OCEAN KAYAK PROWLER 4.7 ULTRA

Designed by kayak anglers for kayak fishing this is the ultimate in development and innovation. The Prowler 4.7 has many features including ice box storage, internal rod tube for safe storage, multi functional 180 degree rotating centre hatch, live bait tank and much more you will find all the boxes ticked with the Ultra.

Review Ocean Kayak Prowler Ultra 4.7 

Tested in some of the worst conditions with up to 30 knot winds paddled with some XOS fish caught. Review By Professional Kayak Fishing Guide Rob Fort

Innovation in fishing kayaks has taken some big steps within the last year and a half with good concepts coming from most manufacturers. A few of these recent kayak models have proven more popular because of new innovative features giving them an edge over older models. Taking all this innovation and concept a step further is Johnson Outdoors with the recently released Ocean Kayak Prowler 4.7 Ultra. Just over two months ago the Ultra 4.7 first appeared on the market and a few early reviews where written along with the usual hype when something new and exciting comes along. I was privileged at that time to be given the opportunity to help showcase the Ultra with the production of a video clip which was to go online. Once we had done this the real test started with some fishing which proved to be hard on the first day getting even worse when wind strength got up to a twenty five knot plus headwind on my face all the way back to shore. The following day was much better weather wise with good average swell chop and some large fish caught the Ultra had performed outstanding in both situations however in my mind this wasn’t enough to offer a full test for a proper review. Not long after this I took receipt of my own one which meant I have been able to fully kit it out with all the electronics and accessories I need as a kayak fishing guide and it is only just recently that the Ultra 4.7 has finally been finished.

Setting up the Ultra 4.7 is the a lot of fun as the endless possibilities incorporated into the design allow any keen kayak fishing enthusiast the freedom to be completely creative when doing so. As a standard boat fresh off the production line the features number many starting with the overall layout which is spacious due to the larger length and width. The hull design has changed from its older predecessor the prowler 13 and 4.5 Elite doing so has produced a kayak which is not only faster but a lot more stable. When I say a lot more stable I mean by a massive amount the Ultra just doesn’t flinch one single bit when hit by side on swell. This couldn’t be more obvious when drifting along with sea anchor deployed casting softbaits on a flat calm day and some boat travelling at speed with a reasonable wake gets to close as it passes by. Not only is Prowler Ultra 4.7 steady on the water but also still retains the same manoeuvrability qualities of the earlier Prowlers. Looking over the hull design further we find features like Tri-formed hull with slightly flared bow and extra volume providing superior lift. What this all equates to is stability exceptional tracking and a much drier ride with other new additions like Venturi Scupper holes offering rapid draining. The transducer scupper hole has been remodelled to fit the any of the various brand fish finder transducers as well as the Humminbird side imaging sonar models. Last addition to the hull is a replaceable wear strip incorporated into the keel which is a very clever idea and will prevent it from damage due to dragging over beach, rocks etc. As far as the hull goes the new Ultra is completely different to what we expect from the traditional Prowlers and this further extends to the deck area but on a much bigger scale. As usual we have all the features you would expect from Ocean Kayak like grab lines, paddle holders and moulded in brass inserts for attachment of all the accessories you will need including Cannon rod holder. The overall layout remains true with a standard front hatch incorporating a new cross lock buckle system and neoprene cover keeping all water out of the hull area completely. Some kayak anglers have struggled with fitting the neoprene hatch cover and there is a bit of a technique to it but once you get familiar with doing this it will become second nature and this type of cover in my opinion is one of the best ways to seal that forward hatch area. Also new to the deck area is the flush mount lifting handles that are stronger and won’t get snagged with fishing line. The foredeck includes a moulded flat area for VHF or GPS antenna and behind the front hatch positioned between this and the cockpit is a new bungee system for extra storage which is ideal for securing anything extra you want to have on the deck area making it perfect for anyone using this kayak for spearfishing. Where we find the most changes are back from the foredeck area and this starts with the cockpit which has seen the most drastic modifications made. Starting with the seat area which is now altered for a much better more comfortable seating position and not only are you sitting higher but also your feet as this is continued down to the foot well area which is also redesigned with a new shape. The result of these changes is a much drier ride and on top of this the Ultra 4.7 is fitted with a deluxe seat as standard offering further comfort. The rudder (optional) layout is unchanged and this brings us to the area in front of you which the centre of the cockpit. The multi functional reversible hatch cover is probably the best design I have seen in a centre storage area yet and the cover has two sides to the coin so to speak. The centre hatch has a hollow centre shaft made out of stainless steel situated at the front and allows for all your electronic cables to be run through the centre of this from the outside which also allows any cables access to an inner compartment moulded inside the hatch cover. A plate covering this area allows for the mounting and fastening of a sounder base with any access cables coiled up into the compartment under the cover. The centre hatch cover rotates on the stainless shaft mount one hundred and eighty degrees only which prevents the cables running through from getting twisted. This centre hatch cover has at least eighteen inserts (on the side used for electronics) available for attachment of saddles etc and I have personally had a bucket load of fun utilizing these which are well placed on both sides of this cover. The centre hatch cover side that is designed for sounder use as well as other options can be reversed over to offer protection in the watertight centre compartment when encountering surf conditions.  The compartment under the hatch is worthy of its own mention as it is well sized allowing all manner of tackle and other equipment but also facilitates the fitting of a rod tube which is a new accessory from Ocean Kayak. Another thing you may choose to put into this centre console area is the batteries for electronics however as it is such a usable space for tackle and other gear storage I choose to put my batteries inside the hull which is much better in my opinion.

FAST AND CAPABLE OF OFF-SHORE EXPEDITIONS

Around the centre hatch area we find another array of storage spaces with some added extras like moulded recesses with bungees for storing small sealable plastic containers on deck which could contain tackle etc. In front of the foot wells are two more deep self draining recesses that can hold even more gear if required. As well as having a moulded insert for the Cannon rod holder you find good space beside this area for the addition of more rod holders as you like. Another new addition is the two flush mounted rod holders located right beside the cockpit seating area which are handy for placing the rod while rigging up, tying knots and handling fish. As before we have the two rear flush mounted rod holders but it is what’s between them which is even more exciting ‘the live bait tank well’. This area can be used for two things and the first is obviously a live bait tank which with the addition of the accessory cover and pump is converted and ready to go. The pump is manual so no batteries are required to operate and about fifteen pumps will fill the tank once you have put the plug into the scupper drain hole. Once you have some live bait in the tank just give the pump a few pumps now and then to replenish water keeping them alive.  This is a fantastic addition to the fishing kayak and has to my knowledge never been incorporated in a kayak design before. I have set mine up with a slightly different bungee attachment method and have further added some fine plastic mesh to the rear area where water drains into the rear well to prevent any live baits escaping as the gap in this area is large enough for small bait fish to do so. If you don’t require the well for a live tank then you can also use it for containment and storage of the drogue, anchor and anchor pack. After the live bait tank we find a moulded in screw insert for safety light/flag attachment and then the rear well area which is significantly larger than the Prowler 13 and 4.5.

So much larger that it is big enough to hold the largest of kingfish with the addition of insulated well cover and not only does it fit big fish but also the new ice box storage pod. The pod is foam insulated and is designed to fit perfectly into the rear well which also has a reversible hinge system allowing both left and right hand access. This is yet another awesome addition to an already exceptional kayak. This ice box storage pod sure takes care of your catch (with the addition of salt ice)and allows you to place your fish straight into a cold area after capture which is the best way of insuring for your fish are in prime eating condition. At the stern of the kayak is an optional standard Ocean Kayak rudder which is in my opinion is an essential item for the Prowler Ultra 4.7 because of its overall length and capabilities. After paddling and fishing from the Ultra 4.7 for two months my conclusion is nothing short of positive. Anyone who is looking to buy one must consider that this is a pure kayak fisherman’s boat and is capable of accommodating any and most fishing styles that the angler chooses to undertake. Other kayak brands and models also offer this flexibility but not on as big a scale as the Ultra does. Paddling and using this boat for fishing and diving reminds me of days gone by when I use to do all my fishing and diving from an Ocean Kayak Cabo which is slightly longer and wider than the Ultra. Using the Ultra 4.7 is pure pleasure and every other person who has managed to get their hands on one feels the same as I do.  It is a bit faster than the Prowler 4.5 and after fitting a GPS system is proving this even further with average speeds up around a kilometre and hour quicker. As with other kayaks paddling the Ultra 4.7 in reasonable swells and rough water will tend to slow you down and the Ultra is no exception. During such conditions I have experienced some surprising results on the Ultra 4.7 and in some cases with lifting swell and side on wind the kayak has got up to speeds of about thirteen kilometres an hour as it cruises down a wave. It handles strong head winds well and stays rock solid on the water during wind shears and gusts. This kayak is easier to paddle and maintain at a faster than average speed but does require the use of a slightly longer paddle shaft size to accommodate the extra width of the kayak. The extra stability offered by the Ultra 4.7 means you are able to cast lures and rigs around much more easily because of the very steady stable nature of this fishing platform. Playing and catching fish on the Ultra is also a pleasure with its very large capacity of two hundred and fifty kilos this kayak is well capable of handling big XOS fish without feeling that you might be tipped out.  Another area that the Ultra 4.7 performs well is diving and is the perfect dive platform.  All the features offered by the kayak allow for easily containment of your kit and catch. Even if you are into scuba diving this kayak can carry all the gear and offers a stable platform to dive from it even tows well behind you while swimming in the water. Lastly the Prowler Ultra 4.7 has been designed right here in New Zealand by  a team of key people at Johnson Outdoors in Silverdale with head of production Regan Ashton who has had the most input into the design concept as well as putting everything together. The whole project took place over eighteen months and they also called on the experts at Johnsons Outdoors in America for further advice. Kiwi kayak anglers had some input into this kayak and there is no doubt that the Prowler Ultra 4.7 ticks all the boxes as far as a fishing kayak is concerned.  In my opinion it is by far the most diverse universal kayak model to be released onto the market yet and it will suit the most advanced kayak fishing enthusiast as well as anyone who is just starting out. Best of all it is uniquely a kiwi designed kayak which is in a class of its own. Rob Fort