| SCUBA diving from sailboats is generally | | | | sailings, most sailboats have every nook and |
| something that will require some special | | | | cranny taken up something important (sailing |
| consideration. Most divers want to get from the | | | | equipment). So, diving from a sailboat usually |
| dock to the dive site as quickly as possible. If | | | | means keeping all your gear neatly confined to |
| speed or time is not a concern, then there are at | | | | your equipment bag and stowed during the sail or |
| least 5 other considerations. | | | | motor to the dive site. Additionally, the dive tanks |
| Because sailboats are designed to take high seas | | | | are always a hassle on a sailboat, even when |
| their decks are higher than most other boats | | | | there are racks to store the tanks in the |
| designed for the ocean. Diving from any vessel is | | | | sailboat's cockpit. Because of the tight quarters |
| best viewed as how easy is it to enter and exit | | | | already, tanks make for a more difficult situation. |
| from the water while wearing the required gear. | | | | It's usually a small group setting when you're on a |
| Entering the water by jumping spread eagle or a | | | | sailboat. Diving from a sailboat will naturally mean |
| back roll off any boat higher than 6 feet off the | | | | less number of divers. This is usually a good thing |
| water would be considered dangerous. So, your | | | | because crowds on dive boats are rarely seen as |
| entry needs to be from someplace closer than | | | | a positive. The one consideration for diving in small |
| the side or transom of a standard sailboat. If you | | | | groups is the safety equipment on board and the |
| have to climb a ladder more than about six rungs, | | | | qualifications of the staff in the event of an |
| you'll have a greater risk of injury if you slip. Not | | | | emergency. These are not usually the first |
| to mention that following a long dive, many people | | | | questions you'll ask the boat charter people, but |
| are winded and tired, so this puts you at even | | | | don't forget about safety equipment and |
| more risk for an accident. | | | | procedures when booking a trip. |
| Scuba divers who do dive from sailboats typically | | | | Is the scuba diving the first priority or do you |
| will make their dive from the sailboat's dinghy. If | | | | want to do some sailing and take in a dive? If |
| this is an inflatable or small rigid boat with a ladder, | | | | your priority is to do some sailing, maybe a full |
| it does make for entry and exit to be a lot safer | | | | day with an hour or two out for a dive, then |
| and easier. The advantages of the dinghy are that | | | | diving from a sailboat might be the perfect setting |
| you can anchor the sailboat in a sheltered area | | | | for you and your small group. If you have |
| and use the faster, smaller more portable dinghy | | | | snorkelers in your group, you'll probably find this |
| to ride to the dive spot. Once at the dive site, | | | | environment more accommodating to the |
| you still must anchor the dinghy and following the | | | | snorkelers over the divers. |
| dive, return to the dinghy. The disadvantages are | | | | There's nothing finer than anchoring the sailboat in |
| that the dinghy will most likely be unattended | | | | an isolated cove or beach area with some diving |
| during your dive and you have to transfer the | | | | followed by a nice island meal served to the |
| gear from the sailboat to the dinghy, which could | | | | relaxing motion of the seas. Advantages or |
| be more risky in moderate seas. | | | | disadvantages, good or bad, suit your desires and |
| Space on sailboats is always a premium. Except | | | | experience diving at its best. |
| for larger catamarans designed for group day | | | | |