Dive Kayak

I hope this is the correct forum for this post.

I am looking at buying a kayak for diving from. I have done about twenty or more dive from the shore ab dives the last three years and now I have a spear gun too. Although, I haven't speared a fish yet.  I was looking at the Ocean Kayak Prowler 11T Angler. I have seen some people carry their kayaks down short cliffs and I am thinking if I get moderate size one that would be possible rather than having to launch from a beach site. The Prowler 11T looks relatively stable for climbing in and out of out in the water. It's not that long, so I don't imagine it will track as well. My buddy says the Ocean Kayak Prowler 12T Angler is popular, but he fishes and doesn't dive. He has a WS 160 that feels shaky to me when I paddled it around. I would like something I can paddle to a cove or two over, dive off of and get back on. And, I can carry it. I figure anything around 60 lbs should be doable. Any tips from kayak divers out there?

Oh, what is the difference between the "Ocean Kayak Prowler 11T Angler" and the "Ocean Kayak Trident 11"? Are they the same boat? I was looking at REI and at "Adventure Sports Kayak City" here in Sacramento.

brian

Hey Brian,
Can't help ya with the diving questions cause I don't dive anymore.
I do fish out of a Prowler 11T angler kayak.  The only difference between a Prowler 11T angler and a Trident 11 is the center hatch cover.  Mine originally came with the smooth cover w/ the cup holder.  I got the newer Trident 11 style hatch cover when I purchased it. The newer cover is more rigging friendly for pole holders and such but, also much stiffer and a better seal on the hatch. 
All OK trident models have the same size hatch covers but, of course longer boats have more storage room.
The T11 is 54lbs and the T13 (I think your buddy meant T13) is only 2 lbs more at 56lbs.
Lots of divers here that can tell you what they like to dive from and why.  T13 can also handle about 75lbs more payload than the T11.   Lots of choices out there...good shopping.
Chris

Love my T13, paddles great, plenty of room to store all your fins, guns and fishing rods inside. Great for diving or fishing, fresh or salt.

I have the same question.  I free dive and am looking at the Malibu II Ocean Kayak.  From what I have read on other forums, it sounds like its a bit of a barge and slow.  But maybe I want a barge?

Any thoughts from more experienced folks would be much appreciated!

Hey boss,
The Malibu X factor is a stable platform.....a veritable battleship and when out there in the water it will be your whole world !
I use mine to ferry me, the gear, scuba tank at times, the water and the fish [ heaviest of all :] .

Scrambling back on is not a time where you are calmly and deftly balancing as when fishing.  Waves, wind, surge all make the slow, careful, tedious approach unrealistic.

Its not tipsy like some others and the size, mass and weight mat cause sharks to think twice....at least thats my........ er...., theory for now.
I used a Cobra fish n dive and it was good too, but if you can handle the extra weight on the land, the X factors the best platform to dive from....IMO

Steve

GO CHECK OUT THE WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RIDE 135 it is the dive platform of the century!

You've got allot to think about, I've dove out of yaks that were 9, 11, 13, and 14 ft.  For freediving they all worked.  Getting back into a yak for a diver is second nature so they all work for that.  Scuba vs free will affect your choice, the bigger more stable yak is probably better for that. 

What I really wanted to note is that while the weight of an 11 and 13 might not be much different having that extra foot sticking out each end will be noticeable when you're moving it around off the water, (up and down the trail). 

Of course all of that is just my opinion,

Enjoy your shopping

Your choice will be dictated by a number of factors.  Height weight gear comfort level and anything else specific that you want.  The difference between lengths won't be very different in weight but as others have said the length will be a challenge to move around.  I have prowler 15 that I love as well as a recently acquired scupper pro that is a very fast boat but takes a little more attention to detail for staying dry.  I would recommend going down to a local kayak shop and asking to paddle some of the boats to see what you like.  Happy hunting

Steve (bajaR), where you been? Good to see u on the board again

Peace!

Steve (bajaR), where you been? Good to see u on the board again

Peace!

ditto...hope you been catching a gang of fish steve , welcome back. and i do agree that the x factor is a great boat to dive off. i dove off a tarpon 140 and it wasn't fun. lol I'm a big guy though

GO CHECK OUT THE WILDERNESS SYSTEMS RIDE 135 it is the dive platform of the century!

+1

I love my WS ride so easy to fish,freedive, and scuba out of. Ive even stood up on it!

Wes

HI GUYS,
 I HAVE BEEN UNFAITHFULL.............   Fishing off shore Baja on a 58 research boat!
But.......
Back now just in time for rockfish season!
Steve