diver tow behind planer board
- Thread starter bell47
- Start date
Bell-
I've spent many great days being towed behind our boat in 15' to 25' water ...with just snorkel gear. In no time while doing this you will learn how to angle your body to go from the bottom up to take a breath and go right back down again...its one of my favorite things to do, 'cept of course actually findin coins! I think at this point on the treasure coast of Florida....I know where ALL the cannons are...you just let go of the ski-tow handle and go investigate when a likely "shape is seen. Straight lines or perfect circles are not natural...so you let go and go see 'em when they appear.This is really great on those rare extra clear days here and we do it with two people being towed so we can make nice wide passes over likely areas. I like to take a disposable underwatwater camera with me...only about $10 at any discount store. They take great pictures for the price. then you can match the DGPS coordinates with the photo's if the schmuck at the wheel is paying attention to when you drop off the towline....
No need for a planing handle as far as I'm concerned....just another costly accessory. HH!
Mike
I've spent many great days being towed behind our boat in 15' to 25' water ...with just snorkel gear. In no time while doing this you will learn how to angle your body to go from the bottom up to take a breath and go right back down again...its one of my favorite things to do, 'cept of course actually findin coins! I think at this point on the treasure coast of Florida....I know where ALL the cannons are...you just let go of the ski-tow handle and go investigate when a likely "shape is seen. Straight lines or perfect circles are not natural...so you let go and go see 'em when they appear.This is really great on those rare extra clear days here and we do it with two people being towed so we can make nice wide passes over likely areas. I like to take a disposable underwatwater camera with me...only about $10 at any discount store. They take great pictures for the price. then you can match the DGPS coordinates with the photo's if the schmuck at the wheel is paying attention to when you drop off the towline....
No need for a planing handle as far as I'm concerned....just another costly accessory. HH!
Mike
Hey Skimmer,Certain salvors used to call that the "shark line". What is your experience with that.
Any followers while trolling.I know Marx used to write that he loved that method,but it had
some risks. Would like to hear everyones experience doing it.Sounds great in clear water,
but don't know about lower vis.situations.Hope there are some posts on this.Thanks Joe
Any followers while trolling.I know Marx used to write that he loved that method,but it had
some risks. Would like to hear everyones experience doing it.Sounds great in clear water,
but don't know about lower vis.situations.Hope there are some posts on this.Thanks Joe
HI Joe-
Only once....off he Marquesas keys, (35 miles off Key West) did I notice a bull shark paying attention to me.
I'm pretty observant, and I've never seen a shark watching or following me on the 1715 Treasure Coast.
Anyway...you're holding a 25' line attached o the dive platform. Its just a wild hand-overhand to the boat if you see somthin scarey, right? Its all just part of "working in their world" as I see it.
Mike
Only once....off he Marquesas keys, (35 miles off Key West) did I notice a bull shark paying attention to me.
I'm pretty observant, and I've never seen a shark watching or following me on the 1715 Treasure Coast.
Anyway...you're holding a 25' line attached o the dive platform. Its just a wild hand-overhand to the boat if you see somthin scarey, right? Its all just part of "working in their world" as I see it.
Mike
Salvor6
Silver Member
- Joined
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- Primary Interest:
- Shipwrecks
Hey Bell, here is the answer to your question. Check out this for a picture of some planer boards; www.hawaiianatols.org/research/NWHIRAMP2004/features/towed_diver_surveys.php. Here is a site that gives you plans on how to build one: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3809/is_n2_v56/ai_16880181/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1.
Just do a google search of "diver planing boards" and you will get a big list of sites to check out.
Just do a google search of "diver planing boards" and you will get a big list of sites to check out.
Scubasalvor-
Those are neat.....but, if you try just hanging onto a ski tow line/handle, with snorkel gear and well fitting swim shorts (I lost 'em a couple times haha) you will see your body works better as a planing surface than a piece of 2' plywood, really, try it out! Underway, just tip your head down, touch your chin to your chest and down you go! Fun and easy, and there's nuthin better than eyes...unless its bottom penetrating sonar.
Mike
Those are neat.....but, if you try just hanging onto a ski tow line/handle, with snorkel gear and well fitting swim shorts (I lost 'em a couple times haha) you will see your body works better as a planing surface than a piece of 2' plywood, really, try it out! Underway, just tip your head down, touch your chin to your chest and down you go! Fun and easy, and there's nuthin better than eyes...unless its bottom penetrating sonar.
Mike
Salvor6
Silver Member
- Joined
- Feb 5, 2005
- Messages
- 3,760
- Reaction score
- 2,181
- Golden Thread
- 0
- Location
- Port Richey, Florida
- Detector(s) used
- Aquapulse, J.W. Fisher Proton 3, Pulse Star II, Detector Pro Headhunter, AK-47
- Primary Interest:
- Shipwrecks
Sounds great Skimmer. I'll try it next time on the 1715 fleet beaches.
Hey Joe-
I can relate to the "low vis" situation...its normally low vis to no vis here too....but...pick your day, and get out EARLY, and its a thrill scootin across the water checking everything out. I know...its low tech, but, it works! And, don't let your imagination go wild, there's really not that much to be afraid of. Most sharks I've encountered while diving just come by and eyeball you, then you never see 'em again. Sometimes it rattles me and I shoot for the boat, but not often. 'Cuda stare you down, but have you ever heard of anyone being bit by a cuda (except ON a boat)? Reaching into holes will get you bit by morays...they hate getting disturbed. Other than that its just your mindset that rules. HH
Mike
I can relate to the "low vis" situation...its normally low vis to no vis here too....but...pick your day, and get out EARLY, and its a thrill scootin across the water checking everything out. I know...its low tech, but, it works! And, don't let your imagination go wild, there's really not that much to be afraid of. Most sharks I've encountered while diving just come by and eyeball you, then you never see 'em again. Sometimes it rattles me and I shoot for the boat, but not often. 'Cuda stare you down, but have you ever heard of anyone being bit by a cuda (except ON a boat)? Reaching into holes will get you bit by morays...they hate getting disturbed. Other than that its just your mindset that rules. HH
Mike
ScubaFinder
Bronze Member
Chagy
Bronze Member
Skimmer said:hahahahah..."Jason and the Nurses" I remember that pic from way back. Where was that, anyway?ScubaFinder said:I dove all day yesterday and I didn't see any sharks.
Mike
Hey Mike,
That was in Jason's trip to Belize
Hi Chagy-
Yeah, now I remember, Belize. Havn't heard from you in awhile, you keepin busy with the Conquistador?
Robert called regarding head bolts for the 454's in
early July, I trust you have them up and running.
Hey, good luck and call when you all are getting together in Sebastian...I'll come up and have a beer withyou.
Mike
Yeah, now I remember, Belize. Havn't heard from you in awhile, you keepin busy with the Conquistador?
Robert called regarding head bolts for the 454's in
early July, I trust you have them up and running.
Hey, good luck and call when you all are getting together in Sebastian...I'll come up and have a beer withyou.
Mike
ScubaFinder
Bronze Member
That'd be great Mike, and yes, through much hardship...we have the boat running well. You'll see some video of it very soon in another thread.
Chagy nailed the Belize pics, they were feeding them from the boat and I was filming from below...the only aggression I saw was a tail slap to the head. I wouldn't have been that close to a "real" shark, I aint stoopud.
Have a good one.
Jas
Chagy nailed the Belize pics, they were feeding them from the boat and I was filming from below...the only aggression I saw was a tail slap to the head.
I wouldn't have been that close to a "real" shark, I aint stoopud.Have a good one.
Jas
Hi Jason-
Yeah, let me know when ya'll are doing a get together and workin up there in Sebastian- I'll scoot up there....I havn't yet met Robert and Chagy and crew.
Hey, I wanted to say to anyone who doesn't know:
that Nurse Sharks can be really aggressive when they choose to be. I remember about ten years ago a 6 footer latched onto the thigh of a swimmer in Gulf Shores , Alabama (nice place) and another swimmer dragged them up on the beach...well....the Nurse would not let go of the guys thigh and had to be killed to get her offf..a cop finally shot the shark in the head. I swear, true story. See ya'll soon, Jason.
Mike.
Yeah, let me know when ya'll are doing a get together and workin up there in Sebastian- I'll scoot up there....I havn't yet met Robert and Chagy and crew.
Hey, I wanted to say to anyone who doesn't know:
that Nurse Sharks can be really aggressive when they choose to be. I remember about ten years ago a 6 footer latched onto the thigh of a swimmer in Gulf Shores , Alabama (nice place) and another swimmer dragged them up on the beach...well....the Nurse would not let go of the guys thigh and had to be killed to get her offf..a cop finally shot the shark in the head. I swear, true story. See ya'll soon, Jason.
Mike.
the1cowboy
Tenderfoot
Hey there ya'll. was just wondering at what speed you find works best with that method? I am kinda new to treasure hunting so to speak, My Dad and I taught SCUBA for many years and any weekend that we did not have to teach classes, we would head to Pt. Pleasant beach NJ to hook up with our good buddy and boat owner Tony Donetz of the Blue Fathoms dive boat. We have hit so many wrecks on the coast and done a lot of relic hunting and penatrations, and have come up with some neat stuff. Unfortunately, we lost one of our best friends and pioneers to nitrox diving on the Andrea Doria, and it really put a halt to a lot of our diving desires. I have been away from it for a while, and have since gotten married to a beautiful woman who shares in the sense of adventure in diving and treasure hunting. Funny thing is, she is also an accomplished water skier, a metalurgical engineer, a great boat driver, and one heck of a cook!!! We are planning on going down to Islamorada to do some diving on the 1733 wrecks to see what we could find. Even as I sit here, I am waiting another hour and a half to see if I won the bid on ebay for a full face underwater comm system that she and I can use. I am still searching for a good quality metal detector for us to take with us as well,,,, if anyone has anything they might be interested in selling, let me know.
Anyway, I digress, back to the speed thing, I got the idea from back when Tony used to pull us in shallower waters behind the boat just for fun and thought,,,, "what a great idea, if only the water was clearer here in Jersey". well, now my wife pulls me around the lake here in TN all the time and it got me thinkin again, I would like to try this method down in the keys this winter when we go for our diving vacation. We are taking our boat and plan on doing nothing but lookin fer treasure,,, well, that and eating like kings and queens. By the way, anyone wanting to join us, let me know, we are getting a place that we can dock our boat right at the house and would love to find someone who has some experience in that area of the world and knows where to look,,,, yeah yeah,,, I know, fat chance of that happening. But hey ya never know till ya ask.
Which brings me to my next portion of my rambling post, I am available for anyone who is looking for someone to invest in SERIOUS treasure hunting, weather it be my time and labor, or perhaps financial backing, (as soon as we finish selling all our Lakefront properties) I am miserable when I am not in the water. I may not have all the experience of a lot of other salvors, but I guarantee you will not meet anyone with more enthusiasm and drive to find treasure!!! Not to mention, I have the time now to do so. I am sure I will get blasted on here about some of this stuff,,,,(not afraid to admit my being green to the true treasure hunters world) but I will take any and all advice, pointers, thoughts, suggestions, constructive criticizim and such. Thank for your time.
Anyway, I digress, back to the speed thing, I got the idea from back when Tony used to pull us in shallower waters behind the boat just for fun and thought,,,, "what a great idea, if only the water was clearer here in Jersey". well, now my wife pulls me around the lake here in TN all the time and it got me thinkin again, I would like to try this method down in the keys this winter when we go for our diving vacation. We are taking our boat and plan on doing nothing but lookin fer treasure,,, well, that and eating like kings and queens. By the way, anyone wanting to join us, let me know, we are getting a place that we can dock our boat right at the house and would love to find someone who has some experience in that area of the world and knows where to look,,,, yeah yeah,,, I know, fat chance of that happening. But hey ya never know till ya ask.
Which brings me to my next portion of my rambling post, I am available for anyone who is looking for someone to invest in SERIOUS treasure hunting, weather it be my time and labor, or perhaps financial backing, (as soon as we finish selling all our Lakefront properties) I am miserable when I am not in the water. I may not have all the experience of a lot of other salvors, but I guarantee you will not meet anyone with more enthusiasm and drive to find treasure!!! Not to mention, I have the time now to do so. I am sure I will get blasted on here about some of this stuff,,,,(not afraid to admit my being green to the true treasure hunters world) but I will take any and all advice, pointers, thoughts, suggestions, constructive criticizim and such. Thank for your time.
the1cowboy
Tenderfoot
Well, after spending the day reading just about all the forums I could find on treasure diving in the keys, I have been rudely awakened by the fact that you pretty much cannot treasure dive anywhere in FL from the cape to the bottom of the keys, (unless I am sorely mistaken). So that pretty much wraps up any plans we had for having some real fun with the detectors while on vacation. Don't that just beat all! Well, if anyone has any other suggestions for my wife and I for that type of vacation,,,, I'm all ears. (Like I really expect to get a serious response to that)
Well, I'm still gonna continue my search for anyone who is looking for a dive buddy/ investor/ worker for treasure salvage. I can relocate to wherever I'm needed.
Well, I'm still gonna continue my search for anyone who is looking for a dive buddy/ investor/ worker for treasure salvage. I can relocate to wherever I'm needed.
old man
Bronze Member
Bell47, Forget the planer board. Just hang off the end of a 20 or 30 foot rope and get towed behind the boat at a slow speed, wearing a mask and snorkel. It's a cheap way to go and it works well. Don't worry about the sharks. ( Unless your an attorney ).
Hey Cowboy,Don't give up.If you are in Florida,go by the Fisher museum in Sebastian and ask
if any salvors want divers.Some might let you dive with them for the THing experience.You
have the diving experience already,so there may be some that would welcome you aboard,
even if it's for a few trips.Never hurts to ask.Plus there are still areas on the treasure coast that
aren't under lease,and you can look all you want.Just make sure you are in the right areas
when carrying a metal detector.Good luck and have fun.HH Joe
if any salvors want divers.Some might let you dive with them for the THing experience.You
have the diving experience already,so there may be some that would welcome you aboard,
even if it's for a few trips.Never hurts to ask.Plus there are still areas on the treasure coast that
aren't under lease,and you can look all you want.Just make sure you are in the right areas
when carrying a metal detector.Good luck and have fun.HH Joe
the1cowboy
Tenderfoot
A big thanks to both JoeSWfla and to Oldman for your replies. I am taking your advice on that and am currently looking into those opportunities. This morning I had a friend of mine pulling me behind my pontoon boat so I could master the art of diver planing. Works very well just the way Oldman says. Just above idle spead seems to work best for a guy my size. By the way Oldman, I have met a few attorneys over the years that I would love to use for bait,,,er planing, yeah planing!! (oops, did I say that out loud?) Sorry, I just had one of those Mythbuster moments going through my head. 
Anyway, thanks again. Can't wait to get wet, my gills are getting really really dry. Look forward to chattin with ya'll later.
Anyway, thanks again. Can't wait to get wet, my gills are getting really really dry. Look forward to chattin with ya'll later.
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