Fair price for older Hobie Pro Angler 14 (2010/2011)?

[immortl]

I've been considering picking up a fishing kayak.  After some research and seeing several on the water, I am thinking a Hobie Pro Angler is the model I'd like.  Would like one very stable for fishing standing up.  Found a local listing where the person had 2 Hobie Pro Anglers 14s for sale.  Originally they were asking $3000/ea and this weekend reached out and said $2500 would take one, so I went to check them out last night.

 

I'd say they're very good shape - no dings, no scratches, underside looks pretty much like new, rudder drops and raises on on each, the cables for the side sliding anchor deal move freely, the ST drive mechanism is smooth, no noise/rattles/excess play.

 

I had asked for the last few digits of the serial numbers so I could determine the model year prior, but he couldn't locate it.  I'll believe that because I had a hard time finding them myself when I was there.  But when I did find the serial numbers, I balked, because one was a 2010 and the other was a 2011.  The drive mechanism is an original ST, no flip up fins, no 180.  

 

Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on what a fair price would be?  No extras are being thrown in to the deal.  He seems to be trying to sell everything separately, saying the paddle was separate, the cart was separate, etc...  From what I can tell, the seller's parents own the apartment building and maybe these were left behind or something by someone and he is selling them for his parents (they don't seem to speak english, couldn't ask them directly).  Or maybe flipping storage unit contents, I'm not sure.  He didn't know a whole lot about them.

 

What do you think a fair offer would be for one?  What else should I be checking out on them?

 

 

[SWVABass]

For 2500 I would jump on it. You will never be able to put a 360 drive in it but you can purchase the upgraded drive to have the 180 with kick up fins. Do they come with electronics or anything? How does the seat function? I’d ask to take it for a test ride then pull the plugs and make sure it’s not taking water. Everything in my area is priced between 4-3.5k for used 22-18 year models.

[immortl]

No electronics or extras included, he wanted extra to include the paddle.  What exactly am I looking for with regard to 'seat function'?  It appears to be original, rear legs slip over 2 nubs then 2 hand screw deals hold front legs down.

 

My interest in upgrading drive would be more for the 180 flip up version.  In reading about the older 2010/2011 models, I come across posts talking about redesign in molding of the hole for the drive to make inserting it easier, I'm wondering if that affects compatibility with newer drive units.  I'm sort of thinking not, but haven't come across a definite answer yet.

 

My initial reaction was nope, not for that old, but as you noted, used ones seem to be 3-4k or more, granted they are newer.  I'm continuing to search and have found a few 2014/2015 model year ones within a couple of hours of me for $2200-$2300...  Other than the drive, the basic hull has pretty much remained the same since it was released in 2009, correct?

[Darth-Baiter]

you stick your head into the hull?  no foul odors?  mold smells?

 

I think $2500 is a decent deal.  but when that boat was sold, it came with a Paddle.  so it should be included with the $$.  I think a newer 180 drive will fit.  I am sure my dealer told me that, but I would call a Hobie dealer to be sure.  I have seen them for sale for $800 on occasion.  I think the newer pro anglers added a Skeg to help the boat track better.  these have that extra drop down fin?

 

offer $2200 with a paddle and search the net for a used pedal drive.  (after verifying it would fit)

 

personally, I would buy newer.  the newer seat is like a actual comfortable chair.

[immortl]

No smells, no extra drop down fin, just the one at the back.

 

I just got off the phone with a local kayak shop who had time to talk with me about kayaks.  They thought it was high and were thinking more along lines of $1000 or a tick more to have something to float on the water with.  Said the newer ones are different boats with several improvements, the chair being one.  The older ones they said were good for their time, did have issues with cracking around the seat mounts (didn't see evidence of it but..).  This caught my eye because it was a possible 'deal' but you and the shop both agreed that something newer, particularly since I'm interested in putting a spot lock trolling motor on it, would be better overall.  Shop suggested the old town sportsman autopilot with spot lock, but didn't have any in stock currently. 

[immortl]

Actually found a 2012 model listed for $1000 on offer up.  That said, I went yesterday and checked out a new one in person.  Pretty sure I'm going to go the new route.  That chair is pretty darn comfortable, the extra skeg/fin seems useful, warranty is appealing if I have any issues, etc...  Exploring how best to mount a trolling motor with spot lock to one now. Once I get a better understanding, I'll see if I buy one now or in a few months when the 2023s come out.

[Darth-Baiter]

32 minutes ago, immortl said:

Actually found a 2012 model listed for $1000 on offer up.  That said, I went yesterday and checked out a new one in person.  Pretty sure I'm going to go the new route.  That chair is pretty darn comfortable, the extra skeg/fin seems useful, warranty is appealing if I have any issues, etc...  Exploring how best to mount a trolling motor with spot lock to one now. Once I get a better understanding, I'll see if I buy one now or in a few months when the 2023s come out.

look up a company called One Objective.  they build a very cool mounting plate to get the motor on the front of a pro-angler.  they even utilize the two big fasterners that hold the front handle on for added support.  my friend has it.  not my cup of tea since it is such a giant monstrosity up there.  but he loves it. 

[immortl]

I found them and their mounts.  Any thoughts o  the motor up front vs off the back?  Found mounts for both, and for no real reason other than my inclination, I was thinking I would prefer it off the back of the kayak.

[CountryboyinDC]

Not knowing the market for that exact boat, a new one is less than double the price ($4,700 for a camo one at Appomattox River Company).  If the 12 y/o boat were in NOS or something, still in the plastic, maybe.  But you start putting in a new drive, wish for the newer seat, and suddenly that $2,500 would seem pricey to me.  

[SWVABass]

With spot lock I would want my mount in the front. When using it in current it should want to hold you facing into the current. If that is the case and you have it mounted on the rear you will be casting down current working your baits against the current… not ideal for presentation.

 

I might be wrong on that but assuming it would be a pain to try to get it to do it basically backwards. The newest pro anglers look amazing. I bout a 19 in early ‘20 and kind of wish I had gotten the 360 drive instead. That being said by far love mine and have fished rivers/lakes and saltwater with it. You will enjoy which every you decide to go with.

[flyfisher]

Personally I am not paying that much money for a boat that you will want to upgrade the drive and can get that same drive in other boats now.  You also have to consider UV damage potentiall depending on how it was stored.

 

Personally unless you have a reason for wanting a pedal aka offshore saltwater, or tournaments that do not allow motors, i am going with a great paddling kayak and motorizing it for less money than a hobie.  You can get something like a Wilderness Systems recon for like $1300 and a NK180s and battery for another $1500-$1700 depending on battery and steering choices and still right around 3k for everything brand new.

[J Francho]

No way am I paying that for a 10-12 year old kayak.  A brand new Compass would be a better deal.

[immortl]

So yeah, I'm not buying the older ones at that 2500 price point.  I am likely picking up a new one and plan on motorizing it and adding some electronics.  found a few in stock locally.  That said, I did stumble on another older one (waiting to hear on the year, but it has the old seat) for $950.  Now I'm thinking, hmm 2nd kayak for guests?  Oherwise ill be alternating between kayak when solo, and canoe when with my fishing buddy (his kids are off to college, a kayak is not in his cards for now).  Things are escalating slightly over here.

 

Good point on holding into current.  I had sort of thought it would hold the orientation however the boat was when activated.  I'll look into that some more.

[Eric 26]

10 hours ago, immortl said:

So yeah, I'm not buying the older ones at that 2500 price point.  I am likely picking up a new one and plan on motorizing it and adding some electronics.  found a few in stock locally.  That said, I did stumble on another older one (waiting to hear on the year, but it has the old seat) for $950.  Now I'm thinking, hmm 2nd kayak for guests?  Oherwise ill be alternating between kayak when solo, and canoe when with my fishing buddy (his kids are off to college, a kayak is not in his cards for now).  Things are escalating slightly over here.

 

Good point on holding into current.  I had sort of thought it would hold the orientation however the boat was when activated.  I'll look into that some more.

I need a friend like you ?