Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 12

[PABASS]

Anyone own one, do you like it, is it worth the coin?

I used to own a canoe and I was about as stable as Reliant Robin, are they stable?

How will they fit a very tall and large person such as myself?

[Darren.]

What I know about the Hobie is all good. I've seen them on the water, talked to owners, but never tried one myself. That said, if I could afford a Pro Angler 12, I'd be all over it in a heartbeat.

And, being a "very tall and large person", have you looked at the Pro Angler 14? May be more comfortable.

Both are all wicked stable, far more than a canoe. Even my Native Ultimate is more stable than any canoe I've paddled.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Excellent question, as a Hobie Pro Staffer, I can hopefully give you a little additional insight. I personally don't own one yet, but I plan on adding one or both of the PAs to my flotilla soon. The main differences between the 2013 models are:

The PA 12 is 30lbs lighter, has two less rod holders, slight decrease in rod length you can store in the rod holders, no rod stagers to keep the rods separated next to your seat, and the front hatch storage is less. The only other difference is that PA12 has a mx capacity of 500lbs. versus the PA14 that has a 600lb. capacity. So, stability and load capacity being "relatively equal", either will suit a person of a larger stature in height or weight perfectly fine.

With that being said, the real decision in my opinion comes down to your ability to transport and store the kayak. While most of the differences are negligible to the casual angler, the one difference that I actually find curious is the lack of rod separaters when they are beside your seat. In the PA14, there are molded masts with curvatures cut that will allow your rod butts to lay or stage properly when stored in the horizontal rod holders. In the PA12, they are not present; however, it would not surprise me to see these added in the near future as feedback from the pro staffers filters in to the design team.

With that said, the other deciding factor is the kind of water you will be fishing. If you are like me and fish both fresh and salt, then the PA14 is the obvious choice, because the added length will aid in cutting through the breakers on the beach and will facilitate better tracking and kayak speed at normal pedal strokes. If you are mostly fresh water, then the PA12 will probably suit you fine.

Hope this helps!

[aceman387]

I have no insight to offer on the Hobie pro angler.I recently bought a wilderness system ride 115 and before buying it i typed in reviews for the ride 115 on different search engines and a few sites popped up offering owners opinions.Try typing in reviews for the Hobie pro angler 12 on yahoo,i'm sure you will get responses.

[PABASS]

I have no insight to offer on the Hobie pro angler.I recently bought a wilderness system ride 115 and before buying it i typed in reviews for the ride 115 on different search engines and a few sites popped up offering owners opinions.Try typing in reviews for the Hobie pro angler 12 on yahoo,i'm sure you will get responses.

I like the costs of the My Ride 115, is it stable? I owed a canoe in the past and I really couldn't fish out of it, and before I make the jump I want to make sure I don't have the same problem.

[J Francho]

The Ride 115 is an excellent boat for standing. You'll fall off it before it tips.

[aceman387]

The ride 115 is plenty stable for sitting and fishing,I often fish sitting side saddle on it with my butt on on the side with my legs dangling in the cool water with no fear of it tipping or flipping.I stand in it often,mainly to pee.I have gotten better with the balance thing while standing up the more i do it and i hope some day to try standing and fishing (a goal of mine for this year) The balance thing may be due to my age (52) but i have noticed my sea legs have gotten better the more standing in it i do. No problems to report about the ride 115,do some research on line about it.Kayak fishing is a blast.Ed