Ikari
Guest
Greeting everybody. I've been lurking around here for a week or so, looks like a great place. I'm looking to get into snorkeling and to get back into SCUBA (got certified 4 yrs ago, haven't been on a dive since).
Now that the obligatory introduction is out of the way, on to my question (I searched, and didn't find anything resembling an answer).
I've seen a few threads about diving (more snorkeling in my case) from kayaks. I am intrigued by this idea, for a few reasons.
a) less swimming time for shore entries
b) cheaper than a real boat
However, a kayak seems like a mighty unstable vessel to be diving off of and climbing back into. This weekend, though, I saw something else in a sporting goods store: an apparatus that seems (to my inexperienced mind anyway) like it would be a superior platform....what is known as a "fish cat". A picture below for those who have never seen one.
The two pontoons and high center of gravity make this a much easier craft to board from the water, and more stable in surf if you get caught sideways by a wave (I've used larger versions for whitewater rafting). The oars allow some respectable speed. Plenty of room for storing gear.
So, to make a long story short (TOO LATE!!!): has anyone else tried this? The model I am looking at runs around $500, and the pontoons are 9 ft long. Plenty big to haul me and my snorkeling gear out, yet packs down smaller than a kayak.
Your thoughts? (go easy, I'm a newbie).
Now that the obligatory introduction is out of the way, on to my question (I searched, and didn't find anything resembling an answer).
I've seen a few threads about diving (more snorkeling in my case) from kayaks. I am intrigued by this idea, for a few reasons.
a) less swimming time for shore entries
b) cheaper than a real boat
However, a kayak seems like a mighty unstable vessel to be diving off of and climbing back into. This weekend, though, I saw something else in a sporting goods store: an apparatus that seems (to my inexperienced mind anyway) like it would be a superior platform....what is known as a "fish cat". A picture below for those who have never seen one.
The two pontoons and high center of gravity make this a much easier craft to board from the water, and more stable in surf if you get caught sideways by a wave (I've used larger versions for whitewater rafting). The oars allow some respectable speed. Plenty of room for storing gear.
So, to make a long story short (TOO LATE!!!): has anyone else tried this? The model I am looking at runs around $500, and the pontoons are 9 ft long. Plenty big to haul me and my snorkeling gear out, yet packs down smaller than a kayak.
Your thoughts? (go easy, I'm a newbie).