Upcoming Trip: Florida Keys, 4/18 - 4/21/2008

diverreb · 3rd March 2008, 19:33

I talked to Ted (Doing a KISS Class) & Brenda (Conch Republic Divers) to get a sense of what they are planning for the 18th, 19th, & 20th of April.

It's going to be pretty much on a recreational level, with bottom times limited to an hour.

Friday is all Reef, most likely Conch Ledge, which is a 50' - 80' dive. If we stay there for both dives a longer dive will be possible.

Saturday & Sunday will be a dives on the Spiegel one day and the Duane the other day. Spiegel is most likely a Saturday Dive. Both of those will be followed by a reef dive or the Benwood, in the case of the Spiegel, as an option.

They are all morning dives. They also run afternoon dives if you feel like diving all day, but it seems that an hour max bottom time is what they tend to stick with.

That's the story from my end....

If we get enough guys and want try somewhere else and see what's up, let me know.

I personally don't mind the Hour BT limits, but I know some of the guys like to do extended times, so I wanted to let you know.

I'll be there from 4/14 - 4/25, but just diving their normal dives. Anyone is welcome to join in....

Richie

JCdesign97 · 3rd March 2008, 21:00

Hmmm ... just my ever-plummeting $.02, but my first reaction to that is whether it's worth seeing if one of Silent World 's boats can be reserved for that weekend, or at least where they're going. They're already a known quantity as far as their Rebreather-friendliness. I'm not entirely concerned about the depths we dive, but the hour run time limit isn't too enticing for me IMHO.

O.C.Diver · 4th March 2008, 01:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97)

Hmmm ... just my ever-plummeting $.02, but my first reaction to that is whether it's worth seeing if one of Silent World 's boats can be reserved for that weekend, or at least where they're going. They're already a known quantity as far as their Rebreather-friendliness. I'm not entirely concerned about the depths we dive, but the hour run time limit isn't too enticing for me IMHO.

Just as a point of information, Conch Republic Divers is Rebreather friendly. In my 15 years of running trips to the FL Keys, I haven't found anyone more accommodating as far as rebreathers and technical diving charters. I set up the charter for the boat for my MOD 1 CK rebreather course. We need to log time to meet course requirements without deco. An hour is about all we can realistically get at these sites without deco. Moving to a shallower 2nd site allows for another hour of bottom time. The object was to maximize bottom time and log 100'+ dive within the time limits of a half day charter.

Ted

JCdesign97 · 4th March 2008, 12:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by O.C.Diver)

Just as a point of information, Conch Republic Divers is Rebreather friendly. In my 15 years of running trips to the FL Keys, I haven't found anyone more accommodating as far as rebreathers and technical diving charters. I set up the charter for the boat for my MOD 1 CK rebreather course. We need to log time to meet course requirements without deco. An hour is about all we can realistically get at these sites without deco. Moving to a shallower 2nd site allows for another hour of bottom time. The object was to maximize bottom time and log 100'+ dive within the time limits of a half day charter.

Ted

I wasn't trying to suggest that Conch Republic is not Rebreather friendly - sorry if it came across that way. Richie explained that you had a class going on during that time, so the suggestion of an alternate boat was more to keep us from getting in your way. Whatever works best for everyone, though ...

netmage · 4th March 2008, 12:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97)

I wasn't trying to suggest that Conch Republic is not Rebreather friendly - sorry if it came across that way. Richie explained that you had a class going on during that time, so the suggestion of an alternate boat was more to keep us from getting in your way. Whatever works best for everyone, though ...

From what I'm hearing, CR is now running all three boats..., so... get enough Rebreather folks to warrant the smaller burpee, and I imagine you could talk them into running whatever plan you want... With the exception of banked nitrox, key largo/islamorada has really become a buyers market for advanced/tech charters; they all treat us really good.

-Tim

Dave Faye · 4th March 2008, 19:13

I was just out with Conch Republic this week. As usual they treated us real well. We were a mix of ccr and single tank divers. They are ccr friendly and even rented me dil and 02 tanks. They have no sofnolime in house.

The only downside is they limited us to basically just under 1 hour runtimes on the dives. They go to a deeper spot and follow up with a shallow reef dive this time of year. It is no big deal in the winter with 75 degree water temps but I really enjoy a 2 hour dive on the local wrecks in the summer months when the water is warmer.

Aside from the runtime issue, the management on Conch is very pleasant to deal with.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 4th March 2008, 20:19

This thread is now closed due to trip revision. Please use the new thread for further discussion of the revised trip.

3rd March 2008, 19:33	#1 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 597	Upcoming Trip: Florida Keys, 4/18 - 4/21/2008 I talked to Ted (Doing a KISS Class) & Brenda (Conch Republic Divers) to get a sense of what they are planning for the 18th, 19th, & 20th of April. It's going to be pretty much on a recreational level, with bottom times limited to an hour. Friday is all Reef, most likely Conch Ledge, which is a 50' - 80' dive. If we stay there for both dives a longer dive will be possible. Saturday & Sunday will be a dives on the Spiegel one day and the Duane the other day. Spiegel is most likely a Saturday Dive. Both of those will be followed by a reef dive or the Benwood, in the case of the Spiegel, as an option. They are all morning dives. They also run afternoon dives if you feel like diving all day, but it seems that an hour max bottom time is what they tend to stick with. That's the story from my end.... If we get enough guys and want try somewhere else and see what's up, let me know. I personally don't mind the Hour BT limits, but I know some of the guys like to do extended times, so I wanted to let you know. I'll be there from 4/14 - 4/25, but just diving their normal dives. Anyone is welcome to join in.... Richie
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3rd March 2008, 21:00	#2 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 385	Re: Heads Up on Keys Trip 4/18 - 4/21 Hmmm ... just my ever-plummeting $.02, but my first reaction to that is whether it's worth seeing if one of Silent World 's boats can be reserved for that weekend, or at least where they're going. They're already a known quantity as far as their Rebreather-friendliness. I'm not entirely concerned about the depths we dive, but the hour run time limit isn't too enticing for me IMHO. __________________ Cheers, John Cogan
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4th March 2008, 01:43	#3 (permalink)
O.C.Diver Helium Addict Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Salisbury MD USA Summers; Wandering Florida Winters Posts: 220	Re: Heads Up on Keys Trip 4/18 - 4/21 Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97) Hmmm ... just my ever-plummeting $.02, but my first reaction to that is whether it's worth seeing if one of Silent World 's boats can be reserved for that weekend, or at least where they're going. They're already a known quantity as far as their Rebreather-friendliness. I'm not entirely concerned about the depths we dive, but the hour run time limit isn't too enticing for me IMHO. Just as a point of information, Conch Republic Divers is Rebreather friendly. In my 15 years of running trips to the FL Keys, I haven't found anyone more accommodating as far as rebreathers and technical diving charters. I set up the charter for the boat for my MOD 1 CK rebreather course. We need to log time to meet course requirements without deco. An hour is about all we can realistically get at these sites without deco. Moving to a shallower 2nd site allows for another hour of bottom time. The object was to maximize bottom time and log 100'+ dive within the time limits of a half day charter. Ted __________________ Consider this my opinion.......sometimes I'm even right, but remember.........YMMV. Ted Green Charter Boat "OC Diver" http://www.ocdiver.com
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4th March 2008, 12:41	#4 (permalink)
JCdesign97 My unit can beat up yours Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: PA, USA Posts: 385	Re: Heads Up on Keys Trip 4/18 - 4/21 Quote: (Originally Posted by O.C.Diver) Just as a point of information, Conch Republic Divers is Rebreather friendly. In my 15 years of running trips to the FL Keys, I haven't found anyone more accommodating as far as rebreathers and technical diving charters. I set up the charter for the boat for my MOD 1 CK rebreather course. We need to log time to meet course requirements without deco. An hour is about all we can realistically get at these sites without deco. Moving to a shallower 2nd site allows for another hour of bottom time. The object was to maximize bottom time and log 100'+ dive within the time limits of a half day charter. Ted I wasn't trying to suggest that Conch Republic is not Rebreather friendly - sorry if it came across that way. Richie explained that you had a class going on during that time, so the suggestion of an alternate boat was more to keep us from getting in your way. Whatever works best for everyone, though ... __________________ Cheers, John Cogan
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4th March 2008, 12:50	#5 (permalink)
netmage Tim Owens Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 521	Re: Heads Up on Keys Trip 4/18 - 4/21 Quote: (Originally Posted by JCdesign97) I wasn't trying to suggest that Conch Republic is not Rebreather friendly - sorry if it came across that way. Richie explained that you had a class going on during that time, so the suggestion of an alternate boat was more to keep us from getting in your way. Whatever works best for everyone, though ... From what I'm hearing, CR is now running all three boats..., so... get enough Rebreather folks to warrant the smaller burpee, and I imagine you could talk them into running whatever plan you want... With the exception of banked nitrox, key largo/islamorada has really become a buyers market for advanced/tech charters; they all treat us really good. -Tim
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4th March 2008, 19:13	#6 (permalink)
Dave Faye Know the wreck below? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 168	Re: Upcoming Trip: Florida Keys, 4/18 - 4/21/2008 I was just out with Conch Republic this week. As usual they treated us real well. We were a mix of ccr and single tank divers. They are ccr friendly and even rented me dil and 02 tanks. They have no sofnolime in house. The only downside is they limited us to basically just under 1 hour runtimes on the dives. They go to a deeper spot and follow up with a shallow reef dive this time of year. It is no big deal in the winter with 75 degree water temps but I really enjoy a 2 hour dive on the local wrecks in the summer months when the water is warmer. Aside from the runtime issue, the management on Conch is very pleasant to deal with. __________________ Dave http://www.Bostondeepwrecks.com http://www.Fayelaw.com
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4th March 2008, 20:19	#7 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,132	Re: Upcoming Trip: Florida Keys, 4/18 - 4/21/2008 This thread is now closed due to trip revision. Please use the new thread for further discussion of the revised trip. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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