Thread necro! Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 questions for sumpnz

[dm1333]

sumpnz,

Are you still fishing with your Ocean Kayak Prowler 13?  What do you think of it both for fishing and for paddling efficiency as a kayak?  I'm transferring to Michigan and want to get a small boat (rowing/sailing skiff or a kayak) to fish and get a little exercise on.  It would get used on Lake Michigan and some of the inland lakes and rivers, like the Muskegon and Manistee Rivers.

I didn't want to bring this thread back to life but I was pretty sure it was the same kayak I was looking at.

http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=33439.0

I've also given a little thought to this.  It would be for flat water only but SUPs are great for core and upper body exercise.

http://nativewatercraft.com/boat.cfm?id=38

[sumpnz]

Yep.  Still have it.  Been out in the open ocean off WA and OR with it, so it certainly can handle the Great Lakes.  Its quite stable, to the point that I have hauled up heavy crab pots and hard fighting fish >10# without any problms.  

As far as effeciency goes, you generally trade that off for stability.That said it is still not bad for effeciency.  Ask away if you have other questions.

[sumpnz]

Oh, as far as rivers go, I have not yet experienced that, but I know plenty of guys that have been oit in comperable yaks on tue rivers with great results.  And I talking BIG rivers including the Columbia.

[dm1333]

Thanks.  I know it won't be as efficient as a long, thin touring kayak but some of the fishing kayaks out there look like total barges.  I like how stable it seems yet still seems to be a decent paddler.

[bedlamite]

For Lake Michigan, the water temp gets up to about 60F, you're going to want a 2-3mm full wetsuit in the summer and fall and a drysuit in the spring when the water is in the 30's. I've got a Pyranha Fusion Connect. September is when the waves start to pick up, and it gets fun on the lake. I just put it away for the winter, it's getting so the air is cooler than the water.

[dm1333]

If the water is cold enough that I need a dry suit you won't find me on the lake in a kayak!  Sixteen years of driving lifeboats in cold, wet, rough weather has been enough for me, I'll stay home if it is cold and rough.  I've done enough of this  .

I've got a wetsuit, helmet, kayak style life jacket, etc.  that I have been using with my Cobra Strike.

[sumpnz]

Around here the wter is rarely warm enough to not need a drysuit, at least on the salt.

For a drysuit I have a Kokatat SuperNova Angler.  It has a neoprene neck gasket rather than latex so it doesn't strangle you so much.  Lets in a tiny amount more than latex if get dunked, but the comfort more than makes up for that.  I got it from Outdoorplay.com for $480 shipped thanks to a 20% off coupon that is stndard hen sign up there.