got to decide on a kayak - need help!

[bermudaskink]

Today is the day and I need you guys to help me make up my mind. I am going to get 2 kyaks for diving.

My husband and I wont be really handy when it comes to making modifications but we can do a little... so I am looking for one that wont need too much work to modify it to hold dive gear.

I need to choose between the Drifter, the Scrambler XT, and the Malibu 2.

The first two will cost me over $1000 each, as they will need to be ordered and shipped over. Also, may take a while.

The Malibu 2s are second hand (Ex-rental) in the sale and are $700. I like the fact they are stable, can take two people, and are available now on the cheap but I like the XT and the Drifter too..... it's soooooooo hard!!!

Help!

 

[Zagnut]

.. it belongs to a fellow scuba boarder. I found it to be full of useful info, tips, and things to consider when getting a kayak.

http://kayakdiver.com/kayakdiving/topics.htm

I hope it helps.

 

[IndigoBlue]

You really need to rent the model you are thinking about buying, and try it out first.

 

[jeffkruse2000]

I recommend the Scrambler Xt. I am 200#'s, plus full cold water dive gear, and one tank the Scrambler works well. It could take a little more weight but not much before the water is at the level of the small center hatch. Great boats, very durable and stable.
If your a smaller person or/and diving warm water, one tank, you might consider just the Scrambler and not the Xt. The Scramble is lighter but sits slightly higher in the water and is a little less stable.

 

[fldivejunkie]

My husband and I both have Scramblers which we dive off. Great kayaks with built in tank wells (XT has them too). If I had to do it again, I would probably go with the XT just for the ability to handle more weight (= another tank). One word of advice . . . . don't forget to close the drain plug :blush: It's really not much fun flipping over and over and over . . .

db

 

[bermudaskink]

thanks for the advice - and I have looked at kayakdiver.com site and another one that is good. I went to check out the Malibu 2 - which I have rented before. But not for diving. I put my dive gear in it and also checked out the Frenzy. Wow! That is cool. My tank fits all the way in the holder perfectly with the BCD on it.... I'm even more confused now that the Frenzy looks just as good as the others and has different advantages etc. Perhaps we will get 1 frenzy and 1 malibu 2.... I like the look of the scrambler XT though, but we'd have to order it in and the price would go up quite a bit then. Have decided against the Drifter, as someone told me it is not as stable as the others particularly in choppy water....

Any more adivce from anyone?

 

[bermudaskink]

BTW - no- one is renting right now during the winter and not all models are availalbe for renting so apart from putting dive gear and myself in one on land I'm not gonna be able to test them out any better than that...

 

[DennisS]

I have a drifter and like it a lot. I looked at the Malibu 2---too big, the scrambler XT-hard choice and finally decided on the drifter. Its a nice stable kayak. My only complaint is that a standard 80 doesn't lay down in the tank well. The well is about 3 inches too short so it is at an angle. It does make getting the tank out easier now that I think about it. The drifter won't win any races but it is a nice stable platform for diving and fishing.

 

[bermudaskink]

scrambler XT and malibu 2 are same length.... but malibu 2 is wider - so yeah I guess it too big. I think we'll get 1 of them. Then we go tandem when we want to, without gear and have the opportuity to toe one kyack, and go tandem with dive gear or one person in each, although - worried that solo in malibu 2 will be hard.... but most people I talk to say is OK and is very stable.

am still in two minds.....

I heard that drifter doesn't cut it in choppy water - would you disagree?

L.

 

[budgy]

There are some reviews at http://www.sit-on-topkayaking.com/KayakData/Reviews/index.asp I'm also wondering about kayak diving in my area. It could be very convenient and give me easy access to hundreds of wrecks in the Clyde. I'm wondering if the Malabu2 would be suitable for hauling me and a twin set.