Well, It's Official!

[EasyDayDiveCharters]

Finally closed, I'm now an owner of a 2001 28TE! Unfortunately I can't take it out right away, but hoping to run it within the next few weeks. Boat had been sitting (shocking) for a while and need some repairs and a little TLC.

I’m using the boat as a dive platform and having an all-aluminum custom dive platform and ladder built right now!

I did have a question and hope someone may be able to help me out! I need to install roll control for tanks and I’m stumped as to how to go about doing that. It involves drilling holes in the boat, which makes me nervous. I'll try to explain where I’m going to put them to give you an idea. I have those rubber cushions/bumpers in the cockpit on the port/starboard and stern. I want to take those out and install the rack along the port/starboard sides. It looks like there is no way to get behind the glass to put a backing plate and was wondering if anyone here has possibly installed one or if anyone has an idea how I should go about tackling this.

Here she is!

Here's what roll control is.........
http://www.diversdirect.com/scuba-divin ... ank-track/

Thank You!

Brandon

[Chris & Dale]

Actually, it will be easier than you think on the port and starboard. There are louvered vents in the bottom of the gunnels for ventilation and they screw right out. I installed a downrigger swivel base on Steel Hers and gained access by removing these. It is also a good time to clean them. Don't be surprised to find "dirt dobber" nests in there if it hasn't been accessed in a while. Look for my post on installing a downrigger base and you'll see a few pictures. As for the stern you've got a fish box and a live well which severely limits access for backing plates, at least that's my perspective. Hopefully others have done something back there to help you also. Good Luck!

p.s. Save those bolsters or you could put them up for sale if they're in good shape. Personally, being 6'3 1/2" I really appreciate the heigth of the gunnel and the cushioning they give when I'm fighting a dolphin or king.

[RobS]

Hello fellow diver, welcome aboard.

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A few things

Back-plating at the transom will require cutting through the fishbox. I cut through the back of my fishbox for the transom grab-handle and then covered with cover-plates.

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You can do the same at the front of the fishbox to access the transom. You should also consider a transom grab handle, there are a few posts here on some members who installed them. If you are taking tech divers out (ie. rigs w/multiple tanks) you should check the integrity of the ladder and it's mounting to the swim platform.

Before mounting the roll control on the port and strbrd gunnels do a dry fit. In 2001 they started outfitting the TE's with plastic gunnel boxes that have an external toe-rail. This toe-rail may interfere with the base of the scuba tanks.

The TE is a very smooth, stable and heavy ride. We either just put the scuba units standing up in the 2 rear corners and tie off to a stern cleat or lay them down on rubber mats along the transom.

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You are going to be adding some serious weight to the boat with divers, crew and gear, these boats are pretty much always slightly overloaded to begin with, I would do my due diligence in photo-taching the engine when she is fully loaded. I did dive charters for many years (not on my 28TE) and it is ridiculous how much gear some people bring along. Actually, it’s ridiculous how much gear you need to dive up here in the NorthEast regardless! And I also know that you tend to run hard to/from the dive sites..

Good luck with the endeavor and I look fwd to seeing some pics.

[Capt Ron]

Rob, didn't I see you in "The Graduate"?

[RobS]

Nope. But I sure wish I could have been in "Into the Blue" with Ms. Alba..

[EasyDayDiveCharters]

Awesome! Thanks for the info Rob! What did you use to run for your dive charters?

Yeah, your water up there is a little to chilly for me Im spoiled with the 85 degree water here during the summer. Im looking at putting the tanks on port and starboard (6 tanks each side). The boat is having some work done on it right now and as soon as I get it back, hopefully in the next few weeks, Ill play around with how Im actually going to do it. Im having a custom aluminum platform and ladder made right now! Should be a pretty sweet setup, once everything is done!

[RobS]

Awesome! Thanks for the info Rob! What did you use to run for your dive charters?

A six pack boat on a friend's 266SC World Cat w/ pr of 200 Honda's. Fast, quiet, efficient and the most stable dive platform you could ask for. The Christmas Tree T ladder between the engines was great too. Very good performance in a head sea but other than that the ride of the Cat hull is not for me! 6 was a little cramped, especially if we had some of those "bring an entire dive shop" divers, 2 - 4 divers was much more comfortable.. My 28TE is strictly for personal use.