Any divers out there?

[Talbot]

Yes I know the one shown was the electric one, and you really need the petrol version, but I only had time for a quick search and that was the only picture. I figured people would be savvy enough to be able to recognise that the electric one would not be very suitable for you unless you have a mega generator onboard (which some do!)

[Talbot]

I seem to recall a company in US that sells a small diesel engine that powers both a generator or a compressor (combined unit) dont remember the company but suggest a google may find this as it may answer your needs.

[GordMay]

An “Un-Loading” valve should greatly reduce the starting load on the compressor driver.
There are a number of diesel driven portable/marine dive compressors available.

“OSPREY” - Dive Compressor-Generator
Diesel driven 140 Amp generator (6 HP Kubota) with a Bauer Jr II - 4.2 CFM Compressor (36.5" x 16" x 19.5)
http://www.watermakerstore.com/Gener...l#OspreyAnchor
http://www.watermakerstore.com/Gener...enerators.html
http://www.watermakerstore.com/Gener...spreyFlyer.pdf
There’s also a larger, diesel driven Bauer “Capitano II-D”
The Watermaker Store
1273 Scott Street • San Diego, CA 92106
Tel: 619-226-2622
Fax: 619-226-1077
E-mail Dory Thompson at: dory@watermakerstore.com
Web: http://www.watermakerstore.com/

and

“MAKO” - D-Series (uses Honda or Yanmar Diesel)
http://www.airsource-one.com/D_series.html

[RandyAbernethy]

I had the same thoughts about electric. Not too excited about gas either. The Max Air max 90 comes in a diesel version but it lists for $7,694 and weighs a little over 300 pounds. Given the anti-corrosion needs on a boat my initial investigation points to Brownie's (Bauer based units) as the only turn key manufacturer of a truly sailboat worthy rig. Bauer seems well respected but is less owner maintainable, might require more tweaking to get the necessary level of corrosion resistance and offers less automation (read more standard maintenance). These are the units under $10K (some as low as $3K) that I have found.

Brownie's
http://www.tankfill.com/compressors/index.shtm
From what I can tell this outfit sells compressors based on Bauer units but with significant modifications designed to automate filling, simplify maintenance and ruggedize the systems for a marine environment.
Yacht Pro YP25DF
http://www.tankfill.com/compressors/YPMedium.shtm
- Electric with digital frequency drive limiting draw to 10 amps on single phase systems and 6 amps on 3 phase systems
- 3 SCFM
- Weight: 125 Lbs
- Marinized with stainless steel plumbing and non-corrosive parts throughout, all the way down to the mounting frame
MB25SU
http://www.tankfill.com/compressors/MB.shtm
- 3 SCFM
- Weight: 82 Lbs
- Marinized with stainless steel plumbing and non-corrosive parts throughout, all the way down to the mounting frame


Bauer
http://www.bauercomp.com/norfolk/bre...cubadiving.htm
None of these compressors are designed for extended exposure to a marine environment.
Junior II-E
- Can be operated directly off of an existing Diesel Generator
http://onsitepower.com.au/products/marine/dc482m.htm
- 2.9 SCFM
- Weight: 90 �E130 pounds
Junior II-D
- 3.9 SCFM
- 4 Hp Yanmar Diesel
- Weight 111 pounds
Mariner II
- 8 Hp Yanmar Diesel
- 8.4 SCFM
- Weight: 278 Lbs


Also see Bil Dietrich's GeoCities page "Diving, especially from a cruising sailboat" with a log from various mailing list (very helpful).
http://www.geocities.com/bill_dietrich/Diving.html

[GordMay]

Randy:
Thanks for your practical evaluations, and the excellent references.
Good stuff!
Gord

[CaptainK]

Hey everybody,

I always wanted to learn how to dive. You don't have to be a proficient swimmer. Right? Cause I heard, part of the diving outfit (equipment) has a ballast vest? I believe that was correct?
And what are all the things one must do. In order to be just a diver? Are there certificates involved here? Is there a card (license) involved here?
I just wanted to ask these questions.

Regards,

Kevin
CaptainK

[Sunspot Baby]

Certified Diver since 1977. Certifications with BSAC, NAUI, and PADI. Active PADI instructor from 1982 to 1992. Sad to say, but my Master Diver card is probably older than you are, but getting old beats the alternative. Cruising and diving go together very well. We cruised the Bahamas the last two winter/fall periods. Don’t get as many dives in as dreamed but frequency is increasing.

Sunspot Baby

[CaptainK]

I just turned 38. Does that answer your question?

[GordMay]

There are several different certification organizations: PADI, NAUI, etc, who all belong to the Recreational Scuba Training Council (RSTC), the association responsible for setting the minimum requirement for diving safety in the United States.
RSTC ~ http://www.wrstc.com/

PADI ~ http://www.padi.com/
Professional Association of Diving Instructors
The world's largest professional diving association. Its member instructors, assistant instructors, divemasters and dive stores maintain high industry standards.

NAUI ~ http://www.naui.org/
National Association of Underwater Instructors
This is a must site to keep current on all aspects of diving. They offer all levels of certification.

ACUC ~ http://www.acuc.es/
American Canadian Underwater Certification
The American Canadian Underwater Certifications, Inc., also known as ACUC International, is an international leader in high quality sport diver training. They teach all levels of recreational scuba diving, from basic Scuba Diver to Instructor Evaluator.

IDEA ~ http://www.idea-scubadiving.com/
International Diving Educators Association
IDEA offers a complete continuing education program, beginning with skin diver through instructor Trainer. A variety of specialty courses are also available for both students and instructors.

PDIC ~ http://www.pdic-intl.com
Professional Diving Instructors Corporation
The Professional Diving Instructors Corporation (PDIC) is an international SCUBA training and certification agency. All levels of certification are available.

[CaptainK]

So let me get this straight.

If I wanted to learn about diving. I what. Go to a diving shop? Do diving shops have schools?

Fill me in!!

Kevin
CaptainK

[cyclepro]

Kevin, yes, you need to prove that you are a good swimmer and yes, you probably can sign up at any diveshop for classes - here is a link to one in your area.

Most of these shops will rent you the gear (tanks, weightbelt and wetsuit) but you'll have to buy your mask/snorkel and fins.

Good luck and have fun - there is a whole other world out there and it can be beautiful

[Lightfin]

Did Discover Scuba 3 years ago at Cooper Island in BVI's; loved it.

Six months later got Open Water certification in Belize from Grumpy and Happy in San Pedro (great instructors and a super place).

Have done dives since then in Keys and in BVI's; would like to get Advanced certification soon.

When I certified years ago, they required that you swim a certain number of laps in a pool on the first day of class. It was enough that if you are not in shape you would not make it. May not be the same everywhere. The vest is a BCD, (Bouyancy Control Device), but it is not a life vest for weak swimmers, it is designed to adjust your bouyancy at different depths to remain nuetrally bouant. The technich of your swimming ability is not an issue, but you have to be in fairly good shape to dive. Just lugging the gear in and out of the surf, or pulling yourself into an inflateabe requires a certain level of fitness. Not trying to discourage anyone, but by the time you squeeze into a tight wet suit, strap on a 60#tank, buckle on 20 or 30# weight belt, and try to carry fins into rolling surf, it is time for a nap.
Oh, and if you want a real experience, put on the gear you usually dive in saltwater with, and jump into fresh water. Great way to loose a weight belt.

[jimini]

Been diving for eight years; certified technical four years ago in Utila, Honduras. Trained through PADI. Rating is classified as TEC/REC. Longest dive 165' for one and half hours... deepest dive 211'. Trained in Decompression Diving; 100% O2 Deco; Adv. Nitrox Deco; Gas Planning; Deep Water Rescue.

Hoping to complete Trimix within the next year...

jimini®

[salty_dog_68]

the whole family(wife, kids, brother) is ssi or padi certified. i got into sailing and diving about the same time(age 15). in my 20's i owned a ski boat and went wake boarding almost every w/end but did not dive much. i figured i would dive when i got older since it is less "physically demanding."

so, in my 30's i bought a cc/open fish to do some diving from(it is a sea ray laguna and i swear that it was designed for diving more than fishing based on the layout). apparently i had forgotten how physically demanding it was to carry around all that gear; because now it takes me 2 days to recover from a day of diving. but that does not stop me from diving almost every w/end when weather permits.

so, now i am pushing 40 and am only a few days away from living out my dream. we are about to purchase a pearson 42 and plan to live-aboard/cruise/dive. this has been my motivation for going to college and busting my butt all these years. what could be better than sailing off to far away and exotic places, meeting new and interesting people, then spearing their fish.

smooth sailing,
ep

p.s. i am interested in any info, thoughts, comments on portable hooka systems.

p.s.s. anyone want to buy a sea ray laguna?