[Arcachon]

Although I generally love my P13 I find the neoprene cover for the front hatch an absolute pain. Its pretty tricky for one person on dry land but haven't even attempted to take it off on the water for fear of not getting it back on.

This makes it hard to utilise the storage area for surf launches and landings. Has anybody got some suggestions / solutions??

 

[Guest]

Hi I have the P13 too and I have placed a piece of 12mm EVA foam inside the cover, this provides me with a good seal, I still try and use the neoprene cover but if I have to the cover alone will do.

 

[Davey G]

is the cover the same as the prowler elite? I looked at an elite a few weeks ago and the front hatch was just a 'lid' that sat on top of the opening and was held down with 2 nylon straps with buckle closures.

this didn't look like a great system to me and looked like it might leak, especially if the yak flipped.

is there a neoprene cover that can be bought for this hatch?

 

[DGax65]

A couple of weeks/months ago somebody on this forum posted some info on a fix for this problem. I did a quick search and couldn't find it, but I remember seeing it. Here is a product that is available
http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/cat...the_front_hatch_of_the_prowler_13_4154660.htm

http://www.kayakfishinggear.com/trimlock_installation.htm

Even if you don't want to buy this, you could probably make something similar.

 

[Guest]

the P13 came with the neporene cover the elite I saw had one although te design had changed a little it also had a rubber seal. The EVA foam works well I dont find more than a 100ml of water after a trip and that could be coming from the rudder cable entry point.

 

[Arcachon]

is the cover the same as the prowler elite? I looked at an elite a few weeks ago and the front hatch was just a 'lid' that sat on top of the opening and was held down with 2 nylon straps with buckle closures.

this didn't look like a great system to me and looked like it might leak, especially if the yak flipped.

is there a neoprene cover that can be bought for this hatch?

I believe the Elite is the same as the P13. The neoprene cover sits under the plastic lid. When you see them in stores it may not be attached but will be inside or stored somewhere (or somebody has nicked it).

 

[JB]

No issues about my elite leaking from the hatch. I think they made a channel around it to drain away quicker. The hatch seems to fit snuggly and the straps hold reasonably firm.

I haven;t had it upside down yet but can't see it coming off (hopefully not going to try).

 

[DogFish]

I believe the Elite is the same as the P13. The neoprene cover sits under the plastic lid. When you see them in stores it may not be attached but will be inside or stored somewhere (or somebody has nicked it).

The Elite does not have a neoprene cover, neither I believe, does the current model (NZ made) P13. They both have the hard plastic cover that now seals to a rubber compression gasket fitted to the hatch rim.

DogFish

 

[Guest]

Both hatch types are on the market over here, depending on where you go and what they have in stock.

Australia has a good amount of the 'early' model Elites on sale here with the neoprene cover, and without the full range of moulded inserts.

The later model Elites have the gasket, and no neoprene hatch cover underneath. (and all the nut inserts)

No idea how the gasketed hatch seals, but the neoprene jobbie would be risky to access on the water in a bit of swell or chop, its very hard to get on and off even when shore bound.

 

[DogFish]

Dallas... I stand corrected. It must have only been on the export version, as I've never seen an Elite here in NZ with the neoprene cover. :?

If you are stuck with those neoprene covers, one trick I've seen is fasten the front part of the cover with a couple of rivets through into the side of the rim. You can just about pull the neoprene cover closed singlehanded after this mod. :idea:

DogFish

 

[Guest]

If you are stuck with those neoprene covers, one trick I've seen is fasten the front part of the cover with a couple of rivets through into the side of the rim. You can just about pull the neoprene cover closed singlehanded after this mod. :idea:

DogFish

Very good idea that 8)

Seems as though AUS received a lot more of the earlier Elite mouldings than NZ. I've seen 4 here locally all with the neoprene hatch setup. They were all like this initially, but then the newer models filtered through a few weeks later after the initial release.