Possible prowler deal

The scupper pro is defintely a yak you need to get used to. It's definitely easier to paddle compared to my Prowler 15 but it's not as comfortable. I've been paddling the Scupper Pro on the Bay and lakes lately and I felt "OK"....I took it out at Linda Mar and was a little nervous at first but I got used to relaxing my hips (a tip I got from Scott Thornly) and all went well. I still wouldn't trade the comfort and stability of the P15 - but I do like using the Scupper Pro as a "work-out" kayak 



...just my 2 cents

A rudder is pretty key for getting back in windy conditions I think.

I'm not so sure about that.  A lot of us don't have one.  But that's a topic of another discussion ...

-Allen

I don't use a rudder. I have been in some pretty bad situations with wind and the prowler does a good job navigating without one.  However my guess is it is a personal preference situation.
Jason

I used to fish off a Cobra Tourer with a rudder - it did help on windy conditions but I feel that I can do without it 

Joel you da Man, You can handle anything!!

Jason

Joel, were you not relaxed because the kayak felt tippy?  I took my t160 out of the jack london aquatic center today for some paddleing and noticed when waves hit me sideways I felt tippy, also, a tug boat was running its motor and there was water boiling upwards and I paddled over that slowly and the water pushed me sideways. 

Maybe I just need to practice more, this is the most responsive boat i owned.  I've had a canoe, a sit inside cheapy yak, the hobie and now the t160.

 the relax the hip thing, that works? hmmm?    I'm being serious, my hobie was real stable but slow!  my t160 is real skittish, but super fast, with a slight breeze at my back I paddled the oakland channel around the coast guard island averaging 4.5 mph on my gps with hardly any effort, back into the wind which got stronger I was averageing 3.5 mph. 

Just PM'ed ya Jselli.

I've been going between a P15 or a Tarpon this past week, after seeing Joey and JTF paddle circles around me in the Caper last Sunday.  Was gonna see if I could test paddle one or both this Sunday at the REI thing in San Pablo, but it looks like I'm now leaning more towards the P15.

Joel, were you not relaxed because the kayak felt tippy? 

Yes - when I was trolling right next to the surf line, the swells made me feel "uneasy"...and when that happens, I tend to stiffen up - which is the last thing you want to do on a kayak. As soon as I relaxed my hips and started rolling with the swells = then I felt more confident It does take a while to get used to.  I suggest you start taking your T160 to the coast and just paddle away 

FACTS: the scupper pro is 26 inches in width and the Prowler 15 is 28 1/2.

the Hobie Outback width is 34''  and the T160 is 28"

I had white caps etc out at moss on the scupper pro and no problems.

But I'm only 160lbs, my seat is just some thin foam and I've been sitting
on an 18.5" wide surfboard waiting for waves for a long time, so the
scupper pro seems plenty stable for me.

I think the rounded bottom on the scupper pro means less primary stability,
but the secondary stability is still pretty good. so it feels tippy, but it won't
go all the way over that easy.

you do have to roll the hips with the waves to keep your upper body
centered over the yak. that's an absolute requirement.  that's key
to sitting on a surfboard too.

regarding the rudder thing, obviously it's not necessary but I think it's a
lot less tiring to have one when the wind and waves comes up.  I'm pretty
much a rudder convert now that I have one. which kind of sucks cause they
are expensive.

JTF, sounds like you have a great boat, I'd like to try a tarpon 160 myself.

J

I havn't tried the scupper although I know I will be on  Joels before long but it looks fast.  However what I think helps the Prowler is the stability. I was watching Joel at times while I was pulling up my crab pot and thinking I am happy I am on this boat. I never once felt tippy. Amazingly the extra width the Prowler offers is perfect  for stability and still keeps it a fast ride.

Jason

I don't think you can go too wrong with a prowler 15. good all around boat for lots of
different people sizes.

it occurred to me that lower primary stability might allow you to 'swivel' over waves and things
a little more easily. high primary stability would work against you trying to stay over the kayak
in rougher seas. So a boat that feels a little 'tippy' might actually be more comfortable in
rougher seas once you lean to handle it.

I would like to try a prowler and tarpon 160 in the ocean sometime. it's one thing to paddle
on flat calm water, another to test it on windy wavy water.

John.  Say the word and you can give the prowler a Test drive.  Let me know.

Jason

Jason,
This sounds like a pretty good deal.  I would have jumped on board 10 months ago.  Does he have any other yaks for sale?  It doesn't have to be a P-15.  I am looking for something to keep at the lake.  I have been keeping an eye on Craig's list but nothing has struck my intrest yet.

I met Bungle today and he picked up his Prowler 13 today.  .  I thought they were 15's. Wait till you see Bungle post pics on his pimp ride civic. The 13 was 750 tax included, angler edition, with front and center hatch, Seat and paddle.  He is ready to go.  There is one more P13 angler with hathces and all w/factory manufacutred rudder system. Not sure the price with rudder.  He has 1 more P13 with everything but Rudder.


 He has a few scrambler xt in the shop with no front hatch.  He is asking 425.  Color yellow.  once he clears his inventory he is planning on getting new merchandise.  Any suggestions and I can pass them on to him.




Jason

I've owned both The tarpon 160i and the Prowler. The prowler is comfortable and stable but so is the 160 once you get used to it. For speed and paddle sensitivity the tarpon wins hands down in my book. For any one in the market for  one of the two just look around you can find a good deal on T160 used or new. Now --the only thing better than a Tarpon 160I would be one with peddles , wait a minute thats the Hobie Adventure. There you go save up a few more dollars and get that one.