HELP w/ New Yak Set Up

I recently upgraded my diving kayak from a Cobra Navigator to a Cobra Tourer (2 large A-hatches forward and back, one small circle hatch in middle, 15' x 28", 50#, no rudder). I'm grateful to finally have some storage for fins and spearguns during sporty surf. Other than the typical safety accessories (whistle, bilge pump, radio, compass, etc.) what are some things I should consider doing to the yak itself? I don't hook and line, just spearfish.

I've seen a lot of you guys use pool noodles. Any other recommendations?

Thank you ahead of time for your help!

Install a safety/dive flag to make sure people stay away and not run you over.

Paul

wet bar for celebrations upon harvesting copious fish hauls 

Install a safety/dive flag to make sure people stay away and not run you over.

Paul

I forgot to list that. I have one of those as well. Good idea for sure!

wet bar for celebrations upon harvesting copious fish hauls 

hahahahah

I would keep it as simple and clean as possible...less junk the better.

Clean, empty deck for getting off and on with minimal wetsuit snagging possibilities...

Clean, empty tank well for fish/guns.

Clean, empty inside hull for fish/guns/gear.

A set up for kelp clip/anchor/bowline, and somewhere to clip off a stringer is all I think you really need...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

I would keep it as simple and clean as possible...less junk the better.

Clean, empty deck for getting off and on with minimal wetsuit snagging possibilities...

Clean, empty tank well for fish/guns.

Clean, empty inside hull for fish/guns/gear.

A set up for kelp clip/anchor/bowline, and somewhere to clip off a stringer is all I think you really need...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Thanks Jim!

That's how the last one was set up as well. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything now that I have a lot of storage. Do you do the pool noodle thing in case you take on water?

Do you do the pool noodle thing in case you take on water?

In my old blue T15 I did...last several yaks I haven't...prolly cuz I was getting new yaks and selling old ones pretty frequently for a few years and was too lazy to get new pool noodles and put them in...think my original noodles went with T15 to reelcrazy831 Patt S. 

I do keep a bilge pump lashed to a scupper column and tucked between column and side of hull...

As long as you can easily access bilge pump and can use it to pump out water I think you should be ok...you are already dressed for immersion and swimming...

But noodles will for sure increase chances you can paddle back to launch in case of a massive flooding issue...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Do you do the pool noodle thing in case you take on water?

In my old blue T15 I did...last several yaks I haven't...prolly cuz I was getting new yaks and selling old ones pretty frequently for a few years and was too lazy to get new pool noodles and put them in...think my original noodles went with T15 to reelcrazy831 Patt S. 

I do keep a bilge pump lashed to a scupper column and tucked between column and side of hull...

As long as you can easily access bilge pump and can use it to pump out water I think you should be ok...you are already dressed for immersion and swimming...

But noodles will for sure increase chances you can paddle back to launch in case of a massive flooding issue...

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Appreciate the feed back. Yeah, your kayak sponsor was pretty rad - Kraken 13 was a Cadillac on the water, but also felt like a trying to get a Cadillac to the water haha! We haven't partnered with a yak company yet but our line of DiveRs blades come out this month! Are you still partnered with JK?

Appreciate the feed back. Yeah, your kayak sponsor was pretty rad - Kraken 13 was a Cadillac on the water, but also felt like a trying to get a Cadillac to the water haha! We haven't partnered with a yak company yet but our line of DiveRs blades come out this month! Are you still partnered with JK?

Yeah I wish they were lighter for sure...

Still on the JK team, but have scaled back my participation/activity a bunch these past few years...

Even though I'm nowhere near as active as I was I still believe they are a great company and I am super grateful for their support of our comps and fundraisers over the years.

 

 

Sincerely,

Jim

The Jackson Kraken was on top of my wishlist but unfortunately they don’t produce them anymore. They may run a limited batch in the future but that still remains unsure. I was forced to look elsewhere for a similar model and eventually got the RTM Rytmo. Wonderful kayak and great performer and pretty light too. Yet have to take it out for spearfishing. Will report again after i have done so. I agree with the above, simple is better. the less clutter, the more I enjoy the paddling.