Printable View
I would like to buy a used boat/motor/trailer suitable for myself and buddy to dive river caves. I'm thinking of a Jon boat 14' or greater or something similar that will hold 2 people and dive gear. I don't have a lot of money budgeted for this, but let me know what you have and how much you want for it and we can go from there.
I'm not selling mine... but.
You may also want to consider a small inflatable, soft or rigid hull. I use a 10' inflatable with a 9.8hp outboard to run up and down the rivers in the panhandle, no problem wtih two people and two sets of gear(forget having 3 people). When I'm done, I deflate, roll up, and toss it in the back of my car.
You can get em cheap new, or super cheap used.
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/da...Chipola473.jpg
Look closely and you'll see we have 4 people(including me taking the picture) for 2 small boats.
Jon boat is easier to dunk in the water and pull out with less setup though, just gotta keep the trailer maintenance up.
Do you have a specific river in mind? If it is the Santa Fe you have to take into account the shoals. You can run almost anything up and down the Suwannee but the Santa Fe is a different story.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
Jerry
Thanks for both comments:
I owned an inflatable when I lived in Wi. and used it to dive in the lakes there. I actually kept it inflated and on a trailer, so it wasn't much trouble to load/unload. I had to sell it before moving. I agree that they would be excellent for river diving.
Regarding Jerry's comment - I would be using it on both rivers, but probably Sante Fe more because it is closer. Would a Jon Boat not be a good choice there? Mike M. and I took his 18' upstream from Hwy 47 and it worked great.
Thanks.
When did you launch at 47 an where did you go? If the river is clear enough to dive the river cave it is also so low you won't be able to get past the powerline shoals in a jon boat. You might get the boat over but it won't be under power. This means you won't get to Ginnie; you would have to put in at Rum Island. There is no good way to get to Rum from Gainesville. You might be able to put in at Poe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
Jerry
woudl a 33 morgan out island work for you? the dink it comes with would be perfect.
We only went to the Syphon Creek area and then a little further upstream, so we didn't reach the shoals area. What kind of boat would be appropriate for the Sante Fe?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry
I have to admit, I don't know what kind of craft you are describing. Picture?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caver95
Morgan's are sailboats.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
http://cavetek.com/conditions.aspx dingy not shown, but a 10ish ft avonQuote:
Originally Posted by Serota
Well, maybe for the Suwannee...., but a little more $ than I had in mind.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caver95
Ill take payments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
Canoe or kayak; the kayaks paddle easier. My 17 ft canoe can handle 3 sets of doubles, but if it is my wife and I paddling upstream I get a stout workout.
Jerry
I've got an 11' inflatable w/15 hp yamaha outboard, that would do well for you. It's just too big to leave on my Chris Craft, at the marina I'm using. If you thing you might be interested, PM me.
How about a "Gheenoe", which can be paddled or use a small motor?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry
I haven't used a Gheenoe myself, but know someone who has one and he says its fine with 2 people, and 2 light sets of gear... I'm guessing he means no stages/scooters/ect.
A Gheenoo would work; I have dove out of a friends on the Santa Fe.Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
Jerry
Quote:
Originally Posted by Serota
I had a conversation about them not all that long ago. As soon as you put a trolling motor on one you have to register it and pay taxes. Not that its a lot but its something to be considered. I saw the Fish and Wildlife almost ticket a couple on a craft with just a trolling motor but he let them off as they had done a good dead of giving someone a lift that was stranded.
Got a 15' Avon inflatable, replaced the floorboards, so they are new with a glass coating, so should last longer than the original. Right tube slow leak, Left tube good, 20hp Evinrude motor, carb scrubbed 2 years ago, runs well, comes with a 4 tank rack installed in the center of the aft floor panel, and a couple of 5 gal hard fuel cells and foot pump, and roadworthy trailer. It ain't beautiful, and in my opinion the motor is too small when the boat is loaded with tanks- it wont plane with two sets of doubles and two folks and two O2 bottles, but it will plane with three people. Also, planing assisters (metal paddles to bring the nose down at low speeds) installed on the aft end.
If anyone remembers, the boat used to belong to Steve Gamble, I put a lot of miles on her, and now, I'm off to Afghanistan again, so wont be using it for a while.
$1600 bucks.
I wont be able to deliver it at this late a date, but Chrissy could bring it down on her way to Tampa, I would imagine.
Here is a link to some pics...
http://picasaweb.google.com/rchrds.c...onForSale1600#
Sorry, I dont have any newer ones- If you are interested, I can take some.
Jason
rchrds@charter.net