prowler 13 vs trident 13 wind handling?

 I am considering buying either  a Trident 13 or a Prowler 13. Although I would love to have the rod pod , handling  may be the most important consideration.
 
   I presently have a 10 foot kayak.
 
 I spend a lot of time fishing in the afternoon during the summer. Often I will be fighting my way upwind from Capitola back to the harbor. Likewise back from the milemarker.
  Also, I fish out in front of the Santa Cruz harbor in the afternoon, 20 or 30 minutes upwind in exchange for an oversized driftsock  20 or 30 minute drift back. Afternoon fishing rocks!

 These are like two and three foot and sometimes  plus windwaves. The typical early and sometimes mid afternoon stuff.. I love the sport of making my way back to the harbor crosswind in these suckers, minor surfing thrills. Also you get the workout that you should be doing anyway ,but if you're like  me , can't get that motivated.

And then there's the six miles up to Wilder 3 or 4 times a year.


   So the question is , does anyone know how much better the 28" Prowler handles compared to the 29.5 " Trident,in rough conditions? Is it really significant?

  I demo'ed the Trident 13  and thought it was pretty good on the straight line but difficult on the turns. Would the prowler 13 be that much better?


   

Doesn't matter. From what you describe you should test drive a Hobie. Unless you are a dedicated paddler, a Hobie will solve all those problems then some.

 

  Amen!

Doesn't matter. From what you describe you should test drive a Hobie. Unless you are a dedicated paddler, a Hobie will solve all those problems then some.

Do Not! I Repeat, Do Not Go To The DARK SIDE!  I heard you will love it.

The Trident is a better fishing platform. The Prowler is a little more fun to paddle, but not much. I would paddle both then make your decision. I prefer my Prowler 15 over my Trident 15 for paddling reasons. The paddling differences are less with the shorter 13' versions so I would pick the Trident 13. Hobies have some real advantages in wind and for trolling and for those who don't know how to paddle. 

If you are talking 13' I have both the prowler and the trident. neither paddle great against the wind. Both are about equal in that respect.
There is a remarkable difference between a 13' and 15' kayak when it comes to the wind.

I've paddled both the P13 and the T13 extensively.  The one point I'd like to add that the others haven't brought up ... the T13 paddles better in following seas than the P13.

-Allen

 Thanks for those last three posts. That's just the  info I was looking for,.

Probably a good idea to get a rudder if you're gonna be in windy conditions often.

I tried both, the Prowler is lower to the water and does handle better.  But the rudder on the trident makes a big difference in the wind

I ended up with the T13 the T15 was not a fit FOR ME. The problem I had with the T13 going with the wind was it would want to turn into the wind. I was constantly paddling on one side to keep it strait. I just installed a rudder and what a big time difference that made . I would have to agree kayaking into the wind....... go to the DARK SIDE, good luck on your decision.

Pat R    

 I went for the   Prowler 13, partly because it was on sale at West Marine. I'm pretty well pleased with how things have turned out.
     First off , I store it in my apartment, and the size  works  out just barely right.
   Been fishing six times now and the handling is a pleasant surprise. I love the tracking  90 degrees to the wind. With the somewhat bladed bow I'm getting a sailboat like effect that is a vast improvement. I'm also having to paddle on one side but just make like I'm in an outrigger or hawaiian canoe, no biggie.
  I was totally put off at the amount of water in the foot wells at first, but now I've grown fond of it and find it useful for bait frozen or fresh.
  I like being lower to the water and the increase in stability is great.

 I'm envious of the Trident rod pod but over all things have worked out well.  I'm not doing any surf launches anyway.

  Got my first new yak  hali  a couple of days ago, a nice 30 incher. Tried to post it, but I need to figure out how to dumb down my  resolution  so it fits  the constraints of the site.After, I paid for 10 mega pixels, now I need to go back to 4 or something.
  Looking forward to the rest of summer  and hopefully many halibut.

  Pat R.    7/2-- I see what you mean after today when I paddled downwind at about 30 degrees  off straight downwind and I had to paddle very hard and fast all on one side to maintain course. Not  pleasant or comfortable at all.
  Still ,things are fine with the wind 90 degrees on beam or when heading straight downwind.

Casey,

You can buy a set of footwell scupper plugs, it keeps that area dry..

Rich