For a while know ive been contemplating on getting a kayak as an inexpensive way to go diving as well as fishing. i want to know what are some of the things that are limiting in a kayak and if its feasible to use the kayak offshore, say 3 miles out? not that it cant get me better access to inshore reefs. i just want to know whats a safe limit.
if i do get one a 12 -14ft kayak seems to be what most fishermen recommend. would any sit on top kayak that size work??
a friend of mine that works at bass pro shops can help me get one of there kayaks for cheaper, but i hear some of there stuff isn't that good.
how would storing gear, putting it one, putting it away work?
im pretty much open for any advice/suggestions on this subject right now :headscratch:
danvolker
May 19th, 2012, 11:46 AM
For a while know ive been contemplating on getting a kayak as an inexpensive way to go diving as well as fishing. i want to know what are some of the things that are limiting in a kayak and if its feasible to use the kayak offshore, say 3 miles out? not that it cant get me better access to inshore reefs. i just want to know whats a safe limit.
if i do get one a 12 -14ft kayak seems to be what most fishermen recommend. would any sit on top kayak that size work??
a friend of mine that works at bass pro shops can help me get one of there kayaks for cheaper, but i hear some of there stuff isn't that good.
how would storing gear, putting it one, putting it away work?
im pretty much open for any advice/suggestions on this subject right now :headscratch:
I used to use a 19 foot racing surfski with freedive gear bungeed on it, to paddle out to the 60 foot deep Breakers reef.....This from shore to reef to shore being probably a 6 or more mile paddle.
The surfski can average 6 mph, at least twice what can be done with a stubby scupper pro or typical dive kayak. The downside is you would need a custom surfski to get a scuba tank well built in ( which you can), and the other is a complete absence of stability as soon as you stop paddling. While paddling, if you know what you are doing, even the largest diveboat with obnoxious friend captains trying to tip you over with their wake, can not :-)
When you stop with a surfski, you can have some stability if you hang your legs over the side like a surfer sitting on a surfboard....but this is insufficient for putting fins on without tipping over....so gearing up needs to be in the water.
An alternative is getting what the call a sponson, like a pontoon that gives you a small second hull that you can put down for big stability....or, actually add an outrigger to the surfski for big stability all the time...A kevlar surfski 19 feet long can weight 30 pounds, much less than a 12 foot scuba yak. You need a custom rack for your car or truck, but these can be made or bought cheaply.
see SFDJ (http://www.sfdj.com/fall/freedive/index.html)
DennisS
May 19th, 2012, 12:31 PM
There's an excellent book that covers everything you want to know about kayak diving, I think it's only available on CD. It's well worth the price if you are planning on kayak diving
KAYAK DIVING & FISHING, Surfing, Exploring, and Play! (http://www.kayakdiving.com/)
And another option is "stand up paddleboarding", with one of the big boards. Back in the 60's, lie down paddle boards were extremely common for divers to use.
Easy to rent, you would need to bungie some gear on, but the boards are big.
ermaclob
May 20th, 2012, 12:42 AM
And another option is "stand up paddleboarding", with one of the big boards. Back in the 60's, lie down paddle boards were extremely common for divers to use.
Easy to rent, you would need to bungie some gear on, but the boards are big.
idk about paddle boards, most people i see with them stand up for like 2 min and then fall. i cant imagine going far out with that. i was liking the idea of putting a V sail on a kayak. to move around easier on windy days. plus i get better organization. how stable are kayaks with scuba gear anyway? close to full load?
Guba
May 20th, 2012, 02:14 AM
My 12 foot sit-on kayak is very stable under load. The tank (with BC and regs attached) fits nicely in the shallow well behind the seat, and there is room for fins, gloves, mask, camera, etc...in the leg well. It's a pretty simple deal to paddle in, raise the dive flag, drop a small anchor (or later follow it down to make sure it's set or tie on to something), gear up, and roll in. Getting back on the kayak is easy if you doff the bc (remember to attach it to the kayak), leave the fins on and use them to propel you up and onto the boat. Range depends upon how comfortable you are with paddling and water conditions. I'm a bit leery of leaving the kayak anchored in significant swells...if it should break loose, it could be a loooong swim. However, with practice and experience, a kayak can be a good platform from which to make reasonable dives. Note the key word is PRACTICE...try something simple for a while, then expand your envelope.
Nemrod
May 20th, 2012, 03:29 AM
Dude, your plan is reasonable and possible. Just get yourself something like a 12 foot-ish Ocean Kayak Scrambler and get to it. Keep in mind that any kayak under 12 feet is going to paddle like crap and be limited in speed and capacity. I would not even begin to consider a stand up board as an equal to a kayak. Get yourself an OK kayak, if you do not like it I am sure you can sell it for not too much loss.
N
supergaijin
May 20th, 2012, 05:14 AM
Kayak scuba is becoming more and more popular in NZ- you need to be pretty careful, and keep your profiles conservative. Exercise after deep/strenuous dives is an easy way to bring on a hit. There are specific kayaks available, but be prepared to pay for them.
richkeller
May 20th, 2012, 08:59 AM
For a while know ive been contemplating on getting a kayak as an inexpensive way to go diving as well as fishing. i want to know what are some of the things that are limiting in a kayak and if its feasible to use the kayak offshore, say 3 miles out? not that it cant get me better access to inshore reefs. i just want to know whats a safe limit.
if i do get one a 12 -14ft kayak seems to be what most fishermen recommend. would any sit on top kayak that size work??
a friend of mine that works at bass pro shops can help me get one of there kayaks for cheaper, but i hear some of there stuff isn't that good.
how would storing gear, putting it one, putting it away work?
im pretty much open for any advice/suggestions on this subject right now :headscratch:
The most common limiting factors in kayak diving are the amount of space on the kayak and the amount of weight it is rated to carry. Setting up and breaking down your gear on a small, not very stable kayak takes practice. The most important thing here is to have everything secured at all times. The bigger problem is the weight, a kayak will not sink if you are little over your weight limit but it will be much harder to paddle and will not track straight. Thats why the smaller boats as stated earlier paddle like crap, it is not the boat that is the problem, it is all the crap loaded onto it that is the problem. I started with a friends smaller kayak and worked out the kinks then got my own kayak based on what I thought would work best, I got an Ocean Kayak, Malibu 2. This kayak is a small two person kayak that has a seat in the middle so it can also be paddled by one person. This gave me more room to work, could carry more weight and was a lot more stable then the smaller kayaks. The down side is that a wider kayak will be a bit harder to paddle and is heavier to carry to and from the beach. I usually operate a mile off shore or less and within 5 miles of where I put in but that is what works best for my area and the type of diving I do. I usually dive surface supplied from the kayak on a 50' hose so the depth on those dives is around 30' which works well for inshore diving where there is no access from the shore. Shore access on Long Island is a huge problem but I can reach about 90% of the shore line paddling within 5 miles of the available put ins.
danvolker
May 20th, 2012, 09:49 AM
Or, try a Sea Tiger by Aire an inflatable that is faster and much longer than the squat scuba kayaks, and amazingly stable, even sideways in surf!
The South Florida Dive Journal (http://www.sfdj.com/adventure/Kayak.html)
AIRE | Rafts, Catarafts, Inflatable Kayaks Whitewater Rafting Accessories and Boats (http://www.aire.com/aire/products/default.aspx?id=229)
Sail, paddle and pedal with room for a friend or your gear. The kyak can be used without the outriggers. A buddy has the one man version and can dive off it but it is pressed for room. Since I dive off an 8' Scrambler his has a lot of room IMHO.
With the rudder and pedal drive you can hold the kyak in position in wind and current while fishing, it is both amazing and frustrating to watch.
Bob
---------------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.
ermaclob
May 20th, 2012, 02:58 PM
all though i would love to spend 2000 $$ on something with everything already blinged up. i think im limited to about 700$ to start my ambition. im taking transport gear and other safety equipment i might want to get into the equation so the kayaks needs to be... economically priced.
what do u guys think about his kayak??
Ascend™ FS12T Sit-On-Top Angler Kayak - Sand | Bass Pro Shops (http://www.basspro.com/Ascendtrade;-FS12T-Sit-On-Top-Angler-Kayak--Sand/product/11081905012225/212176?cmCat=CROSSSELL_PRODUCT)
its from basspro which is making me think twice about it. it seems to have everything i would need for a basic platform, right. i just don't know how it would perform compared to an ocean kayak or other brand etc. the price is very appealing.
NHscuba
May 20th, 2012, 03:23 PM
This is what I use when I kayak dive:
Perception Search 15.0 Kayak - 2010 BCS from Backcountry.com (http://www.backcountry.com/perception-search-15.0-kayak)
As others have said, practice donning and doffing in the water. And make sure EVERYTHING is attached. These newer sit-on-tops paddle almost as good as a plastic cockpit kayak - I feel comfortable taking mine almost anywhere.
Biggest limitation I've found is it all needs to be done in a wetsuit -hard not to overheat in a scuba drysuit.
