Hello there. I’m going to pick up a couple of Kayaks for several good reasons and I believe I have decided on the brand and model.I will mostly tour and occasionally fish the Ashley river in them from my boat landing. I would rather tour in a fishing boat than fish in a touring boat. My touring freind tells me that the longer kayak is faster because the length directs the energy to forward motion rather than wagging it’s nose like a shorter model. I’m not so concerned with speed as the ability to gain distance against a mild tide if that is even possible. For those reasons, I propose the Ocean kayak Prowler Trident 15. Any other suggestions for a sit on top? Should I get the 15’ or 13’?
Thanks, O.C.
Old Cat
Speed and the ability to gain distance against tide are basically the same thing. For example, if the current is running at 4 knots, you have to paddle at 4 knots just to stay in place. If you want to go against the tide you have to be able to overcome the current and a faster boat becomes a blessing.
I’ve paddled fishing, touring, whitewater, and crossover kayaks and, depending on where I intend to paddle, MOST of the time I’ll take a fast boat over a wide and stable one.
The Trident is a reasonably fast boat for a sit on top and I’d get the 15 for the reasons mentioned. It is 2’2" longer,slightly narrower than the 13 and listed as the same weight… that’s a good trade
I’m currently paddling a Perception Search 13 Angler. It’s one of the 2007 model year prototypes and I’d like to have a longer boat. This isn’t as fast as my Freedom 15, but it’s a lot drier ride
The kayak festival is coming up April 17-19 at JI county park if you want to demo a bunch of boats side by side.
There is nothing - absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Kenneth Grahame
I can speak from experience. I have the prowler 13 with a rudder. It is a fast boat and the rudder is a must for me when crossing open and windy bays. I can stand up in it in the creeks when it is calm. It also takes on rough water good. Plenty big enough with two rod holders behind the seat and one in front. It is a wet boat without the scupper plugs in, but with them it is very dry.
My primary waterways for fishing and being on the water are the Ashley, James Island to Ft Sumpter, Stono, Bohicket, Copahee, ACE Basin, Awendaw and Wambaw Creeks. All done in a Heritage Redfish 14 which I have enjoyed for several years.
Wow, the Redfish is a pretty boat. I did not see any rod holders or mention of fishing trim on the web site. What is up with that? Still, from a computer, it is the only boat that makes me reconsider my first choice. The web site did not offer pricing. How much does it cost to get on the water? Is there a correlation between kayaking and spelling/grammar?
Thanks, O.C.
“Junk always sounds best.”
Old Cat,
The heritagekayaks.com web site addresses many of your questions except the correlation one. I have two flush hull mounts on either side and one above the hull on the center console. They also provide the name of an area dealer.