Travel Luggage Bags on Dive Boats? Are You Crazy?

[Al Mialkovsky]

I keep telling you all over and over, bring food. I am not trying to be cute here.

or look good right?

 

[pilot fish]

Honestly, PF, I know all the captains and do whatever I want. How do ya like that?
On vacation, I bring them lunch. Yes, I am a pain on the boat and I freely admit it. I have to compensate. The really big guy on the plane, usually tries harder to be a good seatmate, I have noticed.

and, I bring my own rinse bucket. Move over, Rover! On the flip side, I check ALL gear and just travel with my pillow and blanky. So...on a plane with me, you're lucky, on a boat ,SOL.

I might have to deep six your big rolly, then keel haul you. Just becaue those Hawaii Capt's spoil you is no reason for the rest of the boart to do it too.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Well, yeah, sure, if you are diving in the Artic, any form of Polar ice diving, then whatever you need to bring is fine. I'm sure they are prepared for that, and recommend that. This is about Caribbean ,warm water diving where you don't need to bring your LDS with you in a steamer trunk on wheels.

Well ... sure ... we all consider the "norms" relative to the type of diving we do. Although it's obvious to some as soon as you start talking about "mesh bags" that you're discussing warm-water diving (they're pretty much useless here) ... it would've helped if you'd have said so.

Here in Puget Sound, almost everyone schleps their gear down to the boat in some kind of hard or soft type of wheeled duffel ... we need a lot more gear to dive in 46 degree water than you do in the tropics ... and the boats are generally built to accommodate our needs. On the smaller boats, they'll sometimes have you unpack your duffel, stow the gear in bins under the benches, then lash the duffels on the deck forward of the cabin or someplace else out of the way. The larger boats are generally built with a center "console" where you can store them.

I don't think you'd have enjoyed one of our recent outings, where we had 10 sets of doubles ... 17 stage bottles ... and 4 scooters. That doesn't even take into account all the photography gear, rinse buckets, and save-a-dive kits on board. It got a bit crowded ... and we all still had a wonderful time ...

It's all a matter of perspective ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[nauidiver2004]

If the stuff fits on the boat... who really cares if it's hard, soft, semi-soft, Louis Vitton, rubber-maid, or other. REALLY?

Well, no one really. I think the point was that often on smaller boats where the schedule calls for warm water rec dives and divers are crammed in to the gills that these huge bags take up a lot of room and that usually the people who bring them aboard are oblivious of the difficulty they cause. Many of us were guilty of this at first and have chosen to alter our cargo carrying techniques to improve stoage ability aboard for both ourselves and other divers.

I suppose there are two types of 'big baggers'. Those who don't know, and those who just don't give a s--t.

 

[Cacia]

PF, I want to make you a personal challenge. You and I, are only allowed to post once an hour per thread. So, choose carefully. If you break the rule, you have to stay in Whine and Cheese...for a week.

 

[nauidiver2004]

Shouldn't have to be figured out, per say. It should be clear and concise. Just like I let the DM know when booking where I am at in my diving and any requirments I may have. Meaning if the point was to start a thread for useful information than leave the extra bits out.

Are you applying for a moderator job or something?

 

[pilot fish]

Do you tip the DM and/or crew - do you pay for your trip? Do you NOT complain about the performance of the crew or the DM? Then you're a good customer I am sure. I have never heard anyone have a concern for what kind of luggage they bring on the boat, in all honesty... But maybe I don't dive as much as other people.

Howarde, there are some boats that might not take you with all the gear you seem to require. Not sure where you dive but being considerate to other divers is key

 

[pilot fish]

I keep telling you all over and over, bring food. I am not trying to be cute here.

How about a side of beef, you carnivore?

 

[wardric]

Can we bet on it catherine

 

[HowardE]

Howarde, there are some boats that might not take you with all the gear you seem to require. Not sure where you dive but being considerate to other divers is key

I dive in Florida about 10-20 times per month. I have also been to many other places. As I said... I carry my gear, and my wifes gear (I never have a buddy problem) we have Dry Suits, Clothes, BC's and Camera Equipment. Most of the boats we dive with welcome us back, and know us by name. We even get great discounts, since we're such valued customers.

As for being considerate of other divers. I am very considerate towards everyone. I am sharing of snacks at SI, and always there to help someone switch a tank if the DM is busy. I have helped make gear repairs, and I also show visitors around on our favorite reef sites.

If there's a boat that won't take me with the gear I require, then I would find another boat.