Too old and soft for a Blackbeard trip?

[Ron G.]

I'm thinking seriously about going on the ST Blackbeard trip in November.

I'm wondering, though, if it might be just too spartan for me. I saw someone's photos and their boat looked very uncomfortable. I wasn't surprised to see the cramped sleeping quarters. I was surprised to see the deck of the boat had no awning, and only very simple, straight-backed seating.

I think I'd like the frequent dives, but I'd want to be able to hang out somewhere where I could relax, read, etc., other than my tiny bunk.

Also, the photos I saw showed participants much younger than my 59 years.

Does anyone know if the ST trip is on a nicer boat than I saw? Like with an awning, more comfortable chairs on the deck, etc. Or, is it a young person's experience (folks who don't mind baking in the sun, or sitting in uncomfortable seats all day (when dry)?

I'm going to Coz in October (Cozumel Scuba Club) and I'm really looking forward to that. I've been to Bonaire (Capt. Don's) and really liked that. Thought it would be fun (and cheap) to join the ST group, but it may be just too rough....

Any thoughts?

Ron

[Quero]

Ron, I don't have any experience whatever with the boat you are considering, but I have been on many other liveaboards. I suggest you come to Thailand. We have lots of boats to pick from for a comfortable liveaboard experience. There are lots of more mature divers on our boats--they tend NOT to be party boats (and besides, people on our boats only care about your dive stories, not the "history" your face may show).

[BMac]

Man, this post takes me back. (To my log book, Oct '04, dives 27-41.)

If you're looking for deck chairs you need to look someplace else, this is a 65' sail boat.

That said, I was 54 when I took it and it was a blast. Just as advertised, lots of diving, cheap. The conditions are spartan, like camping on the high seas.

Downstairs the bunks are spacious but low overhead, rooms tiny, very hard mattreses. The ac worked very, very well. The heads are marine, you have to pump to flush. The dining room is part of the aft cabin with the kitchen off the side. Have to eat in shifts or take it upstairs. Food was plentyful and tasty but not extravagant. The stairs are more like ladders.

On deck you can sprawl or lay anywhere. They usually motor rather than sail so is normal to rig a sail over the deck area for shade. Diving was fantastic, easy for most part, 82f and clear blue everywhere. Couple of dives with viz below 50' range. Only about a third were beyond the 60' depth range. Called one deep dive because of current and my excessive air consumption.
(I was still getting comfortable to this diving thing.) First shark dive, not my last by a long shot.

I've been thinking it's about time for a return trip. If I do, will take an extra camping mattress and less clothing. Couple of upstairs t-shirts, one pair shorts, two upstairs towels (one lightweight), one towel for downstairs, downstairs sandals with thick soles (for restroom), extra swimsuit and lots of suntan lotion. (and clothes-pins, to clip towels, shirts, etc. to lines overnight)

Still have memories of Bimini. The phone where Hanibal Lector made the final call in "Silence of the Lambs", the bar where Hemmingway hung out (since burned down), the other bar with the dirt floor and the bras, trading 2 1/2 packs of cigarettes for more lobster than the entire boat could eat, being boarded by the Bahamian Defense Force to check (boats) papers. Good times.

If this isn't for you, should probably check out their sister cruises, Aqua Cat or Cat Pplau. One is full lux with all the aminities and service and the other you can charter the whole boat for you and your buddies. ST travel can probably help you out.

Enjoy Coz, great place to get some ow experience.

[reeldive]

Took this trip first week in August. I'm 65 yrs. young. Reelly had fun and lots of great dives. That being said - on the negative- What you see is what you got. Not much shade durring the day, Small Bunks, Not a lot of room in the Gally, and she realy rolls and pitches. Definately for the adventurous.On the positive Great crew, Good food Best diveing for the dollar anywhere, beer Tap on deck, and the Captn's Rum Punce. There were three of us in the over 50 catagory. including Bruce (the owner of Black Beard Cruises)

Picasa Web Albums - Wilbur - Blackbear's M...#


Took this next Trip the last week in August with my wife. She Appreciate a few more creature comforts Such as our own state Room, private head, Shade. Check out Nekton. Weve done 6 trips with them and highly recomend them.

Picasa Web Albums - Wilbur - Nekton Pilot ...#
Nekton Cruises > Home

[scubarobin]

It doesn't sound like the Blackbeards trips are what you are looking for. I know several people who have done them - some loved it, some hated it. It is very tight quarters and no privacy, only 3 dives per day as the compressor is slow. Also, no area to relax in shade topside.

I would suggest you look at the Nekton trips! We have done 2 trips with them, Bahamas Medio Reef and Bahamas Cay Sal Bank. Both were fantastic trips and the boats are laid out well. Very diver friendly, very roomy, lots of shade topside, private rooms and private bathrooms.... great food and great fun for not much more price than Blackbeards. I highly recommend their trips! Check out my website and videos for more about them.

robin

[chinacat46]

Another reasonably priced trip to the Bahamas would be on the Caribbean Explorer I vessel out of Georgetown. See the Explorer Ventures web page for details. You can do 5 dives a day on their boat.

[rnhockey]

I had wondered about Blackbeard"s trips. Think we'll lean towards Nekton when we decide to go. Thanks for the post, it was very helpful and helped make up my mind on where to go!

[Damselfish]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

Another reasonably priced trip to the Bahamas would be on the Caribbean Explorer I vessel out of Georgetown. See the Explorer Ventures web page for details. You can do 5 dives a day on their boat.

Explorer just sent out a newletter saying they're retiring the CE I Nov1, so that won't be an option in Nov. The CEII is supposed to spend part year in the Bahamas and part in NE Carrib.

[reeldive]

One more + for Nekton's Bahamas itenerarys The leave out of Ft. Lauderdale FL.. reduces or elminates Air Fare.

We drove down from Panama City FL and parked at the Park n' Fly. Jeff of Nekton met us at our car and took us and gear to the boat!

[Ron G.]

Thanks, everyone, for the comments.

I had previously looked into Nekton and they seem like a good value. However, they are still considerably more expensive than Blackbeard (although they admittedly offer more).

Blackbeard is currently offering select weeks (including early December, when I'd like to go) for $799. Also, they depart from Freeport, and I can fly there for about $400 (from Baltimore). I'm certainly I'd enjoy a Nekton trip, but I might be satisfied with the more spartan Blackbeard. Since Nekton is roughly twice the price of Blackbeard, I'm leaning toward giving BB a try. If I'm not happy with the lack of creature comforts, I can move up next time.

My personal situation is that my wife has no interest in dive trips and I want to do 5-6 per year. So far, she's been agreeable with that, but I'd prefer to hold down the cost per trip. I'm thinking about doing the less expensive places (e.g., Cozumel) maybe a couple times a year each, rather than globe-trotting to more exotic and expensive locations.

Again, thanks all.

Ron