Cobalt Coast Resort/Dive Tech Grand Cayman trip report

I have used dive Tech on at least 10 different trips (somewhere
around 150 dives) and NEVER had a dive limited by time. Additionally, I
have never talked to anyone that has been limited by time. Did your
group need to be back at Cobalt Coast by a certain time for lunch?

Ed


Cheryl Mire wrote:

>Two boats went out for two morning dives. For us that represented
>about 26 divers. Then one or two boats went out for a morning dive
>and that number varied. Meanwhile various people were doing shore
>dives throughout the day. The rinse tank was about 5ft x 3ft. So
>after the morning boat dives, all 26 of us had that tank to dunk the
>BC,Reg and Wet suits. At least 17 of us had camera rigs and there was
>one garbage can for that. When I did shore dives in the afternoon,
>the water in the tank was absolutely putrid.
>
>I rinse my stuff at the end of the dive day and I usually take my
>wetsuit back to the room at least once during the dive week for a good
>rinse in the shower.
>
>I've been to CocoView, Laguna Beach (Utila), Divi in Bonaire and
>Cayman Brac -- in Honduras we had one rinse tank per boat and the
>water was refilled at mid-day. At the Divi, they dunk your gear and
>you have rinse tanks for the suits.
>All of those places have full tubs for camera rinsing as well.
>
>The fumes on the boat, the broken down engine, the head on the boat
>which should have worked but they just hadn't gotten around to
>repairing it, the lack of adequate drinking water on the boat paint a
>consistent picture of an operation that just isn't up to snuff. It is
>in stark contrast to the resort itself which is immaculate and
>courteous.
>
>And then there are those lovely 40 minute dives where practically the
>whole boat is diving Nitrox and coming back with 1500 PSI (guys with
>less of course <g>)
>
>"Tim" <tim@check.com> wrote in message news:<nz6Uc.166697$eM2.12170@attbi_s51>...
>
>
>>Luca,
>>
>>The QUALITY divers that I dive with, on Little Cayman, rinse all their gear,
>>except fins, after EACH dive day, but certainly not after each dive.
>>
>>I would worry a bit about the equipment reliability of a diver who didn't
>>rinse each day. I don't mean a 10 minute scrubbing though, a quick dunk and
>>swish is fine for most gear.
>>
>>The wet suit is a different story. Wet suits get VERY gross if not rinsed
>>each day. It is simply common curtsy to rise the suit. The process ought to
>>be something like, let them sit in the water for a minute or so, squeeze and
>>swish around a bit, lift out and put back in for a few seconds, then take to
>>hang up.
>>
>>A single rinse tank is alright for dozens of divers, if dumped and refilled
>>sometimes during the day. Cheryl, do you mean 40 divers hit the tank at the
>>SAME MOMENT? That would be too much, but I'm guessing you mean 40 divers
>>over the course of a couple of hours. -- Should work.
>>
>>Tim
>>
>>
>>"Luca Rossetti" <dontw@nt.spam> wrote in message
>>news:vc6Uc.17$iX1.29407@news.uswest.net...
>>
>>
>>>"Cheryl Mire" <cmire@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>>>news:83b6d04b.0408151539.7bd0cf93@posting.googl e.com...
>>>
>>>
>>>>That little rinse tank you consider a convenience was the only rinse
>>>>tank for a resort of 40 divers being taken out on 4 boat dives a day.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>You don't need to rinse your gear after every dive. On the liveaboards you
>>>have dived from how often have you rinsed you gear between dives? Probably
>>>about as much as most of us...which is never. The gear is no worse for
>>>
>>>
>> wear
>>
>>
>>>or damaged if left unrinsed between daily dives.
>>>
>>>If 40 divers making 4 dives per day are rinsing their gear every time the
>>>boat returns to the dock then it is they who are wrong, not the dive shop.
>>>It appears to me that one rinse tank is enough capacity for divers rinsing
>>>their gear for the return trip home.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>

cmire@bellsouth.net (Cheryl Mire) wrote in message news:<83b6d04b.0408150852.26375348@posting.google. com>...

> most of our other adventures. All arrangements were handled by
> Caribbean Dive Shop, and we once again had the pleasure of traveling
> with our certifying dive masters, Dave and Sunday Delger. Airport

Did you google rec.scuba.locations before you went? I do so before all
my trips to get the low-down on locals. It doesn't work for organized
tours of course.... but traveling in small self-organized groups gives
you flexibilty (and some stress : )


> Northwest corner of the island. Our group of 28 guests took over most
> of the property and the two dive boats for the entire week. The rooms
[snip, cut, and paste]
> much as anyone, but I have never been to a British influenced
> Caribbean location without encountering the undeniable ATTITUDE. I

Perhaps this is a source of some attitude? I've never encountered any
sort of people issues on my trips. But I am low maintainance do not
-expect- great air conditioners in the tropics.


> Be prepared to limit your dives to 40 minutes;
> that's right 40 minutes on the first dive and 50 on the second.
> Actually, nearly every dive was less than 45 minutes, and I was
> returning to the boat with 1500 psi or more.

Good to know.


> place for me to see fish. The Caymans have joined the Bahamas on my
> list of places where the attitude of personnel is too discouraging to
> merit a return visit. Bonaire and Honduras are far more pleasant
> venues and they will get a piece of my financial resources on future
> dive trips.

I found the Caymanians to be very nice people (stop by the post office
in Gun Bay and you'll see what I mean!). I wouldn't say the diving is
the best but it is good and I'd recommend the island to others.

-lance smith

"lance smith" <outside@ziggyworks.com> wrote in message
news:36f85e46.0408170940.3fadd132@posting.google.c om...

> Perhaps this is a source of some attitude? I've never encountered any
> sort of people issues on my trips. But I am low maintainance do not
> -expect- great air conditioners in the tropics.

But that's precisely when they're most needed.

"Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote in message
news:41225042$0$107$6c56adcd@news.qnet.com...
> "lance smith" <outside@ziggyworks.com> wrote in message
> news:36f85e46.0408170940.3fadd132@posting.google.c om...
>
> > Perhaps this is a source of some attitude? I've never encountered any
> > sort of people issues on my trips. But I am low maintainance do not
> > -expect- great air conditioners in the tropics.
>
> But that's precisely when they're most needed.
>
>

Isn't that why they installed beaches and a breeze?

"Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote in message
news:41225042$0$107$6c56adcd@news.qnet.com...
> "lance smith" <outside@ziggyworks.com> wrote in message
> news:36f85e46.0408170940.3fadd132@posting.google.c om...
>
> > Perhaps this is a source of some attitude? I've never encountered any
> > sort of people issues on my trips. But I am low maintainance do not
> > -expect- great air conditioners in the tropics.
>
> But that's precisely when they're most needed.

I have been to exactly one tropical location, Wakatobi, that claimed AC
wasn't needed ( in my view that means wouldn't make it a bit more
comfortable), and it turned out to be the case. Every time I read that claim
from some boat or resort lacking AC I know it's going to be bullshit during
some part of the day, month or year.

So wouldn't ya know it, last year Wakatobi started installing AC in the
bungalows. I return next April. Now I can be cold at night and I really
don't fuckin' need it :^)

"Greg Mossman" <mossman@qnet.com> wrote in message news:<41225042$0$107$6c56adcd@news.qnet.com>...
> "lance smith" <outside@ziggyworks.com> wrote in message
> news:36f85e46.0408170940.3fadd132@posting.google.c om...
>
> > Perhaps this is a source of some attitude? I've never encountered any
> > sort of people issues on my trips. But I am low maintainance do not
> > -expect- great air conditioners in the tropics.
>
> But that's precisely when they're most needed.

heheh... i suppose so. I think I've gotten too used to the USD$3
hotels in South America. Of course when I travel w/ my gf and we pay a
hundred times more the AC works....

-lance smith

Well, actually we had 28, but two didn't dive. The previous summer
the dive shop brought 34 to Bonaire. At Mardi Gras, they often bring
25+


Dan Bracuk <NOTbracuk@pathcom.com> wrote in message news:<7ki2i0pp36ibk5g3vlp94c78lmkrm7u770@4ax.com>. ..
> cmire@bellsouth.net (Cheryl Mire) pounded away at his keyboard
> resulting in:
> :Two boats went out for two morning dives. For us that represented
> :about 26 divers.
>
> I find it remarkable that 26 divers, or is that 28?, were all able to
> get time off work at the same time.
>
> Have you ever considered Nekton Cruises? They can accomodate a group
> your size and you can still gets lotsa diving in.
>
> Then you can rinse your gear out at the end of the week.
>
> Dan Bracuk
> If at first you don't succeed, you run the risk of failure.
> The Best of rec.scuba http://www.pathcom.com/~bracuk/RecScuba/
>
>
> -----= Posted via Newsfeeds.Com, Uncensored Usenet News =-----
> http://www.newsfeeds.com - The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World!
> -----== Over 100,000 Newsgroups - 19 Different Servers! =-----

NOPE. Even with the 40 minutes limit, it was usually 1:00 or 1:30
before we got back to the resort. Lots of time in the van and riding
in the boat.

Ed <espilman@bellatlantic.net> wrote in message news:<WspUc.27406$SC1.21403@nwrddc03.gnilink.net>. ..
> I have used dive Tech on at least 10 different trips (somewhere
> around 150 dives) and NEVER had a dive limited by time. Additionally, I
> have never talked to anyone that has been limited by time. Did your
> group need to be back at Cobalt Coast by a certain time for lunch?
>
> Ed
>
>
> Cheryl Mire wrote:
>
> >Two boats went out for two morning dives. For us that represented
> >about 26 divers. Then one or two boats went out for a morning dive
> >and that number varied. Meanwhile various people were doing shore
> >dives throughout the day. The rinse tank was about 5ft x 3ft. So
> >after the morning boat dives, all 26 of us had that tank to dunk the
> >BC,Reg and Wet suits. At least 17 of us had camera rigs and there was
> >one garbage can for that. When I did shore dives in the afternoon,
> >the water in the tank was absolutely putrid.
> >
> >I rinse my stuff at the end of the dive day and I usually take my
> >wetsuit back to the room at least once during the dive week for a good
> >rinse in the shower.
> >
> >I've been to CocoView, Laguna Beach (Utila), Divi in Bonaire and
> >Cayman Brac -- in Honduras we had one rinse tank per boat and the
> >water was refilled at mid-day. At the Divi, they dunk your gear and
> >you have rinse tanks for the suits.
> >All of those places have full tubs for camera rinsing as well.
> >
> >The fumes on the boat, the broken down engine, the head on the boat
> >which should have worked but they just hadn't gotten around to
> >repairing it, the lack of adequate drinking water on the boat paint a
> >consistent picture of an operation that just isn't up to snuff. It is
> >in stark contrast to the resort itself which is immaculate and
> >courteous.
> >
> >And then there are those lovely 40 minute dives where practically the
> >whole boat is diving Nitrox and coming back with 1500 PSI (guys with
> >less of course <g>)
> >
> >"Tim" <tim@check.com> wrote in message news:<nz6Uc.166697$eM2.12170@attbi_s51>...
> >
> >
> >>Luca,
> >>
> >>The QUALITY divers that I dive with, on Little Cayman, rinse all their gear,
> >>except fins, after EACH dive day, but certainly not after each dive.
> >>
> >>I would worry a bit about the equipment reliability of a diver who didn't
> >>rinse each day. I don't mean a 10 minute scrubbing though, a quick dunk and
> >>swish is fine for most gear.
> >>
> >>The wet suit is a different story. Wet suits get VERY gross if not rinsed
> >>each day. It is simply common curtsy to rise the suit. The process ought to
> >>be something like, let them sit in the water for a minute or so, squeeze and
> >>swish around a bit, lift out and put back in for a few seconds, then take to
> >>hang up.
> >>
> >>A single rinse tank is alright for dozens of divers, if dumped and refilled
> >>sometimes during the day. Cheryl, do you mean 40 divers hit the tank at the
> >>SAME MOMENT? That would be too much, but I'm guessing you mean 40 divers
> >>over the course of a couple of hours. -- Should work.
> >>
> >>Tim
> >>
> >>
> >>"Luca Rossetti" <dontw@nt.spam> wrote in message
> >>news:vc6Uc.17$iX1.29407@news.uswest.net...
> >>
> >>
> >>>"Cheryl Mire" <cmire@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
> >>>news:83b6d04b.0408151539.7bd0cf93@posting.googl e.com...
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>That little rinse tank you consider a convenience was the only rinse
> >>>>tank for a resort of 40 divers being taken out on 4 boat dives a day.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>You don't need to rinse your gear after every dive. On the liveaboards you
> >>>have dived from how often have you rinsed you gear between dives? Probably
> >>>about as much as most of us...which is never. The gear is no worse for
> >>>
> >>>
> >> wear
> >>
> >>
> >>>or damaged if left unrinsed between daily dives.
> >>>
> >>>If 40 divers making 4 dives per day are rinsing their gear every time the
> >>>boat returns to the dock then it is they who are wrong, not the dive shop.
> >>>It appears to me that one rinse tank is enough capacity for divers rinsing
> >>>their gear for the return trip home.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>

"Chris Guynn" <chris.guynn@sbcglobal.N.O.S.P.A.M.net> wrote in message
news:KgtUc.1660$mq3.73@newssvr23.news.prodigy.com. ..

> Isn't that why they installed beaches and a breeze?

Sometimes that can be enough. However, sometimes the best diving is in the
"off" season, when the sun bakes and the wind stops blowing.

I fondly recall one night in Palau. We were sitting around the pool at
close to midnight, drinking the ice-cold VB our Australian friends had the
foresight to stash in a cooler behind the bar for after closing time.
Though it was in the upper 90s, the breeze was enough to keep us cool even
though the canned beer would acclimate to 'room temperature' within two
minutes after removal from the ice. Then the wind suddenly stopped. The
beads of sweat started dripping down my forehead even though the only
motions I made were to put can to mouth and can to table and back again. It
was midnight and it was exceedingly uncomfortable. The party was over and
we all went to bed in our air-conditioned rooms.

(I only recall this "fondly" because we dove Blue Corner the next day. The
death of the wind meant that the off-season typhoon that had nicked us was
finally over and we could leave the confines of the reef and dive the
"really good shit". Thanks to the lack of A/C out by the pool we were
forced to adjourn early so I could appreciate the incredible dive site the
next morning without too severe a hangover. Had the rooms lacked A/C I
surely would have committed suicide before sunup.)

"Chris Guynn" <chris.guynn@sbcglobal.N.O.S.P.A.M.net> wrote in message
news:3hKUc.1904$LP7.727@newssvr24.news.prodigy.com ...

> > I fondly recall one night in Palau. We were sitting around the pool at
> > close to midnight, drinking the ice-cold VB our Australian friends had
the
> > foresight to stash in a cooler behind the bar for after closing time.
> > Though it was in the upper 90s, the breeze was enough to keep us cool
even
> > though the canned beer would acclimate to 'room temperature' within two
> > minutes after removal from the ice. Then the wind suddenly stopped.
The
> > beads of sweat started dripping down my forehead even though the only
> > motions I made were to put can to mouth and can to table and back again.
> It
> > was midnight and it was exceedingly uncomfortable. The party was over
and
> > we all went to bed in our air-conditioned rooms.
>
> hopefully, someday, I can have fun stories like that of my adventures in
> "paradise"

Who needs paradise? You live in Texas where it's just as hot and humid.