Welcome ScubaLady

[ScubaLady]

Thanks for the very warm welcomes. I appreciate it.

When I have completely worn out my local vintage divers (Karl, Willie and Rick) with all my questions because they stop responding to my emails and texts; when I notice they are ducking out the back of the dive shop when I am coming in the front door, then I'll know its time to start posting my questions to those I haven't worn down. Be forewarned. LOL

Actually, I am thankful the group is so very helpful. Got my regs; Karl is lining up my tanks; hopefully, got a harness in the works; looking for a few vintage accessories for ladies; custom wetsuits after Christmas; vintage diving nearly every weekend through the end of the year.... I should be ready for 2011!

You know I'm hooked when I am looking at pictures of vintage tanks, mapping out what spare parts I need in my dive box and inspecting the wear on o-rings during dinner. What's up with that?!? If I keep that up and I'll be dining alone LOL!

[spectrum]

You know I'm hooked when I am looking at pictures of vintage tanks, mapping out what spare parts I need in my dive box and inspecting the wear on o-rings during dinner. What's up with that?!? If I keep that up and I'll be dining alone LOL!

It puts a whole new spin on Spaghetti-O's!

Welcome to the adventure.

Pete

[Britmarine]

Thanks for the very warm welcomes. I appreciate it.

Welcome from the resident vintage snorkeller, ScubaLady. I'm sure you'll receive plenty of advice from everybody else here about regulators and other scuba-specific gear.

looking for a few vintage accessories for ladies; custom wetsuits after Christmas;

Let us know if you need suggestions about sources of vintage-style fins and masks, either originals or those still made to pre-1970 specifications. For example, the Gull Marine Sports Company of Japan manufactures a range of traditional all-rubber full-foot fins in a wide range of colours:

In the past, it's been virtually impossible to obtain such gear outside the Far East, but there are now one or two online retailers prepared to sell to western divers. As for diving suits, you can still get vintage-style wetsuits and a couple of American companies still manufacture vintage-style drysuits.

[ScubaLady]

Let us know if you need suggestions about sources of vintage-style fins and masks

Thanks for the information on the fins. I've been anxious to find some good vintage fins. Just got in from a weekend of vintage diving at Gilboa. Very cool diving with my own double hoses. Friday night was the Royal Aqua Master.... and then the Phoenix for the remainder of the weekend. That Phoenix is so sweet. Thank you, Bryan & Luis.

Did have one tough dive, where I was trying to dive double tanks (Voit 50s). The weighting was all mucked up and the tanks wouldn't stay on my back; kept riding up to my shoulders, causing me to somersault forward. Unfortunately, I frequently swim around like a happy fish, so my buddies thought I was just being my usual happy self. I stuck it out as long as I could and learned an important lesson.

I think that is one of the best attractions to Vintage diving, you need to know the science behind making the right combination; learning from the bad experiences and working through various configurations to know what works best in a variety of diving situations. This is going to be such a wonderful journey and I appreciate all the knowledge that is shared here on VDH.

Now that fins are checked off the list, I think the hunt will begin for double 72s with the right back plate for me. Suggestions welcome.

But it all ended on a good note, I am 11 for 11 on my hose flips. LOL

[1969ivan1]

You may need a crotch strap. Then the tanks wont ride up.

[luis]

Now that fins are checked off the list, I think the hunt will begin for double 72s with the right back plate for me. Suggestions welcome.

I find double more comfortable with a harness attached to the bands than with a back plate or back pack. They are just well balanced.

Out of the water you are carrying them closer to you and doubles do not press on your back bone, they ride comfortable on your back.

[ScubaLady]

I find double more comfortable with a harness attached to the bands than with a back plate or back pack. They are just well balanced.

I am so glad to hear that configuration works. By far, my favorite combo has been a yellow basket harness with a steel 72 and 3ml. With cold weather approaching and thicker suits, i'd like to find a double combination that will balance so I can just take more air with me

So, the hunt begins. Gotta go find my pusher and see what he's got in his supply.

Oh, Karl......

[JES]

... So, the hunt begins. Gotta go find my pusher and see what he's got in his supply.

Oh, Karl......

Karl's not a mere pusher. He's a Vintage Cartel Kinpin.

[ScubaLady]

Karl's not a mere pusher. He's a Vintage Cartel Kinpin.

No doubt. I arrive at the Dive Shop two days ago and Karl's got the sweetest patriotic wetsuit for me from the 1976 era. Yikes....he just keeps drawing me into this addiction.....with all these sweet treats.

[wrcook]

It is fun to hear about your journey down this wonderful "slippery slope". My wife and I are doing the same thing, except that we are doing it all over again. Though when we did it the first time, it wasn't considered vintage . She just got her "new" old wet suit yesterday. Soon I shall have my dry suit. The water here in Maine is cold.

[ScubaLady]

Glad to hear someone else is enjoying the journey. There are times when I wonder if it is "normal" to be thinking about this Vintage Diving so much!

I had a huge milestone this past Sunday. I did my maiden dive where I was the only vintage diver. My buddies were all in modern gear, with me in my "borrowed" harness / tank and Double Hose. It was quite thrilling for me to know that now I can choose to dive my vintage gear whenever I want! I have to say my confidence comes from that sweet Phoenix!

Thanks to SimonBeans' hard and quick work, I will soon be returning my borrowed harness and diving with my own, custom-fit harnesses. I can hardly wait for that package to arrive.

My dry suit arrives in ten days, so I will be very interested in knowing how your experience in that configuration progresses. While it isn't quite Maine, Indiana has it's fair share of cold winters.

Glad to hear that you are diving as a couple. One of the sweetest sights I've ever seen was married divers holding hands underwater. It is truly a blessing to dive with someone you love. Be thankful for it!

[wrcook]

I stopped wondering if I was "normal" years ago, my wife too.

What dry suit are you getting? I am ordering a Hydroglove suit, and eventually an Aquala suit. I have heard from former Navy frogmen that that big clamp was a real pain. My wife has a nice 60's vintage wet suit. I am also planning to get a serious 7mm wet suit.

We have been married for over 30 years, and do everything together.

Bill C

[ScubaLady]

I ordered the Bare Trilam for now. Although, I hear Bare has something in the works that may entice me to buy another one. We'll have to see if I like drysuit diving. I've heard from one diver that, sometimes, it's just better to head south to warm waters rather than dealing with the cold waters. We just bought a winter place in Florida. So, I suspect, I will be enticed by Key Largo when the winter air hits me on the surface here in Indiana.

I am definitely on a hunt for some Ladies' vintage wetsuits. Would like to find some, at some point. At a minimum, I plan to have a couple of custom ones made around Christmas.

Can't wait to meet you both some day. Congratulations on the fact that you enjoy being together after 30+ years. That is a true blessing!

[swimjim]

Key Largo is an interesting place to dive out of. Don't pass on the many springs in Florida though. Laid back easy diving, clear water, 72 degree water year around. A great place to spend a day. Also good for checking out new gear, regs that you've rebuilt and the like.

[seakrakken]

Welcome ScubaLady!
I look forward to reading more about your coming adventures in Vintage Diving and Equipment.