My Review of the Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7

Designed and made in NZ by Ocean Kayak, Distributed in Australia by BLA

Kayak Length : 4.7 M
Kayak Width : .74 M
Kayak Weight : 35KG
Kayak Capacity : 250 KG+
Material : Polyethylene construction

Colours Available : Camo, Mango Flame

Recommended Retail Price : $2495

Std Inclusions
Deluxe Comfort Seat, 2 x Rear Flush Mounted Rod Holders, Paddle holder(both sides), OK Rudder System, Built in Side lifting handles, Replaceable Wear Strip, Moulded in Serial Number, Recessed Deck Fittings, Front and Rear built in lifting handles, Large and deep rear well, Multi Function Reversible Hatch Cover, Centre Hatch, Live Bait tank or storage area for anchor system, 2 x Flush Mounted Gunwale Rod Holders, Moulded In Screw Inserts for fitting of accessories, Bungee for storage of Equipment on forward deck, Cross Lock Buckle System for Front Hatch, Flat Area for mounting of VHF or GPS antenna, Mounting plate for Scotty/Cannon Rod Holder.

Optional Extras
Icebox Storage Pod, Rod Tube Kit, Live Bait Tank Cover and Pump Kit, C-Tug Trolley, Kayakers Safety Light, Anchor Running Rig, Drift Shute, Fish Finder Kit.

Added Electronics and Accessories
I have installed a Humminbird 798ci Fishfinder/GPS Combo to the kayak.
I have also installed the OK Anchor Running Rig and a Scotty Rod Mount and 2 x DIY rod leashes.

Pro's
Extremely Stable, I reckon this kayak is more Stable than the Prowler 13. Tracks well with excellent speed and incredible glide - I could get it to around 9 KPH and I'm no paddling superstar but it cruises at around 5.5 to 6 kph at a steady paddle rate. A dry ride(Dam, estuary, River), rudder steers it precisely. Transducer Scupper - with the addition of the optional Transducer Scupper Kit designed to fit the Humminbird range of sounders. The Double sided hatch lid is a extremely functional, allowing you to fit the electronics to one side of the hatch cover and then have the ability to turn it 180 degrees for a safe and secure location when entering surf type conditions. The rear well is huge and if you are a catch and kill fisher person that fishes regularly offshore it would be well suited - with the addition of the optional icebox storage pod it would be even better. The livebait well just behind the seat would be good for someone who does a lot of live baiting with the ability to hold livies on board. The optional extra rod tube will allow 2 fully rigged rods to be stored on board inside the yak, additional rods could be stored with the reels removed for the rods. Storage areas - If you weren't to use the livewell the purpose it was made for this would be an ideal area to use as anchor/drift shute storage. There is also some storage wells in front of the foot wells, handy for accessories but I found it a great spot for my crocs and water bottles. Near the seated area there is also some sunken areas for small tackle boxes.

Con's
The Scotty rod mount is too far forward, I can't even reach it but with the addition of a Scotty's angled rod extension(#459) this problem would be fixed, I have one on order. Although I loaded it OK with the aid of my loader bars on my roof racks some people may find it excessively heavy at 35KG+

Ability to customise
Customising is a breeze with lots of the brass inserts that will take a 5mm screw all over the yak that will allow you to customise this yak without the need to drill holes. Cannon or Scotty rod holders could be mounted as I have done in the allocated spot forward of the central hatch, as mentioned the brass inserts are located in the necessary spots to customise the kayak, for instance the anchor trolley kit was just a matter of tightening the 4 screws into the inserts that were located at either end of the kayak. There is a flattened circular area at the front of the kayak to mount a GPS/VHF antenna if required.


Overview
I find I enjoy fishing from this kayak, even though its designed to be well suited for offshore conditions I think it is a great all round kayak, suited for Offshore, Bays, Rivers, estuaries and lakes. And for my style of fishing such as impoundment fishing it is a good platform to fish from. As I can travel great distances in an impoundment to find the schools of fish it gets me there quick. The central hatch is what really turns me on, the ability to store tackle and accessories within arms reach is sensational, I can store up to 3 plano trays close at hand as well as other accessories, camera and dry bag. Also the feature where I can turn the hatch lid 180 degrees to hide my sounder bracket away is great for a fast pack up as It is when setting up. Although some might say it is a little heavy I can put up with it as the positives far outweigh the negatives that you may hold for the weight issue.

Rating : 9/10