Get me in a kayak- Big boy kayak?

[dgkasper58]

9 minutes ago, J Francho said:

 

Paddled around 7 different models regularly (tried many more) from the early 2000s.  Two summers ago, I got a Hobie Compass.  There are times when positioning is easier with a paddle.  Getting from spot to spot is much nier using the Mirage Drive.

I would assume you keep a paddle with you in the compass. Do you end up using a paddle for positioning or do you just settle with what you get from the Mirage Drive?

[Boomstick]

3 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

Is there a reason you want to go non pedal drive?  I thought that would have been a necessity for fishing?

A necessity? Absolutely not, but I will admit they are nice to have. The primary reason I am not going for a PDL system is that I feel that it is not a necessity, and I like the Bonafide's stability. I'm also a big guy and sometimes my ankles get stiff (probably arthritic from having gout too many times) so the more stable it is, the least likely I am to take a bath. The secondary reason is simply money. I too would like to buy a bass boat someday and I have other financial obligations and concerns to potentially worry about, and since I'm buying a kayak and a SUP for each of my kids this year as well, that extra $1k+ per kayak adds up fast.

 

Most of the lakes I will fish are fairly small. You can row across it in ten minutes if you row hard, find a spot to anchor down and work for a while. The largest lake in under a hour drive is 617 acres and you would only want to work no more than half of that lake in any given day, depending on the time of year and and the shoreline is pretty well cut out. There is one that is large I fish periodically, but the prime structure of the lake is a giant crevice that runs along the north side and is not far from the boat launch and there are no weeds at all-- if I'm going to catch a ten pounder there, I would bet my life savings it would come from around that area so most of the time, I'll work the shore along that crevice! So getting spot to spot is not the largest concern for me as it might be for someone using it on larger lakes.

As far as positioning yourself when fighting a fish, that is easier in theory with pedals, but not always. For example even going forward to reverse on Hobie kayaks is a chore. Sometimes a hard one handed paddle can turn the boat in the right direction a lot faster, because you can turn hard. Now of course you can do both, but should you go PDL, I would get a high angle paddle as you'll be able to turn a lot quicker!

Finally, another reason I chose not to get a pedal drive system is you will burn more calories rowing, and I could use that.

[Choporoz]

I paddled for a number of years and often said that I had little need for pedals.  I was lying to myself.

After 12 months with Mirage360, I can't imagine going out without it anywhere other than rocky rivers.

The 'wire-pull shift to reverse' has never left me wishing I could just pedal backwards instead...it takes less than a second....but, what do I know?  Could be lying to myself again.

I take a full size paddle strapped alongside that never gets unstrapped -- just there in case the drive breaks.

I also take a hand-paddle that I use maybe once every twenty trips -- usually when I get too tight into docks and marinas and mangly laydowns

[Boomstick]

20 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

The 'wire-pull shift to reverse' has never left me wishing I could just pedal backwards instead...it takes less than a second....but, what do I know?  Could be lying to myself again.

I don't know from personal experience, but I have seen numerous complaints about the system and some video demos as well. Apparently the pull to drive system doesn't engage for some people and the time to slow down was significant enough to the point they were unsure that it engaged and keep going forward as a result. Honestly it's probably the #1 complaint about Hobies rather easily -- then again it may also be nitpicking since they have nothing else to complain about. This is what I was referring to as well as the fact that you can simply turn with a paddle quicker should you start drifting hard.

 

The hand paddle is a good idea, but if you're on a budget just guy a two-piece paddle and you can literally use half of it.

[Choporoz]

7 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

I don't know from personal experience, but I have seen numerous complaints about the system and some video demos as well. Apparently the pull to drive system doesn't engage for some people and the time to slow down was significant enough to the point they were unsure that it engaged and keep going forward as a result. Honestly it's probably the #1 complaint about Hobies rather easily -- then again it may also be nitpicking since they have nothing else to complain about. This is what I was referring to as well as the fact that you can simply turn with a paddle quicker.

 

The hand paddle is a good idea, but if you're on a budget just guy a two-piece paddle and you can literally use half of it.

I know the tech refreshes pretty often, so my equipment could well operate very different from one sold just a couple years ago.  But, you only need a few times out to get a 'feel' for the wires -- when you pull, you can feel the fins flip -- granted, in the early days, I didn't instinctively have my feet together and there were times when only one turned --- still more than enough to move in reverse, but it felt weird not getting resistance on one pedal.  Mine, I can most certainly feel that it engages and not have any doubt that I can immediately pedal backward - I appreciate that it might be nice not to have to pull a cable...(especially down the road when I have a wire or hardware failure)...but I just don't have an issue with it when fighting fish -- I'm sure the some of the non-Hobie guys must put a hand on the rudder with a fish on at times....or grab a net....or fishgrips....or, like me, ash my cigar...without losing a fish

[Boomstick]

8 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I know the tech refreshes pretty often, so my equipment could well operate very different from one sold just a couple years ago.  But, you only need a few times out to get a 'feel' for the wires -- when you pull, you can feel the fins flip -- granted, in the early days, I didn't instinctively have my feet together and there were times when only one turned --- still more than enough to move in reverse, but it felt weird not getting resistance on one pedal.  Mine, I can most certainly feel that it engages and not have any doubt that I can immediately pedal backward - I appreciate that it might be nice not to have to pull a cable...(especially down the road when I have a wire or hardware failure)...but I just don't have an issue with it when fighting fish -- I'm sure the some of the non-Hobie guys must put a hand on the rudder with a fish on at times....or grab a net....or fishgrips....or, like me, ash my cigar...without losing a fish

Yeah, I know Hobie makes good kayaks and if money wasn't an object I would own a Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14 in a heartbeat. The complaints and videos were all mid-late 2019, so it seems to be a newer issue. That said I would imagine it will be resolved pretty quickly. There's also a video of how to fix the problem yourself on YouTube as well, and it doesn't seem to need any parts which is good.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, dgkasper58 said:

I would assume you keep a paddle with you in the compass. Do you end up using a paddle for positioning or do you just settle with what you get from the Mirage Drive?

Yes, and yes.  Would you only fish in a boat using the outboard?

[dgkasper58]

33 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Yes, and yes.  Would you only fish in a boat using the outboard?

Thank you. Just getting more info as I have never done the whole kayak thing and wasn't sure with that system, if people used a paddle with it.  It seems 1 out of 2 use a paddle/hand paddle still.  

 

Thanks guys for all the info. I will definitely still be looking at these for a while so feel free to continue to contribute and open my eyes a bit more!  Trying to find a few places with demos.

[rodandreel2010]

Of course you are going to get answers based off of what everyone owns or has owned. Personally my vote goes to jackson. I was 295 lbs last spring. I have owned two coosa HDs, a big rig, and just purchased a coosa FD. If you're going to be in lakes mainly you're going to want a pedal drive. Boats for big boys are like pontoons. And paddling them SUCK!! Not gonna sugar coat it. If you are in a river or not going far sure but not for moving much. Now the great thing about jackson is you can buy a big rig HD, paddle it around and then when you have more funds buy the flex drive. It has a 500lb weight capacity. The coosa HD is also a very stable boat but I live mainly on the rivers so that's why I stuck with the coosa. If I was gonna be in mainly lakes and ponds I would have bought a big rig HD/FD. You can find some awesome deals on 2019s right now that places are closing out. If you are interested in a few places let me know. I have a few Saved that I know still have 2019 models. My brand new 2019 was $1000 off.

[SuperDuty]

Several of the makes of kayaks will allow you to buy the kayak now and later down the road buy a pedal drive. But I agree, big heavy wide barges are definitely not meant for much paddling.

[YoTone]

that 2020 PA is a dream kayak. When i saw one i drooled. it has a steering rudder on both sides! i hate steering with my left hand. makes it so hard to be efficient when using a right handed bait casting set up.  but when i saw the price tag i almost fainted.  its a heavy beast too but if you got a truck and a decent dolly set up and dont mind dropping $4-5K on one go for it. 

 

I think the Native Titans are badass  that wont break the bank but im a biased Native water craft owner.

 

the used market is a good place to look as well.

 

[J Francho]

18 hours ago, dgkasper58 said:

It seems 1 out of 2 use a paddle/hand paddle still.

I don't know how you couldn't use a paddle for tiny positioning adjustments.  Its an advantage of using a kayak, being able to quietly move around things to make a perfect cast.  You are essentially sneaking up on them.  I can't tell you how many fish I've caught that I've seen first.  Sort of debunks that myth that if you see them, they see you so don't bother.  

[dgkasper58]

OK so I have reached out to a few vendors and it seems most are around the same price with various details.  Being in chicago it is difficult to try every one of them...  

 

Obviously I will be looking at reviews but what specs should stand out?  A lot of the yaks have width differences and depth at beam...

 

What type of seat should I be looking for?

[SuperDuty]

1 hour ago, dgkasper58 said:

OK so I have reached out to a few vendors and it seems most are around the same price with various details.  Being in chicago it is difficult to try every one of them...  

 

Obviously I will be looking at reviews but what specs should stand out?  A lot of the yaks have width differences and depth at beam...

 

What type of seat should I be looking for?

I think you should look at one of a minimum of 12'  as far as the other dimensions go, I don't think they're as important. Reason being,  you can have 33" wide kayaks that can have very different stability due to the hull shape (flat, cathedral, V).  But I think the real stability starts in the 34" area and goes up. 

I think the most important thing you can do is narrow down a few yaks your interested In and research them in great deal. And obviously test rides are the best way to decide.