Renegade Cruisers

Let's see, it would put me on a regular exercise program which my doctor says I need.

There isn't much of a demand for something like that up here. It would eventually pay for itself, but not until after I got a boat and move south.

The local scuba shop up here said $2000 to get certified and purchase the nessesary equipment.

I don't really want to take it out of my boat money, but considering everything going on with my daughter right now I could use something to keep me busy.

But what is the least expensive way to do this.

I can take the classroom/pool up here 6 classes for 675.00
That includes:
Fins
Boots
wetsuit
goggles
snorkle.
Then $150 to get certified.

I could take the PADI online class for $115 and then pay the $150 for the open water test, but hen no eqipment and no pool time to get used to it. Up here you take the cert in a big lake. Isn't salt water a different cert?

There is a lot of used scuba gear on ebay, but not knowing anything about the gear or brand names I'm not sure I'd want to go that direction, not when my life could depend on it.

And an hour from now I'll be back on here after my 2nd cup of coffee trying to figure out what in the world I'm talking about. And we didn't hear a word from Bonnie in all this. What's up with that?

When you're running your calculations to determine if it's worth it or not, assume that you will use all new equipment and take the pool class. It's just stupid to do anything else if you're planning to actually do a bunch of diving. Bargain hunting for used equipment and so on comes later when you're more familiar with the options and compromises. The online class plus cert is probably fine if you're going on holiday and want to be able to go on the guided scuba tours but don't want to take the class at the resort for whatever reason.

But also don't figure worth based solely on its utility for scrubbing your own or other boats' bottoms. It also means another travel and leisure activity, especially when you do get to go sailing over the horizon. Several people have told me that sailing the South Pacific, as an example, without being able to dive means missing out on some of the most incredible sights.

Matt, That's pretty much how I was looking at it.

The exercise and enjoyment factors alone make it worth it. Making money off it is just a plus.

Wetsuit, fins, boots, and goggles I would feel comfortable with used, but the rest of it I would have to have new.

That said, I figure I'll end up taking the classroom/pool up here.

Just slice around the previous customers teeth marks and they should taste fine. Of course if it was a woman, ya might want to check for lipstick stains.

Let's see... I've been a driver for over 20 years and no ones ever asked me to clean their bottom.

If you have a DeWalt 1800 volt variable speed drill driver with a lambs wool buffing wheel you could do it yourself. Just mount it horizontally in a vise, drop your trousers and enjoy the ride. For those hard to reach spots, cut the handle off a soft bristle bottle brush and insert it into the drill chuck.

eeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww...

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