I am seriously considering buying a sit- on- top kayak for diving(mostly freediving, but some scuba), and I've got a few questions for any of you who have done it. I'll primarily be diving in the Gulf of Mexico(with a buddy) on a couple of near shore(< 1 mile) sites and some springs with 'water only' access.
First of all, is this crazy?
If not, any help with the following questions is appreciated:
Are you using an anchor to secure the kayak? If so, what type and size?
If not, how is kayak to be secured?
None of the spots I have in mind have moorings.
What size dive flag is big enough, and how high should staff be above surface?
Is color a real concern for kayak visibility?
Are you using GPS and/or bottom finders? If so, what kind and are they handheld or mounted to the deck of the kayak?
Any additional safety, comfort advice welcome.
What is driving my interest in this is I have freedived on a couple of these sites, but they are too far from shore to swim, and my only choice was to pay a dive charter to get me there. The dive shop has offered for me to call to ask when they have a trip headed to one of these spots and paddle out and hook up with the boat. This will be a great way to work some of the bugs out, but I want to be able to do this without leaning on a boat full of indecisive divers, and we can get there early before the bubble blowers scare away the big fish.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Charlie
First of all, is this crazy?
If not, any help with the following questions is appreciated:
Are you using an anchor to secure the kayak? If so, what type and size?
If not, how is kayak to be secured?
None of the spots I have in mind have moorings.
What size dive flag is big enough, and how high should staff be above surface?
Is color a real concern for kayak visibility?
Are you using GPS and/or bottom finders? If so, what kind and are they handheld or mounted to the deck of the kayak?
Any additional safety, comfort advice welcome.
What is driving my interest in this is I have freedived on a couple of these sites, but they are too far from shore to swim, and my only choice was to pay a dive charter to get me there. The dive shop has offered for me to call to ask when they have a trip headed to one of these spots and paddle out and hook up with the boat. This will be a great way to work some of the bugs out, but I want to be able to do this without leaning on a boat full of indecisive divers, and we can get there early before the bubble blowers scare away the big fish.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Charlie