rule #1 for small boat diving is Pick Your Day. Therefore, I only go out when the weather is decent (<10 mph wind, <4 ft swell). No point in having your fillings pounded out of your skull while someone throws cold buckets of water over you LOL. Under good conditions, I am happy with an open cockpit. Luckily, that doesn't restrict diving too much in sunny Southern California (not so sunny today though....)

One of these days I will probably get new Eisenglass made up and do a 3/4 enclosure under the tuna tower. In the meantime, I have a good boat parka, hot soup and snacks, hot shower etc. and limit my diving to good days.

If you are going to be running a heavy load as we divers tend to do, make sure you look into selecting the right prop(s) and trim tabs. They can dramatically improve the performance of a heavy boat. Also try to put more weight forward to get the boat out of the hole and up on plane quicker.

You mentioned cats ... they have a deservedly great reputation for maximizing deck space and for economical performance but I have heard some designs can be a handful in a quartering sea/following sea. I've never driven one but I would recommend a sea trial on a snotty day before you buy.

 

[Tracy]

You mentioned cats ... they have a deservedly great reputation for maximizing deck space and for economical performance but I have heard some designs can be a handful in a quartering sea/following sea. I've never driven one but I would recommend a sea trial on a snotty day before you buy.

What he said!
Cats are very stable in calm seas, they don't like anything you can't take straight on. That said, it isn't just a cat problem. My 32 Marinette is one of the worst boats I have ever ran in a quartering following sea. That light fat stern lifts and twists. It is much better with the new longer rudders, but still not great in those conditions.

 

[johndiver999]

The OP needs to take a hard look at his prospective load. 4 divers and two more bubble watchers? How many tanks? 8 or 12, plus an oxygen bottle and maybe a few ponies and a scooter or 2 or 4? Are you going to be hunting? Do you need to also consider a large cooler with a bunch of ice in it? Where will spearguns or cameras be stored safely? The weight adds up super fast when you got guys bringing big steel tanks and ponies and scooters and who knows what else.

I sometimes dive on recreational boats with too many people packed on it. You end up climbing over gear and stepping on stuff and breaking it and it it just so hard to get dressed or manage gear when everything is all over the boat and you are being tossed around. I have friends with 28 ft boats and they really don't like going out with more than just 2 people aboard (and 6-8 tanks of course). We could easily take three, but as captains age they get more particular (peculiar?) and hate clutter.

I would be very surprised you can find a 23-ft boat that can comfortable handle 4 divers, multiple tanks and two bubble watchers. Forget the bubble watchers, do it with 3 divers and you might have a decent shot at it.

I have a buddy with a 32-ft cat with twin 300's and he can easily take 4 divers and a bubble watcher, but that thing is a huge issue to tow and requires a heavy truck.

 

[Tracy]

The OP needs to take a hard look at his prospective load. 4 divers and two more bubble watchers? How many tanks? 8 or 12, plus an oxygen bottle and maybe a few ponies and a scooter or 2 or 4? Are you going to be hunting? Do you need to also consider a large cooler with a bunch of ice in it? Where will spearguns or cameras be stored safely? The weight adds up super fast when you got guys bringing big steel tanks and ponies and scooters and who knows what else.

I sometimes dive on recreational boats with too many people packed on it. You end up climbing over gear and stepping on stuff and breaking it and it it just so hard to get dressed or manage gear when everything is all over the boat and you are being tossed around. I have friends with 28 ft boats and they really don't like going out with more than just 2 people aboard (and 6-8 tanks of course). We could easily take three, but as captains age they get more particular (peculiar?) and hate clutter.

I would be very surprised you can find a 23-ft boat that can comfortable handle 4 divers, multiple tanks and two bubble watchers. Forget the bubble watchers, do it with 3 divers and you might have a decent shot at it.

I have a buddy with a 32-ft cat with twin 300's and he can easily take 4 divers and a bubble watcher, but that thing is a huge issue to tow and requires a heavy truck.

How big are these divers?
My charter boat is a 28 footer and I have 6 divers, doubles, rebreathers, stages, bailouts, deco bottles, and sometimes scooters on it every weekend. Plus a large cooler and lots of oxygen. It isn't cluttered at all.
Sounds like it is just poorly organized if your need a 32' cat to take out 4 divers.

 

[Pressurehead]

the worst boats I have ever ran in a quartering following sea.

If you have people that say "I have never been sea sick'', there is plenty of them, the above sea state has set that straight for most of them.
I have never thrown up, but been as green as a cabbage in the above.
Back on topic, sorry.

My charter boat is a 28 footer and I have 6 divers, doubles, rebreathers, stages, bailouts, deco bottles, and sometimes scooters on it every weekend. Plus a large cooler and lots of oxygen. It isn't cluttered at all.

Also green with envy with the boats some here have.