I couldn't help but jump in on this one. I too have what many deny is a real kayak. My wife and I own three SOT's. Two singles and a tandem. We too live in Southern California although I would not consider going out without a wetsuit or drysuit in the winter. Almost all of my paddling is done in the ocean and I don't let the winter stop me--but you have to dress for the water temperature and not the air temperature. Although I have never unintentionally left my boat for the water, it is always a possibility. You need to be prepared. It doesn't take long for your strength to leave in 50 degree water and that's what we have. Steve > Date: Sat, 06 Feb 1999 00:22:59 -0800 > From: Elmar cannon <canserve_at_flash.net> > Subject: [Paddlewise] Diving From Kayaks > > Hello everybody, > I have been "reading" the list for a number of months now. Due to the > fact that I own what many of you deny being a real kayak, a Necky > Dolphin Sit on top, I have only listened and learned a great deal. With > this thread, however, I decided to take the plunge. Please be kind. > > I purchased sit on tops due to 1).The temperate climate in Southern > California, I have yet to need a wet suit this winter. 2)The fact that > we like to snorkel and figured that this would make a good platform to > start from. 3) The learning curve would be a it more shallow for my > wife and me. > > We ordered them last december and took delivery in the middle of > january. We have thoroughly enjoyed learning the ropes. We started in > the Bays around Long beach and are now growing into open ocean. By the > way I was able to equip us with all the saftey gear thanks to all of > your help from the list. > > But, I digress, i am interested in the particulars of snorkeling or > diving off of our boats. Exit and entry is no big deal but how should I > securly anchor the boat while under the water? What about the boat > being visible enough? What other considerations are there? Oh, please > let me know what you think of my choice of boats. I realize that the > flood gates may open but I know it will be constructive. > > I hear a lot of folk talking of trips in the northwest but not too many > in my sunny neck of the woods. Are there any? > > Well I thank you for any input you may have. > > Elmar Cannon > Sunny Signal Hill, CA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Elmar, I have done a fair amount of diving and spearfishing from my kayak, an enclosed boat (yes it can be done with the right technique). You have a few options as far as what to do with your boat while you are in the water. If the water is relatively calm I will often just allow my boat to drift free while keeping an occasional eye on it. Otherwise you will need to anchor it. If you are diving in kelp then it is a simple matter of tying the boat to the kelp floating on the surface. I tried an anchor with some success (a four pound diving weight is generally sufficient). Since I try to minimize the amount of equipment in my boat I eventually opted to simply dive down and tie the boat to the bottom. As far as the boat being visible, I have never found this to be a problem. I toyed with dive flags in the past, but found it once again to be more hassle then it's worth. No doubt the others on this list, being prone to overkill on everything, will recommend flags and bells and whistles and flashing strobe lights, etc., etc.. Generally, you will be diving near shore away from traffic. Even if your further out, as long as you use some common sense and don't leave your boat sitting in a high traffic area (like at the mouth of a harbor) you should be OK. The rare idiot who is prone to run you over will do so with or without bells and lights on your boat. In sunny Southern California we have miles and miles great diving and spearfishing along our coast. If your looking for something more along the lines of an extended trip then you can't beat our channel islands. It will take some research and preparation to put together a trip out there, but I think that's pretty much true of any kayaking trip. Another good choice would be to head down to Mexico. Between our channel islands and Mexico you should be able to put together some pretty great trips. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Scott (KiAyker_at_aol.com) wrote: > ...<snip>... Since I try to minimize the amount of > equipment in my boat I eventually opted to simply dive down and tie the boat > to the bottom. > ... Hmmm. Tying the boat to the bottom probably works very well. But why rely on such a straightforward approach when there are so many really slick gadgets from which to choose? For example, how about installing a Differential GPS with an anchor alarm, with a feed to an underwater signaling device? Then your boat will alert you when (and if) it begins to drift away. Actually, given how well the hull transmits sounds, for the signaling device you could probably just use some small stereo speakers mounted in the aft compartment. Hook these up to an MP3 player, and configure it to play "Anchors Away" when the DGPS alarm signals significant drift. :-) Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
One of the greatest advantages to diving from a kayak or surfski, is that it represents next to zero towing drag, so you pull it along on a line behind you. Major benefits include: There is always a boat next to you when you surface; Powerboaters that might otherwise run over you on ascent will stay farther away due to your kayak w/dive flag In a dive emergency, you would WANT the boat overhead If currents pick up durring the dive, there is no danger of being separted from the boat Diving high current areas is actually fun with the kayak---this is what we do in Palm Beach drift diving. Regards, Dan Volker -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net]On Behalf Of Dan Hagen Sent: Saturday, February 06, 1999 11:41 AM To: Paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Diving From Kayaks Scott (KiAyker_at_aol.com) wrote: > ...<snip>... Since I try to minimize the amount of > equipment in my boat I eventually opted to simply dive down and tie the boat > to the bottom. > ... Hmmm. Tying the boat to the bottom probably works very well. But why rely on such a straightforward approach when there are so many really slick gadgets from which to choose? For example, how about installing a Differential GPS with an anchor alarm, with a feed to an underwater signaling device? Then your boat will alert you when (and if) it begins to drift away. Actually, given how well the hull transmits sounds, for the signaling device you could probably just use some small stereo speakers mounted in the aft compartment. Hook these up to an MP3 player, and configure it to play "Anchors Away" when the DGPS alarm signals significant drift. :-) Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
KiAyker_at_aol.com writes: > As far as the boat being visible, I have never found this to be a problem. > I toyed with dive flags in the past, but found it once again to be more > hassle > then it's worth. No doubt the others on this list, being prone to overkill > on > everything, will recommend flags and bells and whistles and flashing strobe > lights, etc., etc Since I lean toward overkill allow me to make one suggestion. Perhaps it would be a good idea to at least have a dive flag sticker (like one commonly finds on bumpers)on your kayak so no one launches a rescue op while you are diving. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Here in Florida, you can go ahead and dive without that dive flag, and save a precious 6 oz's dead cargo weight.... Course, your next trip you'll be even lighter when Marine Patrol lightens your wallet by $500.00......... Scott Slightly closer to Cuba 2day *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Elmar cannon <canserve_at_flash.net> To: PaddleWise <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Saturday, February 06, 1999 12:46 AM Subject: [Paddlewise] Diving From Kayaks >I purchased sit on tops due to 1).The temperate climate in Southern >California, I have yet to need a wet suit this winter. 2)The fact that >we like to snorkel and figured that this would make a good platform to >start from. 3) The learning curve would be a it more shallow for my >wife and me. I paddle in Southern California too and I would like to point out that you most definately need a wet suit. The water temperature is 58 F, and that is cold enough to kill you. Two people paddling in shorts and t-shirts just died off of Catalina last month. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
I don't understand? Unless there has been a significant warming of California waters, I doubt you'd survive long if you were separated from your boat? > I purchased sit on tops due to 1).The temperate climate in Southern > California, I have yet to need a wet suit this winter. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:56 PDT