New To Scuba
 

Hey Guys, I just wanted to introduce myself. My Name is David Weeks, I go to College at Maine Maritime Academy. My parents own a house on the lake and i've grown up there my entire life. I'm in the Navy Reserves, Coast Guard Aux. and a Volunteer FF at my school's Local fire dept in Castine, ME

I'm a sophomore in College and my Major is Marine Engineering Technology. This spring semester i've almost completed my PADI Open Water diver class. I have this weekend left and then the open water dives.

I've Always been interested in Scuba, and in viewing Wrecks on the bottom of the lake. I'm into "Vintage stuff" I own over 20 Vintage Jetski's some of which are restored, and some that are on there way. I Have a few Friends here that have their certifications and we plan on trying to dive Winnie this summer.

Looking forward to meeting some scuba people on the lake and having some fun underwater.

Respectfully,
Dave Weeks

Welcome to the club
 

Hi David and welcome - I usually dive the ocean in the summer but I am sure we can hook up sometime when you're back in the area. I am happy to dive with new divers so I'll be looking forward to it..............Joe

Sounds good to me. My father owns a 28ft boat that i can use for any adventures and the dive club here has a compressor and lots of tanks and equipment that i can borrow for a weekend. Thinking about going for a dive the weekend after i finish my open water dives....the last weekend in April...i have a few friends up here that dive regularly. Im pretty sure im taking the advanced class in the fall and then maybe rescue.

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Before you leave Castine this spring you should go take a tour with Diver Ed [divered.com] in Bar Harbor.

I'll look into it, if not i'm back here in the fall. Thanks Man

Hey there!

I was just SSI certified with Tom's crew over at Dive Winnipesaukee two summers ago.

I've only dived in Winnipesaukee so far, but if you're into the lake history (geology and shipwrecks) then there is quite a bit to see.

I'd recommend going out with Dive Winnipesaukee some times because 1) they take you to numerous dive spots and 2) the whole crew is knowledgeable about so much history. I don't know if they will continue to have it, but Friday nights you get a tank (and rental if you need it) and the dive boat taking you to a site for $30. There's usually a handful of divers of all experiences on the boat, too.

No problem pitching for them - they've been great to learn from during and after certification! :)

Diving Charter
 

Check out my charter also:

www.sharkbaitdivingadventures.com

located at Fay's Boat Yard , Gilford,NH

Captain Jim

Thanks for the reply's. I'll check out all of your charters. What locations on the lake do you dive?

In addition to that i'm also looking for people to go with as i have a boat and gear and access to free air.

Finished up my open water cert today.

I'm signed up for advanced next semester.... should be a good time.

I'm hoping to do Ahern Park [Winnisquam] next Sunday depending on the weather and my health. I'm in my 4th week of this cold and it should be gone by then. You're welcome to join in. I'll be using a 7mm. Do you have one or can you borrow one? Otherwise I'll catch up with you later in the season.

As in the 5th of May?

We live in New England --- I only plan ahead 1 week at a time!

So you must be getting ready to go back to Castine soon. Did you ever get to do any diving this summer???

Never ended up getting in the water, shipped out for 80 days of the summer and got back a week before school. At school now, I'll be diving soon thou for the class and then hopefully in October take a dive in winni. What's everyone been up too?

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Been real busy this past week with training the freshman.... But good news is i'm taking rescue diver, and advanced this semester, and then next semester going to Bon Air for diving towards my masters..... thats the plan anyway.,

If any of you are up here in maine give me a shout!

Updatee
 

Finished up my advanced diver cert today, having a great time.

Signed up for rescue in November, and then going to Bonaire for Masters.

I'll be in the area for the last weekend in Sept (coming up). If anyones interested i might drop in the water depending on weather this weekend. Send me a Message if you are. I can get any gear you might need for the most part.

V/R,

Dave

Opinions?
 

Just bought a new semidry wetsuit and fins. Looking to get a pair of new booties, gloves and a Mask. Any opinions. I'm pretty sold on the Sherwood Mako Mask(one piece low volume). looking for a hard soled really warm pair of booties, and a nice pair of gloves.

Dive gear selection is highly subjective...very personal. I love the Cressi Big Eyes masks - very low volume, huge field of vision, and lenses slightly angled downward to provide good visibility of your front. I have two of them, and have used them for 10+ years. Boots wear out fairly quickly. The latest pair I got were from Bare (via LeisurePro...nice & cheap) and with 30+ shore dives on 'em this season alone, they are holding up quite well.

Can someone chime in and tell me roughly what it would cost to get in to scuba diving? I've had interest for years but have never really priced all the equipment out. I understand there are many preferences in equipment, just looking for a general idea.

Also, where is the most reasonable place around NH to buy equipment.

Thanks.

Good question, but in the end, it's much like asking, "How much is a cab ride?"

Some ballparks:

BCD: $250-700 (depending on new/used, what make, model, etc.)
Reg: $350-750
Mask: $40-80
Fins: $50-100
Suit: $140-$Sky's the Limit
Boots: $40-100
Computer: $200-$1,500+++
Tank (assume 100 cf steel): $350+

Oh yeah, then there's the instruction: $225 for NAUI OW last time I checked my local LDS.

So, say anywhere from $1,200-$1,500 to Sky for gear, and then the instructional cost, which also will include costs for checkouts above the $225 ballpark.

Then there are add-ons -- tons of them. Don't forget weights! Lights, surface markers & safety sausages, shears & knives, slates, new compasses, goody bags, lift bags, finger sppols and reels...save-a-dive kits, etc. The list is pretty expansive (and expensive).

Now, keep in mind that people typically buy the essentials (mask/fins/snorkel) during training, then add on the other stuff as they progress. Some folks take the initial courses, get a C-card, and then are content to rent gear at a resort every now and then. Others want to pursue things more aggressively and buy everything at once. Fine, if you have the dough. Still other, like me, add it gradually as they find what they want, what they like, what suits their diving style, and as they can afford it. Some buy directly from their LDS, while others buy some gear from online merchants (a sticky subject with dive shops). Some buy used stuff from other divers (shops run "flea markets" and diver often sell gear that they are replacing via eBay or through shops). Dive equipment is something you are constantly adding to, upgrading, replacing. I find myself making one big addition or replacement almost every year.

Do not skimp on life support equipment - regs, BCs, etc. You can survive a hole in your suit. A faulty reg can mean lights out. Also -- if you want to be good (read: safe), there's no substitute for good training, and ONGOING training. Take the Open Water (basic) course, get some dives under your belt, and then go back for Advanced (NAUI, PADI, SSI all offer these). Consider Rescue Diver, Equipment Specialist, NITROX, and other courses. Training not only provides new information, it also makes you dive more. It's an ongoing process. Even after hundreds of dives, you are still learning.

Sorry for the lengthy response. But there's a lot to consider. In the end, once you earn that first C-card, you'll know wha direction you want to take. In the Lakes Region, if you have questions, see the folks at Dive Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro. 603-569-8080. They do everything, including the training.

IMHO When you are first starting out the things to buy for this area is a good 7mm wetsuit, gloves, boots, hood, BC, weights, a good mask, fins (you will need a snorkel for testing but you will never use after that so get a cheap one)
I would not buy a Regulator or a tank, unless you plan to go diving a ton. It is cheaper to rent one, that you know if properly tested etc. If you buy one they are very expensive, and you need to do expensive maintains on it. The tanks too you will need a couple and they are just easier to rent. Same goes with a dive computer very cool to have but you don't need it.

Great! Thanks for the info

Well i got my rescue diving finished up this past weekend, i would like to take a dive on the lake if anyone's interested. Possibly this coming weekend? I dont have a boat in anymore, but ide be fine with going in off weirs beach and checking out around the mouth of the channel. OR if you have anyother ideas for shore dives?

Over and out!

Dave

I'll be doing either the Nubble or Center Harbor docks this weekend or maybe Paugus. Haven't made plans yet. You're welcome to join in.

Oh you're going to LOVE Bonaire's diving. We're down 3 months every winter and have a great dive spot right in our backyard. We love to hunt lionfish down there; and eating them ain't too shabby either! :D

Unfortunatly the trip was cancelled, untill next year.... so i'll have to wait... but thats ok because then i'd be spoiled and not want to dive up here....

You are quite correct in your assertion.:)