OK Tetra 10 and 12

Ocean Kayak launches it's newest model kayak this month, the Tetra 10 and 12. The Tetra looks to be a kayak that's at home cruising the lakes or fishing the beach. Ocean Kayak said they were going for a clean comfortable and stable ride. This looks like it could be a great kayak fishing platform! Check out the following photos, press release and video for more information about Ocean Kayak newest edition.

    Old Town, Maine (June 27, 2011) Ocean Kayak, a leader in the paddlesports industry since 1971, today introduced the new Tetra kayak series. Recreational kayaks boasting clean simple design, the Ocean Kayak Tetra series was engineered for outstanding comfort, superior stability and reliable all around performance.



    Built for casual cruising on inland lakes, slow moving rivers and coastal flats, the Tetra series offers an ideal balance of form and function. As with all Ocean Kayaks, Tetra kayaks are self-bailing for a dry comfortable ride. The Tetras also feature a new innovation from Ocean Kayak, the Hybrid Comfort Seat Back. This unique seating system is incorporated into the boat with a fixed seat pad and adjustable back support for an intuitive custom fit and easy transport. Want to upgrade your seat? No problem, the Hybrid Comfort Seat Back can easily be removed.

    “Tetra kayaks are designed as cross over boats for paddlers who might want to dabble in several different activities,” said Sara Knies, Marketing Director for Ocean Kayak. “Extremely stable, comfortable and maneuverable, Tetra series kayaks are prefect for those who want a great paddling experience but also may want to fish from a kayak on any given day.”

    Tetra kayaks will be available in two standard models, the Tetra 10 and Tetra 12, as well as two Tetra Angler editions. Key features include the Quick Seal bow hatch for convenient storage, adjustable foot pegs, large tank well with bungee, low profile grab handles and drain plugs. Angler models will feature flush mounted rod holders and the Mod Pod II, a narrower version of Ocean Kayak’s popular Modular Fishing Pod found on the center console.
 
Tetra 10: 10'8"  29.5" wide
Tetra 12: 12'1"  28"
       

    Ocean Kayak Tetra kayaks will be available July 2011 through numerous authorized Ocean Kayak dealers. For more information about the Ocean Kayak™ and our latest innovations please visit www.OceanKayak.com.

At Jim Sammons request, I paddled both of these kayaks today (and several others before my back said quit), and I was quite impressed. If you're considering something like a Trident 11, I'd pass it up for one of the Tetras. They're faster and track better. They are a bit wetter if you paddling into a heavy chop, but otherwise I like the Tetras a lot more. In fact, I'd consider selling my t11 for one.

The angler models include the rod pod. The seat is very comfortable. They're not as wide as the tridents, so that is where the speed is coming from. This would also suggest that they're not as stable, but short of standing in the kayak, the Tetras are plenty suitable for anyone.

I paddled these about a month ago.  I didn't find them all that fisher friendly in terms of overall layout.  They're targeted at the more recreational market, and were designed as such, to fill that niche that the Trident market is not aiming for.  Think of them as the evolution of the frenzy and scrambler lines vs. the evolution of fishing kayaks.

-Allen

BTW, did you try the new Necky 14?  Again, not a fishing kayak in terms of it's layout, but narrow and fast.  It's a bit sticky, so a rudder is almost required to get it to turn more than a super wide arc.

-Allen

Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to try out the Necky. By the time it got back on the beach, my back was done.  I did get out on the Diablo Adios and Chupacabra, OK Tetras, Ultra 4.3, Torque, KC's kayak (don't remember the name), Jackson Coosa and SC Raptor.

I thought the two Tetras would be angler friendly. Other than the little pocket for the Plano box that the Tridents have, everything, I didn't see anything different in layout.  They have a large tankwell (because of the missing divider) for plenty of storage and the angler versions have the same ModPod and requisite-for-"fishing"-kayaks rear flush mounts.

BTW, did you try the new Necky 14?  Again, not a fishing kayak in terms of it's layout, but narrow and fast.  It's a bit sticky, so a rudder is almost required to get it to turn more than a super wide arc.

-Allen

NWPaddler also has (had?) a cloud colored Necky Vector for sale at the end of last week, too,,, looks like it might work well as a fishing yak.

I thought the two Tetras would be angler friendly. Other than the little pocket for the Plano box that the Tridents have, everything, I didn't see anything different in layout.  They have a large tankwell (because of the missing divider) for plenty of storage and the angler versions have the same ModPod and requisite-for-"fishing"-kayaks rear flush mounts.

They are not as friendly as the Tridents, which were designed specifically with fishing in mind.

The "plano holder" is a big deal to me.  And the front of the cockpit area is not good for mounting accessories, other than the rod pod like hatch, which is also narrower.

-Allen

BTW, did you try the new Necky 14?  Again, not a fishing kayak in terms of it's layout, but narrow and fast.  It's a bit sticky, so a rudder is almost required to get it to turn more than a super wide arc.

-Allen

NWPaddler also has (had?) a cloud colored Necky Vector for sale at the end of last week, too,,, looks like it might work well as a fishing yak.

I think that's a Vector 13.  The 14 is new and just introduced.

-Allen

kewl...