Scuba Tank on board

[Gary_H]

More compact

I keep a small 40 pony bottle on board it's light easier to store and still has enough air to do most small chores.

 

[Paul Akers]

FWIW...

...A SCUBA tank is the same alloy as a CNG tank which is on some boats. I wouldn't worry about corrosion. You wear you SCUBA Tank in the salt water, don't you? It would be picked up on its annual VIP test, anyway.

 

[jimmyO]

OMG...

Unless you are a Dive Master or above, go find one. It could mean YOUR life.

 

[48dodge]

How about

Keep the tank at home and get a Spare Air. It might be enough for doing what you need to do under the boat. Just read up on them and they're supposed to be good for between 30-60 breaths at the surface depending on the size.

 

[Brian D]

Since you are using it for maintenance...

You might want to consider a small tank. Like a 15cf tank. I thought about doing the same thing. Small tank for "just in case". Good luck.

 

[MoonSailer]

Work Stress Increase Air Consumption

A 80 cubic foot tank usually lasts me over an hour if I am just crusing around relaxed water not too cold less than 50'. BUT if I am spearfishing and wrestling a big catfish or srubbing the boat hull my air consumption goes way up. I almost ran out of air using a hacksaw to cut a chain at 50' once. I was just hacking away and suddenly had trouble breathing... A pony bottle is fine for a quick relaxed trip to check something. But if you have snagged a lobster pot and wrapped the line around the prop... more air might be required. Stress is worse than physcial exertion for some people.

 

[Gary_H]

a couple

wraps of det cord would have made that chain cutting job a little easier moonsailer

 

[Al Palma]

scuba tanks

I keep a tank on board and have done so for many years. Instead of the BC I use a hooka setup. Much more convient. I keep the tank in the cockpit and only need a weight belt and the 50' hose. I use the setup to clean my bottom check my prop and zincs. Storage is much easier too without the large BC.