Ocean Kayaks Prowler 15 a personal reveiw

Allen Bushnell was kind enough to let me use his personal, Prowler 15 Ocean Kayak and I must admit that it is a great tool.
Since coming aboard last August I have paddled several different Kayaks and used them in different applications from waters like Lake Del Valle to off our coast. I can see why this model of kayak is so popular up here in NorCal. It is quick and responsive, very stable, and a dream to paddle. Everything needed to hit more adverse waters.
There are however a couple of complaints which I hear Ocean Kayak will be addressing in their new release.

First is the wet ride.
Even in calm waters with out the scupper plugs I found myself sitting in water. There is no uglier site then my bottom end after being in the water all day. So just for that sake Ocean Kayak should try to correct the drainage problem.
Second is Storage.
I found the front hatch a little cumbersome to reach for this guy of 55 200+ lbs. But this particular model has only the forward hatch that can accommodate rod(s) that are set up for storage, a big factor that I didn’t think about as a newbie.
Third I found the foot wells uncomfortable. My ankles rubbed against them while paddling. This may have to do with my body type (low profile and wide at the hips).


Overall I really like this Kayak and am a waiting for the new Angler edition that is do out this year. Being that I am in the market for an ocean kayak I hope that this particular company hears my pain and re thinks our needs and the uses we put their kayaks through.

Allen again thanks for the use of your Kayak and I am impatiently waiting for the new stock that is due out? Of  07.
I’ll be down in Big Sur this weekend and will be paddling it again and hopefully will be able to try a ______ which is the only other Kayak right now in the competition.

Sincerely, Frankfishing

Hi Frank. I was hoping to meet you at the REI paddlefest in Mountain View, but you probably arrived to pick up Allen's P15 while I was on a test ride.

I also did not ike the footwells.

I'm crossing my fingers and hope the New P-15 will have better - easy access storage. That's the only thing this kayak really needs - IMO  

Frank:

Thanks for the honest review.  I can see how the front storage could be a challenge, and I guess I don't mind the damp bottom.  I usea sur to sumit seat with a pad that might raise me up just enough that I don't have a puccle thee.

I'd really like to see an improvement on the drainage in those footwells, for sure..It's great to keep anchovies alive for awhile, but I'd rather it be dry.

Hopefully the new prowler Trident model will addres all these deficits.

I am very biased, of course, but love to paddle and fish from this boat.

Allen

I'm crossing my fingers and hope the New P-15 will have better - easy access storage. That's the only thing this kayak really needs - IMO  

I am really not sure what kind of improvement on the front storage you are hoping for. Closer?
Less buckles?
Let's have some ides of what you are looking for when you say 'easy access'. Maybe this will get OK's wheels turning.

Hopefully the new prowler Trident model will addres all these deficits.

Say wha???  Watchyou talkin', Allen?  Trident?  Are you permitted to say that out loud?

Any details???

-- Dave

I think they can be rid of that little rectangular storage for a small plastic lure or tackle box and just put a rectangular hatch their like the cobra marauder for one. That way I would be able to access into the storage and store in cappy seas with out the fear of tipping. I don't know the exact length that it would give for a fully set up rod but I am sure I would change my gear to fit the storeage.
I do love the glide on this yak when out at places like Bean or HMB. Will be paddling this yak hopefully this weekend during  the memorial service.

Tote,

Just like what Frank mentioned below:

I think they can be rid of that little rectangular storage for a small plastic lure or tackle box and just put a rectangular hatch their like the cobra marauder for one. That way I would be able to access into the storage and store in cappy seas with out the fear of tipping

I still like the buckle hatch system the OK uses....but I here there will be an improvement on that as well 

I am really not sure what kind of improvement on the front storage you are hoping for. Closer?
Less buckles?
Let's have some ides of what you are looking for when you say 'easy access'. Maybe this will get OK's wheels turning.
[/quote]

the whels are turning already.

Far as I hear, the new Trident (yes I can say i out loud) will feature a large rectangular hatch inside the cockpit to easily facilitate stowage of rods and etc without leaving the seat.

I kind of like crawling up to the bow and stashing my 300 $ rigs while balancing on the tip of the kayak in snotty conditions, but hey, that's just me.

Allen

I kind of like crawling up to the bow and stashing my 300 $ rigs while balancing on the tip of the kayak in snotty conditions, but hey, that's just me.

Allen

Yeah but some of us love Chaos don't we my friend!

I'd like to see some sort of "alarm" feature that will remind you, maybe through electrical shock, that you're using your paddle upside down.  But seriously, if they made it a wee bit wider for increased stability without losing considerable speed...and keep my bottom dry, I'd be very interested.

I am really not sure what kind of improvement on the front storage you are hoping for. Closer?
Less buckles?
Let's have some ides of what you are looking for when you say 'easy access'. Maybe this will get OK's wheels turning.

the whels are turning already.

Far as I hear, the new Trident (yes I can say i out loud) will feature a large rectangular hatch inside the cockpit to easily facilitate stowage of rods and etc without leaving the seat.

I kind of like crawling up to the bow and stashing my 300 $ rigs while balancing on the tip of the kayak in snotty conditions, but hey, that's just me.

Allen
[/quote]

Thanks for the review Frank.I had a similar experience with the P15.I hope OK fixes those wet footwells and adds a deck hatch on the Trident.

Yes Hojoman........you WILL find your stroke young grasshopper.....

(pluck the snap swivel from my palm.....)

Thanks for the review Frank.I had a similar experience with the P15.I hope OK fixes those wet footwells and adds a deck hatch on the Trident.

I have to say those wet footwells have made a great bait tank in a pinch!

I still like the buckle hatch system the OK uses....but I here there will be an improvement on that as well 

Perhaps it will be something like these pictures.  I took these last weekend.  They were on this year's Necky kayaks.  Necky and Ocean Kayak have the same parent company.

I one possibly issue with this is that the front part of the strap can get thrown forward out of reach.

-Allen

P.S.  Oh yeah, it was raining.   Typical NW spring weekend.