Thresher 140 vs Kraken 13.5

I've somewhat narrowed my search down to the Thresher and Kraken. I called Adventure Sports to find out what selection of Thresher colors they stocked. They told me that maybe they had one in the Stockton store. I asked if they didn't sell well. He went on to tell me how the Krakens were flying off the shelf. I'm curious to know why there is a big difference. Does anyone have experience with both kayaks? I'm leaning towards the Thresher. What does the Kraken offer that might make the difference?

I haven't paddled a Thresher so can't comment...pretty sure Matt Lopez aka Red Triangle has paddled both since he is on the WS ProStaff and won a Kraken 13.5 as the DOTY last year...maybe shoot him a PM and see?

Here are the things I like about the Kraken 13.5:

-Big center hatch that opens forward and allows me to stow all my gear/fish etc for launches/landings
-Neoprene gasketed front hatch that keeps water out when punching through surf
-At 13.5 feet still paddles really well, but is more nimble than the 15.5 which makes it easier to maneuver in and around kelp beds and get right on top of a GPS marked hole
-Lighter and easier to carry off the water than the heavier 15.5
-Ton of options for easily adding accessories (tracks/rails on center hatch and side of tank well and up front etc, rudder ready, bait well pump scupper, transducer scupper etc)
-Super comfy seat that can be trimmed forward or back depending on if you have a big load in rear or front
-Stable but not sluggish

The thresher looks bad ass though for sure, I just can't comment on it since I haven't paddled and dove off it.

Good luck!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

The reason that Adventure does not sell too many Threshers is this. They don't give a shit either way what they sell as long as they sell something. The guys that work there do not like to move the Thresher around because they are REQUIRED to move every kayak on their own with no help. When they have to move the Thresher it has the recessed handles on it and it is hard for them to pick it up over their head to move it. That is the ONLY reason they don't stock or sell too many. That is the truth, NOT a biased opinion. The Kraken is easier for them to move so they sell more of them. They are both good kayaks.

According to the specs the Thresher is one lb lighter. I was guessing that maybe the lawn chair might be a reason for higher customer demand. I agree, the side handles suck. I wonder if adding a Tarpon handle would be a bad idea.  Do you know of other local dealers that I can check with?

Well shucks Big-Jim, you made me love my 15ft kraken even more!  I was paddling alongside a boat at Tomales yesterday at a "gotta get somewhere pace" and he claims I was movin' at 4.5 mph.  He said dude you are movin'! The livewell pump scupper and tranducer scupper are well integrated,  Made a livewell out of the jackson box, cutting board material on hatch, other details for personalization, so kraken is my choice, sorry no thresher info here other than 2 caught yesterday along with a white sea bass south of hog at Tomales, revrat has a thresher.  Tough decision

Well shucks Big-Jim, you made me love my 15ft kraken even more!  I was paddling alongside a boat at Tomales yesterday at a "gotta get somewhere pace" and he claims I was movin' at 4.5 mph.  He said dude you are movin'! The livewell pump scupper and tranducer scupper are well integrated,  Made a livewell out of the jackson box, cutting board material on hatch, other details for personalization, so kraken is my choice, sorry no thresher info here other than 2 caught yesterday along with a white sea bass south of hog at Tomales, revrat has a thresher.  Tough decision

I imagine that fifteen feet makes for a faster kayak. However that's not in the cards for me.

Gotcha on the speed, quit that stuff long ago.  Either way, sounds like you'll be in a kayak soon and that is kinda sweet!

Gotcha on the speed, quit that stuff long ago.  Either way, sounds like you'll be in a kayak soon and that is kinda sweet!

Yes, I'm looking forward to improving my comfort level on the ocean. My Tarpon 120 has been a good all around kayak. Trolling for trout, tight delta sloughs, good condition ocean fishng & crabbing, even kayak camping. I'd like to venture farther from the launch and I think a kayak designed with ocean conditions in mind will make a difference. Thanks 

According to the specs the Thresher is one lb lighter. I was guessing that maybe the lawn chair might be a reason for higher customer demand. I agree, the side handles suck. I wonder if adding a Tarpon handle would be a bad idea.  Do you know of other local dealers that I can check with?

I got my kraken at clavey paddlesports in petaluma.  Don't know if that helps.  They have eddyline and some used stuff also.