Which Kayak

[vaparrothead]

I'm 99% sure I'm getting a kayak later this spring; question is which one?  I'm strongly leaning in favor of a Hobie.  Reviewing all the postings, reviews and other literature the only downside I can see to the Hobie is cost; they are expensive.  Any owners of Hobie have any other downside to them?  How easy/difficult is putting in and removing the pedals.  The lakes I'll use are very shallow until 30 or 40 yards from shore and I'll probably have to paddle out that far before I can put in the fins/pedal.  Any comments either positive or negative on Hobies would be appreciated.  Thanks all and tight lines.

[Glenn]

The pedals are extremely easy to put in/remove.  Take a look at this video, and watch how effortlessly he uninstalls/installs the pedals:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/hobie.html

[Darren.]

As an owner of a Native Ultimate 12, I am also a big fan of the Hobie Pro Angler 12. If I had a spare ~$3k I'd quite likely buy the PA12 over any other yak on the market. But I still love my NU12. It is a heck of a kayak, and infinitely customizable.

 

Owners of the PA 12 will tell you that you can flutter the fins in shallow water and move around just fine. Standing is easy.

 

With my Native Ultimate 12, standing is also easy. The boat is extremely stable. I stand in it all the time. I often stand and paddle to get a vantage into the water. It is much lighter than the PA12.

 

The NU12 is similar to the Wilderness Systems Commander. They are all great, stable yaks. If you can get some sit-in time at a local kayak shop up in the DC area, you will be the better for it.

 

You might be surprised what you fall in love with. 

[B-Dozer]

Keep in mind if you need to portage. The Mirage Pro Angler 14, fully rigged w/o your gear weighs 138lbs.

[flyfisher]

Yeah weight is a big consideration as is the cost. Unless you have shoulder problems, plan on traveling long distances or fish the saltwater where you fight current and tides you might be better off looking at a paddle boat. For the same money you spend on a hobie you can easily get another kayak and outfit it to the tee with top of line electronics and still have gas money. The other consideration is how are you going to transport the boat. I have seen people cartop the PA but it is more of a process than a lighter boat.

There is also the native mariner which is also a pedal drive boat that is cheaper and uses a different pedal motion than the hobie, more of a recumbent bike style.

There are so many good boats out there you would do yourself best by getting to a demo days and sampling a few different boats.

There is at least hobie pro staffer who frequents the board and I am sure he will chime in as well..

[Hanover_Yakker]

All valid points so far - only you can decide which vessel is right for you.  All I can say is that I wanted a Hobie PA when I first started and opted for something else to save money.  Three years later, I bought a Hobie Revolution 13 and loved it but still wanted the PA14.  After all the money I spent between the two different kayaks I bought and all the rigging I did would have paid for the PA14 and still had plenty of money leftover to buy quality rods and reels and tackle.  Its all a matter of what you want and how you plan on fishing.  Once you have that narrowed down, go demo as many different kayaks as you can before you buy.  Even though I own a PA14, I plan on getting a Commander Or Ultimate for quick trips after work for when the PA14 is not already loaded.

[flyfisher]

See, I told you a hobie pro staffer would chime in

[Darren.]

Well said, Hanover!

[HeavyDluxe]

Hobie makes great boats from everything I can tell...  But, as others have said, I would advise you to get seat time in a handful of models/manufacturers if you can.  You might be surprised what 'fits' you and what doesn't once you wiggle your butt down in the seat.

 

The Mirage Drive is just cool, though, for sure.

[flipin4bass]

I'd like to know something about those Hobie kayaks and the drive system, can they manuever through the mats? The lakes I fish around here have a lot mats and I'm always crossing them with my Ocean Kayak and have wondered how well the Hobie can cross them. I have been attracted to the Hobie ever since I saw how fast they scoot across the lake, but at the same time I've been concerned about their ability to move in the cabbage. Another feature I like about them is their construction, they appear to be more solid than other brands. 

[Hanover_Yakker]

In all honesty, it just depends on the type of mats and their depth. If its just surface mats, its no issue at all. If you have mats but they are spotty with periods of open water, its no big deal either. A key feature that many anti-Hobie folks forget is that you can still paddle any of their kayaks, including the Pro Angler. Granted you wouldn't want to paddle a Pro Angler all day. Then again, if you're in matted grass, just stand up and punch the mats and use your paddle like a SUP. I have pedaled my old Revolution 13 and my Pro Angler 14 in both heavy pads and matted grass and had no issues. If you get stuck, just yank the drive and paddle.

[vaparrothead]

Everyone: Thanks for all the input; I'm looking primarily at the Pro 12; the one that came out earlier this year.  There's a retailer in Annapolis that has models you can try out which I plan on doing.  If I do purchase one (and I'm fairly certain I will) does anybody have suggestions a top mount.  I have a Toyota Sienna (with no trailer hitch) so the kayak will have to carried on top of the car.  I've seen what appear to be some decent car top carriers.  Anybody use a particular model they especially like or dislike? Again thanks for all the input so far.

[LTownFisher764]

I have a Thule on top of my 4runner. It has a roller on the back and the whole thing slides toward the back. Lift the front on the roller then lift the back of the yak and slide on top of the vehicle and strap it down. My native slayer is about 70 pounds so its a bit light than a pa12 but only having to lift half the yak is very nice and easy.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Everyone: Thanks for all the input; I'm looking primarily at the Pro 12; the one that came out earlier this year.  There's a retailer in Annapolis that has models you can try out which I plan on doing.  If I do purchase one (and I'm fairly certain I will) does anybody have suggestions a top mount.  I have a Toyota Sienna (with no trailer hitch) so the kayak will have to carried on top of the car.  I've seen what appear to be some decent car top carriers.  Anybody use a particular model they especially like or dislike? Again thanks for all the input so far.

 

I use the Yakima Landing Pads, Control Towers and 50" crossbars for my PA14.  All I do is angle the back of the PA from the rear of the van then liftt the bow handle and walk the bow onto a yoga mat laying on the rear of the van's roof.  I can then walk to the stern then lift and shove right up onto my Caravan with no issues.

 

 

[martintheduck]

I fish from a NuCanoe frontier 12. All I can say is that I looked at the hobie's for the mirage drive, and settled on the NuCanoe because I can use it for hunting as well as fishing. I'll say, I love my Nucanoe, but I kind of wish I'd have gone for the Hobie.... paddling all day is frigging exhausting! Good luck on your purchase. Most stores have demo days or will do a private demo if you're a serious buyer. PLEASE - heed this advice - demo it before you buy it!

[Hanover_Yakker]

I fish from a NuCanoe frontier 12. All I can say is that I looked at the hobie's for the mirage drive, and settled on the NuCanoe because I can use it for hunting as well as fishing. I'll say, I love my Nucanoe, but I kind of wish I'd have gone for the Hobie.... paddling all day is frigging exhausting! Good luck on your purchase. Most stores have demo days or will do a private demo if you're a serious buyer. PLEASE - heed this advice - demo it before you buy it!

 

If you're interested in trying a Hobie out on the water, as well as every other major kayak manufacturer, Appomattox River Company is holding their annual on the water demo day on Saturday June 8th.  The event is held on Wilks Lake in the heart of Farmville, VA on the island.  I'll be there representing Hobie and ARC, but several of my friends will also be there representing their respective brands like Wilderness Systems, Native Watercraft, Ocean Kayak, Jackson, Hurricane, etc.

 

Make plans to come out and try as many different ones as you can.  I'll have my Pro Angler 14 on display and rigged for all to see.

[martintheduck]

Also, if you're looking in Southern US, Pack & Paddle in Lafayette Louisiana does a demo day once a month in Lafayette. They also do private demos for serious buyers.