Dive Budz offers full service SCUBA boat hull cleaning.

First time cleanings are $1.50 – $2.00 per foot (boat length) depending on the condition of the boat bottom. Vessels that have considerable growth and require two (2) or more hours to service will be charged an hourly rate. For a free estimate on first time and/or scheduled service please contact Dive Budz. Included with a regular cleaning service are: Complete cleaning of algae, coral, barnacles, and other growth from vessel bottom, running gear, and all underwater hardware.

• Through cleaning of all thruhulls
• Complete hull inspection and written report
• Report on condition of all running gear and paint
• Report on zincs and replacement when needed*
• Retrieval of items lost overboard while docked**
• Emergency notification of critical or hazardous boat condition found at time of service

* cost of zinc includes zinc and installation **No charge if diver is due to service your vessel. Service call charges will apply for special arrangements.

Dive Budz offers the following propeller services

• Pull and replace props underwater
• Paint props with anti-fouling paint
• Send and pick up props for reconditioning, pitch change, welding, and/or balancing

Dive Budz also offers the following dive services

• Underwater video and photography of boat bottom, dock, seawall, etc.
• Search and recovery of items lost in water
• Remove and/or install shaft, trimtabs and other running gear
• Remove and/or install transducer, knotmeter, and other underwater hardware.
• Drill and install thruhulls and many other services

If you are interested in any services not listed on our site please contact Dive Budz. If they do not provide the service, they may know someone REPUTABLE who does. The services above are NOT included in regular cleanings and prices vary. For a free estimate please contact Dive Budz.

Ed Roberts – Diver

Phone: 727-488-3483

http://www.divebudz.com/

A little downtime Photoshoppin’ – Use the comments below to post your own caption.

This cartoon was originally created by a powerboater friend while in the BVI’s. We were discussing the differences in the islands, specifically Anegada. The flatness of this barrier island contrasts with the mountainous peaks of the rest of the British Virgin Islands, spurring the idea. Our friend said “Anegada is just a speed bump to the rest of the BVI’s” – and wala.

Ahh groin jokes. Always fun in my book. Throw in a beloved hero and it’s a win-win.

I think the idea for this one came along when it almost happened to yours truly. Tacking on a blustery day, my feet were tangled in the mess of lines on the cockpit (another fun word) floor. Knowing the jib would come around with force, I was looking for the sheet to wrap around the winch. There it was, ready and waiting to sneak attack my man area. Sneaky sheets.

 Ty Soizic means “Get Sober” according to BVI Yacht Charters. A name that really doesn’t seem to stick – it should probably be renamed Alcohol Drip. The boat name was off base, but the charter company was top-notch. Smaller than the massive Moorings (they appear to be the Wal-Mart of caribbean charters) that dominate the area, BVI Yacht Charters were ultra friendly and incredibly accomodating. Couldn’t have had a better experience with them. Our BVI charter with two other couples on the 41 Lagoon catamaran was truly a perfect vacation. 5 out of 5 stars. Pages could be written about the fun and adventure, but it’s something to be experienced on your own so I’ll just touch some highlights to help explain the pictures.

Day1: Arrive Norman Island – First mooring ball hookup is calamity when the unsecured anchor drops between ball and harness. Chain flying out could have taken off a few toes. First mooring ball of the trip goes awry – but soon fixed and anchor secured the way it should have been. Willy T’s in the evening.

Day 2: Dinghy over to The Caves for snorkeling – very cool. Then Sail to Virgin Gorda, The North Sound hoping to eat at The Bitter End. Call on the VHF – no food. Dine at Saba Rock instead. Learn from waitress Carnival is in progress – but can’t summon the energy to go. Dinghy over to Bitter End to check it out – really cool place – have a round at the bar. I could do some damage here. Only stay for the one round and head back to the boat.

Day 3: Sail to The Baths. Beautiful. At the end of the trail is Poor Man’s Bar (one of my favorites) - drinks taste extra great: Red Stripes, Rum Punches and a fresh Mango Daiquri that tastes like Ice Cream. Back on the water and sail to Leverick Bay – guys dingy out to snorkel, girls hit the pool at Leverick’s Resort. Saw a huge stingray while snorkeling – so graceful. We all meet for painkillers back by the pool. Dinner on the boat.

Day 4: My wife and I are the only ones that like my coffee – but some still drink, others make they’re own. It’s strong enough to be called custard, but that’s how we roll. Motor over to Leverick bay dock for ice, water and hit the grocery store. Buy my blowin’ conch from the dockmaster. I love it! Off to Anegada.

Incredible 12 mile sail to Anegada. Dinghy ashore and grab a cab to the North side, Loblolly Bay. Snorkel and hang out on the beach. Bee-you-tiful. Return via $10/person cab to the bay side where the boat is. Wife and I stay behind to have dinner while others head back to boat. Dinner at the Lobster Trap couldn’t have been better. Homemade, quiet, with zillion dollar view.

Day 5: Sail to Cane Garden Bay. Two hours or 5 beers to get there. Another great sail – the winds really are perfect down in the islands. Drinking started at 9:00 a.m. today. Everybody is rarin’ to go. Go ashore and walk to Callwoods Rum factory. Rum awesome. Buy a bunch of frozen Mahi and more coffee (I use a lot) at store on the way back. 

Later in the evening the crew hits the Bomba Shack. I’ll leave it at that.

Day 6: Jost Van Dyke – Only time we don’t sail since it’s so close and very calm. Motor over to White Bay and hit the bars, snorkel, relax for the day. Later, head to Great Harbor to Foxy’s and Corsairs – my new ultimate bar of all-time.

Day 7: Decided to spend another day in Great Harbor. Wonderful breakfast at Corsairs. Island air mixed with the smell of breakfast cooking is incredible. Love it. I think we had painkillers for breakfast too. Later in the afternoon climb to the top of Jost Van Dyke with Antony. 1,000 feet up, a lot of fun and saw some goats.

Day 8: Engines fire up at dawn to make our way back to Tortola. Boat needs to be turned in and planes need to be caught. Baker’s flight is early. After dropping the boat, Bakers head to the ferry. The rest of us head across the bay in a dinghy lent to us by the charter company. Spend the day at a little bar/restaurant. Even after returning, still had time to kill before the 5: 00 p.m. flight – cab driver gave us a tour of the island. Then, finally to the airport and home.

Click here to see all the pictures.

Charge up your digital cameras and start firing – it’s the First Annual PyratSail Photo Contest. You could win fame, fortune and exciting prizes – notice we said “could”.  Simply post your pictures to the PyratSail FACEBOOK FAN PAGE WALL DIRECTLY. Yes, entrants need to be members of Facebook, but it takes like two minutes to signup and become a fan. Your fellow PyratSailors will rate your photo – the one with the most “likes” will be named winner. In the event of a tie – well the PyratSail staff will try and figure out that one if it happens.

Rules (loose guidelines)

• Photos should be nautically themed – no giraffes.
• When posting to the wall please label as “Contest 1″  – later contest will be Contest 2, Contest 3 – kinda makes sense.
• Any fan of the page can “like” the photos.
• The guidelines can be changed anytime because we’re not really sure how all this is gonna work.
• Entries must be in by end of the day, June 15th. Voting (or liking) will cut-off on Friday June 18th

NOTE: PLEASE POST YOUR PHOTOS DIRECTLY TO THE FAN PAGE WALL WITH THE TITLE “CONTEST 1″ TO QUALIFY FOR THE CONTEST.
Posting from an existing personal album will carry over your old “likes” and comments from your personal profile. Also, PyratSail Fans will not be able to “like” or comment on it.

PRIZES – Arrh – the plunder! Winner will receive a pair of Bowlin Sunglasses! But wait there’s more! The first place winner will also receive the tried and true blue PyratSail Hat.  A PyratSail Blue Bucket hat (pic not avail) will be awarded to the second place runner up. More prizes may be added. If all goes well, more contests will follow.

Fire at will!

Inspiration for this drawing comes from a sail to Beer Can Island in Tampa Bay one hot, calm day last June. We are trying to make good time running downwind, but feel like french fries under a heat lamp on the breeze-less, slow-moving point of sail. As glamorous as Wing and Wing looks, our boat creeps along and requires too much brain power and neck craning to keep the sails full.

After repeated jib flopps, someone suggests firing up the diesel in full reverse to keep the damn sails in place. This leads to the brilliant idea of just chucking out a stern anchor and cracking open more beer. It’s all about lookin’ good.

StPeteYachts.com offers exclusive, privately owned boats for charter in the Tampa Bay area. Choose from fast cruising powerboats or a 43′ Fountain Pajot, Sailing Catamaran for exploring Tampa Bay. Even Offshore Fishing. Spend the day with experienced captains cruising the Gulf and Intracoastal waters of St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, John’s Pass, Dunedin – all of Tampa Bay – even as far as Sarasota.

The 38′ Four Winns Nauti-Dog is even dog friendly. Bring your pup along for the ride!

http://www.stpeteyachts.com/

We’ve been struggling to find a way to utilize Mariola, the PyratSail 1980 Morgan 321. Our weekends are three day at best, limiting our cruising area to about a day sail from Boca Ciega Bay. So far these new modifications have increased our range and overall boating pleasure. Sailing Tampa Bay is finally enjoyable and efficient. For a larger picture of the mods please click here.