Well what can I say, this is a NEW Prowler, lots of changes, about the only thing that is related to the previous Prowlers is the name… This is a ground up design which according to Ocean Kayak has taken over 18 months and close to $100,000, all done here in NZ “Designed by kayak fishermen for serious kayak fishing”

I’ll start at the front and work backwards through the whole kayak…

Even from the bow you’ll notice something new, the old toggle type lifting handle has now been replaced by a solid handle, no more snagging your line…

You’ll also see in the picture above there is a small flat section to add your GPS or VHF aerial.

Moving back we come to the hatch, this is a standard Prowler hatch, the Ultra will be shipped with the standard neoprene hatch seal, to close the hatch you’ll see there is a new four-way buckle, this is an Ocean Kayak designed item and makes for a much better fitting system.

Before you get into the cockpit there is a small bungy set up for securing any gear on deck.

In the photo above you will also see you have a standard Scotty rod holder mount and the new flat section allows for two more flush fitting rod holders if you want to fit them later. In front of the Scotty mount you’ll find the transducer access scupper. Also on either side of the foot wells you have two small areas that can be used for storage, these are scuppered.

Now the bit you have all been waiting for, the cockpit…

Yes that’s right you are seeing a fishing kayak, what do you mean “where’s the fish finder?”. Time to introduce the multi-function hatch cover… Time to turn it over…

Ah there you go, time to go fishing!

The hatch cover is double sided you lift, rotate, and place back down! One side for safe surf entry and exit one side for the serious stuff, so yes that does mean there is a well inside and yes it is sealed.

Plenty of room in here for a truck load of gear, place for up to two 7Ah batteries, this is where you will also get access to the optional rod tube, the rod tube goes back under the seat all the way to the stern, will take a couple of eight foot rods.

There are two more rod holders on the sides of the cockpit too, great place to drop you rod in while rigging up or unhooking your fish.

There is also storage areas under your legs fort a couple of small boxes, good for softbaits.

The side handles have also been replaced by flush mounted solid handles.

The seating area has been raised, to keep you dryer. The standard seat on the Prowler Ultra 4.7 will be the Deluxe Comfort Seat.

Behind the seat there is a new well, which can with an optional kit be converted into a live bait well, and the two rear rod holders.

The kit comes with cover, manual bilge pump, and scupper bung for the unused scupper, the well is symmetrical so the pump can be fitted to either side to suit the paddler. Of course if you are not interested in a live bait well this area can be used to store your gear or your anchor.

Moving further back we now have the BIG WELL, yep this is BIG, 1.1m long, bring one those big fish!

And for all those old Swing owners who miss their pods for putting your fish in, take a look at this…

That’s a full roto-molded foam insulated fish bin, roughly sixty litres, and only weighs in at around 5kg. The opening hinge is reversible so will suit left or right handers.

Nearly finished, the rear lifting toggle has also been replaced with another solid handle.

And finally the rudder, this is the standard Prowler rudder we are all used to.

Well that’s the top, now lets look at the hull, the hull has also been re-designed, the bow has been narrowed and flared giving much more lift and keeping the ride drier as the kayak will ride over the waves and chop and shed water.

The hull has retained the tri-formed hull for stability and tracking but much harder and fuller chines have been added. The Transducer scupper is retained but will now take the Humminbird Sideimaging transducer out of the box.

One final change to the hull is at the stern where there is now a sacrificial wear strip.

Specifications:
Weight: 35kg (unruddered)
Length: 4.7m
Capacity: 250kg+
Width: 74cm

Pricing:
Standard Prowler Ultra 4.7 kayak with rudder: $2599
Rod Tube kit: $99
Live Bait Tank kit: $129
Ice box storage pod: $399

Availability:
Will be available nationwide from November 30th – if you want one before the holidays I’d suggest you talk to your dealer sooner rather than later…

So all that out of the way, I then took it for a paddle… This test paddle was done on Lake Pupuke, in Auckland.

This is a different kayak, you are not just getting in another Prowler, I paddle a Prowler Elite on a weekly basis, this boat is faster (apparently 15% faster), and although you sit higher in this kayak it seems more stable, way more stable, probably from the filled in chines. I was able to lean further out in this than my Elite before it got tippy. The biggest thing I did notice though was how quiet the hull is, the slap had gone, may be it was the lake factor, so I jumped in an Elite and yep there it was…

The cockpit is a better layout, will be good to see how it works in a real fishing situation, the hatch was easy to un-clip and flip over, everything seems to be within reach and no concerns turning around or sitting side saddle but again this was a lake…

I have requested a full sea trial and will post that review as soon as I can secure access to a kayak for a weekend, fingers crossed this weekend…

Source: Steven @  www.kayakfishingnz.com