Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15
Ocean Kayak Reviews Saturday, January 26th, 2008
| Value For Money |  |
| Stability | |
| Suitability As A Fishing Kayak | |
| Speed (Ability To Cut Through Tide Etc) | |
| Weight (Ie For Transport/Carrying) |  |
| Overall Rating | |
THE NEW PROWLER TRIDENT 15™
Here’s a boat that’s got the fishing forums buzzing – it’s the all new Prowler Trident™ 15 from Ocean Kayak. As you’d expect from the world’s leading manufacturer of sit-on-tops every last detail has been considered in this exciting new design. To get it just right Ocean Kayak flew in professional kayak anglers from all over the world and asked them for a wish list for the definitive fishing kayak. The result is a sit-on-top packed with features and unlike anything else on the market. Her performance hull combines stability and speed to make her arguably the fastest kayak in the Ocean Kayak line. The Comfort Plus™ seat back will be appreciated by any kayak fisherman as will the Rod Pod™ which allows you to store your fishing rods from a seated position, or stow your catch. Another feature which is sure to prove very popular with anglers is the first ever Sonar Shield™. This provides storage for a fish finder in an enclosed pod when it’s not being used and the cover then acts as shield to protect the fish finder when it is operational. As well as sheltering the unit from waves, the shield makes the screen easier to see in strong sunlight. The Trident™ also has a transducer compatible scupper hole and an optional battery bag. The roomy cockpit allows for a longer leg capacity and has moulded in foot wells. The oversized tank well can be used to stow a large fishing crate or be used for live bait. Additional storage comes from the large Pro™ hatch which is secured by the four point Cross Lock™ strapping system. The Trident™ is 15’ 7.5” (4.8m) long, 29” (73.7cm) wide and weighs 60lbs (27.2kg). Added volume behind the seat area gives a greater load carrying capacity with a maximum weight of 500-550 lbs (227-250kg). Prices are projected to start at under £700 and options include a Rudder System or the Angler Package. A wide variety of colours is available.
Last 5 Posts In Ocean Kayak Reviews Category
- UK Kayak Fishing - July 20th, 2010
- Malibu Two - May 29th, 2010
- Kayak Anchor Trolley - March 29th, 2010
- Ocean Kayaks - Prowler Trident 13 - March 29th, 2010
- Ocean Kayak Ultra 4.7 The New Kid On The Block - March 21st, 2010
Just like Christmas, a parcel, all wrapped up, was lying on the floor for my attention. A 15ft long parcel. A couple of minutes later and this was all on the floor around it and I got my first real view of a Trident. It was love at first sight! Initial thoughts were that it looked solid, purposeful and well thought out. Closer examination brought out even more extra details and I realised that it wasn’t another kayak that had been turned into an angler edition by merely adding some flush mounts but something that had actually been designed for the sole purpose of being used for chasing fish all day long, comfortably, ergonomically, safely and thoughtfully. It just looked ‘right’. Once safely strapped to my roof bars it was time to see how it handled being driven as I took it home on the dual carriageway, slowly increasing in speed to 70mph or so – steady as a rock, no flexing or additional noise. It passed the first test and I’d happily go on a decent run with it on the roof.
Back home I grabbed a C-Tug, a PFD and my camera and unstrapped it from the roofbars, proper reviewing starts here.
Immediately noticeable was the weight – officially 1.8kg more than the Prowler 15 Anglers I’m used to, weighing in at 27.2 KG’s (60lbs instead of 54lbs in old money). I’m no nine-stone weakling but no weight-lifter either and I’d say that the average man in the street would be quite able to car top it solo, but it’d take effort. That said, the load balance seemed better spread than the 15 and it was easy enough to manoeuvre.
Once on the C-Tug and tightened up I took hold of the rear toggle handle and began to haul it down to the beach. Again, the extra weight was clearly noticeable but at no time did it become a struggle. Here I took heed of the first change in the fixtures. The toggles aren’t attached to their own point as on the 15 but instead go through the two holes and around a shock-cord deckline. This has the effect of pulling tight any slack and thus making the pulling of the kayak more steady and I would imagine it also keeps rattles down. The following photographs show what I mean, but using the forward toggle:
On the way down to the beach I liked that, and found it well thought-out and useful. I changed my mind, however, on the way back when I used the front toggle to pull it home. SO different. Maybe it’s tighter pressure on the shock-cord or something but it was uncomfortable for me. This was compounded by having the drain plug in the way as well and by the time I’d returned home I had changed my tune completely. It was no major job to undo the various fixtures and cords and re-thread them though and I now have the toggles hanging loosely with the bungee pulled tight – and the pressure on the toggle will be the same with or without extra’s placed under the bungees. Incidentally, the drain plug appears to be made from a stronger and more hard-wearing plastic than that on my 15.
Once at the beach I unloaded and dragged it into position without the trolley. It moves easily enough on wet sand.
The rear quarter and a view of the rudder fixings and rear bungee area
A side view which draws attention to the more angular look of the moulding than on the Prowler 15:
Starting from the front you have the drain plug and toggle handle, both already mentioned:
Next comes the forward hatch which is of a less flexible and more sturdy feel than that on the 15 and which feels a lot more secure ‘in-place’, giving an impression of water-tightness. It felt snug and secure.
The hatch is then secured by the crosslock buckle which is again very secure and inspires confidence. It also appeals visually and ergonomically – and doesn’t need two handed operation or 4 straps to be put into place.
Now, on the 15 there is an extra strap on the front of the hatch which secures it so it can’t fall off. OK have opted instead to put a thin cord through a small hole in the side of the hatch and tie this off to a bowline. Effective and lightweight for sure and a minor detail but it doesn’t quite match the quality of the rest of the design – it looks like an afterthought, but does the job.
But what a hatch! It’s HUGE! Until you try to put stuff in you don’t appreciate quite how different it is. I usually have to put my C-Tug in methodically to get everything to fit and balance out after stripping it down into 5 parts. The Trident will take it in 3, the two wheels went to the rear and the crossmembers and supports stayed in one piece and pushed up to the bow. This had two immediately obvious advantages over the 15. Firstly, the balance would be better as the forward pieces remained upright and wouldn’t move about loosely. Secondly, by shifting the wheels backwards the nose would be lighter and thus more buoyant. Furthermore, I still had loads of room and could easily add a buoyancy bag or dry bag full of clothes. Perhaps even both.
Next up was the sonar shield and fishfinder well. To me this is a very welcome addition – whenever I launch a wave goes over the bow and hits the back of the finder. The pressure of this is greater than that which the waterproofing is generally rated for and thus condensation becomes an issue on the screen in short order. I don’t see a problem now – the finder itself can be folded flat with the shield over the top and clipped down, streamlining everything and keeping the rear dry (ish) and away from excess pressure. The shield then flips up for actual use and still shields the back of the unit as well as reducing flare. Shock cord acts as a spring to keep it pushed down onto the finder itself too, in position and not flapping about in the wind.
More thought has been put into this too. Drainage slots are a featured part of the well and these also allow the transducer cable to run down to the transducer scupper making the addition of a hole for running the transducer inside the hull unnecessary. This is one less area for a leak and also means the transducer will give more accurate information on water temperature and optimum performance as a finder.
This is an excellent kayak. I have been the proud owner of the Trident 15 for 3 years now. Its slightly heavier than the prowler 13 but the extra length gives slightly better speed through the water. The kayak is very stable and well suited to the larger angler. At 6 foot 1 and 15 stone I have no problem with this kayak and there is plent of room for me to paddle with ease and move about the deck whilst fishing. There is plenty of storage space and the middle hatch is ideal for storing rods when coming into land. An all round excellent fishing kayak.