Sit in vs Sit on?

[billder99]

Originally Posted by Ron S

Before I became a diver I was an avid kayaker... when I started diving, I really wanted to make use of my sea kayak... I now use an OC Scupper Pro, which is about as close to sit in kayak feel and performance as I could find in a sit on top.

Hey Ron, I a spearfisherman who recently started kayaking solely as a mode of transport that is cheap and adds to the workout. Surprisingly, I have found I really enjoy paddling! I think I got a great dive yak, Cobra Tourer (15' x 28"), similar to Scupper Pro... adequate storage both on deck and below deck, and a reasonable performance paddler for longer distances.

I have been looking at more performance oriented boats, thinking about ways to make them work for paddling and diving. The one I really have my eye on is the Epic V7... rotomolded hull so tough and durable, only 45#, 17' x 21", really designed as a transition-ski. Take a look and let me know what you think... drawbacks? ideas on rigging for diving/spearfishing?

For rough water days the Cobra is ideal (added stability for entry/exit from water, gearing up/down, fish management, etc)... but on a calm water day the Epic V7 could be a hoot.

[cmburch]

I have an old 14' Aquaterra Prism SOT about 23" beam no rudder. It has large front and rear hatches. I can get a 4' speargun (shaft off) into the hatch. I had a 60 lb flatcoated retriever that would curl up in front hatch (Hatch cover open so could get swamped) while kayaking.

Very easy to use freediving, tracks well. I installed knee brace straps which makes it much easier handling. It is very uncomfortable for me to kayak long distances wearing a wetsuit due to improper sitting angle of my back. So really need a good quality adjustable seat and seat back.

I think I really want a 15' SOT with large hatches and a better hull design, narrower beam for longer distances and larger carrying capacity.

I have used the Aquaterra Prism kayak camping Mono Lake. Also all around Monterey, Elkhorn Slough, Mendocino, Sonoma, San Pedro. Well all over California. So it lasts forever. I got it from Half Moon Bay Kayaks in the late 80's.

I have many kayaks. Mainly plywood/epoxy. It is not easy for me to get in and out of my 18' Chesapeake Kayak with fins and weight belt on. And even harder to stow my speargun.