Dive Boat

[Maclyn]

I checked around the forums and didn't see anything that covered this...maybe I missed it. I've been looking for a boat for a couple months now and not really finding anything that I could afford (read extremely cheap). So I figure since I'm going to have to wait and save a lot more money I should get a little advice on wha tI need to be looking for to actually accomplish what I want instead of "gee wonder what's available that will mostly work..." I know a bit about basic mechanics and fabrication and I have more time than money so modifications are not out of the question...

With that in mind let me list what the boat would be used for and you can tell me what I need to look for.

I'm part of a group of scuba divers in OK nothing formal just 5 or 6 people sometimes less who get together and go dive the local lakes/rivers etc...what I want to get is a boat that is trailerable large enough to hold 6 people + gear and still be comfortable for at least all day(6 hours or better) on the water. as for where we would be mostly inland lakes and rivers with occasional pulls down to the gulf and goin out from the shore, probably no more than a mile(probably a lot less). As for the power plant I'm not sure about i/o vs outboard and what the advantages disadvantages of each are?

Like I said not a lot of idea here I was thinking a pontoon would work for us but then somone brought up the trips to the beach and I'm not sure about a pontoon on the ocean...even if it is just the gulf.

anyway The people here have more combined experiance and knowledge than much of anyone anywhere else so I figured what's it going to hurt to ask?

Thanks in advance.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Dive Boat

I would think a center consul with an outboard. This would give you a lot of room and be able to walk a round and theirs no inboard motor in the way.

A rib, inflatable boat with hard v hull and outboard are probably the best dive boat and you can go threw the ocean no problem. They can hold 10 time their own weight iv herd. My friend owns one and they are good anywhere especially in waves. They are expensive.
Matt

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Dive Boat

I don?t know how much scuba gear weights but you would have to account for it. Pontoon sounds like your best bet. Enough gear for six people for a whole day and scuba gear is going to weight quite a bit. There is V boats that could handle it but they are going to be pricey unless you buy a very old one.

 

[Maclyn]

Re: Dive Boat

say your average diver's gear including spare tanks is going to account for another 50-75 lbs at the absolute most.

and I know I'm asking for a lot out of a single affordable boat but I figure I can get the best advice available and then start dropping features as they become neccessary.

thanks for the input so far.

 

[matt9923]

Re: Dive Boat

I would think of it as 6 people plus 3 people accounting for the extra gear.
So a boat with 9 person capacity and 2000+ lb capacity
Matt

 

[OldePharte]

Re: Dive Boat

I would think that a pontoon would your best bet. At least 24 feet log, triple tube if at all possible, and an outboard. They are a stable platform. Don't scrimp on the motor. The boat could be a POS, but you will need a reliable motor.

If you're handy, find a decent one on craigslist or similar, and move the console to the center. Just need seats for the max number of people expected, add tank racks on both sides and a folding ladder at the bow. Anchor stored under one of the seats.

 

[Maclyn]

Re: Dive Boat

I would think that a pontoon would your best bet. At least 24 feet log, triple tube if at all possible, and an outboard. They are a stable platform. Don't scrimp on the motor. The boat could be a POS, but you will need a reliable motor.

If you're handy, find a decent one on craigslist or similar, and move the console to the center. Just need seats for the max number of people expected, add tank racks on both sides and a folding ladder at the bow. Anchor stored under one of the seats.

This is more or less exactly what I was thinking, the questions that came to mind though were
1. comfort - would a pontoon boat be a good choice for extended trips vs some of the other options available?
2. Power plant - it seems like I heard somewhere that i/o systems are more stable?(not sure that's why I included that as part of my original question)
3. off shore - taking it out on the ocean? thought that was a strict no no with a pontoon even close to shore?

of course the flip side is I would be looking at a fairly large cabin boat to get the same capacity and features, so the cost goes up considerably, the ability to trailer it goes down and the deck space becomes a premium right?

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Dive Boat

1- Pontoons with their extra room would be the most comfortable in my opinion.
2- Unless you want to spend a lot stick with an outboard in a pontoon (it is possible to find a cheap one with an I/O just not as likely).
3- Pontoons definitely don?t go in the ocean.
Your other choice would be a deck boat but it?s hard to find one that?s cheap and in good condition (I looked for one for a long time and never found one in my budget and in the condition I wanted).

 

[Maclyn]

Re: Dive Boat

so if I look for a nice 24-28 ft pontoon, with about what? 125-150 hp outboard? I would be good for the lakes and the rivers and if we get down to the ocean just rent a boat and call it good?

 

[matt9923]

Re: Dive Boat

What kind of tow vehicle do you have? You will need a 350/3500 or so i'm thinking? As well as a trailer breaking system.
Matt (That's a big trailer and boat to tow)

 

[Maclyn]

Re: Dive Boat

F250 5.4 v8 with upgraded towing system/suspension/gooseneck/5th wheel 4x4 and wired for brake booster on the trailer. I've pulled full loaded 36 ft travel trailers and stock trailers with this truck with no problem...I assumed a boat would be somewhat lighter?

 

[matt9923]

Re: Dive Boat

ya you should be ok, that's what my uncle uses but he doesn't like going to far but he lives on a vary hilly area.
Matt

 

[Maclyn]

Re: Dive Boat

LOL yeah...southern oklahoma...not so much hilly...pretty sure with out the buildings around here I could probably see all the way out to the state line