Travelling with the YBOD (original box)

paronix

Hi Guys,
How do you go about flying with your YBODs, do you have to use a hard case? I don't really want to take a crate. Ok I can put electronics in my hand luggage, but what about the box? Has anyone used a soft bag rather than a hard suitcase or crate?
Nick..

Padowan

I found a semi-hard suitcase that was a perfect fit for a (quite dismantled) unit. This case was considerably eaier to handle through the airport compared to the black and yellow crate as it has wheels on, and gets less eye-raising from the check in staff. It also weighs about a kilo lessthan the crate.

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paronix

Is that a picture on the bootom of your reply. Didn't load in my browser.
Do you have a picture/the make. Sounds good. And the precious plastic was that all ok?

Padowan

There should be 3 photos at the bottom of my previous post. If you can't see them it's probably a setting you need to change in yout Forum preferences, but if you can't find it, here's some links to the pics...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...l/c20fd623.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...l/41b2ed4e.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...ell/Pic008.jpg

Its a suitcase made by "International Traveller" and I think I paid about £40 for it.

The unit arrived in the same number of pieces that I packed it in...

The packing sequence was quite critical:
The fins were laid in the base of the case. Wing laid on top of this.
The case is so tight on the dimensions of the black and yellow shell, that I took off the counterlungs and breathing loop and put these inside the shell, along with the scrubber (with a fill) and things like mask, SMB etc.
Harness (standard AP) taken off and strapped up around shell.
There was then just enough space in the top of the case for another fill of Slime in plastic botlles.
The first stages and SPGs were removed to reduce weight.
The case weighed in at about 22kg (not bad considering there's 4.5kg of Line in that!).
I then checked another soft bag with wetsuit and clothes (about 8kg in total)

Head was in hand luggage with first stages, SPGs, computers, etc etc (probably about 8kg also, but the first stages went into my pockets if the bag needed weighing!)

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Depth-junkie

I dont bother with the crate either, i use a case similar to simon's. Weighs a good kilo or two less than the AP crate.



The Unit fits nice and snug in the case, i lay my wet suit down in the case 1st then place the lungs front down on the wetsuit. I put the mouthpiece and the scrubber can, mask, smb, Wet suit hood/boots etc inside the unit and fit the yellow cover back on. Then place my fins on top of the yellow cover and close the case up.



Case middle section zips out to give more depth if needed, but TBH unless you put clothes etc in as well you dont have to bother extending it.



Ready to go Has an extendable handle and wheels so it easy to cart around. And most imporantly does not advertise to the world expensive dive equipment.

The Elecs and VR3 i take as hand luguage. The case cost £39 from Cheshire Oaks (Ellesmere port, Wirral)

Hope it helps

ATB
Gareth

paronix

Ok, cheers for the tips