Confusing Issue with Prowler 15

1639 Views 9 Replies 7 Participants Last post by simond11, Nov 7, 2006

AdrianK

Discussion Starter · Nov 6, 2006

Hi, I'm confused on the issue of Prolwer 15's...
1. I read that they have a capacity of 200+kgs, yet in investigating on this forum and others, read that anyone of 90kgs or over can result in the centre hacth getting below the water line and having water enter? How does this equate to a capacity of 200+kgs?
2. Also, I've read that the factory fitted rudders are unsuitable for a tall person (inseam of 34" as the limit). Does this macth anyone's experience out there?
3. I've read about leakage at several points (front bung) rear attachment points for rudder, and water pooling in foot wells - is this a problem for anyone with experience with these?

If the above are valid, are the Prowler 13s better?

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simond11

· #2 · Nov 6, 2006

Hi Adrian
I have a P15. I am 179cm tall and weigh around 78KG. I have never experienced any problem weight issues, although I have read on some threads that the more er.....portly fishermen...have seen a slight lowering of their vessels to the waterline. I believe that OK fixed that problem. I am sure if you didi a search on the net you would find a number of threads regarding this.
I have the factory rudder and never had a problem with it. I can adjust the rudder to suit my length leg. I guess I can't really tell any difference. It works for me.
Regarding leaking points, some people find the front hatch to leak. You will always get some water seepage into the yak, but I have found if you are careful as to how you put the front hatch on, and really tighten the straps, you should drastically reduce the amount of water entering the yak. On a typical day on the ocean with waves coming over the bow, I would probably remove about 1 cup of water. The area to look at, I believe, is the centre hatch. I have replaced mine with a screw-type hatch and it works a dream.
Over to the other members......
Cheers

Simon
Prowler 15

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fisher

· #3 · Nov 6, 2006

Gday AdrianK - I agree with Simond11. I'm about 90kg and about 5'9" - I have no problem with the foot pedals, but maybe someone taller might?? . I did find the front hatch leaked when taking water over the bow - its a poor design, but with a little advice from Simond11 I seemed to get over that problem with a slight modification. It still leaks, but not as bad, and I'm sure I can modify it further if necessary.
I get a little water in the hull most times I go out - I really don't know where it comes from - maybe the centre hatch, but I'm not convinced of that. I did a check to make sure the scuppers didn't leak.
The footwells get wet and stay wet - that too is a poor design, but to me it is only an annoyance factor.
I never looked at the P13, but by all accounts it is a good yak, albeit not as fast as the P15 from what I gather. But then again, it would be lighter and easier to manhandle.
The questions you ask are all valid concerns, but from my experience if you go down the path of a P15 you will get yourself a good yak. Good luck with your decision making!

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Scott

· #4 · Nov 6, 2006

Adrian, I am yet to have any issues with my P15 apart from a leaky forward hatch which I fixed in under 5 minutes and for less than $10. They are by far the best poly SOT I am yet to paddle. I am keen to own one of Andrew's new South African fiberglass yaks and will give an honest comparison when this happens. They will need to be an awesome yak to even come close to the p15 in my opinion. If you are a big fella you may have issues with a P15 as I have heard via the grape vine that paddlers that are built for comfort rather than speed flood the centre hatch. Mind you this could be a case of Prowler bashing which is common. It is widely claimed that the factory rudder is crap where as I have found it excellent in all conditions. I personally think that this rumour was started by the KFS store in the US to sell their after market rudder kits with the P15. The P15 is recognised as the best selling offshore fishing yak worldwide so they must be doing something right.

Catch ya Scott

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Captain

· #5 · Nov 6, 2006

If you are not sure on the Prowler 15 then have you considered other kayaks instead? Before I upgraded my fleet with the Cobra Pro Fisherman I was also considering the Prowler 15 but the problems you mentioned are not the reason for my decision. My decision would have been easier if I knew of the front hatch leaking. The Cobra PF also takes on a little water but I often fish with the centre hatch open especially in calm conditions. I reckon in choppy conditions especially if anchored that water would get in through the rudder holes so I wonder if this would be the case for the Prowler 15. Ocean Kayaks do make good kayaks and I'm sure the Prowler 15 is still a good fishing kayak as all the testimonies on this forum will attest.

Brian
Cobra PF

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· #6 · Nov 6, 2006

Hi I have a P13 and had the similar issue with the front hatch (I was removing 200-400ml of water after around 4 hrs in rough chop/swell) I fixed it for around $10 with a piece of EVA foam, my hull still isnt totally dry (possibly entering through rudder cables but I dont know) but the amount is so tiny I dont even try to get it out. I have the factory rudder and I cant really compare it to anything else but it operates fine. After 6+ months with the P13 I am immensely happy with the performance and the layout suits me fine, I guess there are compromises you have to make when buying a kayak and the overall performance of the P13 outweighed its flaws for me. I havent really noticed if my feet are in water but the boat drains quickly when filled with water from waves etc.

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SharkNett

· #7 · Nov 6, 2006

Adrian,

Can't find the post now, but I had this same point clarrified by Mariner some time back. I am 191cm (6' 4") and 90kg.

His advice was as Scott said that the centre hatch could get swamped but by somone over 100kg.

So I guess if you keep the paddling up to keep the weight down this should never really become a problem.

Rob.

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JB

· #8 · Nov 6, 2006

Although I don't have the P15 I've got the elite, which I think has addressed parts of the issues you are talking about - the front hatch part with a rubber gasket. Don't know exactly as I haven't really seen a heap of p15's. over here in NZ there are a reasonable amount of elites around now with some really big fulla's paddling them (read bigger than me and I'm 6" and 99.95Kgs) and I would have thought I would have heard if there were issues with the eilte with the amount I talk to other yakers over here. I've got the rudder fitted on the elite and there is still a heap of room to make it bigger than me.

I did notice around a cup full of water in the weekend but I was surf practising and the yak had quiet a bit of water over it (read a heap of waves with a couple of can out's) - don't know where it came from - could have been anywhere as I had a breaker land in the rear well at one stage :shock:
good luck on your search for a new yak

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· #9 · Nov 7, 2006

AdrianK said:
Hi, I'm confused on the issue of Prolwer 15's...
1. I read that they have a capacity of 200+kgs, yet in investigating on this forum and others, read that anyone of 90kgs or over can result in the centre hacth getting below the water line and having water enter? How does this equate to a capacity of 200+kgs?
2. Also, I've read that the factory fitted rudders are unsuitable for a tall person (inseam of 34" as the limit). Does this macth anyone's experience out there?
3. I've read about leakage at several points (front bung) rear attachment points for rudder, and water pooling in foot wells - is this a problem for anyone with experience with these?

If the above are valid, are the Prowler 13s better?

Heya Adrian,

If your dead set on a Prowler, it would make sense for you to look at the Prowler Elite over the older P15.

The concerns you have mentioned have I think been addressed with the newer Elite. No chance of hatch leakage due to the centre hatch area being fully sealed, attachment point are moulded into the hull and therefore waterproof.

Weight capacity would not be a problem for you in the Elite, I'm about 95kgs, 6'1" and even with a yak full of gear the Elite did not sit deep in the water. The rudder controls were fine for me at my height, but I dont think you would want to be more than a few inches taller or you might not be able to exert full rudder as your feet would hit the front of the footwells.

If you look toward the Elite, just make sure you inspect it thoroughly to make sure you are satisfied with it. Mine was returned due to the much talked about 'thin spot' which is present in every Prowler Elite I have seen here is Australia (about 6 yaks in total now).

Others seem happy with theirs in this condition, I personally was not, and some other guys who have seen Elites have thought the same. Depends on the individual I think as everyone seems to have different standards.

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simond11

· #10 · Nov 7, 2006

Actually Adrian, I forgot to mention this, but I sometimes take my 13 year old son with me on the Prowler 15. He weighs around 45KG. He sits in the rear well of the kayak and there is absolutely no issue with his weight and my weight together The kayak paddles great, and steers smoothly. I always seem to throw something at the kayak and it always comes up looking great!
Cheers

Simon
Prowler 15

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