Old Town Predator 13; She Double Dared Me...

Well - it was either post in "Ocean Kayaks" or "Other" - figured since OK is the parent company of Old Town it was more fitting to post up here.

After much oogling and googling and coming to appreciate the many features I like in a kayak - Calypso (Shilo) double dared me.  As most men would - i took the dare.  Today i brought home the Old Town Predator 13.  After looking at some great videos on YouTube you quickly come to realize this is the new line of Ocean Kayaks.  I'm told they used the Old Town name simply because of the following Old Town has back east.  Whether thats right or wrong, I'm inclined to believe it as many features on this kayak are strait out of OKs play book - hanging battery bag, quick lock hatch, ultra mod pod for mounting accessories and hull access and a scupper hole made to fit - you guessed it - Hummingbird fish finders.  The bow and stern are sharp, yet the hull flattens out to create a tri-hull design which is quite stable (standing up on her while in the pool; easy weasy). 

You'll notice a few carry overs from other brands also - a Jackson style hi-lo seat (although a bit more refined in how it fastens to the boat).  The seat does not come out as the rear is within a track, but the front snaps in and out with ease - albeit, it is fastened securely.  The seat also flips out of the way to the rear to expand your standing platform and there is a pouch on the back.  During transport, fold the seat forward and tighten the side straps and its tucked away nicely.  There are paddle cradles also in two different locations.  The ones closest to the paddler are to be used when standing, the further cradles when you are paddling.   Amd then there are the rod tip holders - a bit far out for the standard 7' rod during transport unless you put the reel forward of the craddle beside the seat.  With the reel forward - my arms hit the reel while paddling.  Next, I saw a little Hobie Pro Angler - instead of tracks for mounting gear, there are six mounting boards which are removable and accessible from underneath to tighten down screws. Mount tracks, balls or receivers - whatever your preference.

A couple other things I noticed and like, the sides of the kayak are tall.  I wear a size 10 shoe and with my feet on the peddles my toes are about even with the top of the kayak.  This will give me more clearance come crabbing season so the traps won't be on my feet.  The deck is flat from bow to stern with the exception of the mod pod area.  There is no separation between the cockpit and the rear and the floor is contoured and seems to be slanted toward the front.  There are eight scuppers and the kayak comes with water out-no water in plugs. 

Lots to like about this boat and what I like most is all those features i like in a kayak are refined.  Although I haven't paddled in open water yet, I did lean 45 degrees to either side while in the pool with ease and no fear of tipping.  And, although Id like to say there are a lot of mods in store - there simply isn't much modding required anymore unless bolting things on are your idea of modding.  I put a wedge mount RAM ball in one of the mod pod holes and the fishfinder was on (perfect location, not to far forward and not to close).  Next Ill find a way to run the cords through - and Im done. 

Cant wait to try it out on big blue...

Congrats on the new yak!  I can't wait to see it on the water.  Or win mine at Albion.   

Congrats.
That's a pretty sweet looking kayak .
Looks like they will have a rudder system available for that. [a must]
Can't wait to test one out.

Thanks,
Tim

Damn I wish my wife dared me to buy another yak. How big is your fleet now? Will this replace one of your many Jackson's ?

You are going to love it on the water. I thought it paddled really well for the size of the kayak. You hit the nail on the head for Johnson to put it under the Old Town name. I think they are going to be surprised at how many will be on the ocean soon. Congrats! We will have them at Albion for demo.

Thanks all! 

As she sits on dry land - I keep looking at it wondering what I would do different if I were a kayak manufacturer.  All i can come up with - it would be nice if there was a little more room on either side of the seat for Plano Stowaway boxes.  I believe there's one size smaller than what I have which may work.

Mike - yes, this will likely replace one of the Jackson's.

When we used them on our Joh Day River trip, we found planos under the seat worked really well.....

Bushy

See article and more reviews (write one please!) on www.kayakfishingmagazine.net.

Bushy

That seat looks comfy! It looks like one nice kayak ,congrats on the new ride . I have been looking for one for my wife ,that one might work .

Looks like a really sweet boat! Can't wait till our first order gets here!! Thanks for the review.

That is a bad ass looking yak!!!!!

Congrats!!

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Heading to Bodega Bay to try her out.  A couple comparison pictures against a Jackson Cuda 14.

So how did it do in big blue, I can't wait to get mine out? 
Have you started doing any mods yet?
Thanks,
Jeff

Did you find a way to run your cords yet?

Jeff, the boat handled great.  We launched at the usual Bodega spot near the jetty.  Going out water was very calm so easy launch.  Coming back in it was a bit more choppy, but an easy landing.  Going from Point A to Point B (beach, past the mouth of the harbor, out past the island the sea lions hang out at) I felt as though I was working a little harder than the Jackson Cuda 14.  While paddling out, especially by the harbors mouth, I was being swept into Shilo - a rudder would have been nice and is on my list of things to get.  But paddling around while out there was a breeze.  Stability was great as well - I intentionally ran parallel with the waves when it got nice and choppy and let the waves take me from the side - never once did I feel as though it was going to tip.  Overall, in comparison to the Cuda - it's a coin toss.  The Cuda is slightly more nimble and I'd say the Prowler is slightly more stable.  Between the two boats it really comes down to your personal likes and dislikes.

Haven't received the FF yet but have pondered the set up.  It's likely I will put a cord through the hull adjacent to where the transducer scupper is so the excess will be down below, then bring the cord back up through the hatch cover to go into the FF.  that's my initial thoughts - we'll see.

Oh and as far as mods go - ill be picking up some of these tracks as soon as YakAttack releases them next month.