|
Post by Bryan on Dec 12, 2004 18:59:30 GMT -8
Here is the start of the planning session for our 1st Vintage Equipment Divers get together of the new year. We are looking to do some diving in the Northern Florida Springs during March 31st-April 3rd. Blue and Alexander Springs are part of the plan for sure and would love some input from everyone as to what other spots we should hit. I'm sure that Tom, Chuck and Rob will be driving in. I'll be flying in to Orlando and driving to destinations everywhere. Everyone is welcome to join us. I'll keep posting info as I get it and everyone please feel free to post thoughts and suggestions. Here is a link to the photos from last years trip. www.vintagedoublehose.com/trips/Florida_Springs/index.html
|
|
|
Post by Bryan on Dec 13, 2004 5:09:40 GMT -8
I've had a couple of the same question vie E-mail so I thought I would post the answers to help anyone else out. 1. There are dive shops close to or at the places we visit. Getting air will not be a problem. 2. This is not a guided tour!!!! You are 110% responsible for yourself and your equipment. I will bring parts if you request them and we all do a great job of helping each other out. Thats as far as it goes. 3. There are lots of hotels/motels/campgrounds around where we will be diving. I will post links to the closest places to stay that I can find. Make your own reservations and plans. 4. Diving was super easy and the water was very clear last year. Weather was 80 and sunny. Depths from 5' to 107' No overhead diving is planned. It's a good type of diving to perfect or refresh your skills with Vintage Equipment. Here is a map link showing Orange City Florida where Blue Springs is located. You can see Alexander Springs to the NW on the map. Last year we stayed at the Days Inn on Volusia ave in Orange City. It was approx 2 miles from the spring. www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?country=US&address=&city=Orange+City&state=FL
|
|
|
Post by JES on Dec 20, 2004 5:58:44 GMT -8
|
|
Jack WilhelmSarasota FL
Guest
|
Post by Jack WilhelmSarasota FL on Dec 22, 2004 5:57:45 GMT -8
Hi everyone, I told Bryan I would help him (and everyone) with coming up with locations for us to dive. Alexander and Blue Springs (Orange City) are two musts, and if we're doing a week's worth of diving we gotta hit some of the really great springs spots. Not too far west of the Orlando area are the bulk of available springs to dive. One's such as The Blue Grotto, Devil's Den, Weeki Wachee, King's Spring and Three Sisters in Kings Bay at Crystal River, Ginnie Springs, etc. If everyone (or most everyone) could travel to these springs during your stay, it would be a fantastic experience. Possibly if a daily plan or itinerary is layed out prior to the happening, everyone could make plans to dive the sites for as long as you'd be planning to stay. I will offer to work with Bryan on planning something like this, and please, everyone offer up your thoughts on the dive planning activities. I will also offer to in a sense to help guide or take people to certain dive sites if that would prove to be a desirable idea. I love this springtime dive that Bryan has started and hope it lasts for many years to come. I'm staying tuned to this channel for any and all posts, and everyone have a great Christmas and New Year's holidays, Jack.
|
|
|
Post by JES on Dec 22, 2004 6:35:09 GMT -8
Just a little information about the 2 primary springs for those who have not dove them before, and also a link to the website that supplied the information with information on many of the other springs. Blue Springs - Orange CityBlue Spring is located in a large state park in central Florida and offers excellent camping facilities. Blue is known for its manatee migration in the run during the winter months. There is a large slit cave (right) that drops down to 120 feet where a restriction limits further exploring. On the way down, there are smaller caves that dead end into darkness about 15 feet back. At 60 feet open water divers will encounter a sign warning them to not proceed any further. Cave divers may continue only to be confronted w/ a strong flow that's known to blow the mask right off a diver. You must check in and register to scuba dive. Alexander SpringsAlexander Springs, located in central Florida, is known for its safe open water dive. The shallow depths and small caverns make an for excellent novice dive. The spring basin is one of the largest, almost 300 ft. wide. While depths don't exceed 30 ft,, there are some small caverns to explore that make it an enjoyable scuba dive. Snorkelers can also enjoy the basin and freedive to most of the exciting parts. The main cavern can be penetrated for about 10 ft. at a depth of 23 feet. There is a strong flow at the deepest part from a vent. There is a lot of marine wildlife here and a chance you might even see a gator! And here is the link I promised: underwaterflorida.homestead.com/springs.html
|
|
|
Post by Bryan on Dec 22, 2004 13:32:39 GMT -8
As just a suggestion......I would like to propose that we start our diving in Blue Springs.....That worked really well for us last year. I am totally open to the next location after that. Perhaps you and Jes could line out a route for us from there. I think one day of diving at Blue is enough and I'd be ready to go to another site from there. I just have to be back in Orlando to fly out on really late on the 3rd.........
Thanks to all for the suggestions!!
|
|
|
Post by BROXTON CHUCK on Jan 1, 2005 10:03:30 GMT -8
Last year we didnt make TROY SPRING as it wasent planned up front. Its been closed due to high water in the Sawanee River. Ill call them and see if its open. It is a tremendous dive, and clear......... WOW! This is in a Florida State Park. Manitee Spring, and Gennie are near too. Gennie is expensive though. CHUCKO
|
|
|
Post by Jack Wilhelm on Jan 1, 2005 11:53:01 GMT -8
Hi guys, and happy new year. Hey Chucko, so good to see you're still alive. I'm sure you're still the outspoken, super charming, only guy with a compressor in the gang guy. I really enjoyed diving with you last spring, and very much look forward to getting back together with everyone again. I've got a buddy, Ken Rados, who wants to join us this year. Chuck, you mentioned some great springs to dive. I dive Troy all the time. It's a big ole cylinder about 80 to 100 feet across and 75 to 80 deep. It's a fabulous place for the doublehosers to go. Walk in entrance, crystal clear water, small cavern, and high flow cave. The other one you mentioned Manatee Springs has a great dive in a sink called Catfish Hotel. This is a personal favorite of mine. Goes down to 70 feet on a nice slop, lots of interesting things to explore. Things seem to be shaping up nicely so far.
|
|
|
Post by 1969ivan1 on Jan 1, 2005 14:48:41 GMT -8
I second the motion for TROY. I also think that Ginnie would be nice, but like Broxton CHUCK said it is pricey at 25 bucks and they have a lot of RULES. I know that you must have a BC and a secondary air source and poss a SPG? I have dived there a lot with vintage gear, but that was just me and my girl BARB.....not a big loud group with a compressor all talking about diving old gear that would be sure to be noticed by the DIVENAZIS. I would also imagine that a compressor would be against the RULES as well as it would interfere with profits of Ginnie Springs Outdoors. GS is all about profits...not scuba. Manatees Springs is really nice and very hands off like Troy. It would be a great location as well. As I recall there are 3 holes to dive and at least 2 of them are connected by a cave. Of course the cave sysytem should be only dived by a cave diver with the appropriate reels. I am looking forward to seeing all of u guys in Fla. again and hope we get the whole orig. crew in attendance.
Rob
|
|
|
Post by BROXTON CHUCK on Jan 1, 2005 17:37:21 GMT -8
Jack and Rob: I will have the compressor oiled up and ready to work! When were at places like TROY and Alexander, theres no dive shops around, so Ill be glad to help the vintage guys with air. I spent hours standing around though pumping air last year, and that got to be a drag. But understand I am glad to help all I can. Luana my wife and I went to manitee, a couple months back. The catfish hole was all covered with green slime, but the divers who were there said it was a neat dive. I didnt want that green crud in my mouthpiece though. Ha ha. Lets all stay close on this one. It will be the best vintage dive of the year. Broxton Chuck
|
|
|
Post by Captain on Jan 1, 2005 20:54:49 GMT -8
Hey Chuck, if I can make it I will bring my 1968 U S Divers Cyclone compressor and we can see who's can pump up a 72 the quickest.
Tom
|
|
|
Post by Broxton Chuck on Jan 2, 2005 6:58:41 GMT -8
Jack: Ill be in Florida next week, through the weekend. Lets do TROY, and BLUE if you can make it. Ill bring the compressor. Tom, I have a 5 horse Briggs on the compressor with a BIG pulley! We will have plenty of air for the vintage folks! Im running mine on AvGas with the special two hose mix. Watch out!! Broxton Chuck
|
|
|
Post by Captain on Jan 2, 2005 8:17:09 GMT -8
Looks like I might have to put a 6-71 blower on it and use a little nitro to boost up my Tecumseh.
Tom
|
|
|
Post by Jack Wilhelm on Jan 2, 2005 13:08:19 GMT -8
Hey Chucko, you pushed my "let's go divin" button big time. I'm all for it. Would love to me you up in springs country and do Troy and Blue. Chuck, there's a really neat state park dive now open again after about a two year closure at Itchetucknee State Park called Jug Hole or Blue Hole. It's near where Troy Spring is located. Maybe instead of going over to Orange City we could dive Troy and Jug Hole. Think about it and get in touch with me at my work email jwilhelm@scgov.net. When I go up to the area of FL I stay at a place called Jim Hollis' River Rendezvous. Really neat resor located on the Suwanee River. Please contact me early this week and we'll make plans to meet and dive the old ones. My phone number is 941-355-9417 at home and 941-350-4712 cell. Take care Chuck, Jack.
|
|
|
Post by Broxton Chuck on Jan 3, 2005 10:48:43 GMT -8
Hi Jack. Glad to get your reply. Am loading the Manta Van today. Got the compressor in, and my 53 Broxton, and my 56 DA NAVY!!!! We will go burn some air. If you got any other vintage guys tell em to come along too. Theyll' enjoy it! Get ready for fun! Chuck
|
|