broberts

Hey. Was wondering which would be the best choice, the Tarpon 14 or the OK Drifter? I am debating making the drive over to Pensacola Kayak and Sail to see what they have. Does anyone know if they carry the Tarpon? Do they carry a comparable yak to these that anyone would recommend over the Tarpon or the OK? I am having a really difficult time picking a kayak.

The main things I am looking for are stability, fishability, maneuverability and storage. I really like the OK, but one of the concerns I have is the storage. It seems like the Drifter has less storage (not enough room for milk crate, etc). I also heard that the Drifter is a slower yak.

Thanks for anyone's opinion

Brian

broberts

Or the redfish 14. It looks prettygood too.

tystoy

Not going to be much difference between the Tarpon and the Redfish in the 14 foot size.

NoMoSurf

I am looking at buying a yak as well. I have looked at several including the following:

OK Prowler13--LOVED IT NO complaits. Plenty comfy and stable. I stood in it with ease and I am 5'10, 190lbs and 37 years old. It is my #1 choice as of now. It paddles reasonably fast as well and tracks very well.

OK Drifter-- Not very comfy and lacked storage--did not test drive

OK Scrambler--Not comfy--did not test drive

Redfish 10, 12, and 14 --Liked OK, pretty comfy and is pendinga test drive, probably the 12

Native Ultimate--Great boat, but did no like the storage options. They were pricey to add. VERY comfy seat.

Tarpon 12--Seat very uncomfortable. No longer considering.

I figure that if I am going to be in this thing for 6 or 8 hours at a time. It BETTER be comfortable. Storage is second and weight 3rd. After 6 or 8 hours on the water, I'm not going to be in the condition to lift much on top of my car.

Baitcaster

try out a Ride 135

FLSalomon

The Prowler 13 is a great choice. That and the WS Tarpon 140 are probably the most popular paddle fishing yaks on the market. The WS Ride 135 is also very nice - stable, you can stand easily...but a little wide and thus perhaps slower. PK&S sells the Ocean Kayak, Wilderness Systems, Heritage, Native and some other brands - if you are looking for a paddle kayak, that is the lcoal place to go. I liked the Native Ultimate - another yak you could stand in easily, but is more akin to a canoe - not sure I would go out in the rough stuff in one of those.

If you can afford a Hobie pedal kayak, go try one at Key Sailing on Quietwater Beach. The pedal drive is very nice.

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sosmarine

A few weeks ago Pensacola Kayk had a Tarpon 160 for around $700. It looked like a Demo but was in good shape. That is what I have and I am about your size. Haven't had it out much yet but the guy I got it from was a little bigger than me. The 160 has pretty good storage, plenty of room for the milk crate and a space for a dive tank (not at the same time).

There is a Tarpon 140 on Craigslist in Gulf Breeze for $725.

LocalOkie

Both the Tarpon 140, Ride,and the OK Drifter are excellent kayaks, andall can outfitted to be fully-functional fishing machines. I don't worry much about maneuverability and speed when fishing around here. There are very few places where you need a highly maneuverable kayak as there aren't a lot of obstacles. You can easily paddle any of those kayaks around docks, through meandering backwaters, etc. The speed factor isn't that important unless you are planning on paddling very long distances, and when it comes down to it, fishing kayaks just really aren't that fast period. I would strongly suggest visiting Pensacola Kayak and Sail and paddling the boats you are interested in. They should have the Tarpon, Ride, and Drifter in stock, but you might call first. You learn a more in a ten minute test-paddle than we can ever tell you on the fishing forum. There is no perfect kayak, so get one that you feel comfortable in. The ones you are consideringare all good choices, and you will adapt to whichever one you decide on once you get out on the water.

SheYakFishr

Brian... I'm SPOILED.... I have a Hobie Outback and it doesn't get any better than that!! BUT... if I had to buy another one... I'll get the one with two drives/seats.. which is more stable than mine and mine is pretty stable. You would then have tons of room for large cooler and larger fish... kings. :- )