choices!!

so i am returning to kayak fishing after about a 10 year absence. my last kayaks were a necky dolphin fast and fun but to squirlly for me, went to a ok drifter loved the stability but was a crappy paddler. so some friends and i went to demo days at sellwood and i tried out the wilderness systems tarpon 140, and thresher 140, along with the ok trident 13. liked all three but think i liked the trident the most. but when looking up reviews on all three models the trident has the worst of the lot. can any of you paddlers out there let me know if you have had any problem with tridents oil canning or leaking?  thanks for this forum it is a real info magnet!

Welcome back to kayak fishing.  Compared to 10 years ago the main kayak manufacturers are listening to anglers and incorporating a lot of fishing friendly features into there models.

Where did you read your reviews?  I think you'll find that if you look around those kayaks get similar ratings. 

I've owned six different Ocean Kayak models over the years (Caper, Malibu 2XL, Trident 13, Trident 15, Ultra 4.3, Ultra 4.3).  The only oil canning I've ever had with them occurs when I leave them fully loaded on my cart for extended periods of time.  As for leaks, that hasn't been an issue.

My trident hasn't leaked in high surf or fully loaded for several days camping and fishing on the John day. It's a great boat. That said wilderness boats are super nice I would have bought one but no pro deal with wilderness or Hobbie where I used to work.

I've own 3 Tridents an Ultra 4.3 and a Predator.  The old model Trident would leak a little thru the rodpod lid, especially if you tightened it down too much.  They seem to have addressed the issue though.  And to be clear, they'd leak when you'd take waves over the bow (though not a ton).

As for oil canning...  The bottoms tend to deform a little around the scupper tubes.  It's not the traditional oil canning but more dishing..  I haven't noticed any affect on performance.

WS does make a really nice kayak but I like the layout of my Tridents better.

-Mark-

The new Tridents have the fixed seat, which is silly because you need to be able to take it out and wash the yuck out. It's OK though because their stock seats are so uncomfortable and poorly constructed they'll either fail or you will throw it away and buy a Surf to Summit. So budget in an extra $150 if you decide to go the Trident route.

thanks all. the reviews came from online mostly paddling.net. some friends and i are going to scappoose bay and i am renting the wilderness systems tarpon 140 for a few hours of panfishing. they did not have the trident there. again thanks for your replys

Another vote for the Trident. I've fished the Prowler 13 and 15, the Trident 13 and 15 and the Ultra 4.7.
The Prowler 13 has been my favorite all time paddle boat. Get one and you will love it!

Man my prowler 15 paddled so well. Not the best fishing dedicated platform but it was a long time ago and fishing yaks weren't really available.

well went to scappoose bay and spent a few hours in the tarpon 140, i like it! i think the trident was a little faster and easier paddler. and it has a higher weight capacity i am 260lbs so that is a factor. wish they had the trident there to rent. the tarpon has more fishing ready features then the trident, like rails and a much better seat. the fishing there was slow for my friends and i. but a lovely place.

You can't go wrong with the thresher I really liked the 140 but I only used it 1 time

Is that photo a paid advertisement?  Wow, makes me want to live there and kayak like that!

Ditto on the Thresher 140! Not paid. 4 days of use in March, but I may be living on it in July.

If you still haven't gotten a test on a trident or bought another one you are welcome to try mine at some point. She is several years old so not the most current model.