Too Busy, It was good to meet you at the Kayak Fest on Fri. Thanks for your help in understanding the fishing yaks.
While I figure out which yak is best for me, I’ve got an option on buying an Ocean Kayak Prowler 15. I’ve been fishing out of it and know what it can do, and it’s OK but not perfect. I’d like a WS Tarpon 160 I think but would also like to spend some fishing time in one of the Hobie peddle boats.
But for the meantime, what is everyone’s guess on a good price for the Prowler? It’s in decent shape but not pristine with some deepish hull scratches. I’ve been told it’s for sale and to “make an offer”…
Take a look at the serial number on the hull, the last 2 digits are the model year. A lot of value depends on how it’s stored. If it spent all it’s life indoors, garage, storage room, whatever the plastic should be smooth, color should be vibrant with minimal to no fading, and not at all chalky. I bought a couple of pristine Prowler 15’s a year ago for $300 each.
I’d start with a low offer, you may be surprised at how little you can pick up a yak for when the seller is motivated.
I personally wouldn’t go over $350-$400 unless it’s a Trident 15 with the rod pod.
Take a look at the serial number on the hull, the last 2 digits are the model year. A lot of value depends on how it’s stored. If it spent all it’s life indoors, garage, storage room, whatever the plastic should be smooth, color should be vibrant with minimal to no fading, and not at all chalky. I bought a couple of pristine Prowler 15’s a year ago for $300 each.
I’d start with a low offer, you may be surprised at how little you can pick up a yak for when the seller is motivated.
I personally wouldn’t go over $350-$400 unless it’s a Trident 15 with the rod pod.
Thanks Tommy. Hope the rest of the fest was good.
The serial# on this P15 looks like it was applied by a 9yr old with a pen knife but the last two #'s are 05. So it’s a 5-6yr old yak. Very basic, no rudder, no extras.
I have no idea how it’s been stored but I wouldn’t call the color “vibrant”. Still, I see nothing to alarm me (too much).
Thanks for the help. I’ll consider it a “low offer” yak and also keep looking. I took it out late this afternoon for a couple of hrs and got skunked. Maybe that’s a sign…
I ended up buying that '05 Prowler and now I need to figure out just how I want to outfit it. Surprised that only after we agreed on a price I found out that it came with two detachable seats but other than that it’s a no-frills model with a large forward hatch and a small “pocket-hatch” in front of the seat.
I want to put an anchor trolly on it that truly goes from end to end and is easily switchable from side to side.
I’m thinking of moving the rear handle to where the bolts for the rudder that I’ll never install are.
I’m trying to figure out where I want rod holders and how to best store a catch on ice without taking up all the space of a cooler.
I’m out of town for the weekend but I’ll get the chance to play with it when I get back.
Tommy, thanks again for the advice. I bought the boat for $300.
NICE WORK!!! Pretty sure you’ll be a happy camper at $300.
You can add a trolley for the cost of 3 caribiners and a piece of 550 cord. I don’t bother switching side to side. It just runs down the left side on all my yaks.
For a fish storage bag I have used a thick cold bag like the ones you would use to transport cold items. Not the thin plastic ones. I got mine from Sam’s Club. Of course uoy can big bucks and buy a fish bag from the sporting good stores. I always keep scissors in my fishing bag and I got the fins off of certain fish, such as sheephead to keep the material from being punchered.
I’m using a soft sided cooler til I figure it out but the bag sounds like a good idea. The scissors is definitely a good idea! Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best.
One day I’d like to catch one of you guys out on the water and look over your boats to see what other obvious (or not) ideas I’m missing…
