Riot Escape 12 (Wilderness systems?)

Ive been shopping around for my second kayak something that SOT, to replace my cheap 10' SI.  I plan on keeping that for friends when they want to come out with me. 

I found this on Amazon and it somewhat caught my eye:

http://www.amazon.com/Riot-Kayaks-Escape-12-Angler/dp/B006K99YTI/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1375977301&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=riot+kayak

From what i have been reading the wilderness systems riot escape 12 was discontinued, is this one still made by WS?? 

I kind of like all the features built into it, the only thing i plan on adding to it is my FF to be honest.  Being at 30" wide i woudl imagine this thing to be pretty stable.  I am only 5'8 around 180 pounds so i think that would suit me perfectly.  My main question is; has anyone taken this thing on the ocean?  From what i have read 12' is kind of small for offshore but i would prefer to keep it around the length due to storage space in my garage, i dont have much and i think a 14' kayak would REALLY be pushing it. 

I would like to add that my budget is around 500-1000.  Preferably 900 or so max.  I also would like to say that i dont have that much time to hit the ocean as MUCH as i would want to once i get to that level of "expertise".  So this would mostly be on flat water 90% of the time.

There was a kayak at West Marine that looked just like that. They were priced really good (~$400-500 I think) I forgot the name though. It was brought up here and some people mentioned it was made from an old Wilderness System model mold. Could be the same one?? You might wanna check it out if still available. It can save you a lil bit more.

I was looking at them a bit closer and i noticed that i cant seem to find any scuper holes anywhere....That i found somewhat odd...still no thoughts on it? lol

thanks for the reply!

Looks like there are 2 scupper holes mid-ship with plugs/cords in them?  Guessing there might also be 2 of them under the seat?  Or the photoshop guys/gals got over zealous with "fixing" the photo prior to placing it on the internet.

There was a kayak at West Marine that looked just like that. They were priced really good (~$400-500 I think) I forgot the name though. It was brought up here and some people mentioned it was made from an old Wilderness System model mold. Could be the same one?? You might wanna check it out if still available. It can save you a lil bit more.

I rigged one of the West Marine Kayaks back in March.  I think it was the Pompano 120.  A cross of the Wilderness Systems & a ?.  Nice features right "out of the box"; flush rod holders, anchor trolley, etc...  and priced quite cheap.  Thinking about picking one up for muself fairly soon for SWS.

~Bill

.... foud a picture of it at West Marine.  Retail under $500

~Bill

The Pompano 120 is the same mold as the pre-2009 WS Tarpon 120. Too bad they don't make a Pompano 140...because those old T140s were nice yaks.
I'm not sure what this Riot Escape is a knockoff from...but maybe it isn't a knockoff. Definitely not a WS knockoff. Nor an OK knockoff. After viewing their site, they have a lot of different kayaks--mostly SIT river yaks. But it makes me think maybe this Riot Escape isn't so bad after all.
http://www.riotkayaks.com/fishing_listing.php
And here's a video of the Riot Escape:


If I was trying to get a new yak for cheap, I'd probably lean towards the Pompano 120 though.

POMPANO 120!! Thank you very much!! It's been bothering the hell out of me trying to remember the name of it.

So the pompano is the same as the perception sport? Or what ever it was called? I almost bought 2 of those last year amazon had them for 399. With free shipping. I bought a cuda instead.

My in-laws and I bought a Pompano 120 from West Marine about one year ago to have as a spare. I find it very tippy as a fishing platform.

The Perception Pescador would be like a Tarpon. The Pompano is from Perception.  Perception is owned by Confluence Watersports who owns Wildy.

Wow lots of responses finally! haha

Forgive me as i kinda got lost a bit with the comparisons on different brands and manufactures LOL! 

I really like how this thing has a rudder already as well as other little features, but i realized for an extra couple hundred doll hairs i can get a cuda 12 which i think im falling in love with now, i have yet to try one on the water yet though

Do you think the riot i posted would be a good sea worthy kayak?  Or should i just stick with the jackson as an idea?  Keep in mind i am on a pretty strict budget and i would rather get something with as many features packed in for the money as possible with some minor trade offs of course.  I mostly just really like the rudder on the riot. 

I dont see myself breaking down and buying a rudder and start drilling away at a jackson cuda 12 once i buy it...at least for a while...

Rudder is nice but not necessary. On my list, it's probably like the 6th most important feature in a yak. I think maybe 4 of the 14 yaks I've owned had rudders. But that's just me, and I don't fish in rivers/current very often. The Cuda 12 looks cool (but kinda expensive for a 12ft yak...heck you can buy a used Hobie for that much doll hairs! )

If you'd be interested, I have a trident 13 for sale. Comes with fish finder/GPS, paddle, etc. with a Rudder. Just add water. Details with pics in the classified section.

http://sacramento.craigslist.org/bod/4001712011.html