Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

Rufus · 09-03-2012, 06:10 AM

For sure demo every yack you can get your hands on before you buy. Pay attention to its weight because you and the wife will have to lift them up onto a roof rack on your car.

As far as paddle versus peddle arguement, I was a stubborn paddle purist for many years. My 27 year old son and I have always fished hard from our Malibus.

But I was secretly envious of the guys on peddle boats, especially the PAs. After talking to about twenty guys with Hobie's, I demo'd the PA and....well....that was all it took. The difference between paddle and peddle for fishing is day and night. I can keep the bow into the current or wind and cast to my heart's content. The PA is a battleship, it's a heavy mofo, but it's nimble on the water. And the energy it takes to move is much less than the paddle guys, especially into the weather. It makes sense, your quads are much larger than your back muscles.

My son is still a stubborn purist. So he still does the paddle, paddle, cast, paddle, paddle, cast cha cha.

So, fast forward to his spring. my 56 year old wife (I'm 57) felt left out and wanted to hit the water with us. So we demo'd a handful of boats. One thing became clear, her shoulders wouldn't put up with paddling. There was too much clicking and popping going on. The minute she got in a Hobie Revo 11 it was love at first ride.

So now when the boys are out fishing, she's getting her day in the sun with us on her own Revo. She listens to tunes on her iPhone, she takes photos and text messages her envious girfriends who are sitting at home on their asses and she gets her exercise.

And as far as the arguement goes with skinny water or weeds...the Hobie drive flattens against the hull. Simply transition to your paddle and move through the weeds. I do it all the time in the kelp beds. And if you get some weeds on the "props", you know it right away, but in most cases the weeds fall off without effort or simply reach down and lift up your drive.

One thing I'd pay attention to, the hull weight. How strong is your wife? Will she be able help load the boats? Can she lift much weight over her shoulders? Can she drag the boat on wheels down to the water? If not, that job will fall to you.

Finally, if your wife is willing to go yacking, DO IT! Do it now!!

09-03-2012, 06:10 AM	#16
Rufus Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ocean Beach Posts: 90	For sure demo every yack you can get your hands on before you buy. Pay attention to its weight because you and the wife will have to lift them up onto a roof rack on your car. As far as paddle versus peddle arguement, I was a stubborn paddle purist for many years. My 27 year old son and I have always fished hard from our Malibus. But I was secretly envious of the guys on peddle boats, especially the PAs. After talking to about twenty guys with Hobie's, I demo'd the PA and....well....that was all it took. The difference between paddle and peddle for fishing is day and night. I can keep the bow into the current or wind and cast to my heart's content. The PA is a battleship, it's a heavy mofo, but it's nimble on the water. And the energy it takes to move is much less than the paddle guys, especially into the weather. It makes sense, your quads are much larger than your back muscles. My son is still a stubborn purist. So he still does the paddle, paddle, cast, paddle, paddle, cast cha cha. So, fast forward to his spring. my 56 year old wife (I'm 57) felt left out and wanted to hit the water with us. So we demo'd a handful of boats. One thing became clear, her shoulders wouldn't put up with paddling. There was too much clicking and popping going on. The minute she got in a Hobie Revo 11 it was love at first ride. So now when the boys are out fishing, she's getting her day in the sun with us on her own Revo. She listens to tunes on her iPhone, she takes photos and text messages her envious girfriends who are sitting at home on their asses and she gets her exercise. And as far as the arguement goes with skinny water or weeds...the Hobie drive flattens against the hull. Simply transition to your paddle and move through the weeds. I do it all the time in the kelp beds. And if you get some weeds on the "props", you know it right away, but in most cases the weeds fall off without effort or simply reach down and lift up your drive. One thing I'd pay attention to, the hull weight. How strong is your wife? Will she be able help load the boats? Can she lift much weight over her shoulders? Can she drag the boat on wheels down to the water? If not, that job will fall to you. Finally, if your wife is willing to go yacking, DO IT! Do it now!!