Tarpon Vs Prowler

Erik,

The rear area on that model WAS thin, which was why it is a "Demo" boat.

If you had of checked the same areas in Jack's Yellow one, or my Orange jobber-do, you would have seen a DRASTIC difference.

Production models will NOT be thin back there.

Trust me on that one.

Ric

Good clarification... Thanks Ric...

Erik

Cobra does have a limited lifetime warranty.  Not sure what is/isn't covered, but its better than a 1 yr warranty that most mfgr's offer.

I purposely did NOT paddle the Mariner so I would not be tempted.  However, just the rectangular hatch alone is calling my name.  Maybe next year.

Stuart

Erik:

Pretty much agree spot on with your assessment.  Obviously these were pre-production units, but good enough to get a feel for the boat.  I can't wait to get mine.

Now if the hatch was just 2 inches noarrower and the footwells were roomier with sliders....hmmmm

 I've owned all the Tarpons and the prowlers at one time or another. If I were going to own just one kayak particularly for saltwater it would be the
Tarpon 160. I liked the prowler for its weight and stability but  I think the Tarpon 160 paddles much better,at least for my style. I'm the guy that paddles with a tooth pick. (Greenland Paddle). As far as a Tarpon 140 goes they were a bit sluggish. For what it's worth.

I took a look at the new cobra and I wasn't too trilled about the foot wells.

For me it is about storing all gear below and a center hatch for extra gear.
The Tarpon160 doesn't have the center hatch, but I believe I can live without that.

As for the part about getting wet;  This is what I heard. (I really don't know).  The new 160i's have additional 2 scupper holes,
or was it 2 less?  Could this be a reason why people are getting wet on the 160i or is it because we weight so much.  I think
the later.

I hope to get one soon, I need a Salmon.

Dude you should check out the Cobra Marauder XF. The storage and mounting options are insane/limitless.

The large center hatch is a dream...my rods/tackle and gear all fit into center hatch and I paddle out "bare". The circular center hatch is an excellent spot to mount a battery too.

My only complaint is a skinny spot at ankles but I could still put a bootied/shoe in there so no problems.

See GWKC for marauders...you won't be sorry.

Covering a lot of water to get that hot spot is probably the main reason I took up casting from a kayak in the first place.
Although I did paddle a lot  of water in a prowler I came back to the 160 for a few reasons. 1.I like the 16 ft length for tracking. 2.WS finally
put an opened well in it. The first Tarpon I had, I had to rivet in patch eyes to bunging down my fishing crate on top the back hatch. WS did send me that hatch insert they designed a while back but call me old fashion I like a good old milk crate. 3. On those rare times that I do get o fish the salt I prefer to paddle out of a safe harbor to the kept beds or what ever then paddle back afterwards. 4.I think a rough surf is one of the most intimidating sitiations in kayak fishing. To date the Tarpon160I is the best paddling yak out there in my opinion.

Very good point Bluekayak. However used right a milkcrate can keep the whole rigging situation simple and safe for whatever kind of waters. First of all I never would have taken my old tarpon through the surf with my crate clamp to the deck like that it would have been asking for disaster. For the freshwater reservoirs here in central Ca it did the trick until something better came along.Traveling light is the only way to go in any kind of rough water. For those times that I do go through the surf and they haven't been that many, I have my rods (two of them, one on each side) strapped  to the side in the paddle or rod  rod holders  that are on each side of the Tarpon 160i.The end with the tiptop goes in the holder while the end with the reel goes between the crate and the straps  put there for the crate, out of the way of my paddle stroke. I cannot stand the hatch on the Tarpon and I do not stow anything below it except a yak dolly, drybag with a change of clothing, first aid kit,etc.One of the many reason I'm so fond of the mike crate is I use a setup that I call the rollingpin anchor setup (see my web page the articles page if your curious) I don't use an anchor in the ocean but I do use a drift sock. Everything I need with the exception of my rods and paddles can go in my crate-tackle, rescue rope, fish finder, along with a small cold box can all fit in the crate making it easy to load and unload from the vehicle.  I rig my yak to where if I do capsize I won't lose anything if it doesn't have a lanyard it's strapped down.
 The open wells that the main yak makers are including in their newer designs  as far I'm concerned are the best thing they've done for kayakfishermen. The crates fit nice and snug in those wells, they're a lot less wind resistant and safer. To be sure I wasn't giving bad advice everytime I do a seminar I took a fully rigged14 ft prowler to Mariner state beach by Monterey and went through that surf and back. A huge gray whale inspired me to come back in a whole hell of a lot quicker than I went out, buts that's another story.
By the way Bluekayak , milk crates are popular with us folk from downTexas, Mississippi. Oklahoma, Alabama etc way, as they are popular with any one else with a broadmind!
 

I like the milkcrate idea. (of course I'm from Southern Cal).
The crate keeps all the stuff behind me instead of cluttering my deck space.
It also holds as a nice carrying crate to bring from the car to the kayak and back.

Currently my crate has 3 rod holders and a space for the bait bucket to go.

What I am worried about the Tarpon 160i is the front hatch.  There is no buckle that locks on top of it.
What happens when you spill does the lid pop off?  Will I lose gear?

I guess I need to install my own buckle for added security.

I think bluekayak is going to have a heart attack when he sees your crate 

No, but I'd bust a gut watching you land that say at Stinson Beach on a good day

Blue...I actually use the crate as a helmet when I'm landing on big surf 

I have wipped out in the surf with that crate in the well.
As long as everything is tied down, its going to hold.  All the loose objects I store below, so the
only thing left is the crate, bucket, and .50 cents worth of PVC pipes for rod holders.
In the past I would lose PVC pipe here and there but they are so cheap to replace.

Now if I am doing a 10 miles paddle for Salmon, I would not bring the bucket or the crate.

It just depends on what fish I am targeting and how long I'll be out.

Just think about it.  What happens if you found a dead man floating?  Would you store him below, or would
you rather throw him in the tank well?

This what my yaks looks like.

I did a hard google search on negitive reviews of the Tarpon 160 or Tarpon 160i.
I found only 1.
The man weighted 250 and wanted to carry 50 lbs worth of stuff.  Manoschevits dude, you don't need a kayak you need a boat.
What does that tell you about the kayak with only 1 negitive review?

Widerness moved their production company to SC.  They also made all their kayak have the same hatch to reduce costs.
I think I need to learn how to install a strap on my kayak that buckles the front hatch.