OK Prowler or Cobra Tourer?

[Renegade360]

That's what I'm down to. I'm looking for a fast boat that tracks well, has a tank well, & good storage, is relatively light to transport on top of a SUV. Will be fishing salt mostly in water less than 4 ft for Redfish/Snook/Trout, but will have to paddle at least 2 miles each way. Will probably double as a everglades camping/fishing boat. I'm 6ft, 225 (now, those holidays killed me)

I tried out three boats this weekend, a Prowler 15, Tarpon 160, & Perception bimini. The Perception was horrible. It didn't track worth a crap. The tarpon 160 was nice, It tracked like a bullet, but was .5 MPH slower than the Prowler and more difficult to turn. According to the GPS, I cruised at 3.5mph. The Prowler tracked well, and I cruised at 4.0mph and could sprint to 5.0mph with a crappy rental paddle.

All that I think is left is the Cobra Tourer. Any comments on this boat compared to the Prowler 15 or Suggestions on other boats that may work for me?

Thanks

[Renegade360]

That's what I'm down to. I'm looking for a fast boat that tracks well, has a tank well, & good storage, is relatively light to transport on top of a SUV. Will be fishing salt mostly in water less than 4 ft for Redfish/Snook/Trout, but will have to paddle at least 2 miles each way. Will probably double as a everglades camping/fishing boat. I'm 6ft, 225 (now, those holidays killed me)

I tried out three boats this weekend, a Prowler 15, Tarpon 160, & Perception bimini. The Perception was horrible. It didn't track worth a crap. The tarpon 160 was nice, It tracked like a bullet, but was .5 MPH slower than the Prowler and more difficult to turn. According to the GPS, I cruised at 3.5mph. The Prowler tracked well, and I cruised at 4.0mph and could sprint to 5.0mph with a crappy rental paddle.

All that I think is left is the Cobra Tourer. Any comments on this boat compared to the Prowler 15 or Suggestions on other boats that may work for me?

Thanks

[JonS]

360 http://www.candlepowerforums.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink2.gif

I'm very familar with both kayaks. I personally prefer the layout of the Tourer and the performance of the Prowler. The Prowler also has significantly more secondary stability.

[diverden]

Renegade, I fish the flats here in Charlotte Harbor & Pine Island Sound with the Prowler. You can't beat it. Makes good time paddling the three miles over to Black Key and handles the chop in the Harbor quite nicely. Also very easy to step off of when you need to stretch your legs or go retrieve your line from a mangrove branch.
With a little practice and a decent paddle you'll top 6MPH.

[Buttonwood Bob]

I have a Prowler 15'+ and love it...and that said, I was very impressed by a new SOT Wilderness bonefish 14' 31" beam. Really sleek, but so is my Prowler. If anyone has tried the Bonefish, I'd/we'd like to hear your thoughts.

Bob

[JonS]

WS bonefish?

[Renegade360]

Just Paddled the Tourer. Here are my thoughts compared to the Prowler. No Rudder on both.

Speed & tracking are similar.

Stability I also believe Initial Stability are similar. I Stood up on the Tourer and was a little wobbly, but feel that with a little practice & a calm area, It would be no problem to fish. I didn't attempt to stand on the Prowler, but feel the results would be similar.

Secondary I don't think the Tourer has much, but I didn't find the breaking point http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I really didn't test the Prowler either so I will rely on Jons' opinion.

Floatation, No fear of sinking the center hatch on the Tourer, water was at least 2-3 inches below in the foot wells sitting still. The Prowler was about 1/2 inch from being covered.

Storage, hands down no comparison. The Tourer spanks the Prowler.

Hull Slap. The Prowler wins hear, but the hull slap on the Tourer wasn't severe even paddleing into the wind. Sitting still, it was barely noticable.

Rudder, I don't care for the exposed rudder lines on the tourer nor do I like the rudder controls. But It can't get any less maintenance free for salt water. Jon, if you read this, can an internal rudder work on the Tourer? No experience with Prowler rudder.

To Sum it up, for the inshore/bay fishing & camping I'm going to be doing. The Tourer is the winner. If I were going to be going offshore mostly, I'd probably pick the Prowler and use the scupper plugs to keep away the wrinkled butt syndrome.

[fishnmusicn]

I've owned and paddled both, and chose the Tourer over the Prowler because of the superior storage and layout on top of the Tourer, and more room to extend my legs and feet - that was my main peeve with the Prowler.
When I had the Prowler, I found myself missing the Tourer and now that I have my Tourer back, I don't miss the Prowler all that much. I still prefer the Tourer.
That being said, the Prowler is a smoother paddling kayak, especially in rougher conditions. I would recommend that anyone interested in a Tourer give it a good paddle and then decide.
Fishnmusicn

[JonS]

I don't know about the rudder lines on the Tourer. It should be easy to run them internally, since the access is excellent if you get the rear "A" hatch. I'd probably still need to use the toe pilots and possibly the rear rudder but I could internalize the cables. I don't have one here to look at. We're presently expanding and I would have one come Spring. I returned your email with some questions. I forgot to ask which color you're looking for as they may have some in the PA warehouse.