AustinFJ

June 2012 Just purchased a Pescador 12 from West Marine for $399 (they were out of the on sale Pompano and matched the price). I have only had the kayak out once, but I put it through the newbie paces and loved it. I'm 5'11 and 190lbs. Took the yak out on one of our lake/rivers here in town and it performed as hoped. Tracked straight and was pretty fast. Even in the hard wind I easily made progress across the water. Once off the main body of water I checked stability. Sitting in it sideways was no problem I never felt unsteady even turning around to get to fishing tackle. I needed my phone out of the front compartment and I easily moved to the front and got into the hatch without any issues. Don't really have anything to compare to for the "wet" ride, but even in the chop on the lake I didn't really have much spray. My swimsuit was a little wet when I got out of the boat, but never felt I was sitting in water. Overall I think this is going to be a great kayak for me.

Florabama

That's a great buy. I just bought the pescador from academy and it was 499 which is their everyday price. Still excited about getting out in it.

Good Answer!

I just bought a Pompano 120 from west marine last night. I want to get the seat you recommend but they offer two different backrest. Do you know which one I need? Also, how many clips would I need?

Thanks

CraigVM62

I came across this thread when searching for Pescador 12 reviews. I bought one last spring and have fished from it a great bit. Though I greatly agree with almost all of the positive comments there is one negative I have found and wanted to see if any others have also.
Though I and my gear weigh in around 100 lbs less that the specified 350 lbs max capacity, I find with the front scupper plugs removed, water comes up to the front edge of the center access lid. Unless the front plugs are installed and I bail a bit of water out, I can't access that hatch without water pouring in. I do find that when the kayak is moving, the scupper holes if unplugged, do pull some of the water out, dropping the water level in the cockpit just enough to access the hatch.
Since I often launch in pretty heavy surf and calm waters are rare up here, I am always eyeing that center hatch for fear that Tupperware type lid may get bumped / snagged and opened.
Since several who own the Pescador 12 or older Tarpons responded to this thread, I was wondering if anyone else near my size has shared the same experience. I have noticed with the newer Perception Pescador 13 and even 15 models, they now rate them at 50 lbs less than they did the 12 ft version. This, after also moving that center access closer to the seat where it sits higher in the cockpit.

On another note, One of the other features that I like with the Pescador that I could not find on any other kayak near it's price point was it is Rudder Kit Ready. I recently purchased a Prowler 15 with a rudder and find it works well for much of my use. Glad I have that option with the Pescador.

Farley

Actually, ACK only sells the seat back "pad," which is useless without the seat back "assembly." The assembly (with pad included) is only available here: http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_12&produc ts_id=1062
When it's in stock anyway; right now they're out. About $56 shipped priority.


ACK has the clip ($3 at ACK, $11 at TopKayakerShop) and seat bottom ($25). One clip is needed (it holds the seat back assembly to the deck). I bought the seat bottom, but am having second thoughts on it. It requires drilling multiple holes for plastic push-in "rivets" that hold it in place. May stick with the garden kneeling pad for a while. Installing the clip requires drilling a 1/4" hole and some stainless hardware (1" long, 1/4" dia "bolt" with large Phillips head, washers and a nut. I used a lock washer as well). I got all that from Ace for just over a buck.


Based on my experience with my Pompano, other seats will just not cut it due to the seating area design, which kills my pelvis in the back even with a really good aftermarket seat.

Noleyourrole41

Edit: sorry double post

Noleyourrole41

Farley-

Do you mind posting a picture of the mounted seat back in your Pompano? I am interested in using the WS seat back when I get my pompano in but wanted to see how it looks first. I am having trouble picturing how I would mount the seat back clip and seat back.

Thanks!

Farley

I hope this photo thing works:

This is from the front:


This is the back:


Pretty simple install, and it's really worth it. To attach the front seat straps, you have to unscrew the handle bolt closest to the seat, replace the handle strap, and then put the seat strap on last so it's closest to the yak. The interior handle nut is glued in there, so it's not gonna drop off inside the boat.

Notice that the seat assembly has a dumbell-shaped thing at the bottom; that fits in the obvious indentation in the yak. The clip goes in its likely indentation and holds the seat assembly in place. That's pretty easy to install as well.

I hope this helps. I wish I had this information before, or soon after, buying the Pompano. It would have saved me some money and aggrevation. If I'd known beforehand I would have bought the Pescador with seat included instead.

Noleyourrole41

Thanks that actually helps a lot. I was really interested in putting a WS Ride big back seat in the pompano but it appears that the the way the indentation on the pompano gets narrower the ride bb seat wouldn't be able to fold down.

Good Answer!

Thanks! That is the picture I needed to see. Do you know anywhere that has the seat back kit in stock?