By Paul Lebowitz

The Marauder-XF, at a little more than 14 feet long and 31 inches wide, pairs the length of a distance-eating ocean boat with the width of a rock-solid fishing platform. The deck will catch any kayak angler’s eye. Team Cobra angler John Pawlak describes it as “a true flat top,” which offers a seemingly unlimited number of rigging options. At the time his Marauder was chock full of hatches and carried eight flush-mount rod holders, with plenty of room left over for rigging electronics.

Former Cobra Kayaks Marketing Director Ric Hawthorne said the flexibility of the fishing-friendly deck was a deliberate design choice.

“We don’t want to tell people how they have to rig their boats,” Hawthorne said. “We are giving anglers the option to make the boat their own.”

According to Hawthorne, the new kayak was purpose-built for the angler.

“We listened to what people wanted,” Hawthorne said. “We have a dry seating area, an ample tankwell and tons of storage on a brand-new hull that is fast but nimble and weighs only 50 lbs.”

Considering how easily Pawlak was able to hoist the Marauder up the cliffs at his secret spot, it really is a lightweight boat. The storage was impressive too. Pawlak had two one-piece paddles, two 7-foot rods, a seat and a bunch of other gear in the Marauder ’s hull.

SOME SAY MARINER, I SAY MARAUDER - Briefly produced under the Mariner moniker, Cobra's Marauder-XF features one of the most fishing-friendly deck plans around.