Posts: 3
From:Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 06-18-2000 02:35 PM            

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I have logged hundreds of dives off my Scrambler XT here on Maui, and love it as a dive platform. This kayak is designed and advertised as a "dive kayak" by the manfacturer, Ocean Kayaks. However, there is an EXTREME HAZARD of flooding the XT if a center hatch is installed and that hatch cover is intentionally or accidentally opened. The combined weight of a person and the scuba gear positioned in the rear tank well results in the water level inside the kayak to be close to, or at, the center hatch level. This is true even though the advertised weight limit of 300 to 350 pounds is not exceeded. I experienced an accidental opening of the center hatch cover and had my kayak instantly fill with water, making in inpossible to paddle. Fortunately, I was with two other kayak divers and was able to straddle my kayak upside down across theirs in order to drain it. I was about one mile from shore when this incident occurred. There is a second scucba diver here who also had this experience.I personally feel that the center hatch should be removed from the XT's design since the kayak is advertised and designed as a dive kayak. I informed Ocean Kayaks of this incident and they refer me to an asterisk by the weight limit of the XT on their web site stating, "depending on hatch options and water conditions". I do not feel that disclaimer in any way warns of this hazard. I believe Ocean Kayaks is "penny wise and pound foolish", not to mention liable, in continuing to manufacture a "dive kayak" with an optional center hatch that is basically unusable as well as extremely dangerous.

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Posts: 706
From:New Hampshire
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 06-23-2000 09:26 AM            

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Thank you for your "warning" KayakDiver. This is really good info for paddlers to know. I recommend that all kayakers, especially scuba divers carry a bilge pump for such occurances. Hull flooding is a problem that can happen to all kayak divers or all kayaks for that matter. As far as the XT is concerned divers should not install the rubber hatch in the center location. If they must have one, then they should install a five inch "screw-top hatch" to prevent accidental opening. Thank you again for your wise advice.

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