Who's fishing a Jackson Cuda 14? (a.k.a. Cuda 14 vs OK Trident 13)

The "center hatch" is a feature on both of these yaks that I personally consider to be a necessity, which is why I've pretty much narrowed my search down to these two.   Appreciate all the info/opinions being shared.

What secondary stability problem? Here's a Loosa' in a Coosa. iHopp's big flop. Worst part was I stupidly had my dry suit around my waist...legs full of water kinda makes re-entry a challenge. Experience is an excellent teacher, just not a kind one.

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I pretty much love my T13.  I feel safe-ish in conditions far worse than what you described.  I apparently suck when it comes to the surf... but I think I need some education on that part...

Hoppa's Huli.

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The only thing I don't recommend is using the rod stagers & tip protector in the surf. I have broken one of my rods because of that.

How'd you do that?

-Allen

Managed to snag handle the reel in the cuff of my dry suit in the surf zone. Some how in the less-than-a-second of fumbling that ensued with my left arm fighting a paddle, surf and my rod, something happened to break the tip. With the center hatch, there wasn't any need to have the rods on the deck of the kayak. Why I just had to do things differently, I dunno. But, again, I learned my lesson. Stow it right.

I always had this thought in the back of my head, that if someone rolled in the surf with kayak upside down getting washed in, that the reels could catch and do exactly what you described, jammed the rod up into the protector and break a tip.  Or even break an eye as it drags along the bottom.  Sorry to hear of your misfortune.

-Allen