1st post...hello...and a question

Hi.  I'm new to this site.  Ab diver and looking into a tandem kayak for both ocean diving and fishing.  Saw a used "Ocean Kayak Cabo" and considering buying it, but not sure if it's good for fishing and stable enough.  I have a Scupper Pro and the Cabo looks like same thing with 2 extra feet and a 2nd seat.   It looks pretty heavy (75 lbs) and I'm wondering if it's too big to put on the roof of a Toyota Highlander.  Anyone have any experience with this particular kayak and offer any tips on the boat's use - please let me know - here or offline.  Thanks.

Joe Spallone
(Dolphin Diver)

Welcome, Joe.  Hopefully, someone here can answer your questions.

Welcome!

Welcome to NCKA!    I dont know anything about that yak,  but wanted to ask if you meant directly on the roof or on load bars?  If it's a factory rack, I'd look up the specs for it's carrying capacity.  I can say that I transport much heavier yaks on my Thule rack, two of them in fact.  And my Subaru load bars support up to 100lbs, does my X-Factor and Outback just fine. 

Factory Rack. 

Welcome to NCKA Joe 

Not sure of the year of your Highlander, but this link suggests that it can handle up to 150#'s so you should be fine.  http://www.toyota.com/highlander/accessories.html#!/section/Exterior/Roof%20Rail%20Cross%20Bars%20(LE)

Any particular reason your looking at tandem yaks, instead of a regular yak?

Reasoning for tandem: use with wife and kids, maybe dual dive for abalone/spearfishing, bring along a friend to watch diving.  Concerned that if I dive off it, would it tip the other (maybe a non-diver) in, too, as it looks narrower than most.  I've found some other info online and I think I'm good for now.  Thanks for the hellos and help.  I'm guessing it's just like a Scupper Pro and I know how that handles.

Hi and welcome,

I had a cabo for a few years but sold it as I didn't use it much for it's original purpose (wife and kids).  I did use it as a single and while it was very stable, it had some disadvantages. 

It's a beast.  The problem wasn't the weight so much as it's size.  Any wind at all and it's very wonky when you try to load or unload.  That was when I drove onto the beach to load and offload.  So you would have to consider the places you dive/fish.  When I paddled it as a single, the nose would rise up with any wind/swell and slap back down.  I could feel the vibrations through my wetsuit and seat. 

I would caution you on taking non divers out to observe your dives.  The passenger may not know how to brace for your entries/re-entries and could easily be unbalanced, even in such a big kayak. 

The few times I took the wife and baby out, it cruised nicely and lots of room for both of them to move around.

Hope that helps,
Nate

Thanks, Nate.