Outriggers for Yaks do they help or get in the way?

[Styric]

Hey all,

I was thinking about outriggers for a kayak. Do you think that they are good idea for stabilizing the kayak while boarding after a dive? Also, what about for shark bumps, would it keep it from capsizing? I was thinking it might be useful for attachments. Let me know what you think.

Cheers!
Styric:beer:

[zenspearo]

You will get tired of having to deal with it launching/retrieving.

A more useful system is two large inflatable floats, tied to both sides of the kayak and acting as a cradle (port side float tied to starboard side using a line under the yak and vice versa). Like two Aimrite floats (something I used before).

However, you'll get tired of futzing with that too. Most learn how to board their yaks without any help and rarely ever capsizes once out of the surf zone. In the surf zone, your outrigger will be more of a handicap anyway.

Joe.

[Styric]

Right on that makes sense. I think I will just spend some time practicing boarding and unboarding with and without gear.

[zenspearo]

The float system works really well if you have kids wanting to go snorkeling with you. You won't win any speed records paddling, but the young 'un will love the stability.

[Fis_Hunter]

Hi, Styric, Here is a link to a site about kayak diving look on the left side for a box with diving techniques it has pictures of how to get in and out of your yak.

I also think an outrigger could be kind of a pain.


http://www.kayakdiving.com/

[ezequiel]

mhmhm, I agree with the other posters, to much gear, is reaally no confortable.
I learned how to get in and out of my yak, directly, WITH fins is really easy and then u can remove them up there, also without fins now is easy . My yak is not really stable, but I manage to go, even I been scuba diving from my RTM disco,
usually when i arrive to the spot, I just jump to the water, and from there, I put my fins, tke gear etc, and if the current is strong, first I drop the anchor .

[Styric]

Cool! That website rocks! Totally what I needed. I think as far as gear I will keep it simple. I am looking to be able to paddle out in good enough time and drop in like a sea ninja lol. Anyway, thanks for the info. I am practicing in a lake so that when i hit the ocean it will be one less thing to have to be nervous about.

Cheers!
Styric:beer:

[LunkerBuster]

for what it is worth, I have outriggers on my yak and they are never a problem, I only put them on when I need them (high chop, stand up fishing, re boarding a fully rigged yak) but they just fit into the back hatch when I don't.

I made mine for under 40 bucks so there was not a big commitment

[Styric]

Awesome. What kind of yak are you using? Do you have some pictures of your ouriggers you can post? My main concern was exactly that...reboarding the yak with all my gear and catch. I would probably do the same...get through the surf...attach them...go spearing...unattach after getting close to shore.

Cheers!:beer:
Styric

[DSRTEGL]

Looking at the outrigger possibility myself..............What can I say?..........I like projects!

[Siebler]

My suggestion is that if you are having a hard time getting in the kayak then 1. Practice, or 2. get a more stable boat such as the Ocean Kayak Big Game or Malibu Xfactor.

[cmburch]

I saw a woman the other day using what looked like a long narrow kayak with an outrigger racing. I found this picture. Hers looks like a custom not a pieced together job.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outrigger_canoe_racing

The outrigger was long and thin.

I also ordered some items from CLC kayaks and noticed some outrigger kit, but pretty expensive.

[Kevin Sheets]

If I was going to consider outriggers, I would use these.http://www.easyriderkayaks.com/outriggers-k.htm

[bosscrab]

Attach one blade of your paddle perpendicular to the front of the yak. tie/bungee a float/life jacket to the other blade. That will keep it stable enough to enter w/o capsizing.

[cmburch]

I have a paddle float to board that way. I need more practice or a larger paddle float. Thanks for the idea with the life jacket. I got to have more common sense some time. I should try my boogie board.

[agarcia]

Being comfortable with self rescue or re-boarding is pretty important for being on the ocean whether paddling or diving. I was taught the 3 B technique, belly/back/butt. Belly, boost up and get your stomach over the rail. Watch out for the opposite side rail on wider yaks, I've been popped in the mouth on malibu a couple times. Once your up on your belly then roll over to your Back. Then lift yourself up to your Butt.

You should also practice righting the yak in case it completely flips. Reach over the hull bottom and get your fingers into the scupper. Pull yourself up far enough to get your knee on the bottom of the rail and lean back till it flips and rights itself. You can simplify this by having a short 2-3 foot rope tied to one of the side handles and pulling on that instead of trying to grip the scupper, alot easier.

[ocddeerhunter]

try combineing outrigger with beach cart (use square shaft of wood with a square bracket for the vertical wood "legs"that have atv tires mounted on them.)that way you have double use add-on project put legs in vertical pos. for beach cart use and hoz.pos. for in the water atv tires float or get cat-tracs tires(cat-tracs for moving hobbies across the beach.)