Tell me about your Hobie PA

[Sethshaun]

 

Hobie PA 12/14 vs. Outback—Worth the Hype? Need Your Real-World Takes!

I’d only seen the Hobie PA 12 and 14 on YouTube until yesterday. Walked into a store to check out a Native Titan X—holy crap, it’s massive. Too big for me to imagine threading through laydowns or trees (prove me wrong if you can). Then I saw the Hobie PA 12, PA 14, and Outback up close. Instant love. They scream fishing—beautiful design, refined vibe. The PA seats look comfy as hell; the Outback’s is meh, but I could deal if it fishes well.

I’m getting older, been on Old Town PDLs since 2019 (zero issues, just boring). I want comfort, rod storage, and an open cockpit. Hobies feel different—but is that difference worth it to you? Here’s what I need to know:

• PA 12/14: All looks, or legit awesome on the water?
• Outback: Can you stand up 25 times a day from that low seat without killing your knees?
• Casting: How’s it from the seated position on either?
• Boat control: It’s windy here a lot—how do they handle?

I pedal a ton, cast a ton, stand and flip a lot. Sometimes I’m on open water hitting grass lines; other times I’m ducking under trees and pedaling over laydowns. I’ve got a Garmin GT 56 sidescan but don’t always use it—motors and cupholders aren’t my thing.

Give me the gritty details—thanks!

 

[Darth-Baiter]

I'll help.  mostly on the OUTBACK stuff.  but I have swapped boats with a bud and I have some PA time under my butt.  PA12 with the 360 degree pedal drive.

• PA 12/14: All looks, or legit awesome on the water? LEGIT on the water.  super stable.  but my bud on the PA12 is the only person I have seen flip out on the water.  hahah..  the boat is a tug.  super heavy, taking in and out of a truck is tiresome.  he went full trailer, but his wife prints money.  due to the weight, he has a better time in wind.  he stands up like he does from a lawn chair.  in his boat, I can face the sides and tick over the edge.  I bet I could stand on the seat.  
  • Outback: Can you stand up 25 times a day from that low seat without killing your knees? I CAN and do easily.  my moves take just a bit more effort.  with my Outback seat in the highest setting, I can almost pop up.  but I have to help myself.  I either reach back and push off the seat back (seamless move) or reach in front grab a pedal for a quick jerk to get my body moving up.  either way, I look kickass.   my bud WALKER can stand and put one foot into a pedal drive and kick it to move slowly while he is standing and casting.  Circ du Soleil level stuff.  I stand all the time to fish.  to pee, I face forward and aim my junk to the side and pee off the edge.  the big bonus, I can flip my kayak back right side up and climb in.  that aint happening in a PA.  not by me.
• Casting: How’s it from the seated position on either a:  I sucked at the beginning casting.  now I am rockstar.  my backhands and forward cast all tailored to the kayak sitting position.   I get into a bass boat and I suck in the morning until I recalibrate.  my backhand is awesome at avoiding the shallow water anchors in my friends boat.  in my Outback, I have gotten to love my long distance casts.  I can "send it" and the fish dont even see me or know I am there.  my accuracy is sometimes fire.
• Boat control: It’s windy here a lot—how do they handle?  wind sucks.  no getting around it.  my friend PA12 handles it better cuz of weight.  he also has spot lock.   my outback is made for the ocean, so wind waves while scary at times...I dont seem in any danger.  

 

bottom line.  if I had to buy again, I would still get the outback.  it is faster. with pedals only, I can hit 5mph and stay with my friends PA12 on his motor.  at 3 mph, I can go forever.  not even get winded.  I put a motor on the back of mine but I dont use it always.  I am already so nimble.  I move mine in my truck bed. the lighter wieght is awesome.  still portly, but I can manage.  I dont have the rod storage, so I use a box out back.  I sit lower to the water, and I am way better in rivers.  I can also launch dang near anywhere.  my other friend just bought an OUTBACK and now I have someone to fish this one spot where it will take two people to lift the boats over a fence.  hahaha.. my PA12 bud cant even come!!  I have lowered my outback off steep banks and fished mysterious waters.

[nso123]

I have a 2014 PA12 that I fished out of for years before I went to a boat. It is great on the water and very stable. Casting is not an issue when seated or standing. I have the bar you can lean into when standing and it is pretty handy.  Wind can be a challenge since it has a pretty high profile, but an anchor trolly on each side lets you adjust how you are positioned if you want to stay in a spot for a while. One thing that is a consideration that might not pop in most folks heads is shallow water. When I say shallow, I mean too shallow to peddle because the fins hit the bottom. Paddling a PA is like trying to paddle a barge. It’s ok if you are just trying to position the kayak with the paddle, but a couple of us got caught in shallow water in Mosquito Lagoon and had to paddle into the wind for a pretty good distance. It was rough. 
 

Overall, the PA is a fishing machine and I think you would be happy with one. 

[Sethshaun]

2 hours ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 

I'll help.  mostly on the OUTBACK stuff.  but I have swapped boats with a bud and I have some PA time under my butt.  PA12 with the 360 degree pedal drive.

• PA 12/14: All looks, or legit awesome on the water? LEGIT on the water.  super stable.  but my bud on the PA12 is the only person I have seen flip out on the water.  hahah..  the boat is a tug.  super heavy, taking in and out of a truck is tiresome.  he went full trailer, but his wife prints money.  due to the weight, he has a better time in wind.  he stands up like he does from a lawn chair.  in his boat, I can face the sides and tick over the edge.  I bet I could stand on the seat.  
  • Outback: Can you stand up 25 times a day from that low seat without killing your knees? I CAN and do easily.  my moves take just a bit more effort.  with my Outback seat in the highest setting, I can almost pop up.  but I have to help myself.  I either reach back and push off the seat back (seamless move) or reach in front grab a pedal for a quick jerk to get my body moving up.  either way, I look kickass.   my bud WALKER can stand and put one foot into a pedal drive and kick it to move slowly while he is standing and casting.  Circ du Soleil level stuff.  I stand all the time to fish.  to pee, I face forward and aim my junk to the side and pee off the edge.  the big bonus, I can flip my kayak back right side up and climb in.  that aint happening in a PA.  not by me.
• Casting: How’s it from the seated position on either a:  I sucked at the beginning casting.  now I am rockstar.  my backhands and forward cast all tailored to the kayak sitting position.   I get into a bass boat and I suck in the morning until I recalibrate.  my backhand is awesome at avoiding the shallow water anchors in my friends boat.  in my Outback, I have gotten to love my long distance casts.  I can "send it" and the fish dont even see me or know I am there.  my accuracy is sometimes fire.
• Boat control: It’s windy here a lot—how do they handle?  wind sucks.  no getting around it.  my friend PA12 handles it better cuz of weight.  he also has spot lock.   my outback is made for the ocean, so wind waves while scary at times...I dont seem in any danger.  

 

bottom line.  if I had to buy again, I would still get the outback.  it is faster. with pedals only, I can hit 5mph and stay with my friends PA12 on his motor.  at 3 mph, I can go forever.  not even get winded.  I put a motor on the back of mine but I dont use it always.  I am already so nimble.  I move mine in my truck bed. the lighter wieght is awesome.  still portly, but I can manage.  I dont have the rod storage, so I use a box out back.  I sit lower to the water, and I am way better in rivers.  I can also launch dang near anywhere.  my other friend just bought an OUTBACK and now I have someone to fish this one spot where it will take two people to lift the boats over a fence.  hahaha.. my PA12 bud cant even come!!  I have lowered my outback off steep banks and fished mysterious waters.

Stock seat height or risers? 

 

my rods behind me.... cost myself hundreds of dollars by ripping off eyelets rod tips and launching other rods into the lake because I see schoolers and can't help myself and I gotta bomb it NOW

thanks for the feedback!

1 hour ago, nso123 said:

I have a 2014 PA12 that I fished out of for years before I went to a boat. It is great on the water and very stable. Casting is not an issue when seated or standing. I have the bar you can lean into when standing and it is pretty handy.  Wind can be a challenge since it has a pretty high profile, but an anchor trolly on each side lets you adjust how you are positioned if you want to stay in a spot for a while. One thing that is a consideration that might not pop in most folks heads is shallow water. When I say shallow, I mean too shallow to peddle because the fins hit the bottom. Paddling a PA is like trying to paddle a barge. It’s ok if you are just trying to position the kayak with the paddle, but a couple of us got caught in shallow water in Mosquito Lagoon and had to paddle into the wind for a pretty good distance. It was rough. 
 

Overall, the PA is a fishing machine and I think you would be happy with one. 

that's funny the same thing happened to me at Beacon 42 in mosquito Lagoon

[king fisher]

I have an Outback and love it.  I can sit or stand all day and fish comfortably.  I have had my Outback far offshore on the pacific ocean in moderate seas, and had no difficulties.  I can launch from beaches and surf waves back in to shore without difficulty.  I bass fish on a lake with small waves, but winds over 20 MPH and never have to quit because of safety, or not being able to maneuver to cast.

 

I have never tried a Pro Angler, but they appear to be to heavy for what I want to do, and I do not feel I lack stability, or comfort with my Outback.

 

Picture is of my outback loaded with fishing and camp gear on a remote Mexican bass lake.

 

 

 

[IYAOYAS]

Hello. Native guy here. I have the Titan 13.5 it is a GIANT!However, the boat handles like it is alot smaller than it is. Titans are pretty maneuverable from the 10X up. I weigh 300 pounds and I can stand and cast, paddle(which is surprisingly easy) an sit fairly comfortably for 8 hours no problem(Iam a disabled vet. Broke my back in the service) Not to mention you will save some coin. Also don't discount the slayer. The Slayer 12.5Max is a beast of a boat too.

[Koz]

I have an Autopilot 120 that I love. But take a look at the Wilderness Systems Tactical Pro 128.

 

It’s designed for a bow mounted motor, and it also has deck storage and pass through wiring plates.

 

 

https://wildernesssystems.confluenceoutdoor.com/en-us/products/wilderness-systems-tactical-pro-128-fishing-kayak/9751325216

 

[nso123]

15 hours ago, king fisher said:

I have an Outback and love it.  I can sit or stand all day and fish comfortably.  I have had my Outback far offshore on the pacific ocean in moderate seas, and had no difficulties.  I can launch from beaches and surf waves back in to shore without difficulty.  I bass fish on a lake with small waves, but winds over 20 MPH and never have to quit because of safety, or not being able to maneuver to cast.

 

I have never tried a Pro Angler, but they appear to be to heavy for what I want to do, and I do not feel I lack stability, or comfort with my Outback.

 

Picture is of my outback loaded with fishing and camp gear on a remote Mexican bass lake.

 

 

 

Not to hijack the post, but that camping pic looks right down my alley. Very cool.