Warm weekend 18-19 APR 09 - who's diving where?
- Thread starter fnfalman
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OP
fnfalman
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FishNut
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Dude that's really funny.
Billy
Sorry have to agree with Billy on this one..... It was anything but that the last few times i was on that boat, thought maybe the first time i was just a fluke and they where all having a bad day went on it two more times and had the same service!
Also you don't have to use their tanks. They don't have a compressor on board but if you ask to use your own tanks they will let you
Empty V
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garrett58
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spent saturday on the raptor.beutiful conditions out at the islands virtually no current.
we got to dive west end arch which is rarly dived.had a great time met fnfalguy and his bright yellow suit[very nice to meet you fn]
i dont see what the beef is with the raptor boat and crew. i have been on the boat a few times never had any problems .they get you out there pretty fast anchor and say theres the water go for it. what else do you need. i have also been on the spectre many times and it was all good.
we got to dive west end arch which is rarly dived.had a great time met fnfalguy and his bright yellow suit[very nice to meet you fn]
i dont see what the beef is with the raptor boat and crew. i have been on the boat a few times never had any problems .they get you out there pretty fast anchor and say theres the water go for it. what else do you need. i have also been on the spectre many times and it was all good.
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OP
fnfalman
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orangelion03
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I spent both days on PEACE with the REEF CHECK crew. Topside conditions were outstanding both days. Saturday was spent at Cathedral Gardens...over 30ft visibility. Cruised over to Santa Cruz in the afternoon for our overnight anchorage and night dive (cant recall the exact site). Sunday's dives were at Yellow Banks, but the viz was a gritty 10 feet or so...felt lucky that my drysuit sprung a leak on the first dive so I didnt feel compelled to make the rest of the dives. Easy cruise home. Kudos as always to Eric, Steve, Kevin, Joe, and Paul. Love the Peace (yes Billy, maybe more than the Spectre!)
As for Raptor...I've been on it three times, the last time for free. If you are in a hurry and absolutely have to be back on the dock in the afternoon, then this is your boat. No amenities at all. Weak food (I suggest bringing your own) and a crew that is way too eager to get you in and out of the water. And call me an old fart, but I like to have a comfortable place to sit or lie down during my trips in and out or during my surface interval (one common complaint is that they are often in such a hurry, that you feel a little rushed when it comes to that SI).
As for Raptor...I've been on it three times, the last time for free. If you are in a hurry and absolutely have to be back on the dock in the afternoon, then this is your boat. No amenities at all. Weak food (I suggest bringing your own) and a crew that is way too eager to get you in and out of the water. And call me an old fart, but I like to have a comfortable place to sit or lie down during my trips in and out or during my surface interval (one common complaint is that they are often in such a hurry, that you feel a little rushed when it comes to that SI).
Empty V
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No one is doubting your experiences. If you don't mind a boat that's called a "kidney buster" because the ride out is incredibly uncomfortable and passenger comfort is definitely not a concern of theirs, speed is their only concern, then by all means go for it. If you don't mind a 45min gate time and being threatened of forfeiting the 3rd dive if you go over, then that by all means visit the raptor. If you don't mind a boat that had a gash in the hull due to lack of captain experience and running it up on the rocks at Anacapa AND "supposedly"(from what I heard possibly only be a rumor) the repair is not structurally sound, then by all means give them more of your money.
I applaud you for being a daredevil and extremely tolerant. Those are 2 traits I do not posses when it comes to giving a dive-op my money.
Billy
OP
fnfalman
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Their speed is no different than the speeds of the Sea Bass or the Sundiver Express. All of these little boats haul ass and don't have a lot of room for amenities. You trade comfort for speed.
And I don't know about this 45-minutes gate time. They told us to go and have fun but think about coming back to the boat by around 1-hr time. I don't know about you, but most recreational divers don't stay much past 30-minutes in the California water. We never felt rush, everything were well organized. The sandwiches were not as good as the hot grubs from the Spectre or the Peace (no food from any boat has yet the Peace's gourmet chef but that's another story), but the soup was spectacular and there were plenty of snacks & drinks. They got hangers for us to hang up our dive suits and milk cartons for us to hold other essential gears while they offered to keep our dive bags at the shop and would bring these bags down to the dock upon returning of the boat. It made for a very clean and tidy deck.
As far as running into rock, the Sea Bass almost ran into the break wall one time at full speed during a foggy morning. Haven't deterred me yet from going back to the Sea Bass since that day.
If you don't like the Raptor, that's your prerogative. Thus far, I'm happy with their services. If that were to change in the future then I'll say so.
And I don't know about this 45-minutes gate time. They told us to go and have fun but think about coming back to the boat by around 1-hr time. I don't know about you, but most recreational divers don't stay much past 30-minutes in the California water. We never felt rush, everything were well organized. The sandwiches were not as good as the hot grubs from the Spectre or the Peace (no food from any boat has yet the Peace's gourmet chef but that's another story), but the soup was spectacular and there were plenty of snacks & drinks. They got hangers for us to hang up our dive suits and milk cartons for us to hold other essential gears while they offered to keep our dive bags at the shop and would bring these bags down to the dock upon returning of the boat. It made for a very clean and tidy deck.
As far as running into rock, the Sea Bass almost ran into the break wall one time at full speed during a foggy morning. Haven't deterred me yet from going back to the Sea Bass since that day.
If you don't like the Raptor, that's your prerogative. Thus far, I'm happy with their services. If that were to change in the future then I'll say so.
I can't believe you said that for shame. Don't get me wrong I like the Peace also but the Spectre is my favorite boat.
John
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