Search found 683 matches

by BillZ
Mon Apr 15, 2019 9:39 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Anyone got a old DIN they would trade for a old yoke 1st stage?
Replies: 5
Views: 3198

Re: Anyone got a old DIN they would trade for a old yoke 1st stage?

Building a single tank hookah rig for cleaning hulls and maintenance related hull work and I long ago made the switch to DIN from yoke and now all my tanks are DIN and while I thought I had a extra DIN 1st stage in the dive locker to build this rig it turns out it is a yoke and that wont work, I su...
by BillZ
Wed Mar 06, 2019 7:16 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig
Replies: 9
Views: 5411

Re: Best options for cold water/warm water hybrid bp&w rig

I would just get a steel and separate ali plates. They are pretty cheap. Actually more expensive but also viable would be to get an ali plate and a weighted sta. Use the cam band slots and the ali plate travelling and the same plate with the ~6lb STA locally. But two plates is actually cheaper. +1 ...
by BillZ
Wed Mar 06, 2019 7:07 am
Forum: Dive Travel - Planning and Adventure
Topic: Looking for Key Largo Recommendations
Replies: 2
Views: 4067

Re: Looking for Key Largo Recommendations

We did a group charter with Horizon Divers and they were great. https://www.horizondivers.com/ I've also gone out with Silent World and they were really good https://silentworld.com/ Just a suggestion... Since you have a limited amount of time to dive, talk to you boss and have him do a pool refresh...
by BillZ
Tue Dec 18, 2018 8:23 am
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Cuda 400 needs a new battery
Replies: 7
Views: 4321

Re: Cuda 400 needs a new battery

Hey Jake - I had mine rebuilt two years ago by Batteryspace and the cost was around $400 plus shipping ($320 for the batteries and $80 labor). They did a top notch job and used hi quality cells. I haven't properly tested the battery but recently did a 70 minute scooter run and ended up towing my bud...
by BillZ
Thu Nov 15, 2018 1:41 pm
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: INMAR RIBS
Replies: 15
Views: 4916

Re: INMAR RIBS

Current boat is a SIB, I was thinking of one of these to replace it. Part of me wants to go Aluminum RIB, but I use it just for running around close to home in the south sound, and I can buy ~3 SIB's for the cost of a RIB..... My dream boat is the Harbor Patrol boat that hangs around Cove Two :supz...
by BillZ
Thu Nov 15, 2018 9:45 am
Forum: Everything Else
Topic: INMAR RIBS
Replies: 15
Views: 4916

Re: INMAR RIBS

Are you looking at a SIB (Soft Inflatable Boat) or RIB (Rigid-hull Inflatable Boat) ? Although I dont have any in depth experience with Inmar, I looked at one when a was RIB shopping. They seem to be a solid boat. I would make sure the tube material is Hypalon and not PVC. FYI... Although Zodiac has...
by BillZ
Sat Oct 27, 2018 10:29 am
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Sixgill sightings: database?
Replies: 9
Views: 4469

Re: Sixgill sightings: database?

Update: More info if interested... I played with the reef.org data some more and warm water temperatures (especially 54F+) and depth (>80ft) both correlate strongly with sixgill sighting frequencies. Perhaps the seasonality seen in the graph above might simply be a reflection of this pattern: they ...
by BillZ
Tue Sep 18, 2018 8:07 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Who wants to upgrade from a Perdix AI
Replies: 4
Views: 1779

Re: Who wants to upgrade from a Perdix AI

If you're open to an even-Steven trade, I'm looking for a deep sea sub....

http://tritonsubs.com/products-services ... /t33001md/
by BillZ
Fri Sep 14, 2018 5:46 am
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Tipping deck hands
Replies: 1
Views: 1453

Re: Tipping deck hands

For guided dives the going rate for a DM tip is $10 per dive. As for tipping the deckhands on local charters it's customary to leave between $10 - $20 for the day. This is usually split between the deckhand and captain. As for multi-day trips I usually tip at the end unless the crew changes during m...
by BillZ
Fri Sep 14, 2018 5:39 am
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: LP95's for sale
Replies: 10
Views: 4113

Re: LP95's for sale

Bob, How do these compare to HP 80s? Weight? I'd like to get rid of an HP 100 and get something easy for a quick/ shallow dive? Kirsten They are actually bigger than a HP 100 (weight and size). The LP 95's are basically the same size and dimensions as a HP119. If you'd like to swap a HP100 for a HP...
by BillZ
Tue Aug 21, 2018 12:08 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Found a bag
Replies: 4
Views: 2148

Re: Found a bag

8/17/18, left or lost one handed opening bag for crabs at Edgewater Beach in Everett. Hi Bob - I think think bag is mine. It's yellow with a fine mesh and double ended bolt snap on the top. No biggie on getting it back to me soon - I'm headed to the Red Sea for 2 weeks and crab season is pretty muc...
by BillZ
Mon Aug 20, 2018 8:45 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Sixgill sightings: database?
Replies: 9
Views: 4469

Re: Sixgill sightings: database?

Scott Lundy was keeping a database a few years back but he finished his medical degree and moved to Cleveland. He now works 80+ hours a week so I'm not sure if he still monitors it. https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/slundy/175980?solstice_selected_button=btn_56ba8ae707e4a1438b0bb63b98c0e74b_1&...
by BillZ
Sat Aug 18, 2018 9:46 am
Forum: Introductions (New Visitors, Start Here)
Topic: Checkout dives this weekend at Battleground Lake
Replies: 12
Views: 5077

Re: Checkout dives this weekend at Battleground Lake

Welcome to the board!
Just a suggestion, but I would take back the wetsuits and boots before you use them and get drysuits. Typically, Most folks that regularly dive in our NW waters dive dry.
by BillZ
Sat Aug 18, 2018 9:33 am
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Another sixgill sighting
Replies: 10
Views: 3207

Re: Another sixgill sighting

johndo88 wrote:That is a great video. I was there last Friday and got skunked. Well done! Can you tell us how deep you were?

We were at 90ft close to the bottle field.
by BillZ
Fri Aug 10, 2018 6:01 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Another sixgill sighting
Replies: 10
Views: 3207

Re: Another sixgill sighting

We saw her Tuesday night around the bottle field. She swam under, around and between us for about 5 minutes until she started to get a bit too aggressive for comfort.

https://vimeo.com/283886250



https://vimeo.com/283886250
by BillZ
Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:47 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Water in SPG Gauge
Replies: 7
Views: 4467

Re: Water in SPG Gauge

No matter how it happened the SPG is toast and can't be trusted now that salt water has entered the main housing. As John mentioned, the brass & glass SPGs are much more reliable and you can pick one up for ~$60 at Dive Gear Express. EDIT - I found one exactly like yours in my "scuba stuff&...
by BillZ
Fri Jul 20, 2018 12:03 am
Forum: General Tech Diving
Topic: The General.... where is it?
Replies: 2
Views: 2520

Re: The General.... where is it?

The General is a great dive. On the wreck I've seen yellow eye rockfish, huge ling cod and schools bait fish that you rarely see on the Puget Sound these days. I found the wreck and we first dove it in February 2015. As a team there was much debate on if we should keep it to ourselves, publish the c...
by BillZ
Tue Jul 10, 2018 11:56 pm
Forum: Dive Recaps & Trip Reports
Topic: Returned from Red Sea Diving near Sharm el sheik
Replies: 4
Views: 1465

Re: Returned from Red Sea Diving near Sharm el sheik

Great insights on Egypt and the Red Sea! I'm headed over next month for my third trip with Red Sea Explorers. Your DM wasn't pulling your leg on the wind. I've been through a couple of rough days on the Red Sea and it can get really sporty. The dives on our trips have always been planned on a day-by...
by BillZ
Wed May 30, 2018 9:42 pm
Forum: General SCUBA Discussion
Topic: Sund Rock changes
Replies: 38
Views: 11008

Re: Sund Rock changes

It's been a couple of years since I've dove Sund Rock, but isn't $15 less expensive that it was in the past? I'm not sure I'd hold any animosity towards the Sund family. It costs money to keep the site open to the public.... - Porta-poty maintenance costs money - Liability insurance is expensive (th...
by BillZ
Mon May 21, 2018 11:21 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?
Replies: 23
Views: 8387

Re: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?

Dropping the knees is typically a sign of light feet. Try having your buddy shifting his tak down (BC up). Small adjustments of in inch or less is all it usually takes.
by BillZ
Fri May 18, 2018 9:23 pm
Forum: Gear Central (Recreational)
Topic: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?
Replies: 23
Views: 8387

Re: Attached Drysuit Boots Cause Floaty Feet?

The real solution is to just buy a scooter - you'll never have to worry about those pesky fins again! Just kidding (well sort of..) . I dove floaty atomic split fins for years - making adjustments to your tank and weight placement really helps. If your boots are too big fin keepers can help prevent ...
by BillZ
Sun Apr 22, 2018 5:54 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: 15.5' Inflatable Dive Boat, $5500
Replies: 12
Views: 4199

Re: 15.5' Inflatable Dive Boat, $4500

Wow - If someone is looking for a great Puget Sound dive platform at a good price this is it.
by BillZ
Wed Jan 24, 2018 8:18 pm
Forum: Buy/Sell/Trade Dive Gear
Topic: Selling tons of Scientific Diving Gear!
Replies: 3
Views: 1384

Re: Selling tons of Scientific Diving Gear!

If the hard weights are bare lead (not plastic coated) I'll take the whole set

If the Aluminum 80's are plain and unpainted I'll take those

I'm also interested in the lift bag if you can provide more details