Diveyak

[Diver2diver]

Wanting to know information about the DiveYak. I am living in Okinawa, Japan and have lots of coral and lava rock/ reef. Does anyone have an idea how well this inflatable will perform in these conditions? My only other choice would be the Cobra Fish&Dive Kayak whick is about $600.00 more. But I lack space to store something so big. I do plan it's main use away from the above conditions, but sometimes it may not be avoidable.

[pdoege]

I have a Ocean Kayak Scupper Pro TW. Nice boat.

Check out

http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/Directory/forumwelcome.html

There is a place there where you can ask questions. Mark Theobold, a big name in kayak diving, moderates those forums.

Peter Doege

[MikeJacobs]

Unless somebody has advice otherwise, I've decided to give the diveyak a try... two person inflatable. Think I can inflate it from a pony tank lol?

[Dryglove]

MikeJacobs once bubbled...
Unless somebody has advice otherwise, I've decided to give the diveyak a try... two person inflatable. Think I can inflate it from a pony tank lol?

I had one for a while but sold it and am looking for a cobra fish n dive.I now have a vehicle that can carry a regular full size kayak and want something with more room and a bit more stable.The diveyak was perfect for me at the time as it would fit in the trunk of my car easily.

The diveyak is virtually bullet proof with the outer zodiac style cover it comes with.As long as you arent using it in rough waters it should be ok.I had the single seat which isnt near as wide or long as the two seater which is probably more stable.

[Diver2diver]

I am talking about the 2 seater. This is the only one that makes sense for me. ( this way I can always have a dive buddy )

[recon_1996]

I have used a diveyak once and it lacks in weight bearing and in water performance. It just sucks in any kind of waves. I have tried several dive kayaks and love my Scrambler XT.




Diver2diver once bubbled...
Wanting to know information about the DiveYak. I am living in Okinawa, Japan and have lots of coral and lava rock/ reef. Does anyone have an idea how well this inflatable will perform in these conditions? My only other choice would be the Cobra Fish&Dive Kayak whick is about $600.00 more. But I lack space to store something so big. I do plan it's main use away from the above conditions, but sometimes it may not be avoidable.

[MikeJacobs]

OK... done! I drove all over this afternoon, looked at the two different models (the 2003 and the "old" tandem), shopped for gear and then whipped out the mastercard.

I went with the older "black" model rather than the newer "gray" model. It was a little cheaper and though I have no experience I don't know if the "hatch" isn't a potential problem. I'm happer with a solid floor and being a little higher off the bottom of the Yak.

The paddles, vests, anchor, spare air and trinkets came to about $1,000... the diveyak was only $500. I went "all the way" and I'm sure there's more to go, but I don't think I'll be unhappy with any of it.

The test drive will be tomorrow. I'll make my "review in the Florida Conch Divers thread because that's who I'll be diving with.

[medical1]

I have the grey ones with the hatch. Although the hatch is for the most part useless (I always keep it closed) it was great this weekend on Venice Beach. Unrolled it on the beach, inflated it with a cordless quickpump, and loaded up my girlfriend & our, BC's & tanks. People just stood and stared :-)

Paddled out about 100 yards past the Venice fishing pier and dropped a PWC anchor. Much easier then a surface swim + there was a cold Pepsi waiting for me in the cooler we brought along at the end of the dive.

Only bad part was paddeling in the rain to the beach.

[MikeJacobs]

medical1 once bubbled... I have the grey ones with the hatch... SNIP Cool - I like the idea of a cold one (or two) waiting topside!

Tell me how the hatch works. Do you have the "glass bottom" window and can you see a reef below? It looks more stable than mine, but since I haven't even had it out yet I can't say whether it's "unstable" or not!

Does it come with two seats, or are there single/double models?

[medical1]

MikeJacobs once bubbled...
Cool - I like the idea of a cold one (or two) waiting topside!

Tell me how the hatch works. Do you have the "glass bottom" window and can you see a reef below? It looks more stable than mine, but since I haven't even had it out yet I can't say whether it's "unstable" or not!

Does it come with two seats, or are there single/double models?

The hatch is held in place with 3 brass snaps on one end. It is an inflatable bladder that is clear with a fabric cover (offers protection) and the pivot point tword the bow. I've never taken the cover off - if I want to see a reef I just lean over the boat ;)

The Grey Diveyak has only one model and is built differently (capable of 2 people with the optional additional seat) then the blue 1 & 2 person models. Was not worth getting the second seat as my G/F sits in the bow and lets me paddle. I do occasionally hand her the paddle though:mean:

One main difference is the grey model is built more like a catamaran (A little more stable) with 5 different air chambers. You almost sit IN it like a canoe. The blue ones you sit on like a raft or surfboard. Hope this helps.................

[Diver2diver]

How many tanks can you put on the gray Diveyak safely and are you able to swap the tanks out onboard? Also where I am at I will not have to worry about paddling out in surf here for one if their is surf here then conditions are not goo for diving here but anyway how does the double Yak track and paadle in calm water and in small waves. I am looking for handling issues will one and two people on board. Also what is the most equipment you have loaded on it? 2 tanks 4tanks?

[medical1]

I can load 2 tanks w/BC's & weights attached, behind the seat with no problem. Not to mention a cooler, anchor, misc other equipment, & 2 full sze adults that weigh a combine of about 320 LB (I won't give the breakdown ;) ).

If the weight is distributed it tracks quite well except in high waves - then it's a little difficult. It's big enough that the pesky Jetskis keep clear of you too.

I just ordered another one for my buddy as he does lake dives so he got the motor mount for it. He's going to throw a small electric trolling motor on it. So much for the upper body workout=-)

PS: If you were to use the Diveyak by yourself - you could carrry a total of 4 tanks with no problem. Just store 2 tanks in the bow. Stable enough for you to be able to switch out tanks on board.

[MikeJacobs]

THanks for the info on the gray model. From what I've heard and seen, the differences between the tandem black and the new gray seem to be:

Item Gray / Black / Comments
Model: 2003 / 2001 /
Cost: $715 / $500 / Old model might be discounted
Type: SINK / SOT / (sit-in vs. sit on top)
Seats: 1+ opt. / 2 /
Tanks/BC: 2+? / 2 / gray has walls to hold more?
Motor: 3.5 hp / No / motor interferes w/tanks?
Tracking: fins / fins /
Stability: superior / OK /
Paddling: over-wall / superior* /
Speed: ?? / ?? /
Enclosed: Yes / No /
"Hatch": Yes / No /

*I'm assuming that it's easier to paddle a SOT ("sit on top") than a SINK ("sit in kayak").

Florida requires a vessel to be registered if it has any kind of motor. I'm not sure how you'd attach a motor AND be able to get to the tank well ... the motor option is probably only for fishermen.

Basically, the gray is a "Zodiac canoe" while the black is a raft. I'd probably suggest if asked to go with the gray unless cost is a factor. From what I hear the hatch is pretty much unused. It's clearly more stable, however, and having the enclosed deck would seem to be better for keeping the ice chest and gear from slipping overboard if you get lazy and forget to clip them to something.

By the way the foot pump works pretty well. No need to buy a hand pump, though I did! I'm also ordering a fill nozzle for my Octo plus, and guessing that it will not reduce my psi by 25#.

Finally, the purchase price is only the beginning... don't forget you'll need two sets of paddles, an anchor, lotsa extra carabiner (sp?) clips, life jackets, and options like wheels, spare air, etc etc etc. I spent another $1,000 on these.

Two things I didn't want to skimp on were the paddles and the life jackets. Paddling can be a ***** in wind or a current, and not only should they be as light as possible but also have a good ocean face ($200 each). The life jackets, I saw right away, are too bulky for the limited kayak space... given stashing them someplace on deck or wearing them, I'll wear them - not for safety but just to have somplace to put them. Comfort and pockets were therefore the key. WHen we get to the dive site, they'll become gear-floats anyway ($130 & $80).

Well, all this insight and wisdom from somebody who hasn't even been out yet! It's like my old quant professor said once... as long as you have the vocabulary you can fake the rest.

[medical1]

MikeJacobs once bubbled...
THanks for the info on the gray model. From what I've heard and seen, the differences between the tandem black and the new gray seem to be:

Item Gray / Black / Comments
Model: 2003 / 2001 /
Cost: $715 / $500 / Old model might be discounted
Type: SINK / SOT / (sit-in vs. sit on top)
Seats: 1+ opt. / 2 /
Tanks/BC: 2+? / 2 / gray has walls to hold more?
Motor: 3.5 hp / No / motor interferes w/tanks?
Tracking: fins / fins /
Stability: superior / OK /
Paddling: over-wall / superior* /
Speed: ?? / ?? /
Enclosed: Yes / No /
"Hatch": Yes / No /

Florida requires a vessel to be registered if it has any kind of motor. I'm not sure how you'd attach a motor AND be able to get to the tank well ... the motor option is probably only for fishermen.


:D WOW! - Wish you were around to do my term paper in high school :D

From what my friend was able to tell me (Hearsay - not legal advise - Don't sue me) you don't need to register the boat if it only has an ELECTRIC trolling motor & a battery. Only if it has a combustion engine over a certain horsepower or the boat is over 18'.

PS: Look into the small CO2 powered lifejackets (Boatersworld, Boat US, etc). Very compact and clip around waist. You just pull the ripcord if you need it. Sort of like the models on commercial aircraft only smaller. I wear one on my Hobiecat. I don't really feel like I need one on the diveyak since I do have a BC with me :mean:

[MikeJacobs]

medical1 once bubbled... SNIP... you don't need to register the boat if it only has an ELECTRIC trolling motor & a battery. Only if it has a combustion engine over a certain horsepower or the boat is over 18'.

PS: Look into the small CO2 powered lifejackets (Boatersworld, Boat US, etc). ...SNIP

Shoot... I wish I had thought of that. I bought *real* jackets... they're compact and extremely comfortable but not as good an idea of the co2 model!

BTW, my reading of the Coast Guard regs didn't discriminate between electric, gas or size... I think the operative word was "any" motor, but I could have been mistaken.

[medical1]

MikeJacobs once bubbled...


BTW, my reading of the Coast Guard regs didn't discriminate between electric, gas or size... I think the operative word was "any" motor, but I could have been mistaken.

You could be right. I don't really worry about it too much.

Hobiecats don't need no stinkin motor. Just a nice breeze :D

[dborden]

How small is the zodiac style diveyak collapse down to? I read somewhere that it is still 12' long fully collapsed. This is the kayak I wanted to get, but i wanted an inflatable so I could throw it in the trunk. If anyone knows, please let me know!

[FLL Diver]

The pictures here (http://www.diversdirect.com/scripts/ecatalogisapi.dll/Group?Group=124&Template=9990000001000999) from Diver's Direct. They show the Diveyak all folded up in a shoulder bag.

Marc

[raulc]

I'm not sure how you'd attach a motor AND be able to get to the tank well ... the motor option is probably only for fishermen.

Has anybody used the gray diveyak with a motor and scuba gear? One or two divers? Also to make sure I'm referring to the same diveyak, here is a picture.

http://www.sevylor.com/kayaks/SVX2020_2003.jpg

[MikeJacobs]

raulc once bubbled... Has anybody used the gray diveyak with a motor and scuba gear? One or two divers? ...SNIP Sorry for bumping in without an actual answer, but you can contact your local Diver's Direct and ask that question because they've actually evaluated it - I spoke with two sales guys before buying who had used their evaluation model (the tandem SOT, not the zodiac SINK style). Sevylor is also very responsive - you can find their e-mail address on their website.

I was told the platform in back was either/or, though I know that if you can get two divers in without a motor, you could certainly get at least one diver, tank and motor onboard. It sure would be nice to have a motor sometimes...

[peterthewolf]

Howdy! I have two questions. On is about yak, and the the other, having just joined this morning, is can you tell me how to put in a general post so all the diveyak people can read my question at once? I've been learning to be fish for 30 years, but am still a dinosaur in the computer! So far, I'm sending replies to each party. Does this mean (whoops) that Im clogging up the thread each time I do that? Thanks so much. Here's the yak question:

Alan,
I am interested. Would you mind addressing my question below? Thanks, Peter 707) 829-0776 (San Francisco Northbay).

I want to get a diveyak. I am in California, and have seen the (black) model, as well as (pictures of) the yellow and white model 2020 with amidships dive hatch that takes a 3.5hp motor -- the one I'm more interested in. If you have had the experience personally, have you tried paddling a 2 seat diveyak solo? Would that not be a good idea? I am asking because I thought it might be a good idea to have a seat to share with different buddies, but also go alone for pole fishing or just paddling around (I only buddy dive). Thanks and best wishes!
Peter

[MikeJacobs]

SNIP...can you tell me how to put in a general post so all the diveyak people can read my question at once?You're doing fine.

SNIP...have you tried paddling a 2 seat diveyak solo?The tandem BLACK diveyak handles *better* solo than it does with two because of the weight of the front person. Tanks and gear up there aren't as heavy as a person, so if you loaded gear up front and behind you it wouldn't be any problem. I would always recommend buying the tandem model rather than the single model.

The black SOT ("sit on top") is a little more comfortable to paddle than the SINK ("sit in kayak") gray model. No motor really practical for the black model, though.