Join DiveBuddy.com

Meet new scuba divers, maintain a virtual dive log, participate in our forum, share underwater photos, research dive sites and more. Members login here.

#622
Buying a boat
Matt65 - 9/02/2009 6:24 AM
Category: Equipment
Replies: 4

When searching for a personal boat for use primarilly as your own dive boat, that you and a few of your lucky dive buddies use to go to various dive sites, what styles of boat do you prefer? Or, what styles might you stay away from? Are there any particular features you want in a personal dive boat? Conversley, are there any feautres that you shy away from? What means do you use to search for your new / used boat? Word of mouth? News paper? Internet sites? Boat shops? New / used boat dealers? Once a boat purchase has been made, what then? Do you yourself do the fixing up / maintenance, or do you have a shop or other professional go over the boat and fix what ever needs repair? Thanks for your time in reading this, any comments or suggestions will certantly be appriciated!
#5471
DiveBuddyChgo - 9/02/2009 9:31 PM
A deep V with a flaired bow... High freeboard... Twin engine... And the most power that you can afford.. That’s just to start things off...
Mike B.
#1574
drifter12 - 9/03/2009 5:27 AM


I am a sailor but sail boats are not good for scuba diving If you are doing big water, (Great Lakes or Oceans) you want two engines in a cruiser or (my preference) a single diesel in a trawler type boat (slow but stable and economical.) - inboards so you can install a swim platform on the transom - Most any boat will get you out there, but consider getting on and off the boat with full gear. The boat also should have a roomy deck area, head, and all CG safety equipment. If it is a trailerable boat, you can do the work yourself, if you have to store it at a marina or yard - some will not let you perform the work on their property (Bunch of BS to make $$ in my opinion) Hope this helps a little - Dive safe !!
#3104
DeepAddiction - 9/03/2009 8:24 AM


Matt,


First off, their is no perfect boat that does everything perfectly. It looks like you you live in Central Nevada, so you will primarily be using it in lakes, not the ocean? That would make a huge diffierence in the type of hull I would purchase. It also make a HUGE difference in the power options I would pick. I fish offshore, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic. We routinely fo 50-75 miles offshore. Twin Engines are a must in my opinion, outboard or inboard is a personal preference a outboard of that size runs $15,000.00, so it makes a huge difference in the price tag and annual maintenence. I have a swim platform on my boat (25’ Center Console, Twin 150 Yamaha’s, Deep V Hull) your ladder makes a huge difference on how easy/difficult it is to enter you boat, especially in choppy seas, 2-4’ with full gear on. If you’re primarily using it inland in lakes, no way would I have twin engines (unless it’s the Great Lakes). If I had to purchase another boat today that would suit my diving better, I would seriously at Cat Style Hull. Tons of deck space, tons of storage over conventional hull designs. They aren’t as pretty in my opinion, they sure are functional. Don’t rush into it and attend a couple boat shows if you can, climb all over them and see for yourself.


Hope this helps! 
#222
Diving4Fun - 9/14/2009 8:35 AM


Prefer for diving- pontoonn with dive ladder :)


 


What I bought- 21’ Cabin Crusier with Chevy Big Block. Easy to get off with dive gear, but not so easy to get back on with minimal items on. Of course it is nice to pass those pontoons @ 68 MPH!