Thinking about either trying to make one/buy one off the shelf or find one secondhand. I am a qualified diver so understand what's going on and happy to pay money to keep my lungs okay. Just trying o get some feedback from those who have one.

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andycass said..
Thinking about either trying to make one/buy one off the shelf or find one secondhand. I am a qualified diver so understand what's going on and happy to pay money to keep my lungs okay. Just trying o get some feedback from those who have one.

Good one andy - just what I've been thinking about..
regards,
allan

I've used a fair few cleaning boats and the biggest cringe factor is when I hear "no worries, I've got a hookah on board". Guaranteed to be gasping for air and throwing it away. Easier to free dive.
Be sure to get one that'll supply 2 regulators and lines. Important to have an output that's higher than the minimum. Adjustable too. Don't go cheap.

I have a powerdive deck snorkel. Works a treat when cleaning my hull and prop. I spend about an hour under my boat with it every couple of months.

www.powerdive.com/product/deck-snorkel

What's wrong with a pony bottle and reg?
Refill ashore after use. 5 or 7 litre gives you heaps and heaps of time. no bcd required

Pony bottle would be easiest but no where local to fill it, 120Km to closest dive shop. Have been looking at the power dive deck snorkel, Wolf Air also do a deck snorkel system and Nardi Esprit. All around the $2K
Or going down the lines of DIY and cheaper, just not sure on which compressor to get, 12v tyre inflator from super cheap? (only joking)

Research "12v foam marker compressor"
There maybe a compatible compressor amongst them that is relatively cheap and available from an agricultural supply.
I think you will be wanting something that is a diaphram type and oil free

I built mine a few years ago and it has been brilliant. I use the same pump as the powerdive and their regulator. Sits on a frame made out of 2 inch SS pipe and this acts as a reservoir. Spend up big on quality hose and use at least 20 metres and throw it all in the water when you dive.

You can also go 240v with a diaphram pump and a normal reg but the higher pressure means the air from the pump will be very hot and a short length of heat proof hose will be required.





Note the piece of pantyhose as a filter. That's the battery I use on the right. The black flexible section of hose makes an enormous difference. The SS ring clips on to my weight belt.

I have a couple of thomas pumps I bought to do the same thing both the correct pumps ( oilless and 12 v ) one single pump and one double , that I would sell cheaply if your interested

I used the single one for about one hour but the double pump is brand new .

I ended up going a different direction

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Jolene said..
Research "12v foam marker compressor"
There maybe a compatible compressor amongst them that is relatively cheap and available from an agricultural supply.
I think you will be wanting something that is a diaphram type and oil free

The Thomas 107cdc20 that is sold for use in ag foam making has a flow rate of 45l/m which is a bit less than the 58l/m that the 907cdc18 which I believe is what Ramona is using. There is of coarse cheaper versions not made in USA. The good news is you can buy Aussie made reg and hose

The double Thomas I have is a THOMAS 2907CDC22/12 PUMP 90.6 L/Min

The single one I m not sure the model until I get home but it was great for me cleaning the hull

I also have a heap of air hose 10mm / designed for breathing air , forget the brand I would sell cheap as well :)

We are retiring at the end of the year and I m clearing out the clutter haha

Have owned the double floating hookha with my brother for the last 10 years, works fine. Mainly used for cleaning the hull. When one person is using the double it puts out a bit more air, which is useful. When two people are using you need to be careful and breath slowly and shalow, otherwise you are fighting each other for air.

Also the saying "me and my brother are going down on a shared hookha today" never gets old

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shane450 said..
The double Thomas I have is a THOMAS 2907CDC22/12 PUMP 90.6 L/Min

The single one I m not sure the model until I get home but it was great for me cleaning the hull

I also have a heap of air hose 10mm / designed for breathing air , forget the brand I would sell cheap as well :)

We are retiring at the end of the year and I m clearing out the clutter haha

PM sent.

BOTH MY THOMAS PUMPS ARE NOW SOLD

Thanks to the thread poster for posting this thread :) a few more bits cleared out of the shed

Bought the Nardi extreme, cost 2k but is a nice bit of gear and works extremely well, mines a 12 volt unit, I run the engine whilst I'm underneath for an hour doing chores! I tried a cheapo off eBay, it didn't have a proper reg and blasted air continuously. Absolute horrible experience, but the Nardi has a vee twin comp and is designed for two divers. Great to have compressed air on board too. Blowing air backwards through the engine water intake works a treat removing marine growth.
richard

Ive just looked at the Nardi, it seems impressive value if the weight and size arent an issue, does the compressor stay on 100 percent of the time or cut in and out?, did someone say they tried the WolfAir Hookah

Thanks
Bree

Hi, no the compressor cycles. And it is very quick to recover, from cut in to fully charged again. As others have said, a unit designed for two divers is worth getting, plenty of air.
I run the engine during a 1 hour hull scrub, just to ensure full battery voltage is available.
cheers Richard

Hi Richard / Bridgette and all,
Is this the one you have? (looks like it from the photo on the other thread, Ultrasonic Anti-fouling - A group experiment)
Do you have a fitting to use as an air jet blower under water on a second hose?

Nardi Diving Hookah Extreme 12 Volt 260 lpm - 7 Litre Tank | AC Diving

www.acdiving.com.au

Seems to be one of the better ones with 2 person option, do you see any pros / cons verse powerdive floating hookah and also the Wolfair?

I like that you could get into places away from where you anchor up and take the floating version into shallower water or around rocky / reefy out crops, (being careful not to put a hole in the hookah of cause )

Bridgette, did you make a decision and get one?

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Craig66 said..



Hi Richard / Bridgette and all,
Is this the one you have? (looks like it from the photo on the other thread, Ultrasonic Anti-fouling - A group experiment)
Do you have a fitting to use as an air jet blower under water on a second hose?

Nardi Diving Hookah Extreme 12 Volt 260 lpm - 7 Litre Tank | AC Diving

www.acdiving.com.au

Seems to be one of the better ones with 2 person option, do you see any pros / cons verse powerdive floating hookah and also the Wolfair?

I like that you could get into places away from where you anchor up and take the floating version into shallower water or around rocky / reefy out crops, (being careful not to put a hole in the hookah of cause )

Bridgette, did you make a decision and get one?

Craig, that sounds like the one I have, there was a smaller lighter model with a built in tube tank, but it was single diver only. I have the standard 50 foot hose, and even on a modest 37 foot yacht, it doesn't get you too far! I could get an extra 50, but I figure that will equal more tangles. My unit lives under the chart table, so I loose a few feet routing the hose from there to the water. But impressive air delivery. And reasonably quiet, I'm not annoying boats nearby!
cheers Richard

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Craig66 said..



Hi Richard / Bridgette and all,
Is this the one you have? (looks like it from the photo on the other thread, Ultrasonic Anti-fouling - A group experiment)
Do you have a fitting to use as an air jet blower under water on a second hose?

Nardi Diving Hookah Extreme 12 Volt 260 lpm - 7 Litre Tank | AC Diving

www.acdiving.com.au

Seems to be one of the better ones with 2 person option, do you see any pros / cons verse powerdive floating hookah and also the Wolfair?

I like that you could get into places away from where you anchor up and take the floating version into shallower water or around rocky / reefy out crops, (being careful not to put a hole in the hookah of cause )

Bridgette, did you make a decision and get one?

Not yet...I'm leaning towards the WolfAir Hookah ... I thought I'd just get there's at 138 l/m it sounded good..when I used to dive even when showed it I used a lot of air ..I've talked to wolf air a couple times and I thought st this time of year I'd just Ezi-pay it but u need to be a local to do that... so I'm still throwing is around in my head ...does anyone know what compressor they use ? thanks Bree

Select to expand quote

Craig66 said..



Hi Richard / Bridgette and all,
Is this the one you have? (looks like it from the photo on the other thread, Ultrasonic Anti-fouling - A group experiment)
Do you have a fitting to use as an air jet blower under water on a second hose?

Nardi Diving Hookah Extreme 12 Volt 260 lpm - 7 Litre Tank | AC Diving

www.acdiving.com.au

Seems to be one of the better ones with 2 person option, do you see any pros / cons verse powerdive floating hookah and also the Wolfair?

I like that you could get into places away from where you anchor up and take the floating version into shallower water or around rocky / reefy out crops, (being careful not to put a hole in the hookah of cause )

Bridgette, did you make a decision and get one?

Not yet...I'm leaning towards the WolfAir Hookah ... I thought I'd just get there's at 138 l/m it sounded good..when I used to dive even when showed it I used a lot of air ..I've talked to wolf air a couple times and I thought st this time of year I'd just Ezi-pay it but u need to be a local to do that... so I'm still throwing is around in my head ...does anyone know what compressor they use ? thanks Bree

We have a Nardi Espri. A reassuringly solid machine. I got the 240v version because it was a bit cheaper and we have a genset. Works very well.This was a decision I'd dicked around with for a decade. Every time I was under the boat cleaning or doing anodes, I would resolve to forthwith buy a compressor. Then when clean and dry looking at prices, I'd change my mind. Suffice to say it makes things a lot easier and a lot more pleasant, and I think a lot safer. With a snorkel I'd use half my "puff" getting down to the work site, and end up quite exhausted by the end.

The other purchase I can really recommend is a pair of cut-proof gloves ($5 on ebay). Soft as woollen mittens but barnacle proof.

A hookah is by far the safest way to work under a boat. Position yourself, relax and work at a steady pace. Snorkeling and holding your breath over and over again has health risks and can lead to confusion and black outs.

After a bit of back and forth with Alan, AC Diving, importer of Nardi. I have ordered the 12v unit. He has been very helpful.

They sold out of stock a couple of weeks ago due to high demand and I have just been emailed they will air freight more now instead of waiting for next ship to come in. (at his expense)