RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] PSUBS 2010 Convention Update

I'm in, assuming I can get the sub finished in time. If we're lucky enough to get flat calm conditions I would love to try outside dives, but with this protected spot at least we're assured the chance to dunk the subs and give some rides. Now... I've got to finish the boat first of course. I'm working on it like crazy. Both inside and outside paint jobs are finished, and I'm in assembly mode, but some significant parts still need to be built. This should be exciting as I expect to finish the boat at the convention marina five minutes before the first dive, and the convention dives will be sea trials. Better pack lots of duct tape.

May I suggest the next logical step? That's to try and enlist some of the folks who don't participate much on the email list but do have operational subs. Back in 2006 we had a convoy of Michigan subs who took a very long drive and doubled our attendance. They trundled in all in a line, saving the event. This drive is even longer, but there's the sea at the end of it instead of a lake. I'm talking about Kyle, Gary Boucher, Gary Sluis, Les, Dan Brewer, Dan H, maybe even Pierre. I'm sure I'm forgetting some of you. Jon, I have phone numbers or emails for most of those guys... d'you want them?

Alec

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From: owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org [mailto:owner-personal_submersibles@psubs.org] On Behalf Of vbra676539@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 26, 2010 12:27 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] PSUBS 2010 Convention Update

Jon,

Item 1: Viz was pushing 10 feet when we were up there Monday. It could be a little worse and might be substantially better depending on tide. Bill was going to look at the tide tables back at the shop to see about that. Incoming is far, far better.....let's hope for that.

Item 2: I'd scrap the idea of boat ramps. It's cheaper, yes, but the attendant risks of short ramps and drop offs (and the resultant delays if something goes wrong) suggests that we commit as a group to the sky launch and be done with it.

Item 3: The old Taylor Creek marina, which is now called Anchors Aweigh at Taylor Creek, will launch us for $5.50/foot, flat rate. If it's Alex at 11 feet, then it's $65.50 if my math is right. Maximum load on the fork lift is 22,000 pounds so if Jim gets down here, we can handle his sub at the same place. My bet is that Cracker Boy will offer us a 10% break for multiple launches, so Taylor Creek is roughly half price for the small boats and maybe just over $100 for Jim. Still the best price I've had all week. NOTE: The two places are side-by-side and the same distance from the dive site (about 1/3 mile).

Item 4: Jimmy has two boats (a Whaler and a smaller boat with a hookah installation), either of which can be used for towing. If Jim comes, or there is a need, we can use Nick's boat (my brother). The boat has roughly the same windage as an aircraft carrier but includes a pair of 454s which will do whatever we need for short hauls. If Alex or someone wants to go outside and try a dive before or after the conference (depending on the weather), we can probably do that, too.

Item 5: Ditto. Also, the boat has a dive platform, AC, two heads and a fridge, so lunch and drinks will be centrally located and out of the sun. It also has awnings over the cockpit, so all you pale skinned kids can get out of the Florida sun. Trust me, you'll want to at some stage.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jon Wallace <jonw@psubs.org>
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Sent: Wed, May 26, 2010 11:48 am
Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] PSUBS 2010 Convention Update

Thanks to Vance Bradley, Ken Martindale, and Billy Odell for their field trip to Ft. Pierce to inspect the dive location. Here is the latest info we have based upon their trip, but Ken and Vance please add/retract anything I missed or got wrong.

1) The dive area as shown at http://www.psubs.org/convention/2010/diveloc/diveloc2.html appears to be more than large enough for us, quiet, and has little to no current. Average depth is 20-24 feet and is much larger than the dive sites in either Michigan or Vancouver.

2) The public boat ramp shown at http://www.psubs.org/convention/2010/diveloc/diveloc2.html has border-line depth for launch/recovery by trailer. I suspect that trailers with extensions like DanH and Alec use for their subs will be able to make it work since they can get deeper in the water. For just a regular trailer with no extension, my gut feeling is that trailer launching is going to be difficult. Perhaps Vance and Ken can provide more specific info since they personally visited the site. I will post photos on the dive location web page http://www.psubs.org/convention/2010/diveloc this afternoon.

3) There are a couple of relatively close marinas with boat lifts. So far the lowest price I've gotten is $150 per vessel but Vance is working some magic to see if we can get a lower price for this service.

4) We'll need towing to get the subs to the dive location. Currently working on that issue to see what the cost will be.

5) Vance has commandeered his brothers 42 foot (I think) cruiser for dive day and I believe is planning to have this vessel anchored in the area for dive ops.

Jon

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