I've done some searches here but haven't come up with anything meaningful, so I figured I'd post an actual thread about it.

Do we have any divers here? If so, do you use your Mini to haul your gear? How has that worked out so far? Any insights or tips into making it easier?

Thanks!

 

My wife gets her whole kit-case (this thing is big and has wheels!) into the Mini along with two tanks. No problem, room to spare. I don't think you could get a two person gearload in there, but it would be interesting to try!

Don't forget to buy and install Wet Okole's to complete the package.

 

oh man, I wanted to see a "snorkel-and-goggle" kit for a MCS...

 

I'm not a diver, but a cyclist who also hauls a significant amount of messy/wet athletic items in the car. The best thing I've done in this (or any) car is to have a couple large pieces of cloth in the car, one as an underlay and one as a cover. I imagine for wet gear you'd want a waterproof (or absorbant, or resistant) under layer.

As a side note, the piece of cloth I have for my Checkmate is a blue that matches the interior and, in times of need, it has served many functions - including a "toga" for my wife when she took an unintended fully-clothed swim in a rain-swollen river...

I imagine you're not getting SCUBA gear in the back with the seats up, so consider a rear-seat delete kit, or possibly creating an underlayment that's compartmented to hold the gear stable during spirited driving maneuvers... and for maximum safety use some sort of tie-down to keep that heavy gear from hurling itself forward under heavy braking or in an accident...

Dive on!

 

Sure it can. I fit all my gear (and a friend's) in my CRX for years. I'd definitely get the boot matt extender or something to cover the seats when they're down, though.
Tanks on bottom, gear on top, weight belts, lights, etc. in the boot well.

I haven't actually USED the MINI for diving though - I'd rather get my other car all sandy and salty.

 

When I dove it didn't matter what kind of car we had, we always managed to somehow get all our stuff in. If you love the sport, you'll find a way.

In those days, Palos Verdes, Point Dume, Laguna, Dana Point, Point Loma, La Jolla, and Catalina were the favorite Southern California dive spots. Point Dume was mostly sand dunes and La Jolla was mostly farmland. What are the favorite diving areas today? Is there any place you can go that hasn't been taken over as a result of massive population growth?

 

With A LITTLE EXTRA WATERPROOFING I don't see why not.

 

i've done it a few times... Only 1 set of gear though:

bcd
tank
regs/computer
fins/mask/etc.

 

My wife and I have done it. No big deal. Put down the rear seat and pack that puppy. Tanks, PFDs, masks, full wet suits, weights, tanks, towels, the whole megilla. It stacks up a bit, but the tanks are NOT going to roll if you pack it right.

 

I haul my scuba gear and my kayaking gear in my Cabrio. No problem. Granted, the Kayak is inflatable! I've also taken both kits in my friend's MCS.

 

I don't see it being a problem either, though I haven't tried yet. I figure a smaller bag could help too. Currently I have a massive Body Glove bag, that has room for a ton of gear. But yeah the rubber boot protector would be a good idea to keep any sand and dirt in the boot and not in the carbet. Although I am guessing that it's not going to be much more than a two person dive car with the most being a 2 tank dive.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies.

I already plan on getting the rubber boot protector mat thingy. I'll have to create something to drape over the back of the rear seats to keep them dry. I don't shore dive nearly as much as I used to (thanks again for taking Deep Run away from us, stinkin' bureaucrats! ), so I could always wipe down/dry my gear before putting it in the Mini for the ride home.

 

Geez-I've taken BCD, regs, wetsuit, fins, etc in my dive bag on my Harley... (everything but tanks). Back of a MINI is HUGE with the seats down! No reason two sets wouldn't fit!

 

Looks like we need a MINI Divers badge