Good yak for diving around FT Bragg

Hi everyene i am new to the site. I am an avid diver and spearfirsherman around the Ft Brag area. I am new to yaks and am loooking one to launch from shore to get to some fishy looking areas that are to far for me to swim to.

What is the best yaks for doing this?

I would like to also use it on a lake for fishing one in a while but that is not my main thing.

Check out the line of Ocean Kayaks online. They offer many sizes and options. Dave W lives in fort bragg and can help you I am sure. Look him up in the members list. Real nice guy. Welcome to the site. Craig

Hi Yaker:

        I lived in Albion for eight years and used the OK Scrambler XT for
Diving and the  TW Scupper PRO for Fishing. Scrambler is a Tug and the Pro is a lot faster, but a little tipsy.
        Low hanging fruit at VanDamm South Isl. South Tip of the Lee side,
follow the Crack down. Check with Matt for a Mendo hookup. I visit my Mom in Ft. Bragg once a Mo.
                                                                          Sea-ya April 1
                                                                          Ernie
                                                                         

I use my Prowler 13 for diving and fishing there.  We went out of Russian Gulch and it worked really well. 

Funny story, we headed out and my kayak was feeling like a TUG.  I was worn out the first 100 yards thinking, what is wrong!  I start in through the kelp and come to a complete stop, exausted.  I look back and my large dive bag with all my gear, had fallen off the back and was dragging by its teather.  I was dragging a huge sea anchor.  The paddling was very nice after the quick fix LOL.  I beat my brother and dad in their small Zodiac, sliding right over the heavy kelp.

The kayak was fine for getting in and out of, and nice to store food and drinks.  I used a small kelp anchor to drag it around while swimming and just teathered it while diving.

My wife was using a small Kea which worked good, but didn't have the speed of my kayak.  I had the Scrambler to start with.  It is VERY stable but slower.  The Prowler works for me, but there are many options.  I do like how you can put a child's jumper seat on the Malibu's.  Pretty nice. 

I would get one of the longer 12 foot or up yaks to ease paddling.  It really lets you cover more ground with less effort.  The difference of paddling my Prowler vs. the Scrambler is at least half the effort if not more, with a lot more speed.  The Prowler felt less stable at first, but i don't even notice it now.  Matt

Thank you for your advice.

I don`t do any diving yet but I got a wilderness ride 135 from an ab idvers advice he was also an avid fisherman 32" wide and extra stable for getting in and out of. I`ve had a good time on lakes and rivers

I go out at Noyo, Caspar and Russian Gulch. I have used a Sevlor DiveYak (two person), OK Frenzys and now use a Malibu X-Factor. Huge front hatch, plenty of rocker, wide and stable. You can rent them at Sub Surface Progression south of FB. Their rentals did not have hatches cut in to them last time I was there, but you can get a feel for them. I would certainly try the boats the others have mentioned as well - you'll know when it feels right for you.

IMO: any kayak that sits low to the water - for easy entry....ect....prowler 15, scupper pro, caper (very stable too) and scramblers.

* The scupper pro is a favorite among the Hawaiian Spear Fishermen because of the fact that you can paddle the yak without the use of a seat - which is good in the way that it does not get in the way when boarding the yak. However, it's still considered a "tippy" yak but having owned one, the "tippyness" becomes a non-issue once you get used to the craft....that's just my 2 cents of course...