Ocean Kayaks
Ocean Kayaks is a leading manufacturer of sit-on-top kayaks. These
type of kayaks are great for beginners just learning to paddle
(there's no fear of capsizing and not being able to wet exit), and
they also make terrific platforms for fishing, scuba diving,
photography, surfing, touring, and all around recreational use.
They're also easy to get in and out of, even in fairly rough and
choppy water. In simple terms, the learning curve on a sit-on-top
kayak is much shorter than with conventional boats.
If
you're not familiar with sit-on-top kayaks, they have a farily
conventional hull shape, but the paddler sits on top of the boat
rather than inside the hull. Most of these boats are rotomolded
plastic, which makes them relatively inexpensive (and of course
heavier than kevlar and other, more expensive hull materials).
Paddlers who own Ocean Kayaks are a very devoted bunch
overall, and many we talk to have owned several O.K. boats over
the years. The Ocean Kayaks sit-on-tops tend to be very stable,
forgiving even in adverse conditions, and have plenty of storage
space for all kinds of gear. They're also comfortable and very
durable even under the harshest conditions.
There are a few
negatives with these boats, of course, as there are with all
kayaks, but unhappy O.K. owners tend to be in the minority.
Ocean Kayaks -
The company
Ocean
Kayaks has been making sit-on-top kayaks since 1971, and quickly
made a name for itself as a leader in the industry. Ocean Kayak is
a division of Old Town Canoe Company, which is part of the large
Johnson Outdoors, Inc. family of companies. Johnson Outdoors is a
global company that designs and manufacters a wide range of
outdoor recreation products, including Old Town Canoes and Kayaks,
Ocean Kayaks, Necky Kayak, Dimension Kayaks, and more.
Ocean Kayaks - the
boats
The
Ocean Kayak sit-on-top kayaks are split into three major lines --
the Classic line, the Sports line, and the Angler Editions
(intended primarily for fishing.
The Classic line includes the Kea, Yak Board, Frenzy, Scrambler, and Scupper Pro TX. These are some of O.K.s most popular boats, and they come with all the “classic” features like molded in seat wells and foot wells.
The Sports line,
which includes the Sports Singles - Big Yak, Venus 10, Venus 11,
Scrambler XL, Caper, Drifter, Prowler 13, and the Prowler 15. And
the Sports Tandems - Malibu Two XL, Zest Two EXP, and Sidekick.
These boats tend to be faster, more maneuverable, and they come
with seat backs and side-mounted carrying handles along with many
standard Ocean Kayak features
And finally the Anger
Editions, which include the Caper angler, Drifter angler,
Scrambler XT angler, and Prowler 15 Angler. These kayaks are
designed for fishing, and come with special features including
angler graphics, and flush mounted rod holders and plenty of
storage space for all your angling gear. These tend to be very
stable boats, great for casting, even standing up.
Pros And Cons
As with any brand of kayak, there are strong points and not so strong points with Ocean kayaks. But keep in mind that what may be a strength to one paddler, could be a weakness to another.
On the positive side, Ocean Kayak owners report that their boats are faster than expected, track well, and are very stable (you really have to work to capsize one of these boats). They also have tons of deck space, which make them great for camping or scuba diving, and the angling models are well equipped for fishing. The rotomold hulls, while a little on the heavy side, are very rugged and hold up for years under very heavy use (a lot of outfitters use these boats as rentals, and they get used almost on a daily basis).
The negatives we've heard are the usual complaints about "oil canning" of the hulls when loaded on and off car carriers. Some paddlers also found the O.K. boats a little hard to paddle in wind and chop. There were also a few complaints about comfortable footing in the models that have molded-in foot braces.
These complaints aside, the Ocean Kayak owners we've heard from are a generally satisfied bunch. If you're looking for a fishing or general recreational kayak that's easy on beginners and has lots of storage space, it's hard to go wrong with an O.K. sit-on-top boat.
Top
Ocean Kayaks For 2010
Ocean
Scrambler 11
The Scrambler comes with a stable and efficient Tri-Form Hull.
The hull responds well in ocean swells and surf. It also tracks
well on flat water making it an excellent choice for the paddler
who wants to do everything from kayak surfing to fishing to a
casual day paddle. Over fifteen years of proven ability, the
Scrambler 11 continues to be the kayak of choice for paddlers
wanting versatility combined with fun.
Ocean Mysto
The Ocean Kayak Mysto Sit-On-Top Kayak comes with a Comfort Plus
seat back. The Mysto has a sleek, stable hull with a skeg for
quick, agile turns. Clip the padded seat back to this kayaks
deck rigging, adjust the straps to your liking, and shove off
into the salt water.
Ocean
Prowler Trident 13 Angler
Ocean Kayak's Prowler Trident 13 Angler sit-on-top kayak hits
the perfect balance of speed, maneuverability, performance and
stability--especially in breaking surf and rough seas. A
down-sized version of the feature-packed Prowler Trident 15
providing the same great features in a shorter easier to
maneuver and store package. The Prowler Trident 13 Angler
features the couch-like Comfort Plus seat back, the Rod Pod for
easy access to rods stored inside the hull.
