trident 13 vs tarpon 160 (alien vs predator)

took the fam to sucia this past weekend to search and catch the mother of all lings...had the monster on my hook but no luck getting her to hand.

However, i did have a chance to spend some time with my new T-13 and thought i could share first hand subjective observations of the differences between a T-13 and my tarpon 160i.

i have had my tarpon 160i for two years now and the T-13 i picked up at the last clearance sale at Johnson.

the tarpon is 3' longer but weighs noticeably less.  I contribute this to the thickness of the hull.  It appears to me that the trident has a much thicker hide and so i would conclude able to withstand harsher treatment and conditions.  My tarpon does seem rather delicate at times as a function of its length and hull thickness. I have noticed that other kayak fishermen discussing "crawling" forward on the bow of their yak to utilize the front hatch while in the water.  I would never do that in my tarpon, as it it too far forward and it doesnt seem stable enough to do this.  The trident seems to be another story, i was pleasantly surprised at how stable the t13 was.  in fact, i could see myself crawling forward to use the bow hatch on the t13 if i had too.  both boats seemed equitable in dryness of the wet butt syndrome...although i have plugged up most of the scuppers in both kayaks and dont seem to suffer as much in this department.  its going to be hard to beat the length and efficiency of the tarpon hull...it paddles like a dream and feels silky smooth in the water although the t13 i had no complaints with paddling ability.  I like the tank well being directly behind the seat in the tarpon so my milk crate and rod holders are right there.  In the t13 the milk crate is farther astern and harder to reach.  I added two layers of bubble wrap under the OK seat cushion to pad my butt a little better. the adjustable back on the t13 works well for my lower lumbar support.  The seat cushion on the tarpon is cushier.

i really like both boats.  the tarpon is lighter and paddles better.  the t13 is built to withstand more use/abuse and is more stable side to side. 

i purchased the tarpon from a vendor back east with shipping and a rudder for around $900.  The t13 i got on clearance at johnson for about $400

the t15 must weigh 5 tons! i am glad i wouldnt have to put that on top of my car on a regular basis.

hope this is useful to someone trying to choose a new fishing kayak

actually at the end of the day, the t15 feels like it weighs 70 tons instead of 70 pounds...

nice objective comparison

Thanks HBH for the useful info. Shopping for a good price on a T-13 as we speak. $400 holy sh#&  I cann't find anything close to that within 3 hrs. of Brookings.

And you won't... Johnson Outdoors (Parent Company of OK, Necky, etc) has a factory up near the Canadian border and were getting rid of blems, old stock, etc. and some folks scored some really good deals. The T13s have been gone for a very long time now.

took the fam to sucia this past weekend to search and catch the mother of all lings...had the monster on my hook but no luck getting her to hand.

However, i did have a chance to spend some time with my new T-13 and thought i could share first hand subjective observations of the differences between a T-13 and my tarpon 160i.

i have had my tarpon 160i for two years now and the T-13 i picked up at the last clearance sale at Johnson.

the tarpon is 3' longer but weighs noticeably less.  I contribute this to the thickness of the hull.  It appears to me that the trident has a much thicker hide and so i would conclude able to withstand harsher treatment and conditions.  My tarpon does seem rather delicate at times as a function of its length and hull thickness. I have noticed that other kayak fishermen discussing "crawling" forward on the bow of their yak to utilize the front hatch while in the water.  I would never do that in my tarpon, as it it too far forward and it doesnt seem stable enough to do this.  The trident seems to be another story, i was pleasantly surprised at how stable the t13 was.  in fact, i could see myself crawling forward to use the bow hatch on the t13 if i had too.  both boats seemed equitable in dryness of the wet butt syndrome...although i have plugged up most of the scuppers in both kayaks and dont seem to suffer as much in this department.  its going to be hard to beat the length and efficiency of the tarpon hull...it paddles like a dream and feels silky smooth in the water although the t13 i had no complaints with paddling ability.  I like the tank well being directly behind the seat in the tarpon so my milk crate and rod holders are right there.  In the t13 the milk crate is farther astern and harder to reach.  I added two layers of bubble wrap under the OK seat cushion to pad my butt a little better. the adjustable back on the t13 works well for my lower lumbar support.  The seat cushion on the tarpon is cushier.

i really like both boats.  the tarpon is lighter and paddles better.  the t13 is built to withstand more use/abuse and is more stable side to side. 

i purchased the tarpon from a vendor back east with shipping and a rudder for around $900.  The t13 i got on clearance at johnson for about $400

the t15 must weigh 5 tons! i am glad i wouldnt have to put that on top of my car on a regular basis.

hope this is useful to someone trying to choose a new fishing kayak

I agree, except I don't necessarily think the Tarpons plastic is any thinner. I can see the sunshine through my yellow OK.....never see that on a Tarpon. When it comes down to it, the Tarpon has a much more efficient, and slightly less stable hull, although the T-13/15 has more than any human would ever need, at the sacrifice of performance.

If stability is your top priority, go for the Trident, if you need a more performance oriented kayak and are willing to have less stability but still alot, go for the Tarpon. If I was going to paddle 10 or more miles in a day in the salt, I would look at a Tarpon 160.

I like a little more performance in my hulls, so I'm trading my T-15 for the Scupper Pro TW. It's been a while since I've boated the Scupper Pro, but I think it will be a bit sportier and more playful than the T-15 which is better for me personally.

I like a little more performance in my hulls, so I'm trading my T-15 for the Scupper Pro TW. It's been a while since I've boated the Scupper Pro, but I think it will be a bit sportier and more playful than the T-15 which is better for me personally.

Jason, I'm pretty sure the Scupper Pro will suit you're paddling/fishing style much better.

Well put for sure...to add
Try standing up in flat water in your Tarpon 160...Not happenin...I had an experience in chop the other day where I had to get into my front hatch on the Tarpon160 like a tard...lol...I did it but it was fun...But the T15 it isnt unheard of at all...I dont know why it is heavier...but in my experience they are both balanced nicely for SUV loading and unloading...
I do not like the placement of the 08 drain plug for the Tarpon..not sure if this has changed lately but the OK drain plug area is nicely positioned...Why do I have water in my boats? hatches on the T-15 suck...Gotta customize them...The tarpon hatch covers can come off easily if you arent carefull enough before accelerating on the highway...Also the rudder rings on the Tarpon are crappy...gotta tape them or replace with something that doesnt get caught up in your fishing line...

Actually, they redesigned most of the features on the 09 tarpon. old hatches replaced with DRY, locking hatches, and they added a track system on the gunwhales for a slough of accessories. I think they've done a pretty good job with the redisign. Check it out:

http://www.wildernesssystems.com/product/index/products/angler/angler_tarpon/tarpon_140r_angler/

I have to admit the new Tarpon hatches are a big improvement over the old tupperware lids they used to have.

I have to admit the new Tarpon hatches are a big improvement over the old tupperware lids they used to have.

We'll just have to see how the flip lock mechanism holds up. I can see it possibly braking and then being SOL with your hatch lid.

The other thing I've found, at least when the boats came off the truck, when the pressure inside the boat changes from temp change, the lid makes a vacuum seal and takes a lot of effort with a screw driver to open.

Sweet....gotta red scupper pro on the way!

I was out with a guy the other day that was on his maiden voyage with an 08 Tarpon 160 he had bought on sale for a last years model clearance...at the end of the day he had a load of water in the boat...we cleared it out and inspected it and found that 4 scupper holes had slices and holes from a shifting in the mold after it had left the factory...at least that was what the rep said it was when we got back and called him..Apparently they came up with a different scupper design so this problem stops but he said it was common in that model year...

Water Wolf QCI-

Queen Charloettes? Man I am jealous. I'm working on an Inside Passage trip next summer after I gradematate. I'll have to paddle by and say hello.

cool deal Im in Ontario at the moment...wont be there till next season But your welcome to shoot by for a visit

I have to admit the new Tarpon hatches are a big improvement over the old tupperware lids they used to have.

HEY, I resemble that remark! Who you calllin old sonny!


oh,

the hatch design.










nevermind