Upgrade my kayak for better fishing

Hi,

My ocean kayak sidekick is an ok boat for fishing at normal condition. But it is slow and does not perform well under windy and choppy water. I experienced this type of conditions at San Pablo and Garrapata SP.  Now I think of upgrading to a better boat. I am a small guy (5'6 and 148lb). The boat I choose should be lighter enough that I can handle it alone. So the weight of the boat is one important factor I pay attention to.

Here are boats I am evaluating. Can you share with me that the weights in the specs are accurate? Your personal recommendation on a boat for my size is appreciated. Or a boat that is not in the list is your favorite.

Cobra Marauder (I like the weight)
•   Length – 14’3”
•   Width – 31”
•   Bare Hull Weight – 52 lbs (with hatches installed, really 52lb?)

Cobra Navigator  (I like the weight)
•   length 12'6"
•   weight 47lb ( with hatches installed, really 47lb?)
•   width 31"

Ocean Prowler 13
•   LENGTH 13' 4"
•   WIDTH 28"
•   WEIGHT 54 lbs

Your comments are appreciated.

Eric

Eric the bare hull weight is with NO hatches. In my experience the Marauder and most other big boats 15-16ft. are in the 60+ lb range when outfitted (rod holders and hatches).

Eric my Marauder is not 52lbs, more like 60. If you are around San Jose you are welcome to stop by and check it out.

Everytime I lift one of my kayaks and think about the 'reported' weight I feel like a wimp.
Then I remind myself that they are definitely heavier, especially with all the pimping gear I have. I am thinking if you add 10 lbs when looking at the weight you should be fine.
I will try to weigh each of my yaks later today since you have piqued my curiousity.
Will report when it is done.
I might even weigh all the fishing gear I take as well and see where I can cut back.
This could get very interesting.

I thought I read the big hatches are 8lbs each!!!  Sounds like a lot...

I find the Cobra boats awkward to carry and heavy.

Thanks for the info. Marauder seems too big or heavy for me. Tarpon 120 or 140 are nice boats too. But they are a little heavier for me to handle, so out of my range.

Does anyone know how Cobra Navigator performs, compared with Prowler 13?

I'm your height, but heavier. I have no problem handling boats up to 17 feet by myself. The trick is leverage. I have a rubber-backed carpet that I lay on the back of the car roof. All I need to do is lift the bow of the boat onto the rear saddle. With the bow resting on the saddle, I slide the boat across the carpet and onto the rack. It is very easy. For moving the kayak from the car to the water and back, a kayak cart is the way to go.

Thanks for the info. Marauder seems too big or heavy for me. Tarpon 120 or 140 are nice boats too. But they are a little heavier for me to handle, so out of my range.

Does anyone know how Cobra Navigator performs, compared with Prowler 13?

I'm a bit taller and heavier than you (6'1" 185lb) but I have a Navigator and I've also paddled the Prowler 13.  The Navigator is a surprisingly quick boat for it's size.  I think it has something to do with it's odd bottom shape.  It's very flat along the sides.. sort of like "--U--" in the middle.  It also has a nice upswept front end like the marauder.   It's ride is much dryer than the prowler 13 and I'd say the speed was comparable.

As for weight, I believe the 47lbs for the Navigator, although it could use some better side handles which you could easily install. 

I think the deck space is better layed out on the prowler and due to the odd bottom, hull space for packing gear is probably better in the prowler as well.

The large front hatch is very watertight, but a real PITA due to the many little locking thingies you have to dog down (8 or so).  The prowlers hatch has two clasps but isn't as water tight.

Overall, I'm happy with my Navigator and if you're looking for a smaller lighter boat I'd say it's a good choice.

Brian

Thanks for the info. Marauder seems too big or heavy for me. Tarpon 120 or 140 are nice boats too. But they are a little heavier for me to handle, so out of my range.

Does anyone know how Cobra Navigator performs, compared with Prowler 13?

I had the T120.  Surprisingly heavy for a smaller boat.  We'll made, though.

I be curious to know stability of the Navigator.  I've paddled and fallen off of the Explorer, its little cousin.

The 135 Ride is heavy ,But this helps alot.Since this picture was made I've added small running boards.

Lots of good info here. IMO, with the choices you've provided and your size I believe you would be very happy with the P13. There are some new models out from Ocean Kayak that you may want to look at as well. Paddle as many as you can before you buy. That will really be the deciding factor. Should be some good sales coming soon if your looking for a used model from a rental shop.

Good luck,
Ben

Eric:

You can test drive the P13 i have.....already rigged and ready to go.  Just let me know.

Allen

I've never fallen off the Navigator, so the stability seems fine to me.  Then again I've never really had any problems with other boats.   If anyone wants to try my boat, let me know.  I'm in Sonoma County, but I'm going to try and make most of the tournaments this year so that might be the best place.

One thing I don't like about the Cobra's is that the fish measuring marks on the sides are wrong.  Well, at least the 12" mark is really ~11 1/2"!  The rest of the marks seem to be about right.   I think the Maurader has the same bad 12" marking.

Brian

Eric,

You and I are about the same size, I own a P13 and have no trouble loading it onto my Tundra with a shell and Yakima racks. Most of my fishing is done in fresh water, but I have paddled it a bit in the ocean and have recently fished out of it a few times in the salt. I like this yak. It seems that many ocean oriented folks prefer longer boats, and perhaps I will come to that conclusion after more experience, but to this point the old P13 has served me well. 

Bill

Thank guys for experienced info. I've paddled P13 & P15. They are sister boats - same model, except length and width. I like both of them. One problem I have is the seat is kind of low, this is, below the water line for stability and speed. However, it easily gets wet during launch or sneaky wave.

Does Navigator's seat design higher, so it keeps the butt dry?