Where to get regs serviced? Who to dive with?

[Coll]

Hi all,

As some of you may know I just recently moved down to San Diego and have been exploring the scuba scene. It is that time of year however, where I need to get my regulators serviced. Does anyone have a recommended shop that is reliable, cheap and fast? I live in Mission Hills which is like 4 blocks up from the airport so a shop close-ish would be nice. The regulators should be pretty easy to work on, they are:

Set one:
1st Stage: US Divers Conshelf 21
Octo: Aqualung U.S. Divers
Regulator: U.S. Divers Conshelf 21
SPG: Sherwood

Set two:
1st Stage: Cressi EN 250 XS2
Regulator: Cressi XS2
Octo: Cressi XS2
SPG: Sherwood


On a side note... I would like to get out on some boat diving so I was wondering if anyone could recommend their favorite charter boat? I'm looking to go local like kelp beds or Catalina. My gf/dive buddy has never dove off a boat so preferably one that is accomodating to beginners and of course.... cheap.

Thanks so much for your help everyone!! Happy diving!!

 

[fnfalman]

I don't know of too many boats from San Diego that go to Catalina on a regular basis because it's a pretty long haul. The Humboldt has reputation to be a very nice dive boat down San Diego way. Much to my regrets, I haven't done any San Diego diving yet. A few months back I was ready to go to Wreck Alley and caught a flu.

 

[Ann Marie]

I love going out on the Lois Ann. I haven't been on the Humbolt though and look forward to diving with that boat soon.

+1 on that if you want to go to Catalina, you'll probably need to drive up north to catch a dive boat out of Long Beach. Too long a haul to get to from San Diego. Sometimes, the boats will allow you to sleep on them the night before (then you don't have to wake before the crack of dawn to get there).

 

[dpbishop]

Dive Connections : Scuba Diving San Diego - Dive Boats - Scuba Tours - Daily Boat Dives - Dive Connections Inc. San Diego CA Home Page has been e-mailing 2 for 1 offers on the week ends, they do Wreck Alley, the Kelp Beds and the Coronados.

 

[Teamcasa]

I love going out on the Lois Ann. I haven't been on the Humbolt though and look forward to diving with that boat soon.

+1 on that if you want to go to Catalina, you'll probably need to drive up north to catch a dive boat out of Long Beach. Too long a haul to get to from San Diego. Sometimes, the boats will allow you to sleep on them the night before (then you don't have to wake before the crack of dawn to get there).

I could not say anymore.
The Lois Ann is a very good op and ditto on making a visit to Catalina (hint see my signature line) will welcome you to SoCal diving at it's best.

I also agree that diving Wreck Alley, the Kelp Beds and the Coronados should be on the top of your to-dive list.