ICAST 2019 and KAYAKS

[Hook2Jaw]

8 hours ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I would say this is game-changing for Hobies, and a pretty significant advantage over all other pedal drives.  Getting a Hobie to back up reminded me of an old worn out farm truck we had with a column shifter and worn out forks - you had to hold your mouth right to get it into gear.  So you definitely couldn't hold in place without pretty well putting your fishing rod completely down and either using your paddle or manipulating the reversing mechanism.  This is why I bought a OT Predator PDL when the shop tried to talk me into an Outback (they were the same price at the time, I think).  While it still will take 1 hand to go from forward to reverse, it won't take all your concentration.  And the other trick moves they showed in the demonstration may seem gimmicky, but I'll bet if you use it enough, you could find situations to put it to use.  If I only had more time to fish.....

 

You're still going to have to stop what you're doing if you want to focus on pedaling forward, then backwards, then forward, then backward to hold position.

 

Hobie has a cool positioning system, but it still doesn't have hands free reverse.  Holding my position to properly whap a crankbait I'm burning into a stump or not dragging myself towards 30 pounds of frog, fish, and salad are still something Hobie isn't capable of without taking my hand constantly off my rod.

 

It's not game changing for me, it's a super nice positioning system.

[Harold Scoggins]

Retiring one of my Stohlquist PFDs this year and I think I'm leaning towards the new NRS OS as a replacement. I like the pockets, especially the one for radios. Called NRS yesterday and they assured me that my VHF would fit inside. The only beef I've got are the two lash tabs, will they support a knife or strobe? I'd prefer the older tabs that were made of a harder rubber.

[CountryboyinDC]

12 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

You're still going to have to stop what you're doing if you want to focus on pedaling forward, then backwards, then forward, then backward to hold position.

I see where you're coming from, and none of these systems are hands free like a trolling motor.  I think most of the competitors' pedal drives function like mine (I've been told the Predator PDL is one of the best for holding in place), which means forward to reverse is hands-free, but that's only part of the equation.  I still have to adjust with the rudder a lot of the time, in fact some times the rudder adjustment is all I need to maintain on a spot.  The rudder control being on the left side means I have to use the hand I'm usually palming the reel with to make that adjustment.  It's something that I've gotten better at, and there are probably folks way better at it than I am.  So in circumstances like you mentioned, I find that I'm not necessarily hands-free either.  So if you don't find it game-changing for you I understand, and maybe I'm buying into the marketing, but I think the improvement is substantial.  I'm not buying one though, unless I wear out the OT or find an unknown substantial inheritance was left to me.

8 hours ago, Harold Scoggins said:

The only beef I've got are the two lash tabs, will they support a knife or strobe? I'd prefer the older tabs that were made of a harder rubber.

Do you carry a diving/river knife or a folding clip-on knife?

[Harold Scoggins]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

Do you carry a diving/river knife or a folding clip-on knife?

NRS Pilot.

[Hook2Jaw]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I see where you're coming from, and none of these systems are hands free like a trolling motor.  I think most of the competitors' pedal drives function like mine (I've been told the Predator PDL is one of the best for holding in place), which means forward to reverse is hands-free, but that's only part of the equation.  I still have to adjust with the rudder a lot of the time, in fact some times the rudder adjustment is all I need to maintain on a spot.  The rudder control being on the left side means I have to use the hand I'm usually palming the reel with to make that adjustment.  It's something that I've gotten better at, and there are probably folks way better at it than I am.  So in circumstances like you mentioned, I find that I'm not necessarily hands-free either.  So if you don't find it game-changing for you I understand, and maybe I'm buying into the marketing, but I think the improvement is substantial.  I'm not buying one though, unless I wear out the OT or find an unknown substantial inheritance was left to me.

Substantial?  Sure.  I still don't think it's more efficient than simply adding a solid trolling setup to your kayak, which I am not a proponent of -- I enjoy the exercise.  You'll see a few more casts over the course of the day in some scenarios, and when it gets down to deep, open water scenarios, I don't see where it's going to improve what I already do to maintain position there.

 

Trolling motors didn't break the kayak tournament scene into troll or get out, and neither will a drive that can make you do a 720 spinneroonie like Tony Hawk on a kayak.

 

It's good stuff, but it's not worth 5k when comparable options are available.  The actual best part of that drive is the break away fins to avoid masts bending.

[CountryboyinDC]

 

1 hour ago, Harold Scoggins said:

NRS Pilot.

Well then maybe for the knife it won't matter too much.  Once you get the sheath on the lashing tab, it'll be like attaching pieces of kit to Molle.  Once you've got it on, it works fine.  If you were clipping a folding knife like a lot of people do to that tab, hard plastic is a lot easier to use.  At any rate, if it's like the old Chinnok, they're comfortable!

[J Francho]

NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I always thought the Hobie was waaay cool but I’d find it hard to drop that much $ without a motor. 

[flyfisher]

I do like the break away option for the fins and I am not sure what I think about the 360 deal but I do know that price tag is pretty crazy but  people will buy it for sure.  For that money I could get myself a brand new ATAK and torqueedo and still have a couple grand left over for electronics and rigging or even a trailer.  

I know torqueedo came out with some new stuff too so maybe that means the original will drop in price some.  I really want one for my boat so i can do river float trips by myself.
 

[Harold Scoggins]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky. 

I really like the sheath design, but I was a little disappointed with the blade sharpness and its ability to hold an edge. I wish NRS would collaborate with SOG (Japan) or Gerber and make a better blade for this knife, one that could be used on a daily basis and not just in emergencies. Keep the knife and sheath design, upgrade the blade material.

[CountryboyinDC]

On 7/14/2019 at 9:56 AM, Harold Scoggins said:

On 7/13/2019 at 12:12 PM, J Francho said:

NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky. 

I really like the sheath design, but I was a little disappointed with the blade sharpness and its ability to hold an edge.

Me too.  I may have what @J Francho has, or something similar.  I think mine is called the Co-Pilot.  Even sharpening it, it isn't fast about cutting through rope or 550 cord.  I've sharpened the non-serrated part, but it's not a ton better.  I had a Benchmade H2O knife diving style knife that isn't made any more, and it was far better.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I think mine is called the Co-Pilot.

That's the real name.  Thanks!

[Smalls]

I’ve always thought that Hobie’s has a great layout, and performed great, etc. but that they weren’t worth what they ask for them. 

 

But I was pretty impressed with all the videos of their new drive, and bet it’s worth every penny of that new hefty price tag. 

 

I hate the term “game changer” with a passion, but they can definitely claim it. 

 

Nothing else really stood out to me this year. They introduced my kayak (3 Waters BigFish) with a pedal drive and I wasn’t super excited over it. 

[boostr]

On 7/13/2019 at 12:12 PM, J Francho said:

NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky. 

I have that one (Co Pilot) as well!