OK Prowler Ultra 4.7, now with Ice Box and Rod Tube

[Nativeman]

Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7

Designed and made in NZ by Ocean Kayak, Distributed in Australia by BLA

Kayak Length : 4.7 M
Kayak Width : .74 M
Kayak Weight : 35KG
Kayak Capacity : 250 KG+
Material : Polyethylene construction

Colours Available : Camo, Mango Flame

Recommended Retail Price : $2495

Std Inclusions
Deluxe Comfort Seat, 2 x Rear Flush Mounted Rod Holders, Paddle holder(both sides), OK Rudder System, Built in Side lifting handles, Replaceable Wear Strip, Moulded in Serial Number, Recessed Deck Fittings, Front and Rear built in lifting handles, Large and deep rear well, Multi Function Reversible Hatch Cover, Centre Hatch, Live Bait tank or storage area for anchor system, 2 x Flush Mounted Gunwale Rod Holders, Moulded In Screw Inserts for fitting of accessories, Bungee for storage of Equipment on forward deck, Cross Lock Buckle System for Front Hatch, Flat Area for mounting of VHF or GPS antenna, Mounting plate for Scotty/Cannon Rod Holder.

Optional Extras
Icebox Storage Pod, Rod Tube Kit, Live Bait Tank Cover and Pump Kit, C-Tug Trolley, Kayakers Safety Light, Anchor Running Rig, Drift Shute, Fish Finder Kit.

Added Electronics and Accessories
I have installed a Humminbird 798ci Fishfinder/GPS Combo to the kayak.
I have also installed the OK Anchor Running Rig and a Scotty Rod Mount and 2 x DIY rod leashes.

Pro's
Extremely Stable, I reckon this kayak is more Stable than the Prowler 13. Tracks well with excellent speed and incredible glide - I could get it to around 9 KPH and I'm no paddling superstar but it cruises at around 5.5 to 6 kph at a steady paddle rate. A dry ride(Dam, estuary, River), rudder steers it precisely. Transducer Scupper - with the addition of the optional Transducer Scupper Kit designed to fit the Humminbird range of sounders. The Double sided hatch lid is a extremely functional, allowing you to fit the electronics to one side of the hatch cover and then have the ability to turn it 180 degrees for a safe and secure location when entering surf type conditions. The rear well is huge and if you are a catch and kill fisher person that fishes rectangularly offshore it would be well suited - with the addition of the optional icebox storage pod it would be even better. The livebait well just behind the seat would be good for someone who does a lot of live baiting with the ability to hold livies on board. The optional extra rod tube will allow 2 fully rigged rods to be stored on board inside the yak, additional rods could be stored with the reels removed for the rods- access via the centre hatch. Storage areas - If you weren't to use the livewell the purpose it was made for this would be an ideal area to use as anchor/drift shute storage. There is also some storage wells in front of the foot wells, handy for accessories but I found it a great spot for my crocs Near the seated area there is also some sunken areas for small tackle boxes.

Con's
The Scotty rod mount is too far forward, I can't even reach it but with the addition of a Scotty's angled rod extension(#459) this problem would be fixed, I have one on order. Although I loaded it OK with the aid of my loader bars on my roof racks some people may find it excessively heavy at 35KG+

Ability to customise
Customising is a breeze with lots of the brass inserts that will take a 5mm screw all over the yak that will allow you to customise this yak without the need to drill holes. Cannon or Scotty rod holders could be mounted as I have done in the allocated spot forward of the central hatch, as mentioned the brass inserts are located in the necessary spots to customise the kayak, for instance the anchor trolley kit was just a matter of tightening the 4 screws into the inserts that were located at either end of the kayak. There is a flattened circular area at the front of the kayak to mount a GPS/VHF antenna if required.


Overview
I find I enjoy fishing from this kayak, even though its designed to be well suited for offshore conditions I think it is a great all round kayak, suited for Offshore, Bays, Rivers, estuaries and lakes. And for my style of fishing such as impoundment fishing it is a good platform to fish from. As I can travel great distances in an impoundment to find the schools of fish it gets me there quick. The central hatch is what really turns me on, the ability to store tackle and accessories within arms reach is sensational, I can store up to 3 plano trays close at hand as well as other accessories, camera and dry bag. Also the feature where I can turn the hatch lid 180 degrees to hide my sounder bracket away is great for a fast pack up as It is when setting up. Although some might say it is a little heavy I can put up with it as the positives far outweigh the negatives that you may hold for the weight issue.

Rating : 9/10

Set up for fishing



The Rear Well



The Livebait Well



The Seated Position



The Centre Hatch Area




The Centre hatch area, notice the small area's near the seat for storage of small items



The Forward storage areas, drained to the foot well scuppers and the front bungee storage area



The centre hatch turned 180 degrees to reveal the Humminbird Fishfinder



The small flexible locks that clasp the hatch in place





With options on the brass inserts I was able to have some webbing on the top of the hatch, I use the pad eyes here to attach pliers, scissors and the like.



The rod holder mount, a scotty arm the will bring it the rod holder back.



A closer look at the drain front storage area



The usual side running lines on the sides of the hull



The rear side view



The rudder system, also notice the built in lifting handles



The rear underside



The front underside view



The Replaceable wear strip



The full length underside view



The front hatch with the Cross Lock Buckle System



Inside the centre hatch



On the water



On the water view



Packed up to go home, its a long way up, but I can manage

[Macbrand]

WOW, that's an impressive yak.

I can see what you mean about the front rod holder being miles forward. Even if it was for a FF it would be difficult to get close to push a button. Cant fault it on storage though, it's massive.

Great review mate, thanks.

[Dallas]

Nice review Sel, the Ultra 4.7 certainly isnt short on features

[Feral]

Look at the size of it! You'd need a cut lunch to get from the seat to the rear of the yak!

[koich]

That looks pretty well set out actually. Especially like that centre hatch.

[noddy]

Thanks for the review mate. Like the look of the livey well and the centre hatch. The internal rod storage is cool, cuts out the need to do the shimmy up to the front hatch to store rods necessary on the normal Prowlers. Can get a little dicey riding right up front in a good swell.

[ringo]

OMG! 4.7m and 35kg. The only feature that it doesn't come with is 2 extra blokes to lift it. I could bath in that rear well. HUUUUUGE!

[Nativeman]

I have added a Scotty adjustable extension arm to the front rod holder mount. This makes the rod holder much closer to the paddler and solves the problem of it being too far away.

The lid of the hatch can still be opened, swiveled and closed with the extension in place.


Cheers

[justcrusin]

Thanks Sel great review,

I got mine last week pretty much the same as you.

I will add the in built rod holders are very well positioned on this prowler, in the P13 i would occasionally hit the rods if trolling with the blade but even in full stroke I miss them on the Ultra and the forward in built rod holder I thought what a silly place to put them but they are awesomely positioned if you are dealing with a fish or changing a lure etc. I found no need for the scotty up front, but like sel found it hard to reach that area. The two storage bins on either side up front were a problem reaching too. You really needed to hang you feet over and slide forward.

This kayak paddled very easily, it did have a definite hull speed of around 10 kph the gps had me up to 5.5knots full tilt I am paddle unfit and reckon I could get it too 6 knots with better stroke technique. I was amazed at how effortlessly I was able to maintain a 3.5-4.5 knot cruising speed, it really was no effort at all.

The centre hatch was great, easy to reach and turn, could have been 1-2cm deeper then it would fit a 3 mid sized tackle boxes in vertically and a bit of water did get in there when ever you opened the hatch which I found annoying.

My rod tube is on backorder but looking forward to getting that fitted.

All in all and awesome paddle kayak that will easily please all the elite and p13 owners and give a excellent off shore option against the ski's for people that want to stay with plastic.

Cheers Dave

[metalminion]

wow that's a great looking yak. If only i had the money haha. Great reviews!

[Slide]

Justcrusin, what's your take on the weight of this yak? What are the advantages of the Ultra over the stealths. It appears to me that is the category it is competing against (offshore paddling). I am starting to think about an upgrade and this looks like one of the likely choices but the stealths are also sexy.

[justcrusin]

Justcrusin, what's your take on the weight of this yak?

My other yaks a Pro angler this ones a light weight

What are the advantages of the Ultra over the stealths.

I haven't paddled a stealth yet, from what I know the blunt nose stealths have a excellent advantage through the surf. I would recommend getting a test paddle, there a few little things that could have been done better but all in all there a great stable paddle yak.

Cheers Dave

[justcrusin]

Some more for you slide, took her out offshore yesterday, swell between 1-2m fishing in around some bommies and rock platforms. Performed excellent in the conditions, small surf launch an landing no problem at all. 50cm snapper in the centre hatch no problems at all.

I see you have a p13, more stable than the 13 but a fair bit faster. If you like the 13 the ultra will blow your mind. I use to have a 13 and this yak is set out a lot better. In saying that i still prefer to fish out of the PA but the ultra performed flawlessly. No problem to shuffle up and down the yak to reach hatches and trays etc. I'll do a proper report with pics over the weekend.

Cheers Dave

Edit 50cm snapper in the centre hatch with plenty of room to spare.

[grumpy2]

I will be getting one about June/July and have been wondering if it is possible to use the pontoons from the hobie AI just on one side (left).
The reason being is for stability for fishing around bommies and headlands then as a storage for crab pots up the creeks plus for spanner crabs outside.

Having never used a kayak before but with 30 yrs experience on the water I would be interested in other peoples opinions toward my plans.
I would like to use the center hatch for a wet icebox possibly using the guts from a small camping fridge, 55 yrs and worn out means turning to use the fish box behind is out of the question. Laboring has its price .

The rear section would be used for battery and motor.I have been considering a small dual battery setup suitably sealed and some method of charging them, ie solar or propellor
I will be fitting it out myself having fitted out pro boats and a couple of tinnies.
What level of force would the single pontoon put on the hull fastenings and will they take the force.
As this will possibly be my last boat I intend top make myself comfortable and keep my fish in the best condition I can.

All ideas will be treated with respect, it might seem silly to you but it might lead to a useful idea.
thanks very much
grumpy2

[scater]

Great looking yak. Would you guys just clarify something for me though, I'm a bit confused as to where the cables from the sounder go and what effect this has on flipping the hatch cover.

cheers