undecided
 

a buddy of mine gave me kayak all i had to do was buy the paddle.now i am thinking of buying a peddle kayak.which one is better? paddle or peddle any help would be great.
rd

The main deterrent from the pedal boats is the price, but each person is different. It's been said many times on this board: "Try before you buy"

Most people can go further with the pedal system, but you lose deck space. Do you have any injuries (knee, shoulder, etc) that would affect your decision?

I would talk to the guys at OEX. They sell all the main brands of kayaks and will let you try them out. I believe the Oceanside store is the only one that has hobies. If that's out of the way for you, Fastlane Sailing (Mission Bay area) sells hobies and will let you try them out.

Give them a call and see what they say.

If you already own a yak and all you need is a paddle, then use it. You need a paddle for a kayak or a peddle boat. I have a paddle for sale :D.

As for what's better, I sure do like the way those peddle boats zip around the ocean, but then again Quietman's trolling motor worked well also:rolleyes:

try before you buy thats good.whats the price difference between them

the difference between a free kayak and a new peddle kayak is about $1700++++

I'll need a new one soon, gonna have to kick the tires on a few soon.

The Hobie mirage drive adds quite a bit to the price. It would probably be best to just buy a paddle and use the one you have for a while. That should give you some time to learn all the ins and outs of kayak fishing. If you decide that you like it and are going to stick with it you can look for a specific yak. The OEX stores have a wide range of kayaks (everything except for Cobra I think) and they can help you out with your decision. Make sure you paddle/pedal several types before you make a decision to buy a kayak.

Well said, Patrick.
 

:iagree:Patrick pretty much said it all, and he's a non-bias guy giving you his honest opinion, sound advice. I'm not sure if Patrick has ever fished off a mirage drive system though, I never asked him. I fished off of three different kinds of paddle kayaks before making the switch, and you can't sum up the difference by price alone. I developed nerve damage from chasing bird schools like a maniac for years, but I know a few hardcore fisherman that don't have this problem, I think. The feel, speed, and maneuverability, are completely different from a standard paddle kayak. I'm not bias either, pros and cons to both, and it remains to be determined which one is right for you. I'm not a salesman in anyway, just a hardcore fisherman, but without you telling me about your desired specific use (lakes, bays, 3mile-40mile range), in conjunction with your experience level, and target species from tiny to giant, plenty of variables. I will also point out that you don't neccisarily lose deck space with a Hobie. The deck of the Hobie Outback is wide open, with plenty of flat spots for customized options, not to mention it comes pretty tricked out. Another thing to think about since you're not paddling, your deck space doubles in size already, and obviously your hands are free to do as you wish. Adjust your rods, cast the iron in hot pursuit of breaking fish while chasing them down, tie knots, read a book, the list is endless. With a paddle kayak, you will be constantly picking up your paddle (a few hundred times a day), to alter your position, whether a great distance or micro adjustments. when ocean kayak fishing the variables are current, wind, multiple lines that can tangle, other kayak anglers, drunk power boaters, big hungry sea lions, whales etc. The point is, you are almost constantly having to make adjustments, and I quit cursing when I got the pedal kayak. When ever I have a possible tangle situation (100 times a day), floating rubbish that needs to be avoided, or the need to move slightly, it's awesome to make a few twinkle toe effortless kicks with my feet, instead of many strokes with the paddle. For the first few weeks on the Hobie, I almost found something new I loved about them everyday, and this is still going on after almost six months. From pulling giant fish away from structure, and stopping the nightmare from unfolding, to increasing my range by leaps and bounds without the fear of fatigue, to simply picking up my rod as the bait get's nervous right before that Yellowtail or White Seabass quits staring him down and commits. I don't know of any fisherman that would argue "that when the fish slams your bait or iron, and starts ripping line is the best part," atleast it's my favorite part.

All this said, for years when someone on the beach asked me how to get started, I simply told them "find something that floats, and take advantage of the worldclass sportfishing that is right off our coast". I have three paddles that seem to lose their value to me everyday, and forgot to bring one on three out of my last five trips. So feel free to barrow one, try out what you have, listen to the salesman about your "specific questions", and the kayak that is right for you "will sell itself". Maybe you will end up fishing on the one you have this season, or buying a better paddle kayak soon, your choice to make. Reguardless, all this will do is make you appreciate the pedal kayak more if you ever decide to make the switch, "like moving from Montana to Southern California, you will appreciate what you have more than the locals that take paradise for granted".

I found that while pedaling the Outback requires constant adjustments to the rudder to prevent drifting off course. One hand is always on the rudder control, or off just long enough to drink from my beer and then I need to make a correction. I would call it one-hand fishing not hands-free. I adjusted my rudder cables so there is no slack. I can see why some people love the pedal drives, but I still prefer paddling. After having a mirage drive fail on me two miles out I would never go further than that on an Outback and would always have a paddle with me. The Revolution and Adventure would make me more comfortable because I could paddle those longer distances, the Outback is too wide and tall to paddle efficiently, maybe a 260cm paddle would help. Not arguing, just adding another opinion.

Dave, is also a non-bias guy, and I respect his opinion.
 

I agree that with the Outback you can't just cruise as if on auto-pilot, more near constant micro adjustment like 1/8" to the left and then back right, just like when driving straight on the freeway in a car. After I learned to not "over adjust", I loved the handling (2008 model). The other Hobie models are another story, as the pointed bow acts like a forward rudder or a fin on a surfboard, and requires much less adjusting, almost built in auto-pilot. In my own opinion after trying all the options, the Outback would be my choice for La Jolla, and other areas where you are never more than a couple miles offshore. If I remember correctly, Dave had a pin slip out, that would of required to simply have an allen wrench (I keep one on my key chain and have never had to use it after over a hundred miles now). Dave, please correct me if I'm wrong. I think the Outback is the most versatile, with so much stability you never have to think about it fighting giant fish, or throwing a 9' jig-stick as hard as you can, not to mention it's the best option for sight fishing (my favorite), and allows you to move about the cockpit without fear. Changing clothes, or getting on your knees to urinate, and getting a higher perspective to see fish that you can't see sitting down. I think opinions from as many people as possible, are nothing but a good thing in helping a fellow angler make his decision, so thanks Dave.

josh that was a pretty damn good response......:you_rock:

I bought 2 hobie outbacks over the years on 2 different occassions, and I ended up selling them both. Went from paddle to pedal, now back to paddle again. I really tried to give it a fair shot.

Older hobies have a problem with drivewell cracking and leaking on you and the fix they give you is pretty much useless... and has horrible primary stability.

Newer hobies are better with stability, but still, more gadgets to keep track of, things to go wrong, to complicate the whole process..especialy on launching and landings. Heavy as a pig on land and water. Plus alot less deck space to play with.

I am now back on and OK P15 and really much happier with it than with the Hobies. I still own 2 Cobras, 2 Ok kayaks, and a couple of other brands, but got rid of the Hobie Outbacks.

There really is something to be said for paddles... it feels alot better and lets you do alot more fine tune adjustments on positioning.

And yea, I had the same problem as FISHIONADO.... My Hobies tracked horribly with the rudder. As "hands free" as trying to drive a car hands free.

:doh:
Has anyone else done this? Personally I couldn't imagine it.

That reminded me of one thing.

One good thing about the Hobie that I really did like is that they hold their resale value extremely well. Probably better than any other kayak I have ever owned and sold.

I guess it's a lifestyle choice. Once you go Hobie you never go back.

I keeed, I keeed.

I know of a few people who have found religion and given up the Hobie. Not many, but a few.

I'd be the first to admit that Hobies provide some advantages for fishing. I would even be willing to get one if I had a career-ending shoulder injury. Maybe I'm just a purist, but I love paddling. I don't think I'd give that up unless I had to.

Doug -

For you vets I can understand the 'purist' aspect, and for some that may not be as great a factor as just fishing and making ground. I guess what it really comes down to is that, preference of upper or lower body workout, and factoring in any injuries one may have.

I have to say that the acceptance of Hobie's on this board has improved over the last 2 years that I have owned one.

I am impressed with the thoughtfull discussion that this thread has produced so far. Great opinions.


Thank you all for the respectfulness of each other.:luxhello:

I Did
i went from: sptw ,prowler15, tarpon160, outback for 2.5 years, Marauder (was a second boat, paddled it for 2 weeks, uggh it sucked), back to prowler 15.

i liked it, they're amazing boats. but it just wasnt what i wanted anymore. I got a great deal on it (traded the tarpon straight up) and thats why i think i paddled it for so long. i am VERY happy now to be back in a P15, it was a relief to get back to paddling. They're not for everyone.

pm me for any more.

The best 2 models for ocean fishing are the Adventure, and Revolution. They both are narrow enough to paddle, and are fast under Mirage Power.

If I take my Adventure out in Mission Bay without the Mirage Drive and install the cassette plug in the well area it paddles good.
At 27.5" wide and 16 ft long it goes along good, and tracks well.
----------------------
The Outback makes a good all around yak, but it is not a good paddle boat because of its width and height at the water line.
But if you want a stable boat its hard to beat in that area.
-------------------
There will always be some type of compromise between fast, and stability.

On the plus side I launch at LJ without ever removing my paddle. The Mirage Drive lets me peddle straight from shore and blast through big waves at times.
-I really tested the hell out of it this week with a BIG Wave over my head.

It was a holy shit moment.lol

The hobie rudder system allows you to keep the fish to one side at all times just by adjusting the rudder as to which direction the fish is heading or going, no need to swing rod from side to side. The worst part about a hobie is that there is no fish storage!!

That's easily achieved without a rudder system. right foot left foot.

lol

Peddle Power for Launch and Landing?
 

Like most Hobie owners I am more than pleased with my choice. The peddle system effortlessly gobbles up the miles and even after a full day of trolling, I am not tired. With a paddle boat, I suspect that it takes a long time to get into the kind of shape needed to spend a day on the water.

That said, Billy's comment about using the peddles for launching, (and I assume landing), interests me. I have always used the paddles and as a result, launching and landing is usually the lowpoint of the trip.

Last week my stock Hobie paddle broke while paddling in at the shores. Ron from Fastlane replaced it under warranty but gave me a puzzled look when I told him the I did not use the mirage drive while launching and landing. I think he thought I was nuts.

I thought that using the peddles in shallow water was a big NO-NO that could seriously damage the drive so I have never done it. Am I the only one who did not get the memo that this is OK?

Bob

No No No... bad peddler!;) You may do it a few times and get lucky but why chance it?

I have seen more than one drive system trashed from landing or launching with them. There is a whole lot of torque on those fins, and when they strike the bottom, nothing good will happen, unless you uncover some hidden treasure of course.:rolleyes:

Launch/Land
 

I guess I'm in the minority here. I've been using the hobie drive to launch and land for the last two years without incident (except for the one time the drive failed when the mast came loose, but that is another post). I always launch in water that is thigh deep, and dismount in the same. If I'm not sure, I tuck the fins up against the bottom and take short pedal strokes.

Same as you GreenJeans....Never a problem here, but it's ok to be over cautious if your unsure of your abilities.

We must have a similar launching technique.

As I walk the boat out into thigh high water I drop the rudder. When I'm sure its deep enough I unhook the mirage bungee cord and wait for the right wave.

-Then hop in and get "On the Peddles".
note--
I don't bother to slip my feet inside, I just place my feet on the peddles which ever way they are positioned and go straight through anything that comes at me.
This works in large or small surf.

Place your yak on a table and take a measurement of the full extension of the drive fins and transfer that measurement up against your body.
Once you are in the water that deep your Good to GO.
-Short stroke if there is any doubt.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8...D480/ry%3D320/
------------------------
When landing.....

I always keep the Mirage Drive mounted in the boat, but I Use the Bungee to hold the Fins up against the Hull
-I use the paddle to return through the surf and hop out when I see 2 ft of water and drag it up on shore.

Aquachico:

I don't quite understand this but am interested in what you mean.

Do you mean drag the left foot or right foot in water while fighting the fish? Or do you mean using your foot to press on certain parts of the kayak to control the orientation?

I'd like to figure this out if it is going to be helpful.... unless you were just kidding. I've never consciously thought about keeping the fish to one side or the other before but it seems like it could be helpful.

No I was not kidding. D50 mentions that an advantage of a rudder system is being able to keep a fish on one side of the yak while fighting the fish.

That is probably true - but not necessary.

While the yak is moving I can turn the yak by lowering my foot (13EEE) on either side. I like to keep my fish on the port side of the yak so I drop my right leg out turning it starboard. I can come to a full stop with both legs.

I use this technic while surf landing also - landing is not my strong point so every little bit helps.

BTW: kick ass stories on Jim's board - your father is a lucky dude. Good fish karma coming your way.

Art

STORAGE
 

Love mine..but have to agree with Dorado 50 on the fish storage problem...getting to the main hatch is lil tricky and if theres already a fish in there good luck...I have had my peddels pinned by a big fish head at peddels tail over face with fish in la jolla and have had to just paddle back....glad I had the adventure....its ok though whens its the happy paddle

Good lookin out Art.....
 

In reference to Pchen911 posts on LJKF, and the multiple successful outings with your father. Honestly, I had a tear in my eye reading them (I'm sure I wasn't alone), and to say I'm envious is a serious understatement, so thanks for sharing!

Thanks Art,

Will give that a try next time. I figure it would probably be easier to do on a shorter boat though... I can see it on my old shorter boats like the cobras, but on the P15 I am using now, its pretty hard to swing that thing around.

Luckily, left side or right side, I have no real preference.... but certainly can help when fighting fish with a second line in the water.

Thanks also Josh, but actually your stories are really inspiring to me.... On many levels. First to let me know what the possibilities are and how much further there is to go and learn. Then again with your willingness to share your reports when it seems people aren't reporting much nowadays (compared to years past). Your generousity is very much appreciated.

I'll admit though.... I am still quite a ways from the level of C&R those yellowtail beauties on your other post. :eek: When people fish, its feast or famine.... When I fish, its famine or starvation.