Joe Hesketh(Offline)

There was a discussion on gavinscooters (still ongoing) regarding the use of free divers’ torpedo floats as surface marker buoys (fixed not delayed).

I’ve never seen one of these used in the UK. Common practice here when a fixed float is used (e.g. a second shallow dive or drift) is to just use a standard DSMB (either from the start or sent up after a short interval). However, these can be a real PITA in any kind of current and I’m intrigued as to how the torpedo float might work better, if at all?

From what I gather, you rig this a bit like a kite with your reel line clipping to a trapeze of three lines converging from, and at a point about a foot beneath, the float (one attached at the nose and the other two at either side). The float then lays flat (though some have a flag which sticks up) and skips along the water rather than acting like a drogue. Though I’m not clear on whether each line from the flat would be the same length (i.e. converging centrally, but meaning the nose line would be slack if pulled along) or with a shorter nose line (i.e. so that all lines remain taught when pulled along)?

I’d be interested in anyone’s experiences using these, particularly in UK conditions.

Out of interest, the model that GI3 recommends is made by Riffe (who don’t seem to have a dealer in the UK). Oh, and it costs US$180 …and I though Halcyon bags were expensive!

Thanks
Joe

graham_hk(Offline)

Yep I nearly cried when I got mine...but it is extremely well made.

They are a dream to use if you keep the line taught and veritical I have had not trouble doing this down to 30m - after which point they can become a nightmare (more practice needed maybe?).

Typical conditions where I dive are unpredictable and strong currents (strong enough to send you backwards on a gavin but not as strong as the tide in the English channel)

They are extremly useful when scootering

Graham

EBT(Offline)

I use free diving floats when Im spearing. Frankly they're pretty shite for being visible (especially in UK conditions).

For OC diving, I stick with ADP33's. They're highly visible, roll up very compact and include an OPV. No doubt they're not DIR for some reason.

Anyway, spearo floats just dont cut it as surface markers unless the sea is pretty flat.

graham_hk(Offline)

You can not tow a APD33 or any similar marker on a dive esp with scooters.

I can not see (no pun intended) how a APD33 could be more visible than the Riffe float in question - which is massive (equivalent 80 kg (or was it lbs?) of lift) with flag on top. If a boat can not follow the riffe float I would not dive on it.

Rollupable is not important for a float that is permanently on the surface rather than an SMB.

Graham

EBT(Offline)

Actually you can tow them, but granted they're not anywhere near as good as spearo floats for that

I guess I should've actually looked for a picture of the riffe... the spearo stuff I've seen over here has all been quite small.


PS. that'll teach me to abide by my own advise and keep schtum unless I have the definitive answer !

lizardland(Offline)

Why? It's never stopped you before. Where are The Cranberries from?

Decathlon are flogging some spearo torpedo floats for about £7 at the moment.

Joe Hesketh(Offline)

Thanks for your responses. It was mainly ease of towing that interested me. Though I'd agree that visability is key for UK conditions. I've tried to follow divers using tiny spearo floats like this (http://www.omersub.com/catalog/buoys/p3.htm) and they are much harder to spot than a standard sized DSMB. But the Riffe is 40" long and 10" diameter so shouldn't be an issue even laying flat?

Now, can I justify £100+ on a blowup sausage...

EBT(Offline)

Yak.

Well, Im sure theres plenty of guys who've justified £100 on getting their sausage....think I'll stop there!

Joe Hesketh(Offline)

Ah, now I can see your preference for an ADP33 - when you give them a good tug, they stand up straight...

I'll get my coat...

wb416(Offline)

LOL :D

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