Review Detail

A couple weeks ago I began watching videos and reading reviews on the Old Town Predator 13.  The features I had come to enjoy in a kayak were imcorporated into this boat - less bungees on the deck, a battery bag up front in the hull, the quick lock front hatch, a low center console, OK Tetra rod pod cover, access to the hull, paddle cradles, and the comfy hi-lo seat.  Other features I liked, replaceable mounting plates for gear, a sloped wide open floor from back to front, side pockets on either side of the seat and a hull design focused on stability.

Like all of us, our minds begin racing with ideas on how to rig it.  However, first I had to take it out on the water - so Shilo and I took a quick trip to Bodega Bay.  

It was a calm day, easy launch off the beach and paddle out past sea lion island.  At first it was a little more work to paddle and at times there was a desire for the old trusty rudder I had become accustomed to on my other kayaks.  It did not take long to adapt and the rest of our venture was paddled with ease.  Before we left the winds and chop picked up - finally a chance to test it's stability in moderate conditions.  I took some chop head on and the sharp hull sliced through the waves.  I grinned as I reflected on the days I paddled my OK T13, splashing water over the bow - fun!  Then I turned parallel to the waves as that would be a true test of stability.  As the waves hit the sides of the boat - not once - did I feel as though she was going to tip.  All the way back to shore I rocked back and forth, sometimes leaning 45 degrees - not a problem in this boat.  Had conditions been worse, I'm confident my first impressions would have been equally enjoyable.

What I came to like about the boat right away was the roominess.  My thighs used to touch the sides of the boat and center hatch in my OK T13.  My Jackson Cuda 14 had more room than the OK T13, but the center hatch was still high.  In the OT P13, more room, low hatch and high sides; you feel as though you are down in the boat and settled in the water vs. riding high and on top of the water.  With my legs fully extended there was still plenty of room forward of my feet and the adjustable pedals could go farther forward for those with longer legs.  I began reaching around to get a feel for where to place things.  I realized there were several options for the FF and decided it would mount in the first hole just beyond the cup holder - an easy reach while still leaving a lot of deck space.  Reaching to the rear I decided on some RAM Tubes forward on the rear mounting plates which would leave enough room for an easy reach and retrieval of the tackle box behind the seat without knocking into things.  As for the rod holder, it will be forward on the mounting plates closest to the seat.