Diva paddle results?

[Kudzu]

I have been wanting to build another kayak for years. I am going to build one this winter and I'm trying to decide on which boat. Diva is one of the ones being given serious consideration. Read lots on building one but virtually nothing on paddling one.

Sooo, has anyone spent any time in a Diva? Not just a 10 minute jaunt (even thought that would be helpful) I would really like to hear from someone that has spent some time in one. Especially in some chop and/or wind. How did the boat perform? Would really like to hear some paddling reports.

[Kudzu]

Nobody has paddled one?  Graham, I know you must have.

[Designer]

Hi, I am back home after a great trip down under.

It is hard for me to give you an unbiased opinion and I did not want to touch this question, but you asked. I like the boat a lot, if I did not, I would have changed it until I as happy.

[Kudzu]

Thanks. I understand your not wanting to answer and your bias, thats why I mentioned your name. I still value your opinion.

Since there seems to be no one on here that paddles one, tell me about two things. Tracking and turning. Tracking isn't a huge deal to me because it's simple to add a kick up rudder or build in a drop drop down skeg hidden in the boat. But how well does it track?

How about manuvering in tight quaters? Thats more of a concern for me. My DK-13 (in my avator) didn't turn real well in tight quaters. Or any quarters for that matter. It tracked rather straight. I could manuver it but it sure didn't turn on a dime! Not that it should.

I will use the boat 98%+ of the time on a big lake on the Tennessee river. Most time will be spend paddling open water more than anything. I want to be able to fish out or use the camera out of the boat. I will use it some on narrow tight spots but again, secondary use. [/i]

[Designer]

I am still reluctant to answer that question as I don't know your DK13 to compare. I think that it has a reasonable balance between tracking and turning but I like having a rudder despite the purists who think that a rudder is to cover up bad boatsmanship. I enjoy being able to point my bow where I want it to go and use the rudder to hold my course and being able to paddle evenly without having to compensate for the sea state.

[rosglo]

Hello Jeff,

I am coming very late to this discussion but if you are still looking for opinions, I am happy to provide one more.

I have something over 200 hours in my Diva, all in open water.  I live on the coast and have only paddled it in the ocean.  Conditions have varied from dead-smooth to so rough I wasn't confident I would get home.

I like the Diva.  I bought a damaged well-respected fibre-glass sea kayak just after starting the Diva, fixed it up and paddled it while building.  I then had the chance to try both kayaks in the same conditions and chose to keep the Diva, sold the fibre-glass kayak.

The Diva tracks very well and is extremely stable.  I use mine for fishing amongst other things and am quite happy to sit side on to large (non-breaking) swells, without the paddle im my hands. The only negative with the design is its tendency to flop onto it's side when coming in to shore on a wave and this is common to all v bottom hard chine kayaks.  Can make for a less than elegant arrival especially when there is a crowd on shore.

My Diva varies slightly from the plans in that I reduced the rear rocker slightly by extending the rear panel cut.  I planned to use a sail and thought that by putting a bit more of the "V" shape in the water at the stern, I wouldn't need a rudder. This has worked well for me. I have had the sail on the kayak from the first day I paddled it and love the excitement of a downwind sail on a really windy day.  Feels much faster than it really is, though.  I try to choose a destination where I can paddle in to the wind on the way out and sail or paddle-sail my way back.  Most enjoyable.

I have paddled with plenty of other kayaks and although some of the long and sleek designs are faster and even tempting, I have never felt the need to change from the Diva.

Ross.

[Kudzu]

Thanks Ross, very good info!!