January 24, 2004
Tried out the new camera underwater. Took 127 shots and had about 4 keepers out of the group. I think this one is the winner though. This little fish just kept posing until I got it right. You can right click and use the “save as” and use it as desktop background (1024 x 768).
About 30 minutes on the bottom in 62 degrees of water. In a 7mm wetsuit, it was not only bearable, but enjoyable. First dive was an old hopper barge loaded with fish. Visibility was 35 feet and there was all kind of stuff to see. Boy it sure is good to see the boat when you get to the top.
The second dive was on the same wreck, it was so good. Then in closer for the third dive on some culverts. Visibility was 20 feet.
The guys brought up some dinner also.
Overall a spectacular day.
January 19, 2004
Topped off the tanks (97 gals). So at about three and a half hours that means that the boat at 2350 rpm was using about 27 gallons of diesel per hour. At half the rpm she burns 8 gallons per hour. Not bad. Cleaned up the dive boat and took it into town for lunch.
Seth brought in Sea Love III and it looked like they had a good fishing trip. The pelicans were around for the typical handout.
Of course, at the fish cleaning table, we had an audience. These guys were just chatting away. Did you ever hear a pelican beg. It almost sounds like one of those plastic snake straw whistles. Here’s a short video with sound of them. It’s pretty funny.
Though you have to keep an eye on them. They aren’t above pilfering your cleaned fish. Don’t leave them alone with your fish…
January 4, 2004
So… the history of Lady Margaret…
When I first spotted her, the ad was for a 36 footer, and it had these pics…
It’s amazing, when you tell the salesman that you’ll buy it and he says, “Really?”
Just a diamond in the rough
January 3, 2004
01-03-04
1500 Left Atlantic Marine after fueling up (150gals). 1545 At the Jacksonville sea buoy. The new engine was just what the doctor ordered. My speed has increased from 12 mph top end to 17 mph. This will make the ride out to the dive spots much better. Check out this wake…
This is what they were singing about when they were saying “Nicely making way”. What a nice quick journey. The weather couldn’t have been any nicer nor the seas any calmer. Saw the usual suspects (dolphins) but they didn’t come play in the new wake. Maybe they will when I put mufflers on this thing. Straight pipes off of Detroit 8v53′s is amazingly loud. Also saw about a 10′ manta ray jump into the air. Again at sunset. Do they do this because of the kitty bewitching hour (sunset)? Why do sunsets look more spectacular from the water???
1805 At the Saint Augustine sea buoy. This is a twilight entrance tonight. Not too bad, could see the shadows of the buoys against the sunset. 1820 Back at Sea Lover’s Marina then tied up. What a beautiful day, I don’t do this often enough. Wow… 3 hours 20 minutes…
January 1, 2004
Happy New Year!!! Well, I’m about to pull the dive boat out of the yard.
New engine, paint, zincs etc… Boy does she look good. Oh, by the way, got her a decent camera for Christmas. It even has the underwater housing and will do movies. So looking forward to sharing more.
Did I say how good she looks???
