Diving trip on board a Lagoon 440

Catamaran is one of the best platform to enjoy the sea. Especially when you need to bring heavy stuffs like a complete scubadiving equipment. Here is the customization made by Alain and Pierre who create a real scubadiving club  on a Lagoon 440.

Who are you?

We are two friends: Alain is a scuba divemaster, with a 25 years offshore sailing and diving around the world experience and I, Pierre, a passionate diver (N3 level) and tourism professional.

What Lagoon do you own and why did you choose this boat?

We bought a 2008 Lagoon 440 at the end of a charter management program from Hubert Tanguy of Corail Caraïbes, Lagoon dealer in Martinique. It is a boat that can accommodate 10 people, with a good reputation for strength and modularity. The perfect boat, neither too small nor too big for diving!

What kind of customization have you done?

The list is long but concerning the diving part, here are the changes:

• The installation of a diving bottles rack on the aft of the boat. We can accommodate 10 aluminium 12 litres and 2 X 9 litres bottles for children . The choice of aluminum bottles saves weight compared to steel blocks . We commissioned this rack at East Coast Plastics in Port Lucie and it fits perfectly on the rear beam.

• A Bauer Oceanus compressor: We chose this model for its strength and because the chassis is made of stainless steel. It can absorb the inclinations of the boat while running because it is compact (it is a specific model for onboard use).
  
  This compressor runs on gasoline, as an electric compressor is overpriced. On top of that you would need a more powerful generator for an electric compressor, adding too much weight!

With our setup, we remain in the standards regarding the weight of onboard equipment on a Lagoon 440 (the transom skirts are not in the water!)

How do you use the compressor?

It is housed in the central storage space at the front near the water tanks . When we use it, we put it out on the bridge deck with a stainless receptacle to retrieve oils and deposits flowing from the compressor. After use it goes back to its place with its cover in the locker. We have installed an air pipe that runs through the length of the boat to the cockpit to be close to the bottles .

What is the estimated cost?

Bottle Rack + stainless steel bars € 3,000

Diving equipment € 15,000

What will be your next customisation?

None for the moment: we’re diving!

If you want to contact Alain or Pierre you can do it with this email adress: caraibes-plongee@hotmail.fr or go on their website http://www.croisieres-caraibes-plongee.org/