Neckton Live aboard

[Bruce]

Have first trip scheduled for Dec. /09 anybody experienced this live aboard before?

[chinacat46]

I just returned from a trip on the Nekton to St. Croix. Before I went I had heard a lot of negative things about the boat being old and smelly and a few other things. I was happy to find though that the boat why in need of some paint and some new carpet was a functioning boat and the cosmetic problems are just that cosmetic. Once you get past the looks the boat is fine. There were no smells of an over used septic or other problems I had heard. They did have problems with their nitrox compressor though and I would recommend that you not buy there over priced and somewhat unreliable nitrox. It was advertised as 29% but never was above 28% and a number of times after over an hour surface interval I went to go dive and was told it would be at least 20 mins before they could finish filling my tank. I had them top it off with air since waiting would have limited my dive time as the dive deck closes at specified times. I felt like I was misled with the nitrox so be aware of that. Another note I'd like to make is when I did the trip there was only 22 passengers and the boat holds 34. I thought it was okay with 22 although I did think the dive deck was cramped even with only 22 so if you have a full boat all I can say is good luck. The food is cafeteria style and is fairly mediocre but some people thought it was very good. I wasn't one of them. I grew up in the restaurant biz and I guess I'm a bit more critical then some when it comes to what I think is good. The snacks(hot cookies) which are served in between the morning dives were good! If you are going for the diving and steer clear of there nitrox and the boat isn't maxed out you should have a good time. YMMV.

[Travelnsj]

I also just returned from a trip on the Nekton. I have my trip report posted in the Caribbean section of the forum....I had a nice time.

I do remember people complaining about the Nitrox that they paid $200 for and it was 27 or 28. I dove air only....one time I came within 5 minutes of Deco.

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by Travelnsj

I also just returned from a trip on the Nekton. I have my trip report posted in the Caribbean section of the forum....I had a nice time.

I do remember people complaining about the Nitrox that they paid $200 for and it was 27 or 28. I dove air only....one time I came within 5 minutes of Deco.

Yeah for an air hog nitrox is a definite waste of money.

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Have first trip scheduled for Dec. /09 anybody experienced this live aboard before?

Where are you diving? Which Nekton boat will you be diving off?

I have taken two Nekton trips. One was NW Bahamas on the Pilot. The other was Caymen Islands on the Rorqual. Both trips were enjoyable. I had no problems with Nitrox but both of these trips were in 2006. Things could have changed.

I hate to publically agree with ChinaCat on anything, but if the Nitrox fills are that unreliable, I would pass. But regardless, I imagine you will have fun. Ignore both Chinacat and Travelnsj when they whine about not seeing anything. They would both complain if they got to dive with the Creature From the Black Lagoon. Both would claim they saw something MUCH more exotic in Indonesia.

Have fun.

Art

[chinacat46]

Originally Posted by Desert_Diver

Where are you diving? Which Nekton boat will you be diving off?

I have taken two Nekton trips. One was NW Bahamas on the Pilot. The other was Caymen Islands on the Rorqual. Both trips were enjoyable. I had no problems with Nitrox but both of these trips were in 2006. Things could have changed.

I hate to publically agree with ChinaCat on anything, but if the Nitrox fills are that unreliable, I would pass. But regardless, I imagine you will have fun. Ignore both Chinacat and Travelnsj when they whine about not seeing anything. They would both complain if they got to dive with the Creature From the Black Lagoon. Both would claim they saw something MUCH more exotic in Indonesia.

Have fun.

Art

You dove with the creature from the black lagoon?

Art he will be on the Rorqual as the Pilot is in dry dock being worked on till late spring. I'm guessing he is going to Mona Island but it could be St. Croix.

[Zenagirl]

We've done 3 Nekton trips, one to Belize, one to NW Bahamas, and the last to Cay Sal Bank. All 3 were excellent and we'd do any of them again in a heartbeat. Only thing I can say is that besides the diving being excellent, the crew doing a great job, and the boat being very roomy, the boats are steel working dive boats....thus not always as "pretty" as a yacht. You'll find areas of some rust and some places will look worn. BUT that has never affected any of our trips and being US flagged means they have to pass rigorous USCG inspections, which should be good peace of mind.

[Desert_Diver]

Originally Posted by chinacat46

You dove with the creature from the black lagoon?

Art he will be on the Rorqual as the Pilot is in dry dock being worked on till late spring. I'm guessing he is going to Mona Island but it could be St. Croix.

Nope. So far I've missed the CFTBL. But it would be a hoot. He has excellant taste in women.

I've never been to Mona or St Croix. I suspect that would be quite a bit cheaper than some of the Pacific venues.

Art

[divingmedic]

I did Nekton in 2007. I was on Rorqual. While it is a bit worn it was good. My complaint was that I was stuck a bunk mate that snored and had people that offered to switch rooms with me and they would not let me. That and the Nitrox thing. While we had some weather issues they tried to make the best of it. The best dive is the old peir in Frekedisted.

[Travelnsj]

Originally Posted by Desert_Diver

Ignore both Chinacat and Travelnsj when they whine about not seeing anything. They would both complain if they got to dive with the Creature From the Black Lagoon. Both would claim they saw something MUCH more exotic in Indonesia.
Art

Howard (oops that is Chuck's best friend).....Art I never whined about the diving in St. Croix.....I know someone else who did....It was not me! I accepted it for what it was.

Regarding Indonesia when was the last time you were there? when was the last time you did some great diving? like Palau, Christmas Island, Rangiora, Raja Ampat etc?...LOL...LOL!