Which kayak do you use?

[Fis_Hunter]

I have a malabu two, which I am using to dive from.

Why did I get it? I wanted a yak to spear and dive from. The wife wanted somthing she or the kids could play on too.

It is a large stable yak and will carry all my dive gear. There are only 3 8" gispachio(SP) hatches. I can store little gear inside the yak so I have to strap everything to the top. It is a little slow and will not carry two adult divers with gear for nor cal.

[cmburch]

My favorite used to be a plastic Perception Prism 13' sit-on-top kayak. It is very stable and tracks relatively well for its wide beam. It has large front and rear hatches. I paid about $450 for the demo Prism with paddle/leash and backpad from Half Moon Bay Kayaks. I installed knee straps for more control in swells, many plastic eyelets for bungee cord and ties. I have taken it everywhere - Pacific Ocean, Mono Lake camping, Eastern Sierras fishing in small lakes, Elkhorn Slough bird watching, etc. I use it for SCUBA, free diving, abalone, touring, camping and fishing. I have longer regular kayaks. I kayak dive Monterey Bay, Carmel Bay, and small coves around Mendocino.

I really need a kayak with a rudder though. I have a plastic Necky Looksha IV. About $400 Craigslist. It is a long touring kayak with ample stowage. Good for cruising long distances even in breezes and currents.

I bought a rudder to install on my wooden kayak so it will track well in a crosswind.

I am going to make a small wooden kayak ~13' for my daughter with marine grade plywood, fiberglass and epoxy this year. It will be light enough to handle on calm water and carve the water easily. I expect she will be able to out paddle me with my heavy plastic in a few years.

[Fis_Hunter]

That sounds like a fun project. I was looking at a used scupper pro or XT. I would like to have a longer yak with a little more storage and range I saw a couple of used that looked like they may be what I want.

[Fis_Hunter]

http://http://sacramento.craigslist.org/spo/768144251.html

Here is one that looks like it may work any one ever use one of these?

[deepdestroyer]

anybody ever tried or heard of the mirage drive?
http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/index.html

[FishFighter]

The mirage looks nice and I thought about buying one a few years ago but the rudders would cause to much of a problem here in the Ca kelp. Also I would think that most freedive spearfish here in Ca so using up your legs on the kayak might wear them down and fatigue before getting into the water. I have the old school Dolphin fiberglass kayak built in the early eighties. It is practically new and works great although replacing all of the bungie cord and braided rope was a chore. I am possibly picking up 1 or 2 others like it in the next few weeks so KingNeptune doesnt feel left out. The storage hatches are huge and my 8 and 12 year old sons both fit inside with the hatch open. The back end has another stoage area that also doubles as another seat so a second diver can hitch a ride.

[FishLush]

I've got a Hobie Revolution Fish with the Mirage Drive, and LOVE it. If you're worried about getting fatigued, don't. I could kayak all day long and not get tired. Peddling this kayak is effortless. Also, in the kelp, all you need to do is flatten out the blades and use the paddle - easy. In the heavy kelp, you can even pull up the rudder if need be.

The two biggest advantages of the Mirage Drive are speed and steering. There is nothing like cruising along at 6 mi/hr in chop and feathering the rudder with your thumb and index finger; you needn't worry about paddling on the right for three or four strokes just to straighten out. With control of the rudder, you're kayak tracks dead straight. Priceless.

I also installed the Hobie Sidekick, which really help to stabilize the kayak while diving. My buddy and I climb on and off the kayak without having to worry about it tipping in the slightest. Big plus.





The mirage looks nice and I thought about buying one a few years ago but the rudders would cause to much of a problem here in the Ca kelp. Also I would think that most freedive spearfish here in Ca so using up your legs on the kayak might wear them down and fatigue before getting into the water. I have the old school Dolphin fiberglass kayak built in the early eighties. It is practically new and works great although replacing all of the bungie cord and braided rope was a chore. I am possibly picking up 1 or 2 others like it in the next few weeks so KingNeptune doesnt feel left out. The storage hatches are huge and my 8 and 12 year old sons both fit inside with the hatch open. The back end has another stoage area that also doubles as another seat so a second diver can hitch a ride.

[LunkerBuster]

I have an older model of the perception prism, back when the company was aquaterra.
the kayak is nice and long. 14.4 inches and has pretty good stability. I made a nice homemade outrigger system for standup fishing and re-entry and i have had no problems with it.

I have added several rod holders, a paddle/spear holder, bungee tie downs and a FF/gps combo(eagle cuda 250)
I had to remove the adjustable footrests to get some more legroom, but it still accomodates me very well(6'4")

I need to re gasket the hatches, but other than that, this is a perfect kayak for an all around water sportsman.

[Stressless]

I have used the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 14 for offshore dives. It handles well in GOM chop and is very stable.

The bottom two.