Getting My Gear Ready

[GOTCHUM]

Well, I started getting the fever again a few weeks ago.  The guys at work have been talking about getting wet and spearing some fish. I got home last week and saw my gear bag sitting all alone in the corner (been there since November).  After looking at it for a few minutes, I went over and opened it up and started checking out all my gear.  Every thinged look like it was in order, so next it was the spearguns' turn.  I found some bad bands on a few of them, this calls for a trip to the LDC.  He had some of the bands I needed, others had to be ordered.  Well the ordered bands came in and everything seemed to be in order.  Something was being forgotten,  didn't know what I was missing.  Then it hit me I DONT HAVE A BOAT TO DIVE FROM ANYMORE.  Last year I was able to catch a ride with my friends,
borrow a boat,or catch a charter trip.  While these methods can be great(and usually are), nothing is like having your own rig. So my wife and I have decided to get another boat.  We have found one that we like and plan to buy it this week.  It is a 38' sportfish with dive platform, and plent of storage room to keep the tanks from rolling, bumping, and cluttering the deck.  It will probably burn some fuel, but with generator, heat and air, shower, toilet, and sleeping quarters, we plan to make a few over night trips.  I think this will save on so much running when we go several days in a row anyway.  Anyone interested in making a few trips with us this summer send me a PM and lets talk about it.   Ricky

[frankc420]

Wow, that's a huge boat!  How many will it sleep?

[GOTCHUM]

Hey Frank,

It sleeps six,  I will be working on it for the next few months and should have it ready before the water gets as warm as I like it.  I am running down all the wiring, have an open ground somewhere.  I am also having the fuel tanks repaired and tested.  I'll let you know when I get it together.

[frankc420]

Sounds like a lot of fun to me!  What kind of expense splitting are you looking toward?  Gas splitting?  Food?

How many tanks do you think she will hold?  That is the biggest factor for a multi day dive trip!  Oh, and do you have speargun racks?  That would be the cheapest food yet!

If there is anything you need for the boat let me know, I can get items at cost from a shop I work with.

[kylo1597]

i have access to a portable gasoline dive tank compressor so overnight trips and tank racks wouldnt be an issue  

[soup]

I could be game for a weekend trip myself, and can help fund the expenses.

I don't spear as of yet, but it has been thought about.

Keep me in mind as well once the warmer water hits.

[GOTCHUM]

I am having some new fuel tanks built this weekend,  the wife is refinnishing the teak.  I still have several weeks of "tinkering" to do.  I am going to build some below deck tank racks,  looks like i can safely store 8 to 10 down there. This thing is supposed to burn round 1 to 1.5 MPG at 18mph  with a top speed of 33 @ .65 MPG.  I'm not sure if this is correct since I've yet to take it for a spin, Might get to go run her in a few weeks.  I'll keep you guys posted.

[frankc420]

Wow that's a gas sucker!  

Lets assume a 2 day trip, assume 200 miles round trip, 133 gallons of fuel, estimate gas to be $2.75/gal during the summer, $366 for fuel.  Assume 4-6 divers?  $91 a head for 2 days of diving plus tanks for 4 divers.   Make it a 3 day trip and get kilo to bring along his compressor and life is great!  

How much fuel will she hold anyway?

[kylo1597]

That's not really that bad fuel mileage, the 28' pro kat we shoot off of has twin 225 yamaha 4 strokes and gets about 1mpg at 30 to 35 mph. She'll do 40 loaded with 6 shooters and heavy gear.

[anthony5819]

This sounds good to me. I don't mind helping with any expenses. Gas are anything else that there is. Haven't been spearing yet either but have a new gun that really needs to get wet. Hey Frank, where are you getting gas for 2.75 a gal.

[frankc420]

Gas is between $2.40 and $2.60 here lately in my area... what is it down there?

[anthony5819]

It's around 2.85, south La. is 2.90. I don't know but its probably pretty high around gulf shores area.

[GOTCHUM]

New tanks are nearly done. The old tanks were 100 gallons each and aluminum,  new tanks are stainless and hold 149 gallons each.

[kylo1597]

any updates?  i'll be making my third spearin trip this year on friday.  Fourchon of course, oil is too bad here

[GOTCHUM]

Kyle,

  I have the tanks finished and am currently rebuilding the port engine.  I noticed a slight miss and found a bad cam lobe.  We deciided to go ahead and rebuild the engine.  Back in april we took the boat to Petie Bouy Island and made a dive to survey the bottom and only found 3 barnicles and a little slime.  Since the bottom looked so good we'll wait to fall to do a haul up.  She should be ready to go in mid-late June.  The dang oil spill is horrible, I am set to go to Marathon Key at the end of july to dive for lobster during the mini-season,  hope the oil gets stopped so not to ruin that to.