T13-P13 Narrowing it down.

I am 6'2" and weigh 240lbs.
I have paddled both the P-13 and the T-13,
This is my evaluation:

The P is a faster boat very sleek an low = Easy to paddle long distances
The T is a more comfortable boat = Easier to sit in for long distances
A simple G.P.S. test showed that at a moderate paddle stroke over a 15min. period the P was .3mph faster than the T.
Also the T has foot braces rather than the molded footwells which many including myself have complained about.  
The main advantage of the P came at loading time It was notably lighter in comparison which made it easier to lift and handle when loading This has become less of an issue as I now use a trailer and no longer have to load it overhead.  
The rudder is a great accessories as it doesn't have to be used but can be very helpful when the wind starts to blow. The cost can be of concern for many but the benefits make it a worth while investment.
All kayaks have a tendency to want to twist sideways in the wind with the rudder used properly all your paddle strokes are helping you get to your destination rather than helping you face the proper direction.

After all my test paddling I chose the T over the P because I didn't feel that it was worth loosing the comfort in order to gain .03mph. Also the foot wells were very uncomfortable on the P. I also chose to put a rudder on all my boats and have it there when I need it especially on the big blue and I can leave it locked in the up position when I fish the river or other tight water.

Although I prefer the P over the T you should do the same and try both before you make the final decision.

Fisherman's Warehouse has the P-13 avail. for $599.99.

All good question. And there are no wrong answers here.

-P13 positives: the P13 is faster and a much better paddler than the T13. The hull design is narrower, sleeker, tracks better, and sits lower in the water (a GOOD thing in my book because it’s less affected by wind…I could care less if there is slightly more water in the footwells, compared to the Tridents). Another positive is the weight difference—the Prowler is lighter and thus easier to load, portage, etc. The 07 and newer Prowlers have the Humminbird transducer scupper.
-P13 negatives: the Prowlers also have the corrugated footwells, instead of flat footwells w/foot braces. It seems like most people dislike the corrugated footwells. I think they’re great when coming in/out of the surf—you can really brace yourself and squeeze the boat so it feels like part of your body. But I prefer the flat footwells in general…especially when getting up onto my knees to pee! The 07 and newer Prowlers have a molded-in center hatch, instead of an open hatch w/a bag. Initially I thought this was a good idea because it seems bombproof and would help the boat maintain its shape (less flex/warping). But it also means you can’t access the hull, except through the big front hatch. This presents a number of obstacles to rod+tackle storage, mounting accessories, etc. After buying one and paddling it, I decided the molded-in hatch was not for me. So I sold my P13 to a friend for $450. Also, the Prowlers are wetter because they sit lower in the water, so there is always about 1” of water in the footwells. To me, this is somewhat of a non-issue since I’m fishing in the ocean 95% of the time…and well, if you go into the ocean you’re gonna get wet! I guess my main complaint about the excess water is the fact I’m now lugging around an extra 8lbs of sloshing saltwater…water is heavy (8.31lbs/gal).

-T13 positives: the T13 is more stable. It is also more comfortable: both due to the deck layout and the fact it’s dryer. The rodpod and sonar shield add incredible value to the kayak—the rigging possibilities are limitless. Not to mention the ability to easily store rods+gear below deck (only really an incentive if you fish saltwater IMO). It’s also easier to mount accessories because you can get into the hull.   
-T13 negatives: the T13 is slower, wider, has very poor tracking, and sits way high in the water (not good for the ocean, bay, or other windy places). So a rudder is a good idea. I think only the Malibu Stealth has a higher COG.


If you can find a T13 for less than $800, buy it. And if you find a P13 for less than $600, buy it. They’re both great kayaks! Just don’t feel like you are locking yourself into 1 particular kayak for the next 20 years. If you buy one and don’t like it, then just turn around and sell it, then buy another. Simple as that. I’ve been flipping kayaks for the past 5+ years, until I found the right one. And the right one for me is a WS T140.

Something I don't get here, since it isn't consistent with my experience.

I don't consider the T13 to be much slower or to have poor tracking.  I think it has better than average tracking for a 13 footer.

Is the P13 faster than the T13?  It seems so to me.  But that doesn't make the T13 a slow yak.  I think it is above average in speed.

Is the T13 wider than the P13?  Yes.  But that doesn't make the T13 a wide kayak.  At 29.5" it is narrower than average.

Is the T13 more stable?  Yes, but that doesn't make the P13 unstable.   In fact it is a very stable kayak.

I really do think the different in these aspects are minor and will come down to personal preference.

-Allen

Whoa you guys rock! I asked and you DEFINITELY delivered! I found more information from you guys in the few days this post has been going than the whole month I've been searching for threads that compare both. THANK YOU!!!!! Every single post REALLY REALLY helped. I thank all you! Yakhopper, once i make my decision i believe i will be heading into Fisherman's Warehouse because that's a good price for me. Do you guys currently have any T13's in stock (feel free to PM me).  Good idea about flipping kayaks and selling them but my dad is taking up the sport and him being smaller it just works out. I guess i actually already HAVE sold it because I'm getting what i paid for it and we're doing a side job to support this growing addiction, doing the plumbing for some men's hair salon that's also a sports bar...? I guess you can get your hair cut and have a drink and watch the game at the same time, is what the dude is trying to accomplish?...I'm not sure. He's talking to me and my father about what the big picture is and all i see is a kayak fully rigged with a hot babe laying across it. For what that's worth...

Well like i said when i joined here...occupational therapy. So i guess i can just borrow the money and get what i want which is going to be a big purchase because i plan to buy all the electronics, rod holders etc at the same time. Already got a wetsuit and PFD, all that good stuff and i don't mind a little water in the kayak. Like sin said you're bound to get wet. I guess searching for the right kayak is also part of the journey. When it's all said and done and i get the new one wet and bloody you know i will have an ear to ear smile. I'm hoping that the doctor gives me the go ahead to get my drivers license(OCD)... so i can come to all the gatherings and such and start making more fishing buddies because at the moment I'm bound by having others haul my stuff. I'm really missing out by not doing all these things so i decided to push my game up A LOT and do it. Getting amped just sitting here talking about the new one . Thanks guys. Only been here for a couple of weeks but i cant get over how nice everyone is, amazing. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Scout,
I see you're from Dublin (Ca.), Have you lived there long?
I grew up in Doobie-Land and graduated from Dublin High in "83" and can't believe how much that town has grown. When I was in H.S. the town ended at the "76" station on Hopyard and Dublin Blvd. now it goes forever.
Sorry for the thread jack
Eric

Scout,
I see you're from Dublin (Ca.), Have you lived there long?
I grew up in Doobie-Land and graduated from Dublin High in "83" and can't believe how much that town has grown. When I was in H.S. the town ended at the "76" station on Hopyard and Dublin Blvd. now it goes forever.
Sorry for the thread jack
Eric

Haha, not a thread jack at all  . I've lived here my whole life. I live around the corner from "Wells middle school" so I've been through the whole Dublin school system. That's crazy you graduated from DHS,  I graduated from DHS in 08 so still fresh.  They actually were in the process of demolishing the front part near where the old parking lot used to be and did a whole new 2 story lab thing. Now they're working on demoing the rest of the school and rebuilding. As far as the 76 station not sure i remember that unless it was the one that had the big spinning orange ball or something like that..now they have AM/PM and a bunch of random gas stations put in every open spot.

BTW, being a complete idiot i have seemed to have forgotten that fresno would take forever to get too. Does the manteca store have them at those prices? I wish you worked at a store a bit closer. Maybe we can figure something out. Thanks!
-Scout   

The hulls are close but the deck and footwells are light years better on the T...its a no brainer...the T is the next generation.

Just to add to the confusion of opinions, I have a 4-year old P-15 and I am planning on a T-15 not a T-13.

Here is why:

While I am not a big guy at 5'6" and 165, I like hull speed of a 15-foot kayak--13 feet is a little short for big water in my mind and there is less room once I add in float bags and a plano box. After paddling a Cobra Marauder and regarding it as passable on performance, the T-15 is refreshingly closer to the P-15 than the Marauder.

Don't forget that expedition sea kayakers--even the women 5'4" and under paddle 17 or 19 foot boats for the cargo capacity--for day trips and tidal race play most use 16 footers for maneuverability. And they move them just fine although sea kayaks are skinnier than the T15. Of course there is no free lunch, bigger kayaks are heavier and longer which makes transportation more challenging. i'll definitely be getting a rudder though--cannot decide whether to use the IK one or the Smarttrack system--not sure whether the cables above the gunwales will be and annoyance or not on a fishing boat. I need to ask Eric now that he's had his a while..