Which is better?

   Im researching to buy my first fishing yak.  Im 6-3, 295 in moderate shape.  I will mostly be fishing the delta and smaller lakes in northern Ca.  I have narrowed it down to the Ride 135, Big Game Prowler and Fish n Dive.  Any suggestions regarding these 3 choices?  Any others I might have missed?  Thanks

Of the yaks mentioned I'd say Ride 135 would be the easiest to paddle.I would also look into the OK Drifter angler and Trident 15.

Remember:"Stability can be learned, slow is forever."

I've never paddled any of the boats you mentioned, but I love my X-Factor (Malibu Kayaks).

Remember:"Stability can be learned, slow is forever."

That's a good general rule I s'pose.  For me, being out in the wind and swells and having the confidence of ultimate stability is worth slow.  Paddling a barge makes me stronger.   

Thanks for the reply's so far.  I have not looked at the drifter or the malibu x-factor yet.

At 6'3" and 230 I'm a big guy too.My first fishing kayak was a (1998) WS Ride and it was a super stable boat. After paddling it for several years I learned that it was just too slow and did not side surf well at all.I also paddled the Big Game for six weeks and found it way too heavy and slow.I would paddle up the face of a swell, expecting to coast down the back, only to lose momentum and have to work hard to gain speed again. Since then I have been out in conditions that have warranted getting off the water in a hurry and I was glad I had a faster yak. After learning how to brace, I feel confident that I can prevent myself from capsizing a boat with less primary stability.If I should capsize no big deal.I know my self-recovery.

For the type of fishing you will be doing any of these boats would be fine, but there are boats out there that are stable enough and more performance oriented. If you can, paddle the yaks before buying.

Hi Yaker:

       I would go with Light, Fast and Cheap! I feel
the current designs are overweight and overpriced
except, for my Fav. the "Scupper Pro".
                                                      Just my Spin
                                                      Ernie

P.S. I'm too old to lug around a Log!
                                                     

You should give the Prowler BG a test paddle. I had one and it was fine for lake and delta fishing. Like most kayaks of that type (large-wide-stable), it was sluggish and stopped gliding as soon as I stopped paddling---compared to sleeker faster kayaks that will continue gliding for 10-20ft after you stop paddling. But that isn't a big issue if you're fishing freshwater and not planning to paddle 10+ miles per trip.

The main issue I had w/my Prowler BG was that it had a high profile, so it was susceptible to wind....so a rudder was necessary to track straight. This is something to consider when searching for your yak...will you need a rudder (cuz they're $$$!).
Your list sounds good so far. Maybe add the WS Tarpon 160 and Malibu X-Factor. And the OK Trident 15 like others mentioned.
They've always got killer deals at kayakcity.com (formerly Adventure Sports) in Sactown. 

I'm about your size, Holmes...

I have a drifter...  stay away unless you find a great deal on one.  They paddle ok, but you will always have quite a bit of water in the cockpit.

You might want to consider the Native Manta Ray 14.  That's what I paddle and although not the fastest yak on the water it IS MUCH lighter than a Fish N Dive, and is a VERY dry ride.

  I really appreciate the responses so far.  I did stop by kayak city in Sacto on my way home. I sat in both the BG Prowler and the Ride 135.  Having that big square hatch right in front of the seat on the BG seemed like that would be very nice for easy access although Im not sure how often I would really need to.  I have to say i liked the looks and feel of the Ride 135 better than the BG after I sat in both.  As a beginner with a fat a$$ Im looking more for stability than speed.  I know sitting in a yak on a showroom floor is not like sitting on the water but sitting in the BG I could rock it side to side but the 135 with the pontoon type hull never moved an inch.  Now I need to paddle both.  Kayak city offered me a $950 deal with a $100 store credit on the 135.  I still want to see the Xfactor.

As a newbie, I was a bit surprised at how thin the plastic is on both the BG Prowler and 135 but I understand to make these boats light enough for one person to handle they cant be too thick but I was still a bit surprised.

IS MUCH lighter than a Fish N Dive

Specs show the native at 65 and the F&D at 60

I loved my fish and dive and miss it the foot wells are a little tight but the newer ones are a little wider. I have the X-Factor now and it is the most comfortable  boat I have sat in it starts out slower than the fish and dive but it is a little faster on a long paddle and it is great if you are camping it holds a lotta gear and still paddles well.

Honestly, before you buy you should test paddle each of the platforms you are interested in and go from there.

Check this out:
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,15294.0.html

Wow, I can't believe the FnD is actually lighter....  I can carry my MR easily on my own up and down the Bean Hollow path, no sweat.  I helped Angel with his FnD once up the same path and almost had a coronary that thing was so heavy.

Angel with his FnD once up the same path and almost had a coronary that thing was so heavy.

Was Art there he probably put a couple of weight belts inside
I think individual kayaks of the same model can very greatly I have felt some boats that were a lot heavier than others.

Any chance the manufacturers fudge the numbers?

The FnD's have way thicker hulls, and that big huge center hatch can't be light...

I guess we'll have plenty of time to compare again....  SOON!