Kayak or small boat

[rubberduck]

I've never dived from either and was looking for the pro's and con's of each. I was basically set to spend $650 on an Ocean Kayak drifter (used with assesories) and truck rack. Then on my way to work I pass this 14' Boston Whaler type boat with a 40HP. Excellent condition for $1300. I would be doing ocean dives but not very far from shore probaby a Kayaks range.

What would your dive preferance be?

 

[Uncle Pug]

If you can only get one get the Whaler. You will be able to extend your range a bit as well as take your buddy along. You also have a more room for spending your SI and eating lunch, ect. If there is a problem on the dive you will have quicker egress to shore and help.

 

[Nemrod]

I own a Whaler and tell you to get the kayak. Why used, I bought a new OK Scupper Pro for about 750. The kayak will cost nothing to own and store. It requires no fuel, no trailer and can be launched right from the shore and zip you effortlessly to your dive site. Yeah, they are tricky at first, like a bicycle but one you get the nack it is so cool!!!!!!! I recommend now the Prowler 13 or Scupper Pro TW. The Scupper is faster, the Prowler a bit more stable and slightly shorter.
A 1300 dollar boat is immediantly going to become a 6,000 dollar boat because dude----dude----it is going to need a new engine, repairs, trailer work etc.

BUT, I also agree that if you want small boat get a Whaler. A 14 foot inflatable with a 25 horse engine is another option and will launch through surf and carry in a PU bed or van and will be more seaworthy than a 13 foot Whaler and easier to get in and out and will also cost you about 6,000 dollars or more.

Oh, a kayaks useful life is probably about 6 to 8 years (used hard and left outside a lot) unless very well taken care of. The material they are made from, rotomolded polyetelyene or similar products will eventually crack and degrade and UV degrades them as well. They can be repaired but at some point you just return them for recycling and get another---still--a very cheap dive boat. N

 

[saintsfan]

I think an inflatable is the way to go for a small dive boat,I had a 13' novurania rib and the ease of getting in and out is nice but I prefer inflatable keel inflatable boats with added launching wheels(dont need a trailer),the RIb isnt much lighter than a regular boat and not as portable,I just purchased a new 12 inflatable off ebay for under 900 bucks to use as a dinghy and cheap alternative to running my 26'er,I bought a 4 stroke 9.9hp and it should be ok for 2 people comfy and 3 crowded.the inflatable I bought was called a baltic and is better quality than my name brand dinghy.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

He said "Boston Whaler TYPE". I suspect it's not really a Whaler, esp. because Whaler
has built very few 14's. LOTs of 13s, a fair number of 15s, a fair number of 16s, LOTs
of 17s.

But of you are only going in Kayak range, get a kayak. And I own a (real) Whaler.

 

[rubberduck]

Correct, it's not a Whaler. I used "Whaler type" because everyone is familiar with this design. I would only be in kayak range because, although it is in good shape, it is not really made to be way out at sea. it would extend my horizontal range from shore quite a bit. i could launch from the nearest ramp and motor along up and down the shoreline to various dive sites.

Peopel with kayaks - how is the hauling process from the parking lot to the beach? Carry the kayak then back for the equipment vs load the boat and launch right into the water.

The biggest thing that is scaring me is that it will be a money pit. The $1300 isn't bad but your right it probably will turn into $6000.

 

[Nemrod]

With the kayak I use a Yakima rack. It has theboat loader feature--see their site. I built a small caddy from PVC and old wheelbarrow wheels. My next version will be more pro looking. Anyways, I set the kayak on the caddy, loaded and wheel it to the lauch site if not accessible that is from my truck. Occasionally at several parks they would not allow the use of the caddy so I cafrrried it and then went back for the rest of my stuff--oh well.
Another thing, kayaks are actually very seaworthy and while I suggest you use common sense many kayakers go far to sea, I would advise caution until you learn the sea and your boat and have rescue equipemnt, radio and cell phone etc and a manual bilge pump too.
My Novurania inflatable has launching wheels that flip up/down or removed. It can be wheeled loaded to the dive site access point. I only have limited expeience with west coast diving so consider that you should check with what local divers do concerning such boats and kayaks.

"Whaler type", yeah,my dad called me on the phone after watching on FOX a center console boat sink. He wanted to tell me he saw a Whaler sink. LOL, not all center consoles are Whalers and the boat in question was not. I don't know what a Whaler type is, it is either a Whaler or it is something else.

Keep your money until you do some more research to determine exactly what it is you want to do. N