lifetime Tamarack Pro vs Perception Pescador Pro

[PapaDave]

I recently had an experience I wouldn't have thought would ever happen off Doheny beach. Had a huge wave come in over a reef, was pretty far away from it and the waves were breaking a good distance out from where I was and weren't that big. That wave rolled over the reef and kept building. Tried to get through it but it flipped the PA17, which promptly filled with water but still floated. Was about 1/4 mile from shore so I swam the kayak back in. Lost all the fishing gear, camera, radio and when I hit the surf, snapped off the Bixby drive shaft, the 180 drive, lost the other drive somewhere, and bent the frame of one of the seats. I'm still finding gravel and sand in the kayak.

[jruiz]

Originally Posted by PapaDave

I recently had an experience I wouldn't have thought would ever happen off Doheny beach. Had a huge wave come in over a reef, was pretty far away from it and the waves were breaking a good distance out from where I was and weren't that big. That wave rolled over the reef and kept building. Tried to get through it but it flipped the PA17, which promptly filled with water but still floated. Was about 1/4 mile from shore so I swam the kayak back in. Lost all the fishing gear, camera, radio and when I hit the surf, snapped off the Bixby drive shaft, the 180 drive, lost the other drive somewhere, and bent the frame of one of the seats. I'm still finding gravel and sand in the kayak.

Sorry to hear that. Do you think you could've flipped it back over with the rope tied to the hrail technique that many of the PA owners employ?

[TheBentRod]

Originally Posted by PapaDave

I recently had an experience I wouldn't have thought would ever happen off Doheny beach. Had a huge wave come in over a reef, was pretty far away from it and the waves were breaking a good distance out from where I was and weren't that big. That wave rolled over the reef and kept building. Tried to get through it but it flipped the PA17, which promptly filled with water but still floated. Was about 1/4 mile from shore so I swam the kayak back in. Lost all the fishing gear, camera, radio and when I hit the surf, snapped off the Bixby drive shaft, the 180 drive, lost the other drive somewhere, and bent the frame of one of the seats. I'm still finding gravel and sand in the kayak.

plenty of questions, but better talked about over a good meal! did you post about it?

[SoCalEDC]

There was a couple of members with Ocean Kayak trident 13s or similarly designed kayaks (wilderness systems thresher 140, jackson kraken) for sale within your price range. IMO that's going to be your best best bet for a capable kayak in both open water and estuaries. Might try doing some digging through the classified section.