Why not a Boat dive?

[mccabejc]

I heard the same thing, but on the phone they seemed very nice, no mention of a charge for gear. The last time I took the 6:15 to Catalina a few months ago there were probably 80% divers on board with all their gear, and most had tanks. They had two folks waiting at the storage area to help load your gear. Maybe they just want the divers to take the early boat so that they don't get in the way of all the folks on the packed later boats.

The good thing about the early boat was that it seemed like it was only about 25% full, so you could spread out and relax. The later boats get packed and booked early, but I had no problem getting reservations less than a week in advance for the 6:15.

 

[ryanarcher]

Thanks for the info - some day we'll have to get a group to get over there for a dive...or a dive day as the case may be.

 

[dazedone]

You say that like it is a bad thing.

I love boat diving, but my wallet and wife do not.

Now about those 4 S’s.

Stairs - good aerobic work out with an ocean view, an don't forget the bikini's too . (of course on many of my dives that ain’t no stinking stairs, just goat trail and cliff. :icon10: )
Sand – Well, you may have a point there.
Surf – Not a problem. Just a matter of timing.
Surface Swim – relaxing on your back, good conversation and a little flutter kick while you swim out. Good cardio workout. Beats the stair master or tread mill in a gym any time.

There are worse things like the 3W’s
Waist line, Work, and wait for a spot on a boat to open up.
Why throw money away at a health club when you can have all that exercise and a dive for only the cost of an air fill.

In short, beach diving beats a gym membership and has lots of health benefits. Shore diving offers flexible schedules and if the vis is bad, your not out anything but a little time, and air.

But, seriously, I do enjoy the occasional boat dive.

That's whay I like diving with you, Mel. You take the things that look like negatives and turn them in to positives.

 

[widebody50]

Are the high speed boats helpful with your gear? I have heard that some of the Catalina boats were charging more for SCUBA gear and some not allowing tanks or weights.

My wife and I went to Catalina this past weekend on the Catalina Express out of Long Brach/Queen Mary. The price was the same for divers and non-divers. You can bring one tank, and you have to carry your weights yourself onboard. You get one big bag and one carryon per person. Our gear was stowed on the first passenger level behind the inboard row of seats. There was no "hold" inside the boat for baggage. Overall, it was an excellent experience. We rented tanks and weights at the casino. $10 for a tank, and $5 per refill. $5 for weights. It was GREAT not having to shlep tanks and weights for a change! I believe the policy is the same for all of the Cat Express locations. The ride cost us $47.50 each, and I think it's $49.50 out of Dana Point.

Check it out here:
http://www.catalinacruises.com

If it's next month, maybe we can join you going to Catalina. Right now we are saving up some mad money for our trip to La Paz the first weekend in September. In the mean time, we could do another beach dive at LJ Shores, or even the cove.

Rich

 

[CHUD]

one more reason is when the vis is poor,there goes your $

...unless you pull anchor and move to another site. And then you get to go down two or three more times. Ya gotta love an onboard compressor.

 

[ChrisM]

I love boat diving.

I love beach diving (hard to dive Little Farnsworth, or Eagle's Nest, or West End off the beach )

'sall good.

BTW, when you add it all up, Casino Point trip is just about a boat trip.... $10 parking (LB $9, Pedro $11, average), $8 round trip luggage, 47.50 ferry fee, $10 lunch, $3 ice cream cone $10 tank + 2-3 $5 fills.... You're looking at $98 or so.... GReat Escape open boat is $95 all in.......

Chris

 

[ryanarcher]

In the mean time, we could do another beach dive at LJ Shores, or even the cove.

Rich

There is a group of us going out tonight (Wed) from the shores at 6:30pm.

 

[widebody50]

There is a group of us going out tonight (Wed) from the shores at 6:30pm.

Sounds really good...as I reaad this at 6:33! DOH!!!!!

 

[voln]

Though not if I have to trek to SD from LA... sorry! My gripe with Casino Point is not the 4 S's, but the more than 4 people - it gets far too crowded at weekends!

 

[Xanthro]

I'm up for a boat trip, however, I'm already booked on 9/18.

Xanthro