Previous episode: https://www.reddit.com/r/kayakfishing/comments/1m671nd/4th_outing_and_i_think_the_predator_13_will_have/
Ok so the Predator 13 is on the dry dock waiting for a replacement of the rear rod holders and for the central hatch seal to be re-glued. I'm between the seal and the rod holders for how so much water came in last time. One worrying, the other quite worrying.
It will also receive scupper plugs and a water foot pump, if it doesnt work fine with those mods I will get rid of it.
Yesterday we had a nice evening and I decided to go out and try the guests kayak: A very beaten up, old, bent, scratched, Perception Kiwi 2. This thing is the granddady of the current Wilderness Pamlico 135T. I bought it from a river descent rental for just 100bucks (euros really but you know) so my brother would have a boat to come kayaking with me when he visits.
First thing, this is about 12kg (like 26lb) lighter than my Predator 13. Its easier to load, unload, transport, etc and I can even grab it by the cockpit border and lift it in the air, could probably transport it a few meters likewise with some effort, but lifting it to the roof bars alone…I'm not that strong. I use an assisting tool that sticks to the rear of the car with suction cups and has a couple foam rollers to push the kayak up or down.
So after putting it in the water and sitting inside… it felt pretty good! It was quite easier to move than the Predator 13… felt lighter as in how it cuts the water or moves through it…easy to start moving, easy to gather some speed, was faster and less tiring, easier to turn…its not just those 12kg, its how it moves in the water, or maybe that you are basically sitting on the bottom of the boat. It doenst feel like just weight, but how it floats or cuts water. The thing is basically a big plastic bucket but hey it did move fine.
I went against mid winds and tidal currents and I suffered maybe half than I would have in the Predator. Theres a little atol in the middle of the bay, I had never gone that far but it seemed like a good spot to be protected from the wind and currents. What i did was fitting a heavy jig between the rocks and using the jigging rod as an anchor to keep my position haha. It worked. Yes I will get a real anchor soon….
The seat is OK, at first its fine, it has a low backrest enough for your kidneys but after a couple hours in the water you start wanting more…some higher support, some cushion…definitely an area of improvement. You can remove it completely and adapt a better chair, and by that I mean that I will try to fit the "Element" chair from the Predator 13 in there hahaha. Thats an amazing chair.
Also it lacks from foot support so you are sitting there basically on the deck with your legs straight and trying to find somewhere to rest your feet. DIY can be done with the central spine bar, and it has 2 rails on the front for the tandem position, without footrests though. The current model from Wilderness (and equivalent from the other family brands) has footrests and a padded seat with a higher back. But has lost the central spine which I find very useful for tying your fishing gear or strapping stuff. I think it still has the 2 side bars which are also super useful for this.
Gear wise, very comfortable, just throw a large bag with all your stuff on the back, once in destination put it between your legs, plenty of space to put more things. You can put the butt of your rods on the deck and rest them on the front of the cockpit, or even store them inside (I have a 2m/6ft rod that fits just fine), tie to the side bar, put on the side of the seat…good options here for homemade solutions that will work and be comfortable.
There was some chop but in general its a dry ride. I had a sponge for that little water that gathers in the middle, but will get a proper pump soon.
During my fishing I discovered a crack on the right side of the boat, and some water was coming through it. I'm not sure if its new due to thightening the car straps too much or if it was already there and my brother didnt notice just because he is around 40kg/90lb lighter than me, and water for him was lower than the crack. For me some water would come in from waves sent by boats and wind, and as it gathered more and more water, the crack ended under the water line and with a constant slow leak.
I did 2/3rds of the way back drifting with the wind and current, while trying to fish something (fishing here is really hard). Lost 2 small 20-25g jigs that got stuck in rocks or something. And by the end that last 1/3rd with the kayak full of water it had a hard time staying straight, was much harder to control, and to move in general. The tidal current was still there pushing me on my way back, and the wind.
In the end it felt like maybe 30L of water? so we can say it will hold around 200kg (440lbs) but not super well. Its max capacity is 500lbs/225kg.
So, back to the workshop, repairs needed, more lessons learnt, ideas about how to adapt it better for my use…and in the future, how to make open-sea-proof. In general it was a nice day, no fish caught but thats another story.
I have to say that price vs amount of fun, this blue plastic bucket has no rival!
And that if you are a very heavy guy like me, yeah those Wilderness Pamlico 135T and 145T are very good starting points, they will work for you!
Posted by Khali_FC