Prowler 13’ Angler Version
Review
This was my choice of kayak the Ocean Kayak Prowler 13’ Angler in Olive Green. Which is one of the most popular and widely tested kayaks on the market; it had proven itself over time and had just the space and manoeuvrability I was looking for. It is a very stable kayak and under normal conditions I cannot see how anyone could fall out. Even with a swell manoeuvring causes no great problems, the only area in my opinion is the surf zones of beaches where any kayak will go belly up so to speak if turned side ways by an in coming wave. With practise and some observation as to what the wave is doing this surf zone will become easier to launch and land from. Weight I’ve never found to be a problem in this kayak as myself and fishing gear do add up some but with a couple of strokes of the paddle propelling you forward with easy make it ideal for the beginner and expert alike. The 13 foot length aids the tracking of the kayak in a straight line cutting down the amount of course correction needed when paddling over distance.
The forward tank well with the black hatch is spacious and watertight as long as the seal is looked after. Great for storing accessories like a kayak trolley and battery box for a fish-finder anything really that you would not need access to while on the water. In saying that it can be accessed but I would not be recommend it if there was a swell as this may swamp your kayak. Whereas the rear tank well is idea for a crate that when swamped with water will empty fast so as not to add weight to your kayak. This type of crate is perfect for hold your fishing gear, anchor, collapsible lobster pots anything that you don’t mind getting wet. Ohh and make sure crates, paddle and rods are tethered in some fashion to the kayak which will stop you losing them.
As with all Sit-on-Top Kayaks there are scupper holes, these enable this type of kayak to self bale when a wave comes over the craft. There are six on the Prowler two in the rear tank well, two behind the seat and two either side of the forward cup-holder in the foot wells, as water flows over the kayak it drains straight out these holes ingenuously simple addition to these craft and is one of the features that make SOT’s ideal for fishing in.
There are two flush mounted rod holders either side of the rear tank well towards the seat where the rod butt’s slip into for trolling or storage out of the way. This version comes with a seat that clips on to the kayak and gives you something to lean into and make the experience more comfortable. Just in front of the seat there is a six inch water tight hatch where the likes of key’s and phones should be stored. My advice here is to pour a bucket of water over this hatch to ensure it is watertight as some times the hatch lid housing isn’t fully tightened and a turn of an Allen key will do the trick. This leads you on to the center console with the rear cup holder and the supplied tackle box are located. This tackle box is secured down with a length of bungee cord which holds it fast to the kayak. I find it handy for the likes of hooks, snap-swivels, weights and beads in addition to this I’ve glued a hand held compass to the lid so it is secure and always visible great should a sudden fog roll in as electronic GPS can fail in such conditions. Then you come to the forward cup-holder, which I could never see the need for and used it to house the bracket base for my Fish-Finder which is ideal for me and at arms reach easily operated.
Above all it’s the construction and water tight design that I like and it’s simplicity to use that drew me to the Prowler 13’ and because it is a Sit-on-Top there is no need to worry about Eskimo roll’s and the like that you would have to learn in a conventional canoe. This makes it so easy to learn to control that anyone can give it ago. Who know you to may become addicted to this growing sport, that is…..
Kayak Angling Ireland
David Stapleton