Dive Day

limeydal · 10 July 2005, 16:56

Now the water is warming up, the boys took me up on my promise to go snorkelling.
So we loaded up the boat and set off to a sheltered cove in the bay.
We are lucky that this rocky area is rich in marine life and always holds a few surprises.
As soon as we entered the water, a stingray swam past and huge shoals of bait fish circled us.
On getting to the rocks we saw 2 octopus which was the highlight of the day.
Together with kelp fish/opaleye/garabaldi; it made the swim very enjoyable and the boys keen to learn more.
One regret I did have was not taking my camera to "capture "the octopus. I had bought a Aquapac dry bag (a UK company I believe) but jipped out at the last minute;as wanted to test it in the pool first.
Still a great day out on the boat and pulled in behind Sea World on the way back to catch the aquatic show.

1) Dive team ready!
2)Equipment check
3)ready to roll!
4)Checking out the fish
5) Monster from the deep returns

jewels · 10 July 2005, 19:55

Great pictures Darrall...we are regreting not choosing San Diego again for a summer break, given we are off to Florida soon with Hurricane Dennis looming large, when the weather in your neck of the woods is always so wonderful at this time of year! Are you in Mission bay on the photos...looks familiar!

We have recently bought an aqua dry pac thingy for Matt do some underwater pictures...must capture those sharks on the gulf coast!!!! Er...NOT!! Haven't tried it out yet...so let us know how you get on. Not sure I'd trust it for my Nikon D-SLR though! I'll wait to see what you say!!

Ju & Mike

Hightower · 10 July 2005, 20:20

Like that Flag you're sporting

. Spot on!

limeydal · 10 July 2005, 21:02

Jewels,
with 3 shark attacks within 2 weeks of the Florida coast,I would be thinking of taking a speargun instead of a camera

yes,it is Mission Bay; nice and calm as ben is still a little cautious(I tend to forget they are just 6 and 7 !! )

Hightower; yes as the boat and I were made in the UK; I take the oppertunity to fly the flag (Kindly supplied by Jewels by the way)
First time out with my new Nav light frame! so thought would do nicely to fly from it.
I had brocken off my transom mounted Nav light ,while rolling in the surf a couple of weeks ago

So made this set up instead.
I wanted an A frame but wouldnt fit the boat in the garage then.Also fish a lot and obstructs the stern.
So made a smaller version that fits to the seat with Bimini hinges and then folds flat for storage. Works well and doesn't look too bad seeing as I bent it by hand by "guestimation";
welded the centre piece in especially to mount the flag and was looking at mounting a radar reflector there(until I saw the price they were over here

) will have to check ebay out,
cheers Dal

jewels · 10 July 2005, 21:06

Darrall

How do you find time to be forever making stuff?? Obviosly wasted in computers! Ha ha!

Ju

Hightower · 11 July 2005, 12:55

I've seen a Stainless A frame with a hinge just above the transom that would pivot down to allow the RIB to go into a garage. Also seen rod rests off the A frame as well.

What do you catch in your patch?

limeydal · 12 July 2005, 00:03

Hightower,
yes seen those;but it still blocks fishing ofthe stern and playing the fish.Continually have to pass the rod over the arch as the fish run side to side.
Really just catch small stuff as my kids are a little young to venture far out.(get bored easily) Hopefully thatwill improve,
cheers Dal