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Back from Mexi-stan

BattleAxe

BattleAxe

Chief
Full Member
Minuteman
    • Mar 3, 2010
    1,222
    51
    Earth
    #1
    Kicking and screaming all the freakin' way I was roped into a family vacation in Mexico. Not being the tourist type I had the sense to bring my gear and it simply made the trip.

    This is the closest you degenerates will ever get to seeing what I look like (unless we meet at a shoot of course)
    grin.gif


    Diving the wreck of the C56 Juan Escutia. A 150' WWII USN gunboat purchased by Mexico...

    360-sneaky.jpg


    359-c56-bow.jpg


    358-approach.jpg


    361-wreck-interior.jpg


    362-img-1013.jpg
     
    #4
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Slapchop</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You're a brave man venturing into Mexico these days. </div></div>

    I've been in worse holes.
    Besides, I could drown a man in a glass of water and shoot other people's bullets out of the sky so what's to be fraid of.
    wink.gif

     
    #5
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Krav69</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Beautiful pictures!!!

    Glad you're alive and not pooping furiously.
    laugh.gif
    </div></div>

    The pics did turn out amazing. Eagle rays would fly overhead like bombers...very cool.

    However, pooping furiously is one of life's few simple pleasures and I aint givin' it up soon.
    grin.gif


    Good to be back though...nothing is worse than leaving your dogs and guns to strangers. I was far more worried about being away from the compound than being south of the border.

    363-eagle.jpg


    364-sting.jpg
     
    #7
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What was the depth on that wreck? Air or Nitrox? Details, man! Give us some details! </div></div>

    97' deep and 75 deg F in the sand.
    Variable depth air dive around 45 minutes long. 30-50' vis. 80Cf single. I have a light Tek rig that packs nicely in a suitcase with a 5-day supply of clothes (you know...a cockring, condom, and flipflops)
    wink.gif


    Its a relatively new artificial reef. Formerly the USS Knave (AM-256) it was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the US Navy during WWII. She served in the Atlantic during the war and was decommissioned in May 1946, then placed in reserve. While she remained in reserve, Knave was reclassified as MSF-256 in February 1955 but never reactivated. In October 1962, she was sold to the Mexican Navy and renamed ARM DM-13. In 1994 she was renamed ARM Cadete Juan Escutia (C56). She was stricken in 2000, but her ultimate fate is not reported in secondary sources. (wikipedia)

    I saw her on the bottom and I believe she was sank in 2005. She's already a healthy reef.

     
    #10
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: varmint6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">where at in mexico did ya go? </div></div>

    Just outside Puerto Morelas, about half-way between Cancun and Cozumel on the Yukatan peninsula.
     
    #11
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Two questions: 1. Velocity fins? 2. Which camera did you use? </div></div>

    ScubaPro Twin-Jets, and I don't know what kind of camera. We had a guide that took the pics. It was a fairly cheap camera though. I need to e-mail the guy and see which model...wouldn't mind getting one.
     
    #15
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Gotcha..... I use the Velocity fins and yours looked similar. For a cheap camera, those photos came out great. </div></div>
    In addition to the Velocities, Aeris makes a smokin' computer too. I was torn between a Atomic Cobalt and Aeris ATMOS computer but went with the Atomic in the end. When it comes to fins I think when you really need to move fast or in a current my old rubber Jet fins can't be beat, but they're like wearing lead foot weights. Split fins are easier to kick but that's where it ends.
     
    #16
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BattleAxe</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: varmint6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">where at in mexico did ya go? </div></div>

    Just outside Puerto Morelas, about half-way between Cancun and Cozumel on the Yukatan peninsula. </div></div>
    nice not as nice as chicago is right now were at 30 degrees
    .
     
    #17
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: varmint6</div><div class="ubbcode-body">not as nice as chicago is right now were at 30 degrees </div></div>
    I lived in Milwaukee once so I know the feeling. We had some days in the teens here in FL this year.
     
    #18
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    I picked up an Oceanic at my friends suggestion. If I had the money back, I'd go a different route.

    I've done some diving off of Destin and Perdido Key in the Redneck Riviera. Florida has alot to offer. I'd love to get back to the Keys and do some diving down there. Unfortunately, my diving has taken a back seat since my neck issue. All's well now and I hope to get my Nitrox cert this summer.

    Thanks for the pictures.... I wish just one of my hobbies was cheap.
     
    #20
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: The_Hoff</div><div class="ubbcode-body">good pics but your rig is to simple for me lol, but then again I do wreck penetration
    laugh.gif


    how did this wreck look as far as penetration goes? any large holes or entry points? </div></div>
    I went bow to stern along the keel and it was well prepped for penetration. I kept gear as simple as the dive required. This wasn't the titanic and you could see light from anywhere from within except for a few spots in the engine room. As much as I would have liked I couldn't stuff a doubles rig in my suitcase.
     
    #21
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I picked up an Oceanic at my friends suggestion. </div></div>Oceanic was another on my short list. I still have an old Oceanic Data-Max Pro. I had 2 of them at one time but one just died (which was the reason for the new Atomic). That Oceanic is one of the best computers ever built and I hope the other holds out. They have a very agressive algorithm, are easy to read, and are great for deco.
     
    #22
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GardDog223</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I wish just one of my hobbies was cheap. </div></div> It sucks being a gear junkie...I can't afford to eat.
     
    #24
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    The next day I went and dove the Chac Mool Cenotes. Having dove the Florida cave systems extensively I didn't want to spring for the photos but in hindsight I wish I would have. They're far better than the FL caves. Here's a link...

    Chac Mool Cenote Pics
     
    #25
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    Sweet pics, man. I'm trying to get down to the Keys in early May for one last dive before I head overseas. I'm getting that diving fever again just looking over that wreck.
     
    #26
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ZLBubba</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sweet pics, man. I'm trying to get down to the Keys in early May for one last dive before I head overseas. I'm getting that diving fever again just looking over that wreck. </div></div>A good wreck does it to me every time.
     
    #28
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    Nice pictures. Looks like a fun time.

    "Besides, I could drown a man in a glass of water and shoot other people's bullets out of the sky so what's to be fraid of." - this was epic.
     
    #29
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TOPO-sniper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Great pictures!
    I made it down to Marathon a few months ago & dove Thuderbolt. Vis was down quite a bit but any dive to 115 on Nitrox and a couple big groupers in the wheelhouse is a good dive.
    </div></div> I've yet to dive the keys and I've been in FL for 13 years. I need to check it out.
     
    #31
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    Looks like a great trip and in one of my favorite locations...I don't do cold water!
    grin.gif


    Great pics BattleAxe/Topo, I'm in the market for a new camera and am always curious what others are using these days. If you find out what camera it is BattleAxe...keep us posted, and what is it that your images were captured with Topo?

    Anyone ever tinkered around with an Ikelite camera housing?
    729697.jpg

    My last dive (chain mail suits suck).
    37889_452342950419_665140419_6534325_577537_n.jpg
     
    #32
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: doorkicker</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> If you find out what camera it is BattleAxe...keep us posted, </div></div>

    It slipped my mind but I just sent the shop a message to find out. We'll see if they respond.

    A now famous quote from this wreck dive...

    We arrived around 0850 for a 0900 dive. The shop was locked until 0910 and we asked if we had the time wrong. The guy replied...

    "Dude, this is Mexico...everything is -ish"
     
    #34
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    I have a Sealife DC600, bought used with flash, mount & acc. for $300. On a recent two week trip to Honduras there were 4 Sealife cameras in the camera wash tank and three other makes. Over the entire trip there were always more Sealife cameras than all other makes combined.

    Its a decent camera limited by the flash. This guy http://www.juddsisland.com/ had a really nice setup. But it cost over $2500. The pictures and video are HD quality. Just like being there.
     
    #35
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    Looks like you were driving dry. Am I right?

    Chac-mool is a good dive I've penetrated most of that cenote doing research for Texas a&m's scientific diving program. Beautiful cave systems around there! My favorite dive there is casa cenote plus they have overhead dives possible due to the mango roots. Truly awesome. Anyone looking to go diving down there should check out locogringo.com for really good deals on beach front houses
     
    #36
    Re: Back from Mexi-stan

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Yachtee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks like you were driving dry. Am I right?
    </div></div>

    Yup. Nitrox wasn't available and truth be told...I'm not sure I'd trust anyone's O2 sniffer except my own and I really didn't want to drag it along.
     
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