Your typical newbie questions...

Hello everyone,

I've been lurking for a few days in here learning what I can and doing some searches for kayak reviews, general info, etc. I was directed to this site a while back by JTF over on pierfishing.com (I go by "Hiking-Jay" over there), and now that I am getting close to buying my first kayak, I have a few questions.

For a little background first, my wife and I have rented small kayaks made by Necky and Perception for doinf floats down the Truckee and a few other rivers and streams in Arizona, and we've paddled tandems in the Carribbean in moderate swells before. But, now we are looking to pick up a couple kayaks mainly for river and lake touring/camping, but I'd like to get something that I can safely take out on the ocean for a fishing trip every couple months.

Here's what I'm considering so far, and it will partially depend upon how much I have to spend:
Cobra Marauder,
Perception Caster 12.5, or
Ocean Kayak Prowler 13

Anybody have any opinions on these boats?
Anybody have advice on stores/locations to rent any of these boats for a day?

If I were strictly buying a fishing yak, I'd probably go with a 15' boat, but I'd like something a little shorter (I know, the Marauder is 14", but it seems like a great boat), for some of the river paddling I'd like to do, especially on the Colorado River in southern Arizona. BTW, I'm located in Vallejo.

I'd go either Marauder or Prowler 13. Not familiar with the Peception -  Best thing to do is test paddle both and see what's more comfortable...


Since you are a camper, I'd lean towards the Marauder = lot's of hatches for dry storage 


Where are you located?

WELCOME TO THE MADNESS 

Where are you located?

BTW, I'm located in Vallejo.

 

Welcome.  I have the p13 and I love it, but if your camping you may wish for a little more storage.


MolBasser

Thanks for the feedback so far! Also, from looking around on the internet it looks like I could rent/test paddle the Prowler 13 at Outdoor Adventures in Larkspur. Does anybody know where I could rent/test paddle a Marauder or the Caster?

Has anybody owned/paddled two or more of those I'm looking at that could offer a comparison of the two?
Oh, and for the folks that work in kayak shops in the area, I'm looking at purchasing the two new yaks within the next 2 months, if my bonus at work  comes through. Thanks again for the input!

Hopefully some answers...

If you can hold out or rent until the end of Sept. you can get a lot of answers at Paddlefest:

http://www.bayareapaddlefest.com/

Its the best place to test drive all kinds of yaks not just the ones you've listed.  Who knows how it feels until you've checked out the storage, dragged it around, flipped it, opened the hatches, talked to the factory reps...

Not only do they have toys and accessories, they have end of the year deals and if you're talking about two yaks, I'm sure they're going to want to talk to you.

This is where I jump started into yaks and have been smiling ever since.  Last year they had a kayak fisherman that had a great setup and gave out lots of information.  However, you still can't beat the folks on this site for all the information and support that they provide.  Thanks NCKA!

Good advice Gary / Sandman In fact, NCKA will have a booth at the paddlefest this year = Thanks to the efforts Chuck and Bill. We already takled about having a few fully rigged kayaks for display - just to give the newbies ideas on how to "pimp my ride"  We will have a pimped out Ocean Kayak P15, Cobra Marauder, Hobie Adventure, Wilderness System....ect. on display. A few other NCKA 'ers will be there to do some clinics so please feel free to drop by and fire away as many questions as you want. We will have a great crew out there ready and waiting for you. More details from Chuck and Bill to come.....

Just last week, Chuck and I did a Kayak Fishing Seminar with Western Sea Kayakers http://www.westernseakayakers.org/ in Mountain View - we had a good crowd that stuck around (after they had their monthly meeting) and we entertained MANY questions. Chuck brought in a slide show and they were impressed with what we were doing with our kayaks. I brought my P15 as a "show and tell" kayak and a few were surprised about the rigging involved.

Sometime this month - we will do another seminar at Fisherman's Warehouse in San Jose - more details to come - but I do know that it will be on a Thursday from 6 to 8PM. We will post the event as soon as we get a date confirmed.

Welcome Fishin Jay.  I think mooch made a good point about the Camping Hatch thing and the Marauder. Extra Hatches can definately help. If you decide to go P13 PM me and I can get you a good deal.

jason

Great advice all. I'm really looking forward to getting out on the water, but not so much so that I'm willing to make a purchase before I've tested enough kayaks to know just what I need. So, the paddlefest sounds like the place for me. I'll likely hold out until then, but in the meantime, I will still try to rent a kayak or two, and I may take the kayak skills courses offered by Outdoor Adventures. Anybody know of other general classes that may be good for my wife and I? We're pretty confident on the water, but it's all been informal training though friends in the past.

Although a bit large, I really like my Xfactor.  I bought it with fishing in mind but also considered it for camping also
as it has storage/weight carrying capability few others have.  Being new not sure of the correct terminology, but like how it maintains energy and keeps on cruising between paddle strokes.  My wifes Caper, although very nimble, cant cruise like the Xfactor can, get that puppy rolling and it just keeps on cruising with very few paddle strokes.  Biggest dislike is it seems a bit heavy, requiring me to buy a set of wheels for it.
Walter

I used to paddle a Cobra Tourer = for a 15 footer, it was VERY LIGHT and fast. I also liked the fact that it had 2 big hatches at the bow and stearn - ideal for camping trips