Protocol of diveyaking

[simbrooks]

Ok, so as i stated a while back, my roomie has a couple of ocean kayak diveyaks. I am tempted to take one out (he said i can borrow) to do some diving just outside of normal range of shore diving (like 1/2-1 mile or so) - particularly on the reefs and to look for teeth. So i have a few questions for you more experienced diveyakers (some of them are quite basic, just looking for reassurance of method as best i can think through in limited time):

1. Tie up to a buoy if there is one or drag the kayak along? I would put a flag up on the kayak anyway.
2. Put kit together on beach, tie it down into yak, paddle out, then what - either suit up in yak or inflate, drop in the sea and rodeo style don it?
3. Same on return, doff in water and retrieve once in?
4. Ever do two tanks worth? I guess only if you have the room and dont mind changing out stuff and the seas are flat.

I think that is all, just trying to get a feel, add anything else you think is pertinent protocol for diveyaking that i may have overlooked.

 

[DennisS]

1) I like to drag the kayak along. If the current picks up, I don't have to swim back to the boat. I consider having the boat with me as a float one of the advantages of using the kayak

2) I set up everything on the beach and strap it in the kayak tank well. When I get to the site I clip off the BC/tank to a line and put it over. I have mask, fins and snorkel on when I do this. Sometimes you tip. I sit sideways with my fins acting as outriggers when I put the tank over.

3) The only way I've managed to get the tank onboard without tipping is. Have it floating on the surface, grab the boot with my fingertips and put the bottom of the tank aboard, then bring the neck of the tank around. There must be a better way, but this works for me and my yak. I'm sitting sideways with my fins in the water when I do this.

4) I only do one tank. There are people that do two tank dives off of kayaks, but mine isn't set up for it.

Here's the book that got me started, too bad it's only on CD now.

http://www.kayakdiving.com/

I have an Ocen Kayak Drifter, it's a great way to go diving

http://www.Kayuba.org is the website for a south florida club that has some good info.

Anything that goes in the kayak should be tied in. You will tip. Watch out for the tethers that you tie things to the boat with. They're called entanglement hazards.

I slid off the side of the kayak, the clip that was on the kayak side of the tether went up the leg of my bathing suit. The fabric bunched up in the clip, the kayak turned over and my shorts were attached to the upside down kayak with me in them. I probably couldn't do it again if I tried, but its little stuff like this, that you have to watch out for.

 

[simbrooks]

I know in traditional kayaking you can pretty much almost go under and still right yourself with a good bracing stroke, you can also tip a good long way just my tilting your hips. These diveyaks seem to have good primary stability, but poor secondary (ie they will sit flat for ages, but if you take them to a certain point they will go - and quickly). Just wondering if you lean the kayak as you are lifting the rig out if you can balance it all. Not that i mind going in again, but just like windsurfing the fewer times you are in the water (due to being thrown or dunked) the more fun it is, no-one likes struggling to get things together, up and out of the water etc. Have you tried straddling the yak so you can make more use of tilting and weight on the opposite side of the boat?

 

[pdoege]

Go out with the Kayuba guys a few times to get used to it.

I flip my yak all the time when I have gear in it. No big deal, just flip it back over.

I gear up in the water.

I have used 2 tanks, but that makes the yak really heavy.

Peter

 

[Nemrod]

I have only anchored a few times. Since I often am alone I don't want to risk leaving the boat behind. I therefore drag it with me which so far has not been a problem. I have on most occasions dropped my anchor--clear of reefs--and then I swim down and pick the anchor up and carry it with me using the BC to lift the anchor--the only use I have ever found for a BC. If I see something of interest I then set the anchor down--look around and when done pick it back up again and away I go. I don't know if this is the best way to do it but it is how I have been going about it .
Flags, if it is mounted on a float--not on the boat it can be the small flag but if mounted to the boat it has to be the new larger size--in Fla.
I have dived two tanks from my Scupper, second tank goes into forward hatch.
Yeah, that getting the tank/rig back onboard can be a challenge. I have been doing it with myself straddling the boat facing backwards and my fins in the water on either side to stabilize it.
Yep, I roll over lot's and that is part of the fun.
"mask fins and snorkel"--what is a snorkel? LOL.
N

 

[DennisS]

How do you get that tank out of the forward hatch?

I've always pictured wrestling the tank half way out, tipping over and watching the tank go to the bottom while water pours in the open hatch.

 

[pdoege]

How do you get that tank out of the forward hatch?

1. Clip old tank near bow
2. Straddle yak, open hatch
3. Clip new tank off and then pull it out
4. Put old tank into hatch, unclip it, close hatch.

Voila.

Not something that you want to do in any kind of weather. Works better with tinier tanks. I use HP80s.

Peter

 

[Nemrod]

LOL--EVERYTHING must be tethered at all times. Even the tanks, install a loop near the valve to hook off to. I do the same as described above. No expert--still new at this. I am sure there are other ways. I have only done this in fairly calm conditions. Now, once the seas where probably as much as 4 feet but on a long period and very smooth--it was fun. N
Sit in side (vs sit on top ) kayakers have rescue bags that inflate inside the kayak. I got a small one and it is inside the front hatch. If my kayak were to totally flood I inflate that bag to keep the yak afloat. I also then would inflate my safety sausage float and signal for help with water proof VHF etc. This has not thus far proven a problem or a need---lol. N

 

[simbrooks]

Sit in side (vs sit on top ) kayakers have rescue bags that inflate inside the kayak. I got a small one and it is inside the front hatch. If my kayak were to totally flood I inflate that bag to keep the yak afloat. I also then would inflate my safety sausage float and signal for help with water proof VHF etc. This has not thus far proven a problem or a need---lol. N

Off-topic i know, but i am a fairly avid sit inside kayaker too (just havent been at this diveyaking so far). There is a self rescue float bag you can use, attach it to the end of your paddle and use it as an outrigger to steady the boat whilst you lift yourself out of the water and back in. There are also floatation bags inside some sit insides - others have sealed bulkheads which are usually also used as storage. Are you saying that you inflate the bag in the storage hatch after capsizing? If there is a bulkhead you dont need to do this, but if its an open area (i have had one with a rear hatch and the bow area was a continuation of the cockpit - it had a floation bag beyond my feet) then it might be safer to have it inflated permenantly. This is partially beside the point as the kayak upside down is able to float with the trapped air, only as you right it (it will be so low in the water though its ugly!). Just wondering what you are describing here?

 

[DennisS]

I love the straddle advice. My kayak has a 30" beam and it's about 6-8" to the bottom of the kayak. You sit low in the drifter. I have a 29" inseam. I just tried sitting in the seat and putting my legs out each side. If the kayak was heavily loaded I might have my heels in the water. I think I'll stick to single tanks and use my fins as outriggers on the side.