Lake Michigan W/Capt. Dale

[MgicTwnger]

DeepDiverBob and I will be going out on the Enterprise all day Saturday and half day Sunday (morning) on Memorial Day weekend 5/27-28. So far it's just us. Anyone interested ping me, Bob, or Dale.

[DeepDiverBob]

I'm in...oh wait...you already said that....cool.

[Atlaua]

DeepDiverBob and I will be going out on the Enterprise all day Saturday and half day Sunday (morning) on Memorial Day weekend 5/27-28. So far it's just us. Anyone interested ping me, Bob, or Dale.

5/27-28? Sounds great. Oh wait, I'll be diving a warm blue reef. Dratz.

James

[MgicTwnger]

5/27-28? Sounds great. Oh wait, I'll be diving a warm blue reef. Dratz.

James
You're supposed to do that stuff in the winter.

Have fun.

[Atlaua]

You're supposed to do that stuff in the winter.

Have fun.

Well, you may have a money tree in your back yard, but I prefer to do that stuff in the low season....which ain't in the winter! ;)

I'm counting on it....

[Captain Caveman]

give me more details and I will be in.

location-time-dive site-$$$-we to sign up?

if everything works out I would love to GO

[juls64]

give me more details and I will be in.

location-time-dive site-$$$-we to sign up?

if everything works out I would love to GO

Let me know that stuff too. I won't be in for the whole weelend though. Maybe just one day or the other.

[M&P+4]

give me more details and I will be in.

location-time-dive site-$$$-we to sign up?

if everything works out I would love to GO

ditto - it's a little bit out yet for me to say for sure but I am interested.

[Captain Caveman]

Im going to call dale on monday, since hes most likley on his boat now.

[reefraff]

Most likely Dale is sitting at home today, beer in hand and bitching (in a nice sort of way) about being weathered out - gale warnings out on the lake today and he got all noble on us and canceled the dives. He might like the chance to book some seats.

I don't know his exact prices, but most of the local charters are priced something like this: a full day (4 dives) are about $140.00 - $150.00. Half day (2 dives) are about $80.00 or $90.00. I don't know if Dale runs any single tank trips, but maybe. If you're looking for a ride to distant sites or lots of running around, gas prices being what they are it's reasonable to expect some kind of full boat requirement or a fuel surcharge. IMHO.

[CaptnDale]

Most likely Dale is sitting at home today, beer in hand and bitching (in a nice sort of way) about being weathered out - gale warnings out on the lake today and he got all noble on us and canceled the dives. He might like the chance to book some seats.

I don't know his exact prices, but most of the local charters are priced something like this: a full day (4 dives) are about $140.00 - $150.00. Half day (2 dives) are about $80.00 or $90.00. I don't know if Dale runs any single tank trips, but maybe. If you're looking for a ride to distant sites or lots of running around, gas prices being what they are it's reasonable to expect some kind of full boat requirement or a fuel surcharge. IMHO.

Too early for a beer yet but, yes, we got weathered out today.

We charge $85 for half-day trips on weekends, $75 on week days. One-tank (night) dives are $55. Long trips, such as to the wreck, "Straits of Mackinac" we book as all day excursions for $145. On all day trips you can make up to four dives on three or four different wreck sites. We need four persons as a minimum. Six plus one is the maximum.

[Captain Caveman]

Ok will I just called Dale and Im in for Sat only. Now what dives are we going to do so I can get the right mixtures made.
Truely it does not matter to me as long as its fun.

[MgicTwnger]

As far as I know we're all diving air. Lots of air.

[Captain Caveman]

just 21%? I am to have 4 al80 since I have only a single wing. but I might have a al40 deco for back up???? but thats optional

[DeepDiverBob]

I will be on just air. Air has been very very good to me.

[reefraff]

I will be on just air. Air has been very very good to me.Some of the happiest dives I've ever made were on air. :D

For those not familiar with Dale's boat and diving from Waukegan Harbor: There are some great wrecks that Dale visits - including one of my top ten best-in-the-world favorites - that sit well inside recreational depths. Actually, most of the wrecks in his range are shallower than 100 feet, even the Wisconsin is less than 100 feet to the deck.

With four dives in one day, EAN might be appropriate but not essential, that's for sure. Around here, we call EAN28 "Chicago Mix," it has an MOD of 130ft using a ppO2 of 1.4 which makes it suitable for any recreational depth and a good choice for those days when you won't pick a destination until you're on the dock.

Lake Michigan is still on the Tchaikovsky side of 40F, so nobody in their right mind is going to want the kind of bottom times that would require decompression. Dale has O2 on his boat for emergencies which makes a sling bottle third choice behind doubles and/or good buddy skills for gas redundancy.

Remember, it's early in the season and this is a good time to take it slow and easy. Using the first few dives to dust off your skills along with your gear is the best way to make sure you'll be around to push the envelope later this summer. Have fun - I wish I could join you.

[MgicTwnger]

Lake Michigan is still on the Tchaikovsky side of 40F, so nobody in their right mind is going to want the kind of bottom times that would require decompression.

Have fun - I wish I could join you.
Whish you could make it, too. It's been a while.

Just for everyone's FYI, the temps diving off Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago were 36F on the top, 42 at depth. The backroll off the boat was a real slap in the face, and deco hangs were a tad on the chilly side.

[Captain Caveman]

Are you guys going to be diving doubles? I only have a single wing so if you all are diving doubles my bottom times is going to be short. I am going to get a al40 deco bottle with the same mix for back up. (for that state of mind).
i think im going to get 28% like Steve said or if we know what dives were doing and depth than I will change it.

[DeepDiverBob]

A lot of great points are brought up here. I may reconsider and dive a 28% mix, and I may also dive my doubles for the deep dives, and then my singles on the shallower dives. With the temps that Ken is reporting, I may have to reconsider my thermal protection as well. I was planning on just wearing my 200 gram DUI thinsulate, but it sounds like I might have to bring the 500 gram Andys warm stuff. A lot of decisions to be made in the next week weeks. I think a good 50% mix in a stage bottle might not hurt as well for extra caution. I appreciate all the info and reminders.

[MgicTwnger]

I'm using my cave-filled 121's for the deep dives, AL80's for the shallower, and wearing all the clothes I own under my drysuit.
Also, Dale two has O2 regs on his 20' hang bar.

[DeepDiverBob]

I'm using my cave-filled 121's for the deep dives, AL80's for the shallower, and wearing all the clothes I own under my drysuit.
Also, Dale has O2 regs hung on his 20' hang bar.

Since I will be buddying up with you, maybe I wont be doing the doubles. I will borrow my buddies 121's so we match there, and then dive my 112's for the shallower dives. Still leaning towards the 28% mix though, maybe 32 for the shallower dives.

Since there is hang regs, maybe I wont tote my stage bottles.

[DeepDiverBob]

Whish you could make it, too. It's been a while.

Just for everyone's FYI, the temps diving off Milwaukee a couple of weeks ago were 36F on the top, 42 at depth. The backroll off the boat was a real slap in the face, and deco hangs were a tad on the chilly side.

I just reread this...you saying the surface is colder than at depth, or is the 36 on top of the wreck?

[MgicTwnger]

I just reread this...you saying the surface is colder than at depth, or is the 36 on top of the wreck?
36 was at the surface, colder than on the wreck at 115. Hopefully the surface will warm up by Memorial day.

[reefraff]

I just reread this...you saying the surface is colder than at depth, or is the 36 on top of the wreck?Right now the topwater is colder than the water below the thermocline - a condition that won't last much longer. Any day now the thermocline will push down far enough for the temps to start equalizing and the lake will go through the Spring turnover - the entire water column mixes and photosynthesis starts turning the water green again. After the turnover, "normal" conditions reassert themselves and the topwater will be warmer than the water below the thermocline.

Above the first thermocline (usually 30 - 45ft), Lake Michigan water temps swing from frozen to the low-70's during the course of the year. Below the first thermocline the swing isn't so great, from the high-30's to the low 60's. Thus there is a turnover in the Spring and again in the Fall when the temps on either side of the thermocline hit equalibrium. There's another thermocline ~ 130 - 150ft where the water temps are pretty constant, ranging from the low-40's to the low 50's, but that doesn't usually affect recreational divers.

[Captain Caveman]

I need to know what wreaks we are going ot do so I can find out if my al80 will be enough for us to buddy up. if we do a dive to (using suunto computer) 120ft on 28% my bottom time for no deco dive is 13min. so my al80 should be fine with a al50 deco bottle with 28% backup(saftey only). since my normal time on a al80 is 40min to 500psi. but if we do deco diving my al80 might be pushing it since im not diving doubles and would have to use my deco bottle.

(just to let you know I never did deco diving before).

I was going to get 4 tanks 1 with 28% and the others with 32%. (suunto again) because 32% is a 107ft with 1.4ata for 27min. so I should be good for the other dives put close again. because I also have to take in the serface interveral to count my bottom dive down. and I will have the al50 with me. unless our other dives are shalower than i was going to get 36% for 91ft 1.4ata and 39min.

one other thing- I called the lds to get my name on the list for a dry suit and now he tells me I am on the top of the list to get a suit but the students for the class have top pick. so i hopw i get a dry suit I will find out next week some time. but im calling up other shops in the morning. so i might not go if i can not get a suit. to cold for a 7mm.

[Atlaua]

(just to let you know I never did deco diving before).


Then just take your 80's and dive while your air supply allows. This is not really the place to be learning how to deco dive...

[Laser]

I wouldn't do 100-120 fsw dive in Lake Michigan on an al80 at all, but that's just me.

[MgicTwnger]

Hey Tim, how ya doin?

[Laser]

Good, but busy. I'll be looking to get out on the lake pretty soon when I get a few more things squared away with work. Probably jumping in Haigh this Sunday barring any unforseen interruptions.
From teh looks of it, you've been wet pretty steady.

[MgicTwnger]

From teh looks of it, you've been wet pretty steady.

I try. Hope to see you this summer.

[ppo2_diver]

Probably jumping in Haigh this Sunday barring any unforseen interruptions.
From teh looks of it, you've been wet pretty steady.

We'll probably be there Sunday as well. There is a PADI IE going on, so it should be good for a few laughs.

[Laser]

We'll probably be there Sunday as well. There is a PADI IE going on, so it should be good for a few laughs.

I'll probably be there around 8. Buddy and I will be in doubles. Black Subaru Forrester. Stop & say hello.

[ppo2_diver]

We'll be there around 7:00, we will also be in doubles. I'll look for ya.

[CaptnDale]

We have space this Sunday, May 21, for a dive on the SS Wisconsin.

[nitram]

Do you guys dive dry suits up here?

[ppo2_diver]

I always dive dry. Most people will start diving in wet suits around this time of the year.

[nitram]

Thanks for the input. Some day I will dive with you guys but for now I am way to new and I know it. Some more practice & some more dives & I'll see ya maybe later in the summer down there.

[ppo2_diver]

You maybe seeing me up at Pearl a few times this year. I've got a couple of friends who used to work for Sealevel Diving that dive in Pearl Lake quite often.

[MgicTwnger]

Anyone up for Haigh this Sunday?

[Captain Caveman]

Im still up for Sat the 27th. so far the dry suit looks good but I will have to see.

[juls64]

I am working the next few Sundays, so the Memorial Day charter is out for me.

I won't be a Haigh this weekend, but my husband Steve will be up there both days helping with open water. He is also going to take his doubles and finally try them out for the first time. Probably Saturday after the class is over. If anyone sees a guy in doubles that does anything funny, please let me know!

Julie

[MgicTwnger]

I am working the next few Sundays, so the Memorial Day charter is out for me.

Julie,

There's still openings on that Saturday. All-day trip.

[Captain Caveman]

Im still going to Sat at 7am IM THERE. 4 tanks of 28%mix and Dry.

[DeepDiverBob]

Julie,

There's still openings on that Saturday. All-day trip.

Yeah Jules...everybodys doin it. :p

Can Jules come out and play?

[MgicTwnger]

As of now we have myself, Bob, and the caveman for Sat. and me and Bob for Sun. Anyone want to dive???? We need a couple more divers.

[juls64]

I sent an email to my dive club members to see if anyone was interested.

I included Captain Dale's phone number, email and website as contact info.

Will see if that turns up anything.

BTW - My phone bill $580! I could have dove all weekend & bought the pizza!

[MgicTwnger]

BTW - My phone bill $580! I could have dove all weekend & bought the pizza!
Sorry to hear that, Julie. But pizza for me and Bob....ROFL!

[DeepDiverBob]

As of now we have myself, Bob, and the caveman for Sat. and me and Bob for Sun. Anyone want to dive???? We need a couple more divers.

I am going to need to know something by 3:30 today. If nothing, I am going to assume its a no go.

[MgicTwnger]

I am going to need to know something by 3:30 today. If nothing, I am going to assume its a no go.
Put on you p-valve and sit tight. :D I'm going to make this happen.

[DeepDiverBob]

just under 3 hours...feeling the pressure yet?

[MgicTwnger]

just under 3 hours...feeling the pressure yet?
Yeah................

[do it easy]

I'm signed up for Saturday! There's still time and space for anyone else! The more the merrier!

[MgicTwnger]

Yeah!!!
I just got off the phone with Dale, and Saturday is a go and he thinks he can get more guys for Sunday.
Woo-Hoo

[DeepDiverBob]

Let the party begin!!!!

This is gonna be fun.

[Captain Caveman]

picking up my tanks and dry suit today. see you all at 645-7am. O ya I have to call Dale to see what the total $ will be in the morning

[MgicTwnger]

picking up my tanks and dry suit today. see you all at 645-7am. O ya I have to call Dale to see what the total $ will be in the morning
I believe it's $145 + tip for the DM.

[DeepDiverBob]

I believe it's $145 + tip for the DM.

Hey, I'm a DM...do I get tipped, too?

[MgicTwnger]

Hey, I'm a DM...do I get tipped, too?
If I wrote what just went through my head I would be kicked off this board.:cool:

[DeepDiverBob]

I might kick you off just I think I know what you thought.

[do it easy]

First off- thanks to everyone who showed up- Bob, Ken, Chris, Nancy, and Cap't Dale! Yesterdays dives were a blast- I even got a free dive and found a fin!

We started off on the Wisconsin, which sank on Black Tuesday- 29 OCt 1929- a week after her sister ship, the Milwaukee Car Ferry sank. The depths limit the bottom times, but we still had a chance to cover the entire deck and look around a bit. I was the last one into the boat and my fin fell off as I was boarding the ladder. By the time I got to 5' under, it looked like my fin was about 20' ahead of me and dropping fast, so I let it go. Back on the boat, Bob lent me his fins (which fit better than mine :D) and I dropped down to retrieve my lost fin. Dave threw out a marker when I lost my fin, and lo and behold, it was 15' feet away! I even found and retrieved a snorkel off the bottom.

The next dive was the grain barge which lies in 120'. This is a large barge that sank recently. There are fiberglass covers still in her and also heaps of grain that are still intact and could probably be eaten as a cold stew. I carefully put my hand into the "silt" and saw that there was about an inch of silt and muck, but underneath, there were large swollen grains! By itself, this wreck isn't spectacular, but it is a nice contrast to the older wrecks since it sank recently (less than 5 years) and is of modern construction- it's another piece in the freshwater museum.

Next, we dove the decks of the Lady Elgin- which is a side wheel paddle ship. The two decks are laying near each other, overlapping at the bow. The most prominent features are the ships 2 anchors and massive capstan at the "bow" Nancy was guessing that the ship much have been huge to require anchors of that size. Ken and I noticed a school of fish swimming around the large boulder that trapped the anchor chain.

Lastly, we dove the paddle of the Lady Elgin, which is not a large wreck by itself, rather a piece of wreckage. I imagine that it was pretty tough to locate this piece. There is debris scattered around the wheel and lot of odds and ends. Bob and I saw a few picture frames or window frames- wooden squares, although I'm not sure what they were used for?

Bob had mentioned that he was exhausted from all the diving- I didn't realize it until it caught up with me on the way home. It's an hour drive for me, but I had to stop and take a half hour nap. I got home around 10:30 and unloaded the wet gear. Next thing I know, it's 5 o'clock in the morning, all the lights are on, and I'm sore from sleeping on the floor of my living room!

It was a great day to dive too- the lake was glassy in the morning and worked it's way up to 1' swells. Temperatures were mild all day, although it did rain sideways as we pulled into the dock. Thanks to Cap't Dale and Dave for making it a fun and safe trip! Thanks to Ken for making this trip happen. Lastly, thanks to Bob, who lived up to his reputation as "Provider of the Pies"

Ken and Bob are probably diving now on part 2 of this weekend wreck bender, but I'm sure they will chime in as soon as they scrape themselves off the floor and put themselves back together.

[MgicTwnger]

Tony nailed it, we had a great time. Thanks Dale & Dave, you guys are the best.
It was a blast meeting new divers, what more can I say.
I know: we did two more dives on the Wisconsin today. Sure is a lot there to explore.

[DeepDiverBob]

Just got home, and I am not any less tired than yesterday.

What a great weekend. That Wisconsin sure is a great dive. Onthis mornings dive, I noticed what appeared to be a phonograph on the port side. I dont think it was one that was part of the wreck itself, because it appeared to be yellow. But who knows.

It was great to meet you all. I look forward to diving with you again soon.

And finally,

SHUT THE **** UP ABOUT THE DAMN PIES!!!!!!!!!!!:D

[DeepDiverBob]

I just opened my bag to hang my stuff up to dry, and a fly came out of the bag...I wonder where he came from? :confused:

[do it easy]

Yeah, I was driving home and I saw a fly in my car. I also saw another one come out of my drysuit bag when I opened it. Next time, I'm bringing a giant bug zapper or I'm going to only dive when it's pouring rain!

Bob, you were right about being exhausted... This morning I felt like I had gone on an all night bender. It's not the flu-like aches and pains from a type 1 hit, but more like the aches and pains of lifting heavy weights on a boat over and over and over...

[Captain Caveman]

I'm really tired too. for the last two nights I have not even woke up once in the middle of the night.