Aquaterra Big Kahuna - Anyone try this brand/model?

Can't seem to find anyone who has tried this kayak as a fishing platform. Lots of info from the dive community.

Anyone have any experience with this brand/model? Pros or cons for this?


Perception Aquaterra Big Kahuna Kayak Fish and Dive Yak with Rudder(14 ft), center hatch, seat/backrest

Here is about the only good info I have found on this one...

The tank and BC are assembled on shore and strapped into one of the equipment wells. If you have no significant internal storage (Scrambler, Big Kahuna, etc.) then the rest of your gear is stowed in a bag and strapped down in the other equipment well. With the Scrambler style kayak, you'll probably only carry one tank at a time so there's no worry about changing tanks. With the Scupper Pro, Prism style kayaks, you might carry a 2nd tank (or even a 3rd in the Scupper Pro) that has to be changed out on the kayak between dives.

The Discontinued Aquaterra "Big Kahuna" with dive well.

The problems with this are the same as those encountered by divers using Scupper Pro style boats without any equipment wells. Basically, the tank, BC, and regulator are assembled within the space provided by opening a hatch. Obviously, you're pretty vulnerable during this process, it's recommended that you have your fins on to increase stability and control, and it's not recommended that you do this in rough conditions.
 
If you have internal storage for gear (Scupper Pro, Prism), my suggestion is that you remove one or two pieces of gear at a time, resecure the hatch, put the pieces on, reopen the hatch, get the next piece, ... It is kind of tedious but beats losing all your dive gear if the boat should roll. Note that most of the times I've fallen off my kayak have been while it is anchored and a swell comes through. Funny things can happen that turn out not to be very amusing.


As far as my routine, I paddle to a dive site with my dive jacket off. Paddling with a 7mm jacket on is very exhausting. Wearing a lighter wet suit, it's no problem paddling with a jacket on.


At the dive site, my first action is to put the tank overboard. Second, don my fins; with fins on, stability greatly increases. Then I'll go through the process of putting on gloves, hood, weight belt (I do it on the boat though it can be hung over the side and donned once you're in the water), and mask. I hang accessory gear off the side (flashlight, spear gun, stringer, game bag, ...). Then I slip into the water. BC is donned in the water. It's also doffed in the water at the end of a dive and secured to the kayak. I climb back up on the boat, get rid of the weight belt, mask, hood, and gloves. Then, using the leverage provided by my fins, thighs, and upper body, I drag the tank over the side onto the boat. If you have an equipment well (Scrambler, Big Kahuna, Scupper Pro with rear equipment well), this should be no problem for anyone able to pickup their own tank on dry land. Fins provide a surprising amount of leverage.

I looked at the big kahuna about 3 years ago abd then bought something else. Have you checked the classifieds on this board? There is a Scrambler XT for sale in the Santa Cruz area.

Here's one on craigslist for 200

http://www.craigslist.org/sby/boa/153311278.html

not associated with seller.