New Free diver needs buoy and line recommendations

[Bobby Knight]

Hi all,
I just got back from a trip to Bali where I found out how bad my torpedo shaped buoy and thin floating line really was. Can anyone guide me to a good setup for these items?
Thanks,
Bobby

 

[Brochman]

Sharkey, a member on this site told me about this type of rope and its qualities some time ago and I have used it since.
¼” / 6mm hollow braid polypropylene rope will float on the water and is resistant to mildew and rot. This is a multi-purpose rope that is very versatile and can be easily spliced.
¼ inch floating rope is yellow in colour making it easier to see on the water.
Available from the Lomo site but I have seen the Lomo rope on Flebay also in different lengths or just look for the same rope online where you are located.

I gave up with inflatable buoys many moons ago due to punctures so not reliable and made my own from a foam fishing bouy.

 

[Bobby Knight]

Brochman, Sorry I haven't replied to your post sooner. I came down with what is probably the new Covid crap not long after I posted my question. The timing on our trip back from Hong Kong was as bad as it gets and I'm sure I got it on the plane. I'll check into your kind recommendations when I begin to think again...
Best Regards,
Bobby

 

[Mr. X]

Re. Punctured floats. I had that happen a few times when using my inexpensive single-skin float that I used for a decade (I have several floats), usually away from home. I found the 3 following fixed it ok and quickly for me:
Superglue, clear sellotape type tape and self-adhesive bicycle puncture patches - "buyer beware, your mileage may vary".

No punctures in my little-used solid float, of course. Nor any punctures in my more recently used plank-style "double skin" float (skin + bladder) that I can recall. But I usually carry superglue and/or self-adhesive bicycle tube patches in my spares bag, in the car, so punctures are inconvenient but not such a big deal for me now.

Sorry to hear about your covid Bobby . I just had yet another booster against it last week. Sigh.

BTW I use Rob Allen "Thai green curry"/"olive green" polyester thin rope float line. I use several different lengths, works well. Orange version probably safer for you. I've not seen this rope in shops but I did find something similar in a car--boot sale - apparently used in garden! Also found some NOS English washing lines which are similar (but thinner and lighter green, but available in other colours too -red might be good??) and cheap.

 

[Bobby Knight]

Re. Punctured floats. I had that happen a few times when using my inexpensive single-skin float that I used for a decade (I have several floats), usually away from home. I found the 3 following fixed it ok and quickly for me:
Superglue, clear sellotape type tape and self-adhesive bicycle puncture patches - "buyer beware, your mileage may vary".

No punctures in my little-used solid float, of course. Nor any punctures in my more recently used plank-style "double skin" float (skin + bladder) that I can recall. But I usually carry superglue and/or self-adhesive bicycle tube patches in my spares bag, in the car, so punctures are inconvenient but not such a big deal for me now.

Sorry to hear about your covid Bobby . I just had yet another booster against it last week. Sigh.

BTW I use Rob Allen "Thai green curry"/"olive green" polyester thin rope float line. I use several different lengths, works well. Orange version probably safer for you. I've not seen this rope in shops but I did find something similar in a car--boot sale - apparently used in garden! Also found some NOS English washing lines which are similar (but thinner and lighter green, but available in other colours too -red might be good??) and cheap.

Hey, thanks for the reply Mr. X. I'm leaning towards one of those double skin buoys, but I had a hell of a time untangling that thin orange line. It took me 15 minutes to get it all straightened out. The fish were probably laughing at me. I guess I'll be adding a bicycle patch kit to my stuff. I'm assuming you guys are just using this thin line to tow your float around, but I am thinking about practice dives at our local lake and maybe some FIM.
I don't have covid, as it turns out. Tested last night. I guess it's a cold I caught on the plane coupled with 23 hours of plane rides etc. and 3 nights of no sleep. All part of going to exotic places full of wondrous things, but it isn't gettin any easier.

 

[Mr. X]

FYI The polyester Rob Allen float-line that I use is fairly stiff and usually does not tangle.

Although I tend to keep my float-lines location in mind while swimming with it, and manage it.

I have also made a wooden line winders to store my float lines on. I keep the winder on the float end of my line when swimming. So occasionally I might wind in some of the excess line. I also cut my float-line asymmetrically so I have 2 shorter float-lines - with less excess left floating around . [ I can also extend them, if conditions require it, with my home-made version of the RA mono-filament Ghost leaders or my RA roped reef-hook. . Or, I suppose, I could simply loop them back together - but haven't needed to, so far thankfully ]

Yes that orange paracord floatline is not good for spearfishing . It makes a decent handline for kayak fishing with a trolled line, mono-leader and an Eddystone Eel lure though

 

[Bobby Knight]

Thanks again, Mr. X. Good stuff to keep in mind if I start spear fishing again!