OK Trident - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

wavster · 07-28-2007, 10:32 PM

I can tell you about the Trident. This comparison is based on the 2 eXtremes that I've
owned in the past 10 months. I had an older eXtreme and a 2007 model eXtreme. The
eXtreme is a good kayak. I'm only comparing here because that's what I owned and these are my
personal observations.

I bought Trident one week ago today on an impulse after demoing it 3 days prior.
I've been out in it 8 times in the past week. I've launched
at reef breaks, beach breaks, small surf and medium surf.

I like the way the Trident can make it over surf. Every day but one was a dry launch. The only time
I got wet was when the surf at Cardiff was 4ft. And that was just minor wash over and bow spray.
I wouldn't even have attempted this launch in an eXtreme. I would have
been flooded.

Speed: The Trident is faster than the eXtreme by a long shot. It planes better and therefore
glides through the water like a dream. Paddling is much easier on my shoulders and elbows
than the eXtreme ever was.

Noise: The Trident is absolutely quiet. My new eXtreme gurgled, due to the channels. I can coast
in the Trident and hear bait popping 50 yards away. I like it.

Weather vaning: The eXtreme seemed to weather vane into the wind. The Trident seems much
truer to the chosen course than the eXtreme did. I haven't had to fight major winds yet,
but side by side, the Trident tracks much better.

The Ride: The Trident is much drier than the eXtreme. The 2007 eXtreme has a wetter
seat than the previous models. The Trident is drier than both. The Scuppers are at the
low end of the seat, where the eXtreme has a single scupper at the high end with a channel to
direct water flow. The problem with the eXtreme is that the scuppers like to spit at you when there is
surface chop. My seat was always wet in the eXtreme when the kayatank was filled.

Turning: Unbelievable. I can lean into a turn and make the tightest turn. I couldn't do that in
my eXtreme. I don't mean to dis the eXtreme, but this kayak is great. With great
secondary stability and a solid keel, I can lean into a turn and really pivot.

Deck Space: The Trident Rod Pod cover takes up more room than it has to. There's limited
leg room and when plucking bait from a sabiki, it has a tendancy to jump ship, since there's not much
of a foot well. I have some improvement ideas for that, but not quite there yet.

Hatches: Everything stays dry, even through surf. These are great hatches. The slight exception
is the Rod Pod. The hatch has a tendancy to bow a bit, allowing water to enter. However,
I found that if I lay a chamois over the front part of the hatch, my gear is bone dry. I think an
extra bead of silicone may help here. Experimentation required.

Overall Layout: I like the space I have on the Trident. All the hatches are easy to reach and
I have lots of room. The vertical space is greater than the eXtreme, so loading 5 rods in the
Rod Pod was simple. When I pulled them out after paddling through big surf, they were
dry. This will easily save you $$ in reel servicing.

I'm looking forward to getting a kayatank in this kayak. I think that will make it perfect...

..until the next major kayak improvement comes along...

Kudos and Great job to O.K. and all those who had a hand in designing this kayak.

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07-28-2007, 10:32 PM	#5
wavster Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Encinitas Posts: 562	I can tell you about the Trident. This comparison is based on the 2 eXtremes that I've owned in the past 10 months. I had an older eXtreme and a 2007 model eXtreme. The eXtreme is a good kayak. I'm only comparing here because that's what I owned and these are my personal observations. I bought Trident one week ago today on an impulse after demoing it 3 days prior. I've been out in it 8 times in the past week. I've launched at reef breaks, beach breaks, small surf and medium surf. I like the way the Trident can make it over surf. Every day but one was a dry launch. The only time I got wet was when the surf at Cardiff was 4ft. And that was just minor wash over and bow spray. I wouldn't even have attempted this launch in an eXtreme. I would have been flooded. Speed: The Trident is faster than the eXtreme by a long shot. It planes better and therefore glides through the water like a dream. Paddling is much easier on my shoulders and elbows than the eXtreme ever was. Noise: The Trident is absolutely quiet. My new eXtreme gurgled, due to the channels. I can coast in the Trident and hear bait popping 50 yards away. I like it. Weather vaning: The eXtreme seemed to weather vane into the wind. The Trident seems much truer to the chosen course than the eXtreme did. I haven't had to fight major winds yet, but side by side, the Trident tracks much better. The Ride: The Trident is much drier than the eXtreme. The 2007 eXtreme has a wetter seat than the previous models. The Trident is drier than both. The Scuppers are at the low end of the seat, where the eXtreme has a single scupper at the high end with a channel to direct water flow. The problem with the eXtreme is that the scuppers like to spit at you when there is surface chop. My seat was always wet in the eXtreme when the kayatank was filled. Turning: Unbelievable. I can lean into a turn and make the tightest turn. I couldn't do that in my eXtreme. I don't mean to dis the eXtreme, but this kayak is great. With great secondary stability and a solid keel, I can lean into a turn and really pivot. Deck Space: The Trident Rod Pod cover takes up more room than it has to. There's limited leg room and when plucking bait from a sabiki, it has a tendancy to jump ship, since there's not much of a foot well. I have some improvement ideas for that, but not quite there yet. Hatches: Everything stays dry, even through surf. These are great hatches. The slight exception is the Rod Pod. The hatch has a tendancy to bow a bit, allowing water to enter. However, I found that if I lay a chamois over the front part of the hatch, my gear is bone dry. I think an extra bead of silicone may help here. Experimentation required. Overall Layout: I like the space I have on the Trident. All the hatches are easy to reach and I have lots of room. The vertical space is greater than the eXtreme, so loading 5 rods in the Rod Pod was simple. When I pulled them out after paddling through big surf, they were dry. This will easily save you $$ in reel servicing. I'm looking forward to getting a kayatank in this kayak. I think that will make it perfect... ..until the next major kayak improvement comes along... Kudos and Great job to O.K. and all those who had a hand in designing this kayak.