Shore diving float/buoy recommendation

[DeepAbyss]

Hi,
I want a buoy / float that I can use to swim a few tens of meters offshore will be rock-resistant, and I can rest on it if I needed to.
I've considered building a boogie surfboard buoy but I'm not sure if that's a good idea.
If anyone has experience or recommendation it would be good.

thx

 

[Mr. X]

Why would you want to rest on your float? You can rest with your face and speargun in the water, that way you can see and spear fish.

If you want one of those mini-RIB-like floats or a boogie-board float, both seem fairly popular and should work. Either would allow you to rest on them, carry lots of extras (a mixed blessing) and carry a spare speargun or two above water.
...

 

[Mr. X]

...Ignoring the resting requirement (I go out for up to 5 hours at a time and have never felt the need or desire to rest on my float). I would make 3 recommendations:

1. A cheap, single-skin, breath-filled torpedo shaped float with the appropriate diver-down flag for your location (Atlantis!), red and white for USA or blue and white alpha flag for most of the rest of the world. Such a float is small and light, great for lengthy walk-ins, less to carry and small boots/trunks. Good for vompetitions. Use self adhesive bike tyre patches or superglue to fix any leaks

Or

2. Big, cheap, Double-skin (i.e. bladder + cover) torpedo-shaped float, with flag as above. Takes longer to dry. Same advice for any bladder leaks, similar advantages.

Or
3. Flat, "plank"- style, double skin inflatible float, with flag as above and elastic mesh to hold a few extras above water (such as water-bottle, crocs, phone, crab bag, torch, etc.) and extra speargun (s) underneath. Avoid the very real temptation to carry a lot of unnecessary cr@p.

You will need to add ballast, such as lead, to all of the above to keep them and the dive flag upright.

FYI I used a #1 float for several years, works well. I currently use a #3 style float. Mine is a Picasso but I would recommend the similar Dessault product which flies an alpha flag. #2 style floats have intrigued me since I saw the late Peter Crawford (13 times British champion) using one at a competition in Devon.

Omer's dry bag float looks interesting.

 

[Mr. X]

BTW I bought an old polyurethane boogie board cheaply in a charity shop some years ago intending to use it as a spearing float but then decided it was too good to hack about, so kept it as a spare boogie board for when we have others with us - and we've broken a few boards over the years, so a spare can be handy

I guess I'm saying I think boogie boards and other homemade floats can be perfectly viable options. Boogie boards can be bulky/awkward to carry. I think Foxfish made a long, flat thin float from thick, pink, polyurethane wall insulation sheet. I think it flew a Guernsey flag

I would have added an elastic mesh to my boogie board to hold accessories, removable straps to help carry it and bands to carry 2 spearguns, in and out of the water. An alpha dive flag too, if course.

There are other options which are more suitable for sharky waters, solid, plank-style, fish-box floats. One forum member designed and manufactured a very nice one, made of plastic, a few years ago.

 

[sharkey]

I use this for the majority of rock hops & inshore boat dives.
Out wide, blue water big fish, etc, I use something different but this should fit your reference.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

Hawaiian Hard Shell Spearfishing Float

The MAKO Spearguns Hawaiian Hard Float quickly changes from spearfishing float to rescue throw/tow float.

www.makospearguns.com

Inflatable Dive Board

Equipped with a 3 bladder system for maximum buoyancy and support, the MAKO Inflatable Dive Board is the ideal platform for shore dives hosting a variety of accessories for spearfishing, lobstering, abalone diving and collection

www.makospearguns.com

 

[sharkey]

Every thread mako turns into an advertisement.
This forum has a few loyal followers who do try to provide unbiased comment. Is it worth continuing to try?

 

[Mr. X]

Sharkey, is your float an RA or RA style 11 litre solid float by any chance? If so, I have one that is very similar, which I used when I started. If you deal with large, powerful fish this might be necessary, as a regular blow-up torpedo float, if pulled under water by a large powerful fish, could soon collapse loosing bouyancy and the fish, your float line spear and perhaps speargun too

However, solid floats are bulky to pack and heavy to carry. For UK , small, light, blow up floats work better I think. I haven't used my solid float for years.

 

[sharkey]

Sharkey, is your float an RA or RA style 11 litre solid float by any chance? If so, I have one that is very similar, which I used when I started. If you deal with large, powerful fish this might be necessary, as a regular blow-up torpedo float, if pulled under water by a large powerful fish, could soon collapse loosing bouyancy and the fish, your float line spear and perhaps speargun too

However, solid floats are bulky to pack and heavy to carry. For UK , small, light, blow up floats work better I think. I haven't used my solid float for years.

These are not big enough for "large powerful fish". I use 2x 30 litre floats often, but not Rock hopping general boat diving or competitions.
Inflatable floats are the best for big fish imo as they don't crush when pulled under. Yes they can go soft & floppy as they compress buy they have enough dislacement to bring them back to the surface again where they return to normal. These are also usually pumped up to at least two ATM which helps a bit. Crushed solid floats don't return to the surface, they keep on sinking once crushed.
There are lots of inflatable floats on the market, lots are rubbish or the wrong shape. The only two I would recommend for large fish are the riffe & the ocean hunter.

 

[Mr. X]

BTW I noticed yesterday on YouTube that Rob Allen have now started making big, solid floats like mini boats, using moulds developed by another company ( possibly previously made and sold in the USA, rather than South Africa?). Called "Banks Boards".

Look cool but heavy.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

BTW I noticed yesterday on YouTube that Rob Allen have now started making big, solid floats like mini boats, using moulds developed by another company ( possibly previously made and sold in the USA, rather than South Africa?). Called "Banks Boards".

Look cool but heavy.

Banks boards were very popular with Spearos, mostly in Northern California. I think divers liked them for carrying abalone.

 

[musubi]

I've been using a Banks Board for the past 5 years and it's been really great for me. The main features I like is that I can wear it as a backpack and hike it in with all my gear, and using it to throw my fish on top to keep the sharks away. I use a white canvas bag, throw the fish in there, put it on the board, and just keep it wet. Keeps the fish fresh and the smell out of the water. I deal with a lot of sharks and this has been a game changer for me.

When I was doing more bluewater diving, I'd throw my chum on the board to tow it around. Made a massive difference in moving spots, vs dragging the chum like everyone else.

I've once had to save one of my friends in current with the board. I hauled in all my gear quickly, then went back and pulled him back to shore with it.

When the current is bad, I hop on the float like a boogie board and kick back in. Makes a big difference doing this.

It's bulky and can be heavy, but I carry all my essentials on it. I ride the current, then walk back with my footwear and clothes I packed. I've made such good use of this board.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Are Banks Boards still available or is it just Rob Allen making a version now? I never used one since all my diving was from a boat, but a couple of friends had them and they looked nice.

I found this 5 year old video that shows one in use.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

More details. https://banksboard.com/more-about-banks-board/

Check the customer photos.

 

[musubi]

Are Banks Boards still available or is it just Rob Allen making a version now? I never used one since all my diving was from a boat, but a couple of friends had them and they looked nice.

I found this 5 year old video that shows one in use.

Good question. Right now their all sold out online on the Banks site, but I checked with Freedive Shop in Sacramento (since I consider them one of the better vendors for Rob), and they're planning to bring in Rob's boards starting next year. My board is getting busted up so I'm looking forward to that as it would be nice to get a new one.

 

[Bill McIntyre]

Good question. Right now their all sold out online on the Banks site, but I checked with Freedive Shop in Sacramento (since I consider them one of the better vendors for Rob), and they're planning to bring in Rob's boards starting next year. My board is getting busted up so I'm looking forward to that as it would be nice to get a new one.

My son and his family live in Loomis and I keep meaning to check out that shop in Sacramento when we visit him.