Foot Propelled Kayaks

[the reel ess]

Who has which? How do they compare in price? Which is easiest to navigate while fishing? This will probably be my next boat purchase. I'm thinking of selling my fish/ski.

[cdunlapb12]

I don't own one yet but I've been in a Hobie pro angler. I was really impressed with how easy it was to handle. They're pretty heavy though.

[MikeinFresno]

Ive got a Hobie Outback, just got the new 2015 with the new seat...WOW!!..what a difference in comfort and what a difference in fishability with my hands free compared to my Ocean Kayak T13. The Propel yak has bike pedals and goes in reverse, but in a head to head pull where you hook up a Hobie to a Propel back to back, the Hobie pulls the Propel around with ease. The Outback is all the yak that I would want to load by myself, cant imagine putting the Pro Angler  on anything but a trailer. The Outback I can load in the back of the truck easily.

[Darren.]

If I may suggest, you really want to scour

Google for reviews of the Slayer Propel, the

Pro Angler, Outback, etc.

 

There are a lot of video reviews, and extensive

write ups of the Pros/Cons of the Hobie Mirage

Drive and Native's Propel drive.

 

If reverse is a deal breaker for you, then the Slayer

Propel is your answer, if not, Hobie is in contention.

 

Really depends on you. Do you prefer pedaling motion

or the back/forth of Hobie's system. If you can demo

each, you'd be best prepared to make the right decision 

FOR YOU.

 

Your third option is to buy a BassYak kit or pre-rigged

kayak and forego the pedaling for an electric yak. That's

what I do

[the reel ess]

If I may suggest, you really want to scour

Google for reviews of the Slayer Propel, the

Pro Angler, Outback, etc.

 

There are a lot of video reviews, and extensive

write ups of the Pros/Cons of the Hobie Mirage

Drive and Native's Propel drive.

 

If reverse is a deal breaker for you, then the Slayer

Propel is your answer, if not, Hobie is in contention.

 

Really depends on you. Do you prefer pedaling motion

or the back/forth of Hobie's system. If you can demo

each, you'd be best prepared to make the right decision 

FOR YOU.

 

Your third option is to buy a BassYak kit or pre-rigged

kayak and forego the pedaling for an electric yak. That's

what I do

I'm not opposed to the idea of the Bassyak kit. It's certainly cheaper. But it does seem like it would make for more work unloading, preparing and loading and add weight. Also, in my state you have to register a watercraft with an electric motor if you use it in public waters. I do still do that sometimes. I'd still have my current 'yak, so that's still an option later.

It also seems like I would lose the benefit of the exercise, as this is about the only exercise I get anymore.

 

I didn't realize Hobie Mirage drive was not capable of reverse. I've always wondered how that worked. I can't tell you how many times I've set the hook on a bass and been dragged right into the spot I caught it in. If there more fish there you ruined it.

[Darren.]

I'm not opposed to the idea of the Bassyak kit. It's certainly cheaper. But it does seem like it would make for more work unloading, preparing and loading and add weight. Also, in my state you have to register a watercraft with an electric motor if you use it in public waters. I do still do that sometimes. I'd still have my current 'yak, so that's still an option later.

It also seems like I would lose the benefit of the exercise, as this is about the only exercise I get anymore.

 

I didn't realize Hobie Mirage drive was not capable of reverse. I've always wondered how that worked. I can't tell you how many times I've set the hook on a bass and been dragged right into the spot I caught it in. If there more fish there you ruined it.

 

Completely understand your concerns 

over a motorized yak. Personally, I was

also concerned, but realized the amount

of exercise I was actually getting was 

minimal. Granted, I wasn't pedaling, using

the biggest muscles in my body.

 

I also have a Native Ultimate 12 which is

only about 55 pounds w/o the setup. With

the motorized setup (which I usually leave

hooked up), it's maybe 25 pounds heavier.

 

I bought a 25 pound deep-charge wheel

chair battery (AGM) that saves plenty of 

space and weight.

 

If I had to do it again, I'd buy the Ultimate

12 FX and motorize it. Light, easy to paddle

and a blast to fish out of. But that's me...

 

I still like the idea of a pedal-yak, but that

won't come anytime soon for me.

 

The new Propel-drive Native kayaks are

much more efficient than previous models,

require less effort and better seating to 

pedal. You still have to deal with weeds, 

that goes for both Hobie and Native.

 

There are some really good reviews out there

comparing the two side-by-side, both styles

of pedal systems have advantages and 

disadvantages.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Seat time seat time seat time - and by that I mean really get to know and understand the benefits and limitations of each pedal-drive kayak offering (ie: Hobie Mirage Drive and Native Propel).  Currently, the Native line offers the Propel in the Slayer 13 and 10 models, and the Mariner 10 and 12.5.  The Hobie lineup has Mirage Drives installed in the following hulls: Outback Sport (9'), Outback (12'1"), Revolution 11 (11'6"), Revolution 13 (13'5"), Revolution 16 (16'), Pro Angler 12 (12') & 14 (13'8"), Inflatable i9S (9'), i12S (12') and Adventure Island (16'7").  They also have tandem drive options as well (I wouldn't recommend it for spousal outings, but fishing buddies would work ) in the regular rotomolded, as well as the Pro Angler, Inflatable and Sailing hulls.

 

What I mean by seat time is not just how the kayak hull feels on the water, but you need to understand all the nuances of how to maneuver the hull in the bodies of water you fish.  If you fish primarily heavy wooded, matted  cover with thick vegetation, then a drive system is likely not the best option for you.  If you are a big sight casting angler, then your hull choices in both lineups decrease based upon your own equilibrium and the respective hull's stability characteristics.

 

Lastly, you need to understand your body limitations when it comes to the range of motion that is required to utilize both drive systems.  The Propel drive is a bicycle style pedaling motion.  While that seems natural to most, what many do not consider is the angle of their hips and the ability to pedal using that motion for an extended period of time.  The same goes for the Hobie Mirage Drive.  The pedaling motion is a linear motion with shorter leg travel or range of motion required.

 

In both drive systems, if you do not position the seat properly or you have poor posture, you will likely induce discomfort over the course of an outing.

 

As far as loading the various hulls, all I can tell you is that I loaded my two different Pro Angler 14's atop two different vehicles over the last three years - my first PA14 was loaded countless times atop my Dodge Grand Caravan.

 

 

And my 2014 PA14 was loaded last year atop my Honda CRV - it's not as hard as people make it out to be.  I have a torn labrum and limited range of motion and loaded them both with ease.

 

[the reel ess]

Thanks for the info. Loading isn't a problem unless they weight a ton because I have a full-size pickup. I probably have months to obsess over this purchase as I did my current kayak. I don't need to be in a hurry since I have one already. I hope to give each a try at some point. I can tell you that I lean toward the Native models based on what I've read and seen. But I'll have to try them before I can make an informed decision. I don't usually fish water that is completely choked with vegetation. But I'll still have the old kayak if I do.

 

Thanks.

[Hanover_Yakker]

All I can say is that as a kayak angler, people get hung up sometimes on "marketing" of individual hull characteristics.  I can honestly say that in the four years I have fished out of my various Hobie kayaks in both fresh and salt water, I have had to go backwards intentionally a handful of times.  And you know what I did?  I used the paddle like every other kayak angler out there.  Subtlety and stealth are the key in these situations - so using the drive systems may not offer the best stealth profile.  Proper paddling technique will be the more stealthy option.  A company called the Backwater Paddle company even has created a niche market for this very purpose.  They make small single hand paddles that you use instead of the full size regular paddles.  It allows you to keep one hand on the rod in the event of a strike and one on the paddle to make subtle corrections.

 

I know a couple times in salt water it would have been nice to go back and forth, but in those instances I was fishing in heavy current and wind and in all honesty shouldn't have even been fishing in those spots with those conditions.

 

Keep an open mind and do your homework.  Look around for some demo days where you can try out both side by side independent of the "sales pitch" by the respective associates.  I represent Hobie through and through, but when someone approaches me about Hobies, I let them take mine out on the water and try it for themselves.  The sales pitch piece is once they've made up their mind and decided on one brand or model over the other.  The hull's characteristics and attributes sell themselves.  Let your body tell you what fits and will work for your fishing style.  If you decide after all your research and real water time that one or the other is right for you, great. 

 

I would much rather see you end up in a model that fits your style and angling goals than to see you six months down the road sell it.

 

Just my .02

[MikeinFresno]

I have back issues-retired from a job over it, torn labrum and surgeries on both shoulders, left knee broken and repaired, am getting old at 58 and am only 5-9 tall. I find the Mirage gives me slight pinching feeling in one knee if I push too hard on the pedals, but no pain after Im done for the day. The new seat is a dream. The Outback with my physical issues is all I want to load on top of my rig and is a struggle at times. Back of the truck is no problem. I would agree to actually demo each yak you are considering before buying.