I picked up a set of steel 72's recently and started wondering... this one tank is nearly old enough to be my father.... just curious, what would a tank like this cost back in 1966?! (oldest hydro date I could read)
Printable View
I picked up a set of steel 72's recently and started wondering... this one tank is nearly old enough to be my father.... just curious, what would a tank like this cost back in 1966?! (oldest hydro date I could read)
I don't remember the exact cost breakout, but I got a steel 72, plastic backpack, and used US Divers Calypso regulator for about $160 in 1968. I want to say the tank was about $80...? It lasted until about 2004--despite 3 years sitting unfilled in a warehouse while I was overseas in the '90s--when it finally failed testing (don't know why I was testing it since I wasn't using it). I think it is a bell somewhere now.Quote:
Originally Posted by IowaCaveDiver
Maybe it is because I am a business major, but I think it is neat to look at things in "modern" prices. I don't feel like doing the math, but
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/infl.cgi
Will do it for me :)
An $80 tank in 1968 is actually around $470 in 2007 dollars.
I feel like I got a good deal... $100 for a steel 72, hydro/VIP in july 09' and full of air... I know I can't beat that price if I were to buy new... just hope it passes hydro 5 years from now and it safely withstands NFL fills...
ps... anybody looking for a slightly used j-valve? :-)
Sure, for demo purposesQuote:
Originally Posted by IowaCaveDiver
From Don's Dive Shop on 7 mile road Detroit on June 1966
US Divers Steel 72 yellow with K Valve
US Divers Cam Pack (plastic)
US Divers Deep Star single hose regulator
total with tax: $99.00
Instructions: breath normally and don't hold your breath.
I still have all my origional gear. No spg, depth gauge, or J valve
My OW class cost $30 back then :-D
FWIW, my 1966 72 still passes hydro.
I'd love to see pictures of those. That's soo cool. I read a "journal" somewhere that they had bought the same type of setup and that's all the instructions were.Quote:
Originally Posted by DogDiver
Michael
Dive Pros in P'Cola is letting go there old steel 72s for $40 a piece, with a yoke valve. Tanks are in hydro and current VIS.
That is a steal!! I paid about $75 each for two back in 97, oxygen clean and ready for deco, but $40 of todays' inflated dollars sure beat that any day....Quote:
Originally Posted by SuPrBuGmAn
Dive safe,
Celia
I've gotten 2 sets for free over the past two years, I gave one set away already. Use the other set fairly regularly.
Great tanks, IMO, better than AL80s in about every way.
In 1967, I bought a set of double 38's with a navy harness from a guy in the Navy that was being transferred out of Pensacola. Along with this was a U S Divers Mistral 2 hose regulator, and a pair of voit duck feet fins. I paid him $45.00 for all of it. My classes at Skipper's in Pensacola cost $35.00. When I went to diving school in 1973, I bought a set of double 72's new from Ray Manual in Pensacola along with a Deepstar single hose regulator for $195.00. I paid Jim Ley $50.00 to modify my manifold into a "Ley Leaker" so I could take my cave diving classes.
I was -2 years old. Soory I cannot be of assistance.
Wheew.... I feel better now... but I'm still going to drain it and do a visual myself... just for peace of mind when I'm filling them at a local NFL hydro shop.Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
wow... feel like I got taken on that old 72 for $100... however I was looking for a partner for it and picked up an LP85 in awesome condition for the same price (original hydro 96' and still current)... the guy thought it was a 72... now I just need partners for both tanks
I have my Dad's 1966 set up original bag and all. (72 j valve, plastic clamp on back plate, 1st and 2nd stage only)
FYI some tanks were coated on the inside so they can be cleaned for air only. But will never O2 clean.
Was thinking about putting on some cut off jeans and an old tee shirt then getting a black and white photo with one of those old oval "sea hunt" masks on at the cavern entrance at orange grove when it clears up, lol.
That would be a great idea. Just remember to shoot it on film -- not digital -- for the right look.Quote:
Originally Posted by ajimmythekid
My uncle gave me his old steel 72 as the dive shops down in Palm Beach County would not hydro and VIP it anymore (since Frank's closed). It past hydro up here in cave country and two VIPs and we're still using it. Oldest hydro stamp I can find on there dates to 1968.
In 1968 I bought 2 72's for $50 used and a New USD Calypso J $100.