The Old Town Predator 13 Fishing Kayak Tested and Reviewed
We cannot believe the number of high-quality features that this kayak has for the price tag. It boasts many great features such as an adjustable padded comfort flex seat, thigh pads, and adjustable foot braces.
Moreover, this kayak is extremely durable and one of the safest fishing kayaks on the market.
There are, of course, downsides to most purchases and with the Predator, it is the amount of standing room that could cause an issue.
What to Consider when Buying a Fishing Kayak
Whatever kayak you choose to buy you will be making a decent investment. You want to be sure that you are getting the best value for your investment.
Choosing the right kayak for your needs starts with reviewing the considerations below to determine where you are on the endless spectrum of choices:
- Skill level
- Sit-on-top vs. Sit-in kayaks
- Type of construction
- Stability vs. Speed
- Intended use
- Outfitting
- Sponsons
- Cost
The Old Town Predator 13 Fishing Kayak Review
The Old Town Predator is one of the best fishing kayaks on the market and we hope that this review will give you an insight into its capabilities and restrictions. Read on to see if the Predator kayak is the right choice for you and your next angling expedition.
We cannot believe the number of high-quality features that this kayak has for the price tag. It boasts many great features such as an adjustable padded comfort flex seat, thigh pads, and adjustable foot braces.
The pay off for all of these great features is that there is little standing room, mainly due to the console in the middle of the kayak, which can be an issue for some. The only other major downside is that this kayak comes out on the heavy side as 86 pounds.
Specifications
| Length | 13’2″ |
| Width | 33.5″ |
| Weight | 86 lbs |
| Type | Sit on top |
| Capacity | 425 lbs |
| Rigged for fishing | Yes |
| Propulsion | Paddle |
Pros
- A 13’2” length and a width of 33.5” the Predator is both stable and fast
- Height adjustable seat
- Good foot braces
- Good paddle keeper
- Great dry storage space
- Option to have Scotty bar to steady the kayak for superior balance
Cons
- The length causes issues with maneuverability
- Heavy and difficult to move
- Limited standing room
- Position of the console
- No anchor trolly.
Size and Weight
The Old Town Predator kayak has an overall capacity of 425 pounds and is great for anglers on the large side and who take a lot of equipment on their fishing trips.
If you are used to going on long expeditions and taking a lot of equipment then the capacity should not be an issue. We often hear from taller anglers how small some kayaks can be, but there should be no problem for those who have long legs with this kayak.
Coming in at 86 pounds it is relatively heavy compared to some other fishing kayaks and those who are not very strong will need to find support when moving about and putting on to the roof of your car.
Design
The Predator paddles through the water easily due to a sharp bowline and a molded skeg that aids tracking. Often when kayaks travel quickly and have a good ability to track, the stability is compromised, but not with the Predator.
The size of this kayak is breathtaking to look at as the streamlined image of this kayak standing in the river is very impressive indeed. We know that style is not everything, but sometimes you just spot a kayak that looks good and it can give you a buzz.
The kayak enjoys the Element Seating System that can be adjusted to 3 positions, Travel, Attack and Stand-Up.
As you would guess, the 1st position is for when you are gliding through the water, the second is for when you need to move about and stand up to get your catch and the third is for poling and sight casting. Whatever position you are in the chair is very comfortable and we are very impressed by its design.
A scupper hole is present and you secure your fish electronics without any need to amend the hull. Despite the addition of the rail, there is still a lot of room, although as mentioned in the introduction there is not quite as much standing room as we would like.
There is no storage in the hull and whilst it does have a console, this means that there is a lack of space to walk about the kayak. There is a molded paddle rest that acts as a temporary space to put your equipment, a design feature that we like a lot. You could argue that there is no real requirement for this feature, but sometimes you don’t know how good something is until it is actually there.
Kayaks are not all about aesthetics, the design features need to work for anglers. The clever seat adjustments and foot braces are just some of the small things that make a difference to some people. These features may seem trivial but when you think of the varying sizes of anglers, you can think about how a few inches of extra room can be beneficial.
One aspect of the Predator kayak that we really like is the Orbix day hatch that can be found in front of the seat and gives anglers a good amount of storage space to keep your essentials dry.
The design is the most contentious area when it comes to choosing as kayak as it is where personal preferences come in, as all anglers want different things. If modern trends and fancy design features are your things, then this may not be the model for you, but if you like your kayaks simple, then you cannot go wrong with this kayak.
Features
This kayak has a good rod retainer system that features rod tip protectors so that you can store your equipment throughout the day and organize them all to suit your needs.
The Predator also features 6 adjustable mounted plates attached to the gunwales rather than the standard Slide Trax rails that most modern kayaks have.
The Predator features a large cockpit opening that has a rim so that you can add a spray skirt and an area where you can attach a console for extra storage and places to put your paddle, electronic equipment, and camera attachments.
For additional storage, there is a large space in the bow for all of your dry storage needs and there is ample room for coolers and bait.
The Predator’s stability is due to the pontoon-type hull design, which is becoming popular in the new generation of stand-up kayaks. The Predator is definitely not flimsy!
There is plenty of dry storage space, as we mentioned earlier and there will be no problem finding room for your cool box. The only compromise on all of this storage is that the standing room is very limited.
A lot of the features of this kayak are great, some very unique even, so we think that the price tag is quite reasonable and would be a wise investment for an experienced angler who is looking for innovative features.
Summary
Overall, this is a very innovative fishing kayak that enjoys strong design features and it performs as well as it looks. There is plenty of storage space and the team has really thought about the little things, like camera holders and extra room for live bait, which is all great stuff.
However, the downsides are that there is relatively little standing room, which can be a problem for some anglers, especially those on the large side. The weight of the kayak is also an issue with us, as you would struggle to move it long distances on your own.
That said, these are all personal thoughts and we are well aware that some people are prepared to sacrifice the standing room issue and will always have people to help load and unload their kayak.
If you do decide to buy this kayak, you will have considered the negatives we have pointed out and made an informed personal choice. We do not think that you will be disappointed with your purchase and we are sure you will have many happy years of fishing in this kayak.
