Either one would make a good boat for you, I would think. The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 ($675; www.wildernesssystems.com) is a cute little sit-on-top 12-footer that’s designed to be very stable and easy to manage. The short hull won’t be great at tracking a straight line, but it’s maneuverable and good in tight quarters, such as smaller rivers or inlets. A compartment with hatch up front and a bungee-covered “trunk” in back hold all sorts of gearenough for an overnighter.
Prowler 13
The Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 ($750; www.oceankayak.com) is just a touch longer (it’s also available in a 15-foot length). It’s designed for fishing, with easy to use paddle keepers that hold the paddles when you’re holding a pole, and even a tray for your tackle box. Overall, a nice little number.
As sit-on-tops, these boats are really designed for calm lakes and rivers. However, they’ll certainly be reasonable choices for close-in ocean fishing under good conditions. You could use them in many bays along the Pacific Coast, as well as off beaches when the surf is low. I live just a half-mile from Washington’s Strait of Juan de Fuca, and there are a million places around here where such a boat would be great fun. Just keep in mind, they’re not ocean-going touring boats.
Ready to pull some tricks on that local Class IV? Check out the top whitewater kayaks reviewed in Outside‘s
2005 Buyer’s Guide
.