Pulling the trigger

Hey Guys,

Well, it's down to the Prowler 15 or the Tarpon 160 (not the i).  I'm about 80% sure I'm going with the Tarpon... still have to demo the P15.  Anyone willing to compare and contrast these two yaks?  I'm a newb and I'm sure I've only thought of a few of the MANY aspects that should be considered.  Any and all input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Backslider

I own a Prowler 15 and have demo'd the Tarpon 160 a few times around the Bay.

IMO:
The T160 is faster kayak then the P15
The P15 has more deck space to play with (as far as installing fish finders and other gadgets)
I find the P15 more stable than the T160
I like the buckle hatch of the P15 rather than the "tupper wear" type hatch like the T160 has.
small wakes come over the top of the deck of the T160

Over all - I still prefer my P15.... but I were to buy a second kayak, I'd take a T160 or a Cobra Marauder....

The PERFECT FISHING KAYAK for me would a mix of the 3 that I had mentioned....the speed of the T160,the deck space of the P15 and the easy access hatch of the Marauder 

just my 2 cents...

Good luck and welcome to the madness 

I own a Prowler 15 and have demo'd the Tarpon 160 a few times around the Bay.

IMO:
The T160 is faster kayak then the P15
The P15 has more deck space to play with (as far as installing fish finders and other gadgets)
I find the P15 more stable than the T160
I like the buckle hatch of the P15 rather than the "tupper wear" type hatch like the T160 has.
small wakes come over the top of the deck of the T160

Over all - I still prefer my P15.... but I were to buy a second kayak, I'd take a T160 or a Cobra Marauder....

The PERFECT FISHING KAYAK for me would a mix of the 3 that I had mentioned....the speed of the T160,the deck space of the P15 and the easy access hatch of the Marauder 

just my 2 cents...

Good luck and welcome to the madness 

Ditto.... I feel exactly the same way about everything Mooch just said.  A kayak manufacturer would have a good chance to dominate the market for fishing kayaks if they would just listen to what the more experience fishermen are saying here.

-Chuck

Hi Mooch and ChuckE,

Thanks for the responses.  How does the ease of accessing the front hatch on the P15 compare with the access to the back hatch on the T160... again, I'm talking about the 160, not the 160i?  I really like the idea of internal storage right to my back... I've read complaints about the hatch/upfront storage on the P15 being all but useless unless you have someone to help you get your rods out when on the water.  I, too, like the storage arrangement on the Marauder, but I couldn't get my feet comfortable in the wells...even on the Gen II... I'm also a little worried about that on the P15 but I won't know til I demo.

Again, thanks for the time,

Backslider

I'm 5' 11 and cannot comfortably (being taller than Chuck ) reach for the front hatch of the P15 (I can do it on a lake but never on the ocean). I've seen Chuck access his front hatch of his P15 with no problems at all. So, it really depends on your comfort level. The T160 with a rear hatch is a winner in my book. JTF paddles one and I think it's more practical to get one of these instead of the tank well models. Simply side saddle the yak and pull your rods out and your ready to go (like wise when landing on big surf). I just don't know how "water proof" the hatches of the T160 are....but I do know that P15 hatches are water tight.

... I'm also a little worried about that on the P15 but I won't know til I demo

I have size 11 - big,hairy and wide feet - the footwells on the P15 are sufficient 

Hi Mooch,

I agree with your T160 tankwell assessment... I like the hatch better too.  Anyway, I just called four different shops... no Prowler 15s to demo.  Everyone has the 13... I'm sure it's similar, but NOT the same thing.  Besides, there's that cockpit length difference between the 13 and 15.  I'm six-six, so the "shorter" 15 cockpit might not work too well (another reason I lean to the T160).  What's your take on the "sea-worthiness" of these two?  I'm not sure how that gets judged subjectively, but I've read countless reviews and some people seem to think the T160 is not as seaworthy as it's "cousin".  Why, if you agree, do you think this is?

Thanks,

Backslider

.  I'm six-six,

brother, forget about kayak fishing and play on the Men's Pro Beach Doubles volleyball tour (AVP) 

6'6 on the P15 is pushing it - the T160 may have the edge for you....or another option is to try out the Malibu Kayaks = most of the Big and tall guys on NCKA paddle the Malibu (Extreme or the X-Factor)
http://www.gwkc.com/kayaks.htm

IMO: the T160 without the tankwell are more sea worthy....the last thing you need are waves breaking over the top of your tank well - causing the yak to be top heavy on the back side  - even though there are scupper holes on the tank well - it still takes time for the water to completely drain out. Not a good thing when coming in on a big surf day

Have you tried the Cobra Tourer or even the Expedition?

BAckslider:

1st, I will admit to a prejudice towards anything OK....that being said, i always reccomend people paddle a bunch of different boats and find the one best fits them.

I have a couple P-15's and you are welcome to borrow one for a day or a week to test/fish/whatever.

I'm also going out sundy from SC harbor with a clinic, if you want to do a test paddle/fish then, you are wecome to tag along 7-noon approximately


pm me or phone 831-251-9732

Allen

(in Santa Cruz)

brother, forget about kayak fishing and play on the Pro Beach Doubles volleyball tour (AVP)

I did, but my pasty white skin was deemed an unfair advantage... it was too reflective and the sun blinded our oponents.

I tried the X-Factor ala Sean... nice guy, nice boat... just not necessarily the boat for me.  I'd rather be wet and fast than slow and dry.

Good thinking on the hatch versus tankwell thing.  I hadn't thought about following seas or breaking waves filling up the TW.

SCAllen,

That's mighty nice of you, my man, but I won't be getting down to SC anytime in the near future.  Thank you VERY much anyway.

Backslider

At 6'6", you won't have problems accessing the front hatch on the P15.  I'm 6'3" and have no issues.   Long arms help.

Your legs might be pushing it.  Try it and see.  I lay my legs out flat all the way.  I know, not the best form without my knees slightly bent.  I have about 1" to spare.  I have a 34-35" inseam.

Backslider, where are you located and which stores did you try?

-Allen

Hi Polepole,

I'm in Santa Rosa... tried Clavey in Petaluma, Outback in Larkspur, Cali Canoe and Kayak in Oakland, and then City Kayak in San Fran.  The local shop (Wind Toys) deals Wilderness Systems and Hobie SOTs among others (SINKs), but I have no desire to pedal, which leaves the T160.  I thought about driving to San Jose or Sac, but then figured what the hell... I haven't really heard a seriously negative thing about either the P15 or T160.  Being a newb and given the similarity in dimensions between the two, would I really be able to discern a difference between them performance-wise... assuming I fit in both and felt comfortable in them?  This, to me, means that I couldn't really go wrong either way... and if I decide at some point in the future that I either A) made a mistake, or B) really, really, really want that Kaskazi Dorado, I'm sure I'll be able to recoup the majority of my "financial expenditure".  The long and short... drive three minutes across the freeway to Wind Toys, climb aboard, check out the feel, drop some cash, and go catch some fish... after I pimp it out, of course.  Sound logic?

Backslider

Being a newb and given the similarity in dimensions between the two, would I really be able to discern a difference between them performance-wise... assuming I fit in both and felt comfortable in them?

Probably!  But you won't know until you try it.   

-Allen

City Kayaks in San Francisco is having a demo and sale this weekend.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/spo/222219485.html

They have a Big Game for $799 and other Ocean Kayaks for demo and sale.

Hi Omar,

Thanks for the info... not interested in the Big Game even though I'm a fairly big guy.  I talked to the guy at City Kayak and he said he had a used P15 that he rated an eight out of ten.  Hmmmmmmm, probably a six or seven... not sure it'd be worth a drive... and there's that pesky cockpit length thing again.  I think what I'll do is head down to Clavey and at least demo the P13.  That'll give me a good idea about cockpit size...

Backslider

Yeah, I put the post up because of the demo, not the Big Game (that was the title they put on it) You've probably already checked, but Outback Adventures in Larkspur might have some for demo if Clavey can't help you.

Good luck, I wish I was about to  "pull the trigger"!