What bag to bring on a boat?

[ciera kid]

Picked up a bag while in the Keys a year ago at a local dive shop, fins go in pockets on the sides, pouch on the front, compartment is huge, big enough for wet suit, BCD, mask, skin, towel, carries with handle or wear like a back pack...............very boat friendly bag......

 

[Bobyjimmie]

I use my old C-bag from the military, its big green and made of water resistant canvas. Why do I use this bag? because i already owned it. I am looking to get a new bag that has wheels and a handle because that is a common sight on the dive boats locally (the kind where you bring your own tanks and weights). But I would still use a bag i can fold up and shove under a seat when im at a resort like I have or like these guys above are recommending. If you can fold up your duffle, then its plenty small.

P.S. Dont worry about what you look like, its a myth that every diver out there has the coolest gear in the world. People dive because they can and love it so if they cant afford the best of the best but can get wet using what they got, they will.

 

[Parysa]

Akona Mesh Duffel Bag-Akona Mesh Duffel-Akona AKB-704 Mesh Duffel $20.

 

[Noob@40]

I'm a good ol' Canadian Boy. I use my hockey bag.
It has lots of room, folds for storage and drains through eyelets in the bottom.
It is also tough as nails and sports my favorite beer logo.

 

[paulw]

I use a mesh backpack and like the others just dunk the whole bag, the back pack makes it a lot easier for me to haul my gear. Note: if you must leave after diving the water drips down your back and leg and ahhh.. well it dont look right.:sorry19z:

 

[RJP]

Thanks. Looks like I'll be getting a mesh bag.

The large Stahlsac mesh bag fits my fins, mask, boots, wetsuit, BP, and wing. No problem. I have carried it on planes to WPB several times with no trouble. (OK, the TSA always checks everything out umpteen times, esp the plate, but other than that no worries.)

 

[Tom Winters]

I use a Rubbermaid plastic tub - one fo those things you get at Wal-Mart. After I unload it, for some reason, most of the other people on the boat put their towels in it.
I used to use a big plastic tub that I got from Costco. This was good if two of us were going. I don't even own a gear bag anymore except for an old red Dacor herculite bag that I bought in 1982 or so.
When I get home, I just fill the tub to rinse everything.

 

[Bob Vincent]

Mesh ....Mesh ....Mesh. Did I say mesh? The last word on bags for on boats. Just enough size to hold your reg (computer,SPG etc) BC, mask, fins snorkel, defog, shorty or skin, boots, gloves & what ever your going to dive with leave the big bag. (make sure you have xtra O rings on your valve protector string).

No smell. Drains and drys quickly. Can put the entire thing in a rinse tank. This is the way to go.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

I'm glad you asked. Lot's of divers like to use hard sided containers like Rubbermaid Action Packers and such. But on a boat, doing so is considered rude. Space is just too limited on a boat to try and store hard sided bins.

The answer to your question depends on the circumstances. Such as, are you on a day-boat, or live-aboard? Are you in cold water or warm water?

For day-boats, some kind of mesh bag is best. It allows the air to circulate around your equipment so it doesn't mildew. The size of the mesh bag depends on whether you are in cold water or warm. In cold water, you'll need a much bigger bag. In warm water, you can get away with a smaller bag.

You also will want to take a "dry bag." A bag that is water-resistant to keep stuff dry. The size of this is also dependant on the circumstances. On a boat in Cozumel, you probably only need a bag big enough to keep a towel and dry shirt. If you are diving in Canada, you may want a bag big enough to protect a complete change of warm clothing.

Something like this would be good for larger amounts of gear: Akona Mesh Boat Duffel Bag (AKB514) from LeisurePro.com
Or on a tropical boat: Stahlsac Bonaire Deluxe Mesh Dry Backpack. (WD16) from LeisurePro.com