Convert from Carnage

Ok. So after this last weekend at Limekiln I decided trying to fish out of my closed deck just isnt pratical anymore when having to go thru surf. I do hate being rolled and having my noggin buried in the sand. Not to mention having a boat full of water and all of my gear dangling over the sides. Enough already.
SO. I've been eyeballing the new Cobra Marauder, but its so new theres not many reviews on it yet. I am 5'4" 125lbs. Ive been looking at the Tarpon 140, the Prowler 13 and 15 and the Scupper Pro. Any insight on any of these boats would be greatly appreciated. I do want one that tracks fairly well but handles the surf too. Lots of storage space as well. I know, I want the best of everything, I know its hard to do, you always lose some aspect of something when you gain another.  Does anyone know if theres a major difference in the way the Prowler 13 paddles compared to the 15?
Monterey Bak Kayaks is having a demo day on Saturday, I will definitely be there to try some out.
Thanks for all help and insight.

Hey Kim!

Long time!  Looking forward to seeing you, Pete and Dave again when the season opens up.

Pat and I have 13's and I spent a long day in a 15 last year off La Jolla.  My impressions:

The 15 is faster and wetter.  The 13 has channels that allow the footwells to drain when underway and I heard the 15 was supposed to come with those this year, but I don't know for sure.  Both of them have low seats and poorly located/designed scuppers in that area which can make for a wet ride.  We've put plugs in those scuppers and the problem is solved unless you have a wet launch or take a wave over the side.  That's what sponges are for.  The low seat also causes my butt and legs to fall asleep - especially in the 15.  I use a self-inflating  cushion under my seat and that solves the problem for me in the 13.  As I recall, you wear a dry suit, so the wet ride shouldn't  be a problem. 

IMO, the 13 is more nimble than the 15 and doesn't track quite as well.  Neither of us use rudders, and I only occasionally wish for one - in a quartering sea or in confused waters like a nasty day at Moss Landing will sometimes dish out.  The advantage of going without is a savings in weight and fewer moving parts to cause aggravation.

Since you're used to a SIK, I might suggest that you use thigh straps when you demo.  The boat will feel much more responsive.  With them, you can actually edge the hull to assist in turning.

Have fun at demo days!

Randy

Thanks for the info Randy! Looking forward to hooking up with you and Pat!

I am working on a review of the Marauder after paddling one during the Mendo derby. Short version, you owe it to yourself to at least paddle one. It is one serious fishing yak. It felt just as fast as my P15, more stable and way way dryer. Unless the Hobie Adventure wins my heart this weekend, the Marauder is my next kayak.

Marvars - I have a scupper pro - your more than welcome to test paddle it - just send me a PM.

I don't think you're going to reduce your carnage by a whole lot.  I still made a huge mess wiping out in my SOT last weekend.  Of course I was cocky and didn't stow anything first...

For a kayak to do well in the surf if needs a big blunt nose to keep it from doing an ENDO and it needs a flat bottom so it will slide sideways instead of roll sideways.  Also it helps if the cockpit and tank well take less volume so that they can't fill and raise the CG (decreasing stability).  I have a tandem that is a surf machine, but the big nose and flat bottom make the thing relatively slow in the water. 

Almost all fishing kayaks are more or less designed to kill you in the surf.  With that in mind, I'd select a kayak not for surfability, but rather for stowability.  The huge center hatch in the marauder can easilly receive most of your gear before coming in.  With your gear safe, taking a tumble in the surf can be enjoyed for the excitement it is, not dreaded for the loss/damage of equipment.

You may be right about the carnage. But at least with a sit on top you're getting knocked off of it and not hanging upsided down struggling to get the heck out of your boat. Not to mention having to now drag a boat full of water out of the surf. Then having to get all of the water out. I dont like being upside down. What really sucks is when you're close to the beach and you get rolled.

I spent about 20 seconds underneath my kayak last time.   After going over I sat a while under there feeling bummed while letting the wave go over me, then I thought a bit longer about which way to go and chose the side that didn't put me between the yak and a rock.  Funny how time slows down and you grow eerily calm when the going gets tough.  The bathtub like cockpit tends to trap you under the kayak anyway. 

Thanks Mooch!!!!