Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat

webhead · 7th July 2006, 22:45

There's been a lot of talk about the Oriskany but I haven't seen any comments on private boat trips....

I'm working on a few trips to Pensacola over the next few months to dive the Oriskany. We will be bring our own off shore fishing boat and are looking for advice on where to stay and put it.

Any suggestions on reasonable hotels that have a parking lot that will allow a boat on a trailer would be welcomed. Also, what are the best public use boat ramps? Do they have wash down facilities or user fees?
Thanks

Genesis · 8th July 2006, 01:03

You can go out of Pensacola or the Destin/Niceville area. There is some distance difference but not a huge amount.

I don't have the skinny on Pensacola.

In Destin the closest ramp is at Joe's Bayou BUT there'll be fee and crowding problems. The nicest reasonable one is probably at Rocky Bayou, which is where I put in - if you have an annual state park pass (Family pass) its good there, so no additional charge; if I remember correctly the ramp fee is $4 daily if you don't have a pass.

Out of Niceville there's a Hampton Inn on the bayou (right across from the park with the launch ramp) that allows boat and trailer parking alongside the access road to it - that'd be convenient.....

webhead · 8th July 2006, 05:22

Thanks. I'm not a fan of busy ramps and small parking lots.

Looks like our first attempt will be a 3 day weekend early in Aug. Hopefully a good trial run for trips later in the year.

Genesis · 8th July 2006, 06:09

If you get ahold of me and let me know what's up I may run out with you if its a nice day - I have a 23' CC and have no problem "buddy boating" - it helps all the way around, plus I both know the route and what's up in terms of local stuff (assuming you decide to go out of Niceville/Destin)

nurseling · 8th July 2006, 13:24

The only ramp I know of that you can wash down at, is Sherman cove, on the navy base, but I beleive you need to be affiliated with the military to use it.
There are several nice public ramps with good parking (for example navy point). before I went to highdry storage I would just take the boat to a manual car wash to clean her up.
I'm not sure about the Hotel boat parking thing I have no experience with that.

I would love to know when you are in town and going out just to see the differences in pre and post dive checks on your CCR versus OC. I'm still debating on makeing the jump.

Genesis · 8th July 2006, 14:41

Sherman Cove is accessible only to military (active and retired.) It is a great ramp in terms of access to the Pensacola Pass, but for civilians, forgetaboutit.

webhead · 8th July 2006, 23:00

Thanks again for the info. I'll definitely let you know when we pick the weekend, once all the divers finalize their schedules.

I've used car washes before but never could figure out how to flush the engine with a pressure washer. My motor has a fitting for a garden hose that you hook up and flush with water for 5 minutes and your done.

Fortunately, my dive buddy is ex-Navy and knows the base there rather well. Unforutnately, he can't make all the trips I'm planning for the year.

Either way, I'm hoping it will be worth the trip.... and nearly as painless as we've made the Keys trips.

Genesis · 8th July 2006, 23:23

Pull the boat over to my house after you use it and borrow my hose - I've got two connections within range of the driveway (so I can flush mine as well)

Its not far from the Rocky Ramp - about 5 minutes.

John Bantin · 9th July 2006, 13:29

Check with MBT Diving (www.diveoriskany.com) They are very helpful. Tell them I said so!
There was quite a current over it when I dived it so you will need a pick-up boat that is free to follow your Surface Marker Buoy. (Ours was not.)
If you like remoras sticking to you, you'll have a gas!
http://www.johnbantin.co.uk/navbar2/oriskany.htm

webhead · 20th July 2006, 19:52

Thanks, John. I'm guessing you recommended I contact MBT diving on help with boat ramps and wash down, right?

BTW, nice pics. Any chance of seeing them a little larger?

7th July 2006, 22:45	#1 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat There's been a lot of talk about the Oriskany but I haven't seen any comments on private boat trips.... I'm working on a few trips to Pensacola over the next few months to dive the Oriskany. We will be bring our own off shore fishing boat and are looking for advice on where to stay and put it. Any suggestions on reasonable hotels that have a parking lot that will allow a boat on a trailer would be welcomed. Also, what are the best public use boat ramps? Do they have wash down facilities or user fees? Thanks __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
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8th July 2006, 01:03	#2 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat You can go out of Pensacola or the Destin/Niceville area. There is some distance difference but not a huge amount. I don't have the skinny on Pensacola. In Destin the closest ramp is at Joe's Bayou BUT there'll be fee and crowding problems. The nicest reasonable one is probably at Rocky Bayou, which is where I put in - if you have an annual state park pass (Family pass) its good there, so no additional charge; if I remember correctly the ramp fee is $4 daily if you don't have a pass. Out of Niceville there's a Hampton Inn on the bayou (right across from the park with the launch ramp) that allows boat and trailer parking alongside the access road to it - that'd be convenient..... __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 05:22	#3 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Thanks. I'm not a fan of busy ramps and small parking lots. Looks like our first attempt will be a 3 day weekend early in Aug. Hopefully a good trial run for trips later in the year. __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 06:09	#4 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat If you get ahold of me and let me know what's up I may run out with you if its a nice day - I have a 23' CC and have no problem "buddy boating" - it helps all the way around, plus I both know the route and what's up in terms of local stuff (assuming you decide to go out of Niceville/Destin) __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 13:24	#5 (permalink)
nurseling New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: pensacola, FL Posts: 33	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat The only ramp I know of that you can wash down at, is Sherman cove, on the navy base, but I beleive you need to be affiliated with the military to use it. There are several nice public ramps with good parking (for example navy point). before I went to highdry storage I would just take the boat to a manual car wash to clean her up. I'm not sure about the Hotel boat parking thing I have no experience with that. I would love to know when you are in town and going out just to see the differences in pre and post dive checks on your CCR versus OC. I'm still debating on makeing the jump.
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 14:41	#6 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Sherman Cove is accessible only to military (active and retired.) It is a great ramp in terms of access to the Pensacola Pass, but for civilians, forgetaboutit. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 23:00	#7 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Thanks again for the info. I'll definitely let you know when we pick the weekend, once all the divers finalize their schedules. I've used car washes before but never could figure out how to flush the engine with a pressure washer. My motor has a fitting for a garden hose that you hook up and flush with water for 5 minutes and your done. Fortunately, my dive buddy is ex-Navy and knows the base there rather well. Unforutnately, he can't make all the trips I'm planning for the year. Either way, I'm hoping it will be worth the trip.... and nearly as painless as we've made the Keys trips. __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Offline)

8th July 2006, 23:23	#8 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,396	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Pull the boat over to my house after you use it and borrow my hose - I've got two connections within range of the driveway (so I can flush mine as well) Its not far from the Rocky Ramp - about 5 minutes. __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
(Offline)

9th July 2006, 13:29	#9 (permalink)
John Bantin New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Twickenham Posts: 22	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Check with MBT Diving (www.diveoriskany.com) They are very helpful. Tell them I said so! There was quite a current over it when I dived it so you will need a pick-up boat that is free to follow your Surface Marker Buoy. (Ours was not.) If you like remoras sticking to you, you'll have a gas! http://www.johnbantin.co.uk/navbar2/oriskany.htm
(Offline)

20th July 2006, 19:52	#10 (permalink)
webhead Earning the green stuff.. Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: East central Florida Posts: 284	Re: Need recommendation for Oriskany dive off private boat Thanks, John. I'm guessing you recommended I contact MBT diving on help with boat ramps and wash down, right? BTW, nice pics. Any chance of seeing them a little larger? __________________ "These are not the droids you are looking for.... move along" - Obi-Wan Kenobi
(Offline)

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