Conch Diveyak fleet - group buy?

[MikeJacobs]

I'm wondering if anybody might want to do a group buy through Diver's Direct so we can get some diveyak action going this summer.

The old sit-on-top ("SOT") Diveyaks go for $400 single or $500 tandem. I'm guessing the discount could be 20% if we buy enough, and maybe more if they're upgrading the model this year.

They weigh about 50# dry, inflate in about 10 minutes without too much effort, and easily fit in a car trunk.

You'd also need paddles, life vest (for the State boys) and a little light line to tie off to bouys or your BC. This can run anywhere from $75 to $750 (new) depending on how crazy you want to get.

Any interest? I'm loving mine, and as some of you know it's a surprisingly stable platform with a few advantages over "real" dive kayaks.

 

[Gibbon]

"Any interest? I'm loving mine, and as some of you know it's a surprisingly stable platform with a few advantages over "real" dive kayaks"

Are there also some "disadvantages" over "real" dive kayaks???
I'd like to know.
(for the record, I don't want one. I just got an ocean kayak Drifter this winter, but I like to hear all sides of a coin. For everyone's benefit.)

 

[CBulla]

There would be interest on my part had my wife and I not purchased the Sea Shanty

 

[MikeJacobs]

Are there also some "disadvantages" over "real" dive kayaks???

Absolutely - the diveyak is more of a cross between a log and a canoe, while "real" kayaks knife through the water so much better. Diveyaks have much more drag, especially with two divers and their gear. Add some chopp, wind and current to the dive plan and you can really get a workout (after a 2-hour dive do you really **want** a workout? No!).

I have not done a long trip, like down a river, but based on my experience with various canoes I'd say that it's doable but not ideal. The bottom is flat and the skaggs are not large, so if you have ever taken a white-water canoe on calm water you might get a sense for what I'm thinking: that the diveyak would not track well... it would work, but maybe you'd spend more time concentrating on adjusting your tack and miss a 'gator, turtle, bird, etc...

So, a diveyak is not for everybody. While on calm days I can paddle myself and a buddy just fine, it gets old real fast. That's why, honestly, I'm careful about buddying up with women: they may not be able to pull their own weight (literally). Upper body strength is much more important on a diveyak and, as most of you know, although I have a LARGE upper body it isn't iron lol.

Another problem is the foot anchoring. As you know you use your legs a lot - especially under some conditions - and the diveyak foot rests are useless. I sling a tank in front when I'm alone to give me something to push against, but there's nothing I can do for the person in the front seat on my tandem. Marvel, Greg, Jeremy and a few others who have been stuck up there have felt a little frustration at not being able to "contribute" as much to the paddling as I can in the back.

But that's about it, as far as I can tell... I rationalize the water-drag by telling myself that I NEED the workout anyway. Of course, I *do* need the workout so it's not a complete falsehood. On a nice day the diveyak gets me to reef that is just a little too far for a shore dive in about 10 minutes (yes, the trip and exense are worth it - I often have to watch out for dive boats doing their second shallow dive on "my" reefs lol). I can stand that, even in chopp wind & current. It's very portable, durable and stable. It works for me, but it's not for everybody.

 

[Waterbabie]

We were thinking about buying one, but it sounds like that might not be the best thing in the ocean. Need to do more research.

 

[Gibbon]

Well, I was just trying to play the devil's advocate thing.
I know that there are many advantages to the Diveyak.

The BIGGEST being: it's SMALL. easily transportable.

It's relativly cheap. $400-$500 compared to a good diving kayak for about $700-$1000

It's very stable. many kayaks are not nearly as stable as a diveyak. any diving kayaks that are very stable must be hunted for.

 

[pipedope]

Are worth working if you are going to use these cool boats.

If your arms are getting tired before anything else then you are not paddling as efficiently as you can. Torso and abbs should be getting most of the work during the paddle stroke.
The arms position and control the paddle and rotation of the body makes the power.

This is much easier to show than to tell.
A bunch of great videos is at;
http://www.qajaqusa.org/Movies/movies.html

The 'real' kayaks have some problems for divers too.
Where do you put all of that heavy dive gear?
Getting in and out of a small cockpit can be a challenge and dealing with a sprayskirt as well as a wet suit adds to the work.

Not to mention that paddling a great kayak can be as addictive as diving. This may not be a bad thing if you are independently wealthy and do not need to waste time working.

If I 'ever' get my shop cleaned up and find some extra cash for materials I may build some kayaks and kayak sailing trimarans with provisions for diving.
Warning, kayak trimarans are WAYYYYY too much fun!

 

[fgray1]

I'm going to give it a try this spring at venice. I got it for free so nothing lost if I don't like it. It's 10' long and 28" wide I figure it should hold me fine. I want to get out to the bone yard to see if I can find some bigger teeth. I figure if I can get past where the other stop I might do better.
Fred

 

[pipedope]

Try it, you'll like it.

Think of me as being a bit like Ratty, (Wind In the Willows);
"Nothing half so much worth doing as messing about in boats."


A "Good Boat" is one that brings pleasure to her owner.

 

[MikeJacobs]

I can't remember if you are east or west coast, Fred, but on the east coast you can hook up with the Kayuba dive club (I lost the link, but it's easily found). I've met a couple of them and they're down to earth divers who are competent but don't take themselves too seriously. They're very helpful and know all the great places off Ft. Lauderdale.

I'm going to give it a try this spring at venice. I got it for free so nothing lost if I don't like it. It's 10' long and 28" wide I figure it should hold me fine. I want to get out to the bone yard to see if I can find some bigger teeth. I figure if I can get past where the other stop I might do better.
Fred