Some scuba divers are in the water so often, it only makes sense to own all the gear. Others don't get wet quite as often but they're such gearheads (and most will freely admit this), they can't wait to have their own gear. These divers don't mind dealing with issues like proper storage and maintenance, and they feel they're getting their money's worth.

Diving is a bit like skiing, though. If you're only planning to hit the proverbial slopes a couple of times — even up to a few times — a year, you might want to consider renting. It takes a lot of rentals to add up to a new gear package, and it doesn't take that many seasons for that package to get outdated.

And yes, you have to be responsible for maintaining each piece of gear correctly. That may not seem like such a big deal... and it isn't... for a snorkel. It gets a little more complicated with Buoyancy Control Devices. You want your BCD to function properly, to say the least.

If you rent, it doesn't matter if you only get out a couple of times; you won't feel as if you've wasted money. The dive shop is responsible for taking care of all the gear, so you can relax and enjoy a hassle-free experience. You won't have to lug a heavy, awkward dive bag through airports and baggage claims, which in this day and age, is about as much fun as it sounds.

And, you'll be thrilled the next time your dive shop's rental department gets new merchandise... you can test state-of-the-art gear without personally footing the bill for brand-new product. After all, what if you don't like the piece you're using? Consider renting to be the supreme test-drive.

But, there are exceptions. Just ask a diver who has emerged from the sea with bloody heels from ill-fitting fins, or who has lost a too-roomy fin and had to find it and put it back on under less than ideal circumstances (been there, done that, in both cases). And even though we all have to learn how to clear a fogged or flooded mask during our certification course, it's not much fun to have to do this over and over when you'd rather be enjoying the view.

So take our word for it: Invest in your own mask and fins. They're easy to transport, they're not that expensive, and they're worth their weight in gold when it comes to having a predictable and positive experience where it matters most: under the sea.

When you're first entering the world of a new sport, the sheer volume of available products can be overwhelming. Just as you did when you were looking for the right pontoon boat to buy, turn to the enthusiast media... scuba diving magazines are a great resource for gear reviews, product tests, op-ed pieces by the experts and, yes, those glossy full-color ads.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

• Scuba Diving (www.scubadiving.com)
• Sport Diver (www.sportdiver.com)
• Skin Diver (www.skin-diver.com)
• Diver (www.divermag.com)
• Midwest Scuba Diving (www.midwestscubadiving.com)

Once you really get into the nuts and bolts of dive gear, you might also want to add these to your list: Undercurrent, which has been called the "Consumer Reports of diving" by BusinessWeek, and the online site CyberDiver.net, which also is ad free.

This editor feels compelled to offer a specific product plug: My Dive Rite mask has seen me through more than 100 logged dives, and I couldn't be happier. I've been able to enjoy dives in Central Florida, the Florida Keys, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, the Sea of Cortez, the British Virgin Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga with nary a leak. And if I've ever fogged up, it was due to operator error rather than a problem with the mask.

I recently came across a new Dive Rite mask worthy of note: The 145 Frameless Mask, which claims to increase underwater field of vision up to 28%, with its teardrop-shaped lens increasing peripheral and vertical vision. Cool.

It also has a double-edged silicone skirt face seal and is designed to fit most standard-size to wider faces. That's important, because when you're underwater, comfort becomes almost obsessively important.

I don't have a particular preference for fins — over the years, I've loved some and hated others. If you'd like to learn more about how to choose the right fins for you, Scuba Diving Planet has a great tutorial.

So, what are you waiting for? If you're already a diver, consider splashing your pontoon boat as your cruising grounds' next great dive boat. If you've never tried it, consider becoming certified. You'll be amazed at how easy it really is... and how, once you get wet, you'll be hooked for life. We guarantee it.

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