Wanting opinions on Marauder vs Tarpon vs x13

Hello, hope my first post isn't a bomb, I think its gonna be too long already. So here it goes.

  My background in any kayaking is around 6 years out dated. My last kayak was a Necky sit in   Narpa  @ 16', and any s.o.t. experience was when I was in the Navy days back in 93. I'm 5'11" and losing weight, intend to get back below 200,preferably 180-190. I'm not in bad shape otherwise but will call myself a novice for the sake of it. Fishing wise, I never met anyone else who fished from a yak in the day and limited my self to mountain lakes and the Columbia River for Bass or a stray carp...whatever would bite.

I dont see one bad kayak out there really, I see them as highly selected in purpose perhaps. I tried a Tarpon 12 and found it reasonable and may get a Tarpon 14, but Suspect it may be on the low capacity side for me. I'd like to try some ocean fishing  and not sure how effective and compatible it would be. I'm also really interested in a Marauder and the x-13, and think they might be the best for me for thier capacities. honestly, 70% or so  of my paddling might not be fishing , but ill bring a pole along anyhow and like to expand out into more fishing. I'm valueing  speed, and some stability, but not interested in the "most stable".  I have NOT , been able to try an x-13 or a marauder though. If you noticed , there is a theme of around 14' and somewhat faster models, but the most fast isnt a priority, more like a fast all arounder.

also i dont feel limited to these models , if nothing else a trident 13/15 is on my list , I might consider some dabbling in sailing a bit too.
As far as the good ol issue of "wet ride/dry ride" my view is always from the fact you'll get wet some... so dry means relatively less water, rarely none. Also i notice I'm trying to cover a lot of bases, i dont expect the given kayak to be  master of everything though.

Thank you , and sorry for the long wind, just so many good things to consider in total.
 

Welcome to the forum, lots of great information here.  I think the best thing you could do is schedule some demos for the kayaks you are interested in.  There are a few local retailers in the Portland area and they seem to have a good selection.  I have never had a bad experience from any shop in PDX that I have been to.  I am going to schedule my own trial of a Hobie inflatable one of these days if I can convince my wife that it is in everyone's best interest.  I travel a lot and thought it would be nice to be able to bring a yak along and fish some new areas of the country.


-Craig

I don't have any experience with the marauder or the tarpon 140, but I own the X-13 and have spent a good amount of time around a tarpon 160. I'm certain that both the Tarpon or the X-13 would fit everything that you have described. If you can make it as far north as say Mayfield Lake you are more than welcome to paddle my X-13 around for a day.

I paddled a Tarpon 140 for about 6 years and I loved it.  It is relatively fast for a SOT and plenty stable without feeling like a barge.  I don't know much about the Marauder or the X-13 but they look like great boats as well.  If you want to try an an old and well used t-140 let me know and I will try to meet you on the water.  There is also the Neck Vector 13.  It is a fairly new kayak, but it looks pretty good.

 This can be mind numbing like christmas shopping hehe. I just  found a shop online in Astoria. They carry cobra and Malibu,I think I should call them n see what can come of it. Also, thanks for the ride offers.
  In the short term I plan to get a paddle and pfd. I'll see what i can get as a backup paddle for now. and get a better one later.

FYI ,Next Adventure has a demo day Tomorrow at Selwood pk.( i took some vacation).  I'm gonna try the hobie Revolution hopefully, at least one with the pedal drive system.
If you have the time,please ,tell my why you dont like any of the following please; Malibu x-19 ,Tarpon 140, Revolution, or a Cobra Marauder.
One more thing ... Am I too early for 2011 kayak sales season? Seems slow for kayaks coming in, here n there.

Are they going to have an i12 or i9 Hobie inflatable there?  I am tempted by the transportability of these since I travel a lot.

They didnt mention the inflatables. I think theyll have the outback, they werent certain about the revo if i recall.

Ok.  Thanks.  I may have to send in a request to demo one.

Regarding the inflatables:  Is there something that prevents you from transporting your normal kayak, or are you talking about putting it on a plane as luggage?

I believe Alder Creek carries Tarpons.  As for Cobra and Malibu kayaks, with the exception of the scuba shop in Astoria they have little or no presence in the Oregon or Washington.   You're best bet for informed reviews would be to check out some of the kayak fishing sites from California.

Northern California..
Mauraders were fairly popular there when they first came out in 2006, but generally the same brands we have here in the PNW (OK and Hobie) dominate.
Local forum..
http://www.ncka.org


Southern California..
Cobra's and Malibu's exist primarily in the SoCal market. 
Local forums..
http://www.kayak4fish.com
http://www.bigwatersedge.com
http://www.plasticnavy.com

I'm still waiting on Alder creek to get their Tarpons, but by the end of May, I may end up getting a trident 15 if all else fails. As far as the Marauder, I might go to Astoria tomorrow just to try it, been talking with them and Cobra a bit.If i rent it , i'll end up making a review of it for NWKA maybe it'll all go real well. Like you said too, they seem to be soCal. Today,a Revolution demo at Sellwood Pk......$$$$$.

 I went to sellwood for that demo of a Revolution, went real well. I'll start off with one lesson learned that I feel responsible for.....leash that mirage drive! I placed it in the rear  under the bunjee and the brand new unused unit fell in when we launched the demo.

 I spent 20 minutes in it on mostly flat water with 2 nice boat wakes,perhaps a foot tops.The scale placed me at 243 lb this morning by the way ...grr. I set the mirage drive to 7 , the last hole, guess my legs are longer than I thought, also I had girth and PFD too. Kayak stayed dry with water covering the drive unit and not quite going onto the deck. Boat wanted to face the wind a bit,glad the rudder is on it. Good stability,intuitive controls. I played with it on stability from the side safely at the dock, no flip, behaved as i expected. Fit n finish was better than I expected, lot of good details in it, I found a spare rudder shear like pin stowed in the rear hatch lid no one new about,clever easy front hatch bunjee latch was nice too,lure bin in the center hatch even. Mirage drive...no gimmick, just watch where u store it. 28" width  presented me with a minor problem, my legs and feet felt a tad cramped inward. What I can't answer too is how it handles in the ocean, say 2' or 4' swells.

This kayak is staying on my short list of 2-3 kayaks,Tarpon 140 and an elusive marauder to go now. as it stands now  I'm mentally tied at 1st with the revo and a trident 15 , though they're 2 different boats, tarpon 3rd.

Regarding the inflatables:  Is there something that prevents you from transporting your normal kayak, or are you talking about putting it on a plane as luggage?

Putting it on a plane as luggage. Or bringing it with in a work vehicle when I have to go up to Bend for a few days or down to southern, Oregon. 

What I can't answer too is how it handles in the ocean, say 2' or 4' swells.

Here is a video of myself and DTS at Depoe Bay recently when the wind picked up, both on Revo's.  Stable, stable, stable.
The chop was unfishable to the amount of turbulence going on, but was really fun peddling around in it.

http://s604.photobucket.com/albums/tt128/INSAYN_BCR/Fishing/Depoe%20Bay%20042211/?action=view&current=P4220032.mp4