Kayaks- Tarpon 120 vs the Scrambler XT

[shoupart]

Hey,
I'd really like to get into kayaking and kayak diving and wonder if anybody out there has some experience and could give me their opinions.
Basically I'm looking at 2 models- Ocean Kayak's Scrambler XT and the Tarpon 120. Does anybody know much about either, or have experience with diving off of it?
I'd really appreciate any replies!
Thanks,
Jason

 

[Diver_Jan]

Hi Jason,

You could contact Jim Vidmar owner of Sea Ventures dive shop in Fullerton. I know he has dove off kayaks, and sells them too.

From my own personal experience, you need a fairly broad, stable Kayak with deep wells to support your BC and tank. Also, I would rec a kayak that you could hook your gear too when in the water for easier donning and doffing. Some kayaks have storage wells for dry bags, food, maps, ect. Just depends on what you want to spend.

I keep telling Jim that he should have a special class on Diving off of a Kayak. I think there would be a great interest.

Best of Luck.

 

[Kim]

Hey,
I'd really like to get into kayaking and kayak diving and wonder if anybody out there has some experience and could give me their opinions.
Basically I'm looking at 2 models- Ocean Kayak's Scrambler XT and the Tarpon 120. Does anybody know much about either, or have experience with diving off of it?
I'd really appreciate any replies!
Thanks,
Jason

Try this site:

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

It's the home site of a SB member - Gilligan. Check the Photo forums and you'll find a lot of his stuff!

 

[quimby]

Ocean Kayak's Scrambler XT and the Tarpon 120. Does anybody know much about either, or have experience with diving off of it?

http://www.kayakdiving.com/ (similar to Kims but older site and worth evaluating)
Probably the best site Ive seen info wise and some really good evaluations
I have a scramble XT and a dagger something or other and the XT has it hands down. Depending on your size and what you drag along the Ocean Kayak Drifter is wider and more stable and still a good "feel" even with a small truck on board.
As a matter of fact Ill be selling the dagger and buying a drifter to complete my fleet(until fuel prices comedown)
In my worthless opinion simply buy a Ocean Kayak whatever, and I dont believe you could go wrong.........

 

[diverdann]

I would not consider myself a pro Kayak diver in any way, and I am not familiar with the kayaks you mentioned, but I have done it twice. One time was on a night dive and the other on a day dive.

On both dives a buddy and I shared the kayak. We rented a 2 person Ocean Kayak, took an anchor, and we were set. We set up our dive gear at shore, donned our wetsuits, booties, gloves masks and launched the kayak. One set up (BCD, tank regs/fins) was fastened on top of the front of the kayak and the 2nd we just inflated the BCD and let it float, tied up to the rear of the kayak. When we arrived to our spot (TOP SECRET LOSTER SPOT) we dropped anchor, jumped off the kayak and donned the gear in the water.

The night dive was the hardest because of the extra equipment and lack of ambient light. On the night dive we went lobster diving and bagged 5. On our way back to shore we tied the game bag to the kayak.

Its a lot of work, but it sure is fun.

 

[Ben_ca]

I would not consider myself a pro Kayak diver in any way, and I am not familiar with the kayaks you mentioned, but I have done it twice. One time was on a night dive and the other on a day dive.

On both dives a buddy and I shared the kayak. We rented a 2 person Ocean Kayak, took an anchor, and we were set. We set up our dive gear at shore, donned our wetsuits, booties, gloves masks and launched the kayak. One set up (BCD, tank regs/fins) was fastened on top of the front of the kayak and the 2nd we just inflated the BCD and let it float, tied up to the rear of the kayak. When we arrived to our spot (TOP SECRET LOSTER SPOT) we dropped anchor, jumped off the kayak and donned the gear in the water.

The night dive was the hardest because of the extra equipment and lack of ambient light. On the night dive we went lobster diving and bagged 5. On our way back to shore we tied the game bag to the kayak.

Its a lot of work, but it sure is fun.

Not to Hijack the thread but has anyone tried kayak diving with BP&W? I guess leave the drysuit at home too huh?

 

[DennisS]

Not to Hijack the thread but has anyone tried kayak diving with BP&W? I guess leave the drysuit at home too huh?

I use a drifter with a tank well, no problem with the BP/Wing, tank down-BP/Wing up.