Kayak vs. Inflatable

[FishDiver]

I have lots of experience diving from 13-14' inflatables. I have experience sea kayaking but not kayak/diving. I own a small (11') inflatable that I have used many times for lake fishing. I have a 5 hp motor and wheels mounted on the transom and can easily drag the boat from my truck to the water. The boat will probably only accommodate two divers and gear.

I am interested in comparing the utility of this boat versus a kayak for diving because of its size. It is more stable than a kayak and not much faster. In a group dive I would think it might be compatible with kayak divers. Do kayak divers ever dive solo? How does a small inflatable carrying two divers compare to two divers in two kayaks for diving comfort and ease?

MODS: I have reposted this from the Norcal forum.

 

[Nemrod]

I have lots of experience diving from 13-14' inflatables. I have experience sea kayaking but not kayak/diving. I own a small (11') inflatable that I have used many times for lake fishing. I have a 5 hp motor and wheels mounted on the transom and can easily drag the boat from my truck to the water. The boat will probably only accommodate two divers and gear.

I am interested in comparing the utility of this boat versus a kayak for diving because of its size. It is more stable than a kayak and not much faster. In a group dive I would think it might be compatible with kayak divers. Do kayak divers ever dive solo? How does a small inflatable carrying two divers compare to two divers in two kayaks for diving comfort and ease?

MODS: I have reposted this from the Norcal forum.

I have both, have used both, they are not really the same thing. First, you do not want a sit inside sea kayak, you want a sit on top OK or similar, my favorite is the OK Scupper Pro TW. Kayaks are great for extended shore diving, the yak acts as a base of operation. It is equally good for scuba or free diving and by "extended" I mean new places, farther distances become reachable that a swimming shore diver cannot reach. Easy to carry on a roof rack, great for solo.

An inflatable, a 13 or 14 foot roll up boat with a 20 to 40 horse engine, can take you much farther but is more expensive and requires set up or a trailer and at least two people to handle for shore entry/assembly and recovery. The inflatable is much more roomy, much more stable and again can reach even more remote places from your shore or protected entry point and can carry a buddy or two or even three.

N

 

[FishDiver]

An inflatable, a 13 or 14 foot roll up boat with a 20 to 40 horse engine, can take you much farther but is more expensive and requires set up or a trailer and at least two people to handle for shore entry/assembly and recovery. The inflatable is much more roomy, much more stable and again can reach even more remote places from your shore or protected entry point and can carry a buddy or two or even three.

N

I have done hundreds of dives with the boats you describe. My current question relates to smaller inflatables and outboards. In my case, an 11' Avon with a 5 hp Honda four stroke. I am interest in hearing how they compare with SOT kayaks and if they are compatible on a dive outing with kayakers.

 

[cmburch]

Link to other thread
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/norcal/303608-kayak-vs-inflatable-diving.html

 

[DennisS]

There are a lot of beaches that don't allow launching of motorized craft, that's where a SOT kayak comes in.

 

[FishDiver]

Link to other thread
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/norcal/303608-kayak-vs-inflatable-diving.html

I opened the other thread and moved it here.

There are a lot of beaches that don't allow launching of motorized craft, that's where a SOT kayak comes in.

Good point. I hadn't considered that.