The Perfect Fishing Kayak

I have found that while fitness has a good degree on influence on speed, certain hulls are definitely a lot faster and I think that is important for getting in and out of the surf. I have foudn for the same level on fitness, my Cobra Marauder is 1/2 or 3/4 of a knot slower than the my Prowler 15 for a igven level of effort. THat is a substantial difference, I found, when trying to move quickly in the surf zone. It also makes a material difference in effort and paddle time on a long paddle. Another problem that is not often addressed bu is critical is wind profile. The Marauder is much more significantly effected by the wind than the Prowler. In even mild winds at the O'Neill Forebay I have to anchor the Marauder while the Prowler 15 drift, being far less, is 'fishable'.

When I say 'surf' for a fishing kayak, I don't mean ripping waves as in a whitewater or surfing kayak so I think I used the term too lossely I mean well-behaved as in getting me in and out fast, easy to sweep around to avoid getting caught facing the wave at the wrong angle, and not having the wind slow me down when getting out or in through the surf.

That said, there is something to be said for the Marauder's storage accessibility and layout and its stability. I would'nt worry about wrestling a 50-pound Lingcod onto the deck of the Marauder.

I consider myself pretty well conditioned for paddling being that I get out in my yak everyday. In my Nigel foster Legend I cruise about a steady 4 knts. In my x-factor using the same stroke and energy I cruise at about 2.5 knots I will on average paddle about 5 miles during the course of a fishing outing. If It's further then I'll find closer access. Speed has never been an issue for me because 2.5 knots gets me where I need to be, timely enough. A sleeker/longer boat design will give you more speed and maneuverability, but you sacrifice by ending up with a wet ride like the Prowler and tarpon series. Also you get a boat that hull slaps in choppy water

I've also launched my factor through surf that would make the big Kahuna cringe. It's not made for that and I got worked royally. It confirmed what I already knew. That is that on big set days at or over chest high I'd Better find an easier launch or put the poles away and get my real boat. The whitewash will push your boat around and want to carry you back to shore. I alleviate that in my SOT by looking for rip channels and getting in those to get me out. The bigger the waves the stronger the rip. You can ride out between monsters breaking on both sides if you know where to launch. Again to reiterate, fishing kayaks are floating flatforms from which to fish. That should be IMO the main criteria for choosing "a perfect fishing kayak".

I've also launched my factor through surf that would make the big Kahuna cringe. It's not made for that and I got worked royally. It confirmed what I already knew. That is that on big set days at or over chest high I'd Better find an easier launch or put the poles away and get my real boat. The whitewash will push your boat around and want to carry you back to shore. I alleviate that in my SOT by looking for rip channels and getting in those to get me out. The bigger the waves the stronger the rip. You can ride out between monsters breaking on both sides if you know where to launch.

Good points I have to agree. But if you use a rip to get out through big surf--how do you get back in? Unless you time the tides right so you come in on the building tide with small or no rips and the gaps in the bar are still there to slide in through.

NO--you come in Hangin ten, Cowabunga dude!!!

I think I agree along the lines of swellrider here.  Sometime we place to much emphasis on the boat and not enough on the paddler.  I used to paddle an XFactor and to be honest, I paddled faster than most people I paddled with.  Now I paddle a Prowler 15 and spend a lot of time wetting a line while others are still paddling.

I've topped 5.5 mph on a sprint on the XFactor and 7 mph on a sprint on the Prowler.  Typical cruising speeds are about 1/2 that or maybe a little more.  That's more then enough speed to get me out of most situations that call for it, well, at least all the situations I've encountered on the water.  I've never really felt like I needed more boat, no matter what the situation.  Well ... perhaps when I was paddling the Triple, but only because that thing was really a pig.  I always felt safe in it.  I always felt slow.

Regarding stability.  On the XFactor I didn't have to worry so much about boat placement.  I could plow through most anything at most angles.  On the Prowler I worry more about it, setting up the boat for correct angles, bracing, etc..  For some people this may be an issue.  Speed isn't everything.

-Allen

Speed isn't everything

yeah...you say that now....wait till you have jellyfish paddling right behind you with his super soaker aimed directly at your nogen Believe me brother, in situations like this, you'll FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED 

Speed isn't everything

yeah...you say that now....wait till you have jellyfish paddling right behind you with his super soaker aimed directly at your nogen Believe me brother, in situations like this, you'll FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED 

See ... there you speed freaks go again.

In this situation I prefer the bigger boat as it has more momentum for RAMMING power.   

-Allen

Here's my question:

If you were miles away from shore and the weather all of a sudden, turns for the worse...

Would you rather be on a:

A: a Faster kayak - better tracking
B: a wider kayak  - better stability

Or ...

C: I'd rather be a better paddler.

-Allen

Mooch- take the premise of your question--Your miles from shore and the weather all the sudden turns foul. You @#$% up already by being out there that far clueless to a changing weather environment. But lets just say I screw darwin and go out anyway. If It got really rough I'd prefer for an SOT a wider more stable boat that I'm confident will take me to shore without pitchpoling, broaching, or catching an edge. I might along the way be wishing this thing were faster but with a foot controlled rudder I'm better off especially if I'm a newbie to all of this. It's different if you've been paddling a long time because you might be more interested in performance and less on staying dry because you now know about drysuits and immersion wear so on and so forth.

You @#$% up already by being out there that far clueless to a changing weather environment

I think everyone knows about the changing weather environments - that's why we all try to pick the best days to go out and fish. And of course, it's not aways the case. I consider my self a decent paddler and I have experienced days like this a few times and made it back safe...without a rudder and not using a kayak that has a 33' width. Although the first experience was not favorable, it did test the kayak that I was using - a Prowler 15 - and my own ability as a paddler. I've paddled other kayaks but not all in the same conditions that I have experienced out in the open and I can't just imagine going through the same experience with a wider & slower kayak...but that's just me. I'll take a faster kayak or should I say "an easier kayak to paddle" over a slower and wider kayak any day.

Just my 2 cents...

Or ...

C: I'd rather be a better paddler.

-Allen

that's a given already

I'll take a faster kayak or should I say "an easier kayak to paddle" over a slower and wider kayak any day.

Easier kayak to paddle?  I don't necessarily equate faster with easier.  You get what you put into it.  In a Prowler 15, I expend energy in choosing "lines" and bracing.  In an XFactor I expend energy in just going forward, but I don't have to worry so much about choosing lines and bracing.  It's much more forgiving.  In a Prowler 15, I slice through waves.  In an XFactor I sort or ride over them.

Which is better?  I dunno ... it's a matter of personal preference and skill level.

-Allen

So what's your choice? Come on...you call tell us 

With my OWN PERSONAL PREFERENCES and a self assessment of my OWN SKILLS, I prefer the Prowler 15.

-Allen