SCUBA from a center console

[smanni]

I am a day away from being done my NAUI cert and already have the advanced class on the books. I have several very experienced people that will go out with us. The planis to dive when we cant or dont want to head offshore.

Is it possible to do this from a larger CC. I have a 33' HS Vector with trips.
I know I would need a large over the gunnel ladder, which shouldnt be a problem - but how would I secure all the tanks. The other gear will stow easily butthe tanks are a bit of a concern. I think my 33 Bertram might have been better suited for diving, but I hope Im wrong.

Does anyone else dive from a larger CC?

[thataway]

Put in racks for the air tanks. CC are used for diving by many people and make good platforms. You can get transom ladders or ladders used from the swim step. I dove from an 18 footer for many years on the West coast.

[smanni]

Originally Posted by thataway

Put in racks for the air tanks. CC are used for diving by many people and make good platforms. You can get transom ladders or ladders used from the swim step. I dove from an 18 footer for many years on the West coast.

Transom ladder wont work with the (3) 250hp engines on back. I guess I could get one angled on the corner as long as it was removeable (as opposed to just fold up)- then we could come in through the transom door.

[Cmann]

If you dont want to have permanent stuff rigged.....use something like this...you need to have the tanks from rolling around.....the rest is fun. you can even set up your gear at the dock, lay into these and be ready once your on site.

http://www.diveprodivegear.com/m8_vi...?m8:item=37305

[usmarinekurt]

I put my tanks in the fish boxes . add some cushioning
prepare to be pissed at dummies for leaving marks/ bumps on your boat

[TwentyFourSeven]

I dive out of my boat easily. Dont try to climb back in the boat with your gear on and you can use your transom ladder no problem. I take my BC of in the water and tie it to a dock line.

[bradv]

We used an over the gunnel ladder on my buddies 26 and it worked just fine. We use the foam half circle holders or roll control if you have room or space you can put them.

[lpurcell]

Granted it is a smaller boat, but when we dove out of a 21' Whaler we had a tank rack set on the deck just in front of the console. It was one of those heavy gauge wire racks (like a six pack) and was screwed to the front of the console with a couple of quick connect brackets (loosen a few knobs and it was removable). It kept the tanks vertical and since it was near the center of the boat, they were pretty stable.

[kerno]

I am on my 7th boat rigged primarily for diving. It, like all 6 of the boats before it, is a center console - which is my preferred configuration. With 6 divers and their gear, no other style of hull provides enough deck space for all the gear as well as suiting up. I insist that all the tanks have boots on them and I use stern ladders for boarding. I hang a line off both stern cleats with a weight on the end. The lines have gear clips and hang down 25 feet to accommodate both the first and second deco stops. Once you use them, you won't go out without them.

Here are a few shots: First, the boat in the water:



Here's a shot of one of the ladders. There is one on both sides.



Here's my favorite kind of tank rack which is made by Roll Control. I've laid out one of the deco lines on the deck. Three big clips on the line handle everything from scooters to goody bags..

[jrolin1]

Nice setup Kerno!

[Prop Blast]

It's easy...

Tank storage can be done several ways:

1. Racks like Kerno has.

2. Laydown tank holders -- these are styrofoam with rope between.

3. Removeable rack that affixes to your leaning post. Birdsall Marine makes these custom for your leaning post for approx $200.

I use #2 & 3.

We enter the water doing backrolls from the cockpit. After surfacing, we remove our BCDs & weights, fins; then exit the water using the swim platform on the port side of the transom.

If you have a Euro transom, I'm sure there's a ladder mounting bracket there somewhere. If not, there's room. Just buy the kit from Armstrong Marine.

PB

PB