OK Prowler 13 for ocean fishing?

First of all, great site.....I've been a lurker for quite some time and finally decided to join the ranks here!  I am considering my first kayak purchase after having been a pontoon boater, drift and power boater all my life.    Mostly in the pursuit of the finned.   I have to say, I think kayak fishing is right up my alley and with two young ones who also have the fishing/adventure bug.

So, I found a used OK Prowler 13' for sale in pristine shape for about $600 with some accessories included.  Here's my question though.  While I do live in Central Oregon and do a LOT of lake fishing, my ultimate goal is fishing on the big pond especially since both my parents live on the Oregon Coast and I'm down there pretty frequently.  Is this enough boat to accomplish this task?  I'm 6'2 and about 190 lbs.  I am a self-admitted gear head and I know I will eventually upgrade.  But since I am starting from scratch and have to purchase quite a bit of gear to begin with, the price tag on this boat is pretty attractive.   

So what do you all "in the know" think?  Enough boat for short trips on the big blue? I've scoured a lot of past posts on this site and their is some differing opinions on this series of boats and their applications. 

Thanks for any/all input.  I am looking forward to learning from all the kayak fishing veterans here.

-SR 

Welcome to the site SR!
I'm a new guy here too but I've spent a good amount of time on the ocean in a kayak. I've seen OK Prowlers out on the salt many times. From what I understand the Prowlers are a bit of a wet ride, but they are for sure capable enough to punch through the surf. That being said, the best tool for launching/returning through the surf is experience. The Prowler 13 will get you through the surf but it may be a little squirrly. I highly recommend to anyone who wants to use a surf launch as a way to get to the pheesh to first get comfortable with your yak. Find a protected spot that has a narrow surf zone so you don't get in over your head while trying to get a feel for it. Take a day and hit the surf with no gear and practice launching and coming in until you get a good understanding for how your boat reacts to surf. Using your paddle as a rudder when coming in instead of trying to paddle hard to correct up is another helpful tip.
That sounds like a good deal though on the setup. Have fun and hopefully I'll see ya OTW!
Tight lines!

-Jeff

Thanks Jeff!  I completely agree....safety first!  In a past life I did a bit of raft guiding and a little swift water rescue so your words ring pretty true with me.

I have read that the Prowler is a bit of a wet ride.  Are you saying wet like 4" of constant water sloshing around your feet wet or not enough rake to peel water away from the hull wet?

Thanks,

Don

I've never paddled the Prowler 13, but from what I've heard(and others can probably better attest to this) your butt may be a little  wet depending on the type of seat you have, and your feet might be sitting in a little water. It's all relative really. Rides like the Big Game, Tridents, my Malibu X-Factor, etc. are gonna be pretty dry to where your butt won't be wet. So compared to those, it's gonna be more of a wet ride.

I think at 190# you'll have an inch or so of water in the footwells of a P13.  Your seat may be a bit wet too.  Nothing too bad.  You are in a kayak in the water BTW, and if you're dressed appropriately, you'll hardly notice it.

If you're fishing in a lake or calm water, you can use scupper plugs to keep the water out.  You won't be taking much water over the rails so don't need to worry so much about scuppers needing to drain.

-Allen

I've had my P-13 (well, my wifes) out in the Pacific from Sunset Bay (in fairly calm conditions.)  Pole's analysis is correct.  I run about 200, and have some standing water in my footwells, and occasionally get a squirt of water up through the seat scuppers.  I've only been out in the ocean during the summer, and always wear a set suit and neoprene booties then, so no big deal.  Rest of the year I go with waders and a dry top.

I've done a lot of fly fishing from mine (and my OK Big Game) in various lakes and rivers around the state (Lawrence on Mount Hood, Upper Klamath Lake, Williamson River) does great.  It has a nice combo of tracking and speed.  The new Trident 13 might be better, but I'd say the P-13 comes pretty close to the perfect all around fishing kayak (at least for a paddle-powered one).

Note that if you really want a dry ride in a kayak at your size, you'd probably be looking at bigger boats.  Either the short fat stable guys like the OK Big Game and Hobie Outback or the big, high volume boats like the Malibu X-factor and OK Trident 15.

I love my P-13...but I am much smaller and have no problem with the wet butt thang.
 The P-13 is a very good boat for surf launches as it cuts through the waves well, but it can be a bitch upon return landing
 I have the tendancy to have the ass end of the boat rise over me head

I've been going back and forth between buying the used P13 or a T13.  I might just invest now and get the T13 for the drier ride and all of the in boat storage.  Decisions, decisions.  I agree with Pole Pole and purchased a farmer john wetsuit.  While I like the thought of wearing my breathables, I think I'd rather be warm and wet if I go in the drink. compared to cold, wet, and hypothermic. 

Thanks for all the insight,

-SR 

Box of Rain: What is it about your P13 that makes it harder to beach in? I'm currently trying to decide between a Trident 13 and a Big Game ....

Although I've only fished from the Big Game, I'd lean you towards the Trident. I think the extra stability gained from the BG width isn't really necessary. Also, the RodPod is really nice. I've customized my BG to include a "rod pod" and it is worth it.

I believe the Trident is an easier boat to paddle. I've had the BG in the ocean and rivers with no problems but it is a bit of a barge.

YMMV,
Jay

Steelhedr: I've ordered the Trident 13.

Steelhedr: I've ordered the Trident 13.

Nice.

 

You will not be disappointed.

-Allen

Box of Rain: What is it about your P13 that makes it harder to beach in? I'm currently trying to decide between a Trident 13 and a Big Game ....

ummmm....me!?
 it has a bit more keel than yaks like the drifter, so it gets pushed a little more by the wave, instead of the wave sliding under the boat.