Reviews written by Doug M

Having been a fisherman my entire life and a kayak fisherman the last 20 plus. I have always looked for the Perfect kayak.There is not one, but there are ones that fit your needs the best.My needs are a kayak that can paddle a long distance in bad weather(chop and wind) without beating you up so badly that you are shot by the time you get to a spot 3 miles away.Has a layout that is fishing friendly as well, and I like to stand up and sight fish also which makes finding a yak even more difficult.My last 2 most used yaks out of the dozens I have fished on have been a Tarpon 16 and Heritage redfish 14 both with outriggers.
I found one that has so far been the Best for my needs.After fishing off the Raptor for 14 straight days my thoughts

THE HULL
the first thing anyone will notice about the hull is its unique shape.A very sharp entry gradually going back to dual pontoons.Gives the yak a really cool wedge shape.Looks fast sitting still.Looks like a predator..The Raptor name is appropriate.Flip it over and you notice right after the sharp entry that has chines to deflect spray down the hull goes into a concave much like a tunnel boat/catamaran that puts all the displacement to the outer edges.

SPEED
This kayak is as fast as any 13 foot fishing kayak I have fished.And it is "quiet".I hate noisy yaks.Beside spooking fish the thumping all day is annoying.
It handles wave chop very well.The nose will ramp up a bit into the chop but will cut through the bigger chop due to the sharp entry.In a strong headwind you do not feel that the yak is giving you much wind drag.

TRACKING
I am a big fan of rudders on most yaks over 12 feet.This one does not really need it.It tracks straight as an arrow but will turn really well with just a little shift in weight.This surprised me.It also does not wind cock like swede form kayaks.It will actually turn down wind slowly when you stop which is really nice for drifting.

STABILITY
Being that My 2 passions are sight fishing and photography I need a really stable kayak.Why I have had outriggers on most all my yaks.Leaning over to take a shot off the yak and ruining really expensive camera equipment can make for a really bad day.This yak rates a ten.You would have to really try to pull the yak over to flip it.The initial stability is an 8 and secondary is ten.No out riggers going on this yak.To give a comparison it is way more stable then some 36" kayaks without being the paddling tubs they are.

LAYOUT
I love the layout for fishing.There is a nice center hatch that you can throw wallet/phone/ lures/water bottle in.You could cut out the center to make a large hull access which I have done in other yaks but I feel no need to.It has a center rib for mounting tracks and the 2 sides can accept tracks as well.The center hatch is a good size and scooting up front it is is rock solid as the nose does not dive down and the yak is sooo... stable, it was strange compared to accessing other yaks front hatches,Sweet.It has bungee straps on the left and right side to quickly strap down a paddle or fishing rod.The tank well is a good size and more usable because the well is wider then long and you can reach everything in it with ease.Wells that go to far back are too difficult to reach.
The other thing you will notice is that the area you sit is narrow and makes paddling really easy without smacking your knuckles on the side of the yak like the wider ones.No need for a giant paddle. When you throw your legs over the side it the easiest of any yak I have been on.You feel like you can jump up and stand or turn around to the tank well in a heart beat.I am 6"1 and I wish the foot position was just a tad wider but for those under 6" your foot position should be fine.

PORTABILITY
because of the shape this kayak is the easiest I have ever handled.when you drag it it will not flip.Sliding it up on a roof with the 2 handles makes it a dream to move around.makes it feel lighter then it is.

CONCLUSION
For my purposes this is the best yak I have come across as a combination of speed, stability,portability and fish ability I have been on.The only 2 modifications I would make on it would be that the foot position be a bit wider for standing and the bow entry be a bit more vertical like a Hobie to prevent the slight ramping in chop. I am truly impressed with this kayak .A truly innovative design.Best overall kayak I have been on . Doug M