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Posted by WeeWilly on 22:18:36 10/01/03
Just came in from several hours with the Prowler and have some opinions.
Preface: I am 6'4" and 270#. I currently am only one of two people I know who solo fish an OK Aegean. "Plus"es of my boat: TONS of deck space, rock solid stability, ULTRA dry from the middle, almost impossible to overweight the boat and fast when laden. Minuses: no hatches (not important to me), some hull slap in chop, big and heavy for some, and the big one, if it's just me on the boat it's very hard to get it to track in a straight line (not a problem with two people or about 100# of camping gear up front) When I picked up the prowler today I met an OK rep who acknowledged the tracking issue in the Aegean without all the weight, made me fell better about my paddling skills. This singular issue coupled with the hubbub about the Prowler lead me to want to try it out.
Conditions varried from poor when I launched to terrible and un-nerving while I was out and back to poor when I decided to call it a day. Launched in 1-2.5 foot face shore break with little time between sets. Rolled on the first launch attempt (first time ever) due to a "sleeper" I missed. Preparation saved me from losing gear (and a testicle to my wife when I explained I had to buy more fishing stuff). Second launch was smooth. Once I got out past the first kelp line there was gusty winds, and a quick whitecapped swell that often obscured the horizon - perfect for a new boat trial.
First thing I noticed about the prowler - tracked like an arrow and felt just as fast. It probably wouldn't have been as impressive if my boat tracked a little better, but I was very pleased. Also almost no hull slap (I feel weird about this fact because even though it was quieter, just as much water was coming on deck as in my boat) on the way taking the swell head-on. Once I got out though, I didn't notice any other features that I was impressed with other than it did feel pretty stable. Of course we all know about the nifty layout, and it is nifty, so I'm not going to address that point. But for me specifically, there were issues.
This was a WET ride, from seat to footwells even in calmer water (Before anyone goes into the "its a wet sport" mantra... I know, but this is worth mentioning.) In addition to sitting in water, every 5th swell came right over the gunwale. These issues are definitely weight related. The other big issue I had with this boat was that I couldn't stretch out and still use the footwells. If they'd have added two more sets, it would've been fine, but as it was I had to keep about a 25-30 degree bend in my knees the whole time. This would be height related. I also really missed all my deck space.
To sum up: this is a cool boat but it does not seem to be a boat for the big boys, and I'd really hoped that it would be. My guess would be that if you are 6'-6'2" and weigh 220-230, you've about topped this boats "comfort level" out. If you're bigger or taller, forget it. If you're smaller, say in the 200# range, this would be one sweet ride. I hope this is helpful to someone. My experience today allowed me to take this boat off my "wish list" and appreciate my obscure Aegean fishing platform all the more... even if I have to zig-zag a little on the way out. I'm certainly no expert, but if you have a question about my perspective on the prowler or are a closet Aegean fisherman with questions, let me know.
Be safe. -Bill
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