TexasKayakFisherman.com est. 2000

[Big Wee]

Does anyone fish from a Cobra Navigator kayak?

Do you need a rudder on this kayak to get good tracking, or is it acceptable without one?

Looking for info, I liked the way the Cobras sat in the water in the BTB pictures. They look like they would be really dry. I'm thinking about a Cobra Escape for my wife, as she can probably load a boat of that weight. Any info on Escapes would be mucho appreciated as well.

Still looking for my first kayak...

[Electric Water Boy]

I used one to fish a tournament in California. Nice fishing yak. It does not need a rudder for tracking.

[Birdsnest]

I use a Navigator for my surf fishing. It is very stable, and tracks great. For a 12 foot boat it has a fair amount of glide. If you don't plan to be paddling long distances when you fish, it's a fantastic boat. If however, you see yourself paddling miles and miles when you go out, you may want a longer kayak.

[Brujo]

I've owned one for a few months but only used it a few times in the local Rivers and once at Braunig lake. It's got plenty of room for all my gear and easy to paddle. Can't wait to take to the coast.

[cornbread]

I think that parrothead has one he saya hes loves it

[4X4Yak]

Parrothead had a Demo Navigator and a Escape at BTB for sale. Don't know if he sold them. Good prices. Might PM him...Steve

[Night Wing]

Parrothead had to take the demo Cobra yaks back to Lone Star Kayaks in Austin. LSK loaned them to him for the BTB seminar.

[Fla-Fish]

I think that parrothead has one he saya hes loves it

Norm paddles a Cobra Fish N Dive and is testing a Cobra Mariner.
I paddle a Cobra Explorer and really like it for the surf or the bays it tracks really well without a rudder. I also have an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 for when I am going to do a long trip.

The Navigator is 12'6" long; the Explorer is 11'4" long. The same width at 31" rides the same just a little easier paddling on longer trips.

Wider = more stable, longer = easier paddling from here to there.

Cobras do sit up higher in the water than most boats, makes for a drier ride than most. If you look at the pic's from BTB most of the yaks were Cobra's for a reason. It was real cold that morning.

Big Wee
Hope this helps, PM Norm I am sure he can still put you in touch with Lonestar Kayaks in Austin.

[Bernie]

The Nav's a decent yak but it's not for folks with large upper body style.If your built that way you have to be carefull to keep youself centered or you'll go for a swim.

[ekintheuk]

BW,

I have a Navigator & Explorer, and both are exceptional fishing yaks. In fact, the reason I bought mine was because I wanted a platform versatile enough to fish past the breakers as well as in the bays. I'm 6ft / 200 lbs, and both yaks are very stable...I haven't turtled either one...including in the surf.

In terms of tracking, both due well in winds less than 15 mph. Anything over that, and the high profile of the yaks can cause problems...but then again, any kayak would have problems in winds that high. I don't think a rudder option is available for the Navigator, but I'm sure you could rig one on there if you needed to.

If you like the Cobra line, and you're planning on fishing the bay systems around Lake Jackson, you might want to wait until the Cobra Mariner hits the market, or contact Parrothead about a test drive of his. Here's a link to his review of the Mariner:

http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/foru ... hp?t=35431

In a month or so, I might be looking to sell both the Navigator & Explorer, and buying the new Mariner...I just need to test drive it first!

I'd like to make a trip down to the water this weekend, so if you're free and want to test drive my Navigator or Explorer @ Surfside, let me know and you can meet me there.

Eric

[Night Wing]

FlaFish,

I think you're confusing the Cobra Explorer with the Cobra Expedition. The Explorer is 11' 3" long and the Expedition is 18' long.

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/cobracat2.html

http://www.cobrakayaks.com/kayaks/cobracat6.html

[CMALIBU1]

. Can't wait to take to the coast.

BRUJO, THE GOLDEN CROAKER RUN IS COMING AT THE END OF THE MONTH OR EARLY OCTOBER LET'S HIT IT . IAM JUST WAITING FOR THE SIGNAL THAT THEY ARE IN. IT WILL BRING PEOPLE FROM ALL
OVER . GREAT TASTING FISH. ONE ADVANTAGE WITH THE YAK YOU
WON'T HAVE TO BE ELBOW TO ELBOW ON THE PIER.

CMALIBU1