Diving off of the V

So I just got certified, I'm a GREEN open water diver as of this weekend. Great thing about the course is that the instructor allowed us to take the V out on the Gulf for the open water dive! She handled perfectly, made me want to take the for sale sign down.

I think there are a few divers on the board, I'd like to know of any tips you have for diving off of your V... tank placement while underway, swim platforms, etc. (Any diving tips overall would be helpful considering my lack of experience) I dove in the Marines, but minimally and not for pleasure.

I'm really considering keeping her after this weekend, I couldn't have been happier with the performance.

Thanks
Dan

[randlemanboater]

I am no diver, but I do love my V-20.

Why were you selling?

[TunaHead]

TunaHead in California here. *I just got my V a while ago and haven't gotten it in the water yet. *I am setting it up for diving as well as fishing. *I bought a used teak swim platform with rails on both sides and a drop-down step. *I bought it from these guys but you can probably get them from Flounder Pounder as well: ($75 + $15 shipping vs ~$150 new) http://www.shipwreckusedparts.com

With the swim platform installed this should be a fantastic dive platform with lots of open deck space for a few folks to get in/out of gear. *Just need to figure out what I am going to do for storage of tanks. *Lots of options out there for this but I want something removable. *I'll probably end up with a track system like these guys offer:
http://www.scubastorage.com

Thanks TunaHead, that rack system looks just right for my truck and the boat.

Randleman, I'm selling the boat for something larger.. I'd like a walkaround in the 26' range with dual power. Multiple reasons, but that seems to be a great fit for what I want to do. I wish I could keep the V and do it, just not in the cards at the moment.

Thanks guys.

[phatdaddy]

tunahead, i've got a similar rack system and love it. i mounted two racks on the splashwell by the door and two on the gunnells behind the pedistal seats. you can store2 tanks in the fishbox in the deck and 5 in the well in the cabin. i made a plywood insert that fits in the foward well and cut holes so an AL80w/boot would stand upright, works great also. than gives you storage for 11 tanks and usually we go with 4 divers and 2 tanks each

i also have he teak platform with 3 steps and i added a handicap rail i got from home depot. it really helps.

[msbhammer]

Dan,
Depends on what type of diving you are into. Diving with just a single alum. 80, The normal platform should be fine. When diving tec. with more then one tank, hammers, chissels, wreck reel, several lights, spare air, you want a wider platform along with a stronger platform. I have a X-Mas tree ladder so you can climb up with your fins on. A wider platform is good so you can turn around, take off your gear. I never liked taking my gear off in teh water then trying to lift my gear up out of the water and onto the boat. Its a real pain.
I would love a full platform bracket or something like this one pictured. Maybe one day in teh future. ;)

[msbhammer]

Here is my set up for now.

[Hammerhead]

I use the V-20 for free-diving up lobster. Works like a charm.

[msbhammer]

Dan, you must be in Fl. You using a tickle stick.
Us northern divers gotta go deeper, and our bugs have big claws that hurt. *;D

Originally Posted by MSBHAMMER

Dan,
Depends on what type of diving you are into. Diving with just a single alum. 80, The normal platform should be fine. When diving tec. with more then one tank, hammers, chissels, wreck reel, several lights, spare air, you want a wider platform along with a stronger platform. I have a X-Mas tree ladder so you can climb up with your fins on. A wider platform is good so you can turn around, take off your gear. I never liked taking my gear off in teh water then trying to lift my gear up out of the water and onto the boat. Its a real pain.
I would love a full platform bracket or something like this one pictured. Maybe one day in teh future. ;)

Thanks for the input Hammer, I was hoping you'd chime in with some advice. Due to the condition of my ladder I was forced to drop the gear in the water and haul it onboard. Luckily my girl is light enough so she can exit the water via the ladder without issue.

I like the idea of the christmas tree ladder, I may have to replace the current platform/ladder and add that to the mix.

Currently I'm only dropping in with one tank, no extra gear at all.. maybe a camera in the future but that's about it.

Thanks again for the input.

Dan