Hobie Kayak Owners: Pros and Cons

[buddha]

I may be in the market for a Hobie this summer and I think these are the popular choices for fishing.

Pro Angler 14
Pro Angler 12
Hobie Outback
Hobie Revolution 13

I would guess that many like the stability and ability to stand up as well as the space of the PA's.

Outback is good too and lighter than the PA's but can't stand up.

Revolution is a faster boat but not as much deck space.

What Hobie do you own and are you happy with your kayak or do you wish you bought another kayak?

I guess the best thing would be is to own two kayaks for different applications.

[LawDog]

...just saying I've looked at a lot of different yaks over the years. Test ride them. Pick them up, and try to load/unload. And do yourself a favor and check out the native slayer propel also.

[Cadillyak]

Have a PA12. The fully loaded weight isn't too bad. Get good wheels and you are good to go. Have a pick up so loading is no problem. I could see a possible issue if you are car topping it. Not the fastest, but I'm not racing, I'm fishing! No regrets!

[dorado50]

I would recommend a Hobie for fishing "the Baja".

[ful-rac]

Pro angler 14 all the way! A few guys are switchn over to the PA this year. Its not good for everything...but for 99% of the stuff we do it works perfect. As long as you can move it and transport it of course.

[food4less562]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Pro angler 14 all the way! A few guys are switchn over to the PA this year. Its not good for everything...but for 99% of the stuff we do it works perfect. As long as you can move it and transport it of course.

how are the surf launches in a pa14?

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by buddha

I may be in the market for a Hobie this summer and I think these are the popular choices for fishing.

Pro Angler 14
Pro Angler 12
Hobie Outback
Hobie Revolution 13

I would guess that many like the stability and ability to stand up as well as the space of the PA's.

Outback is good too and lighter than the PA's but can't stand up.

Revolution is a faster boat but not as much deck space.

What Hobie do you own and are you happy with your kayak or do you wish you bought another kayak?

I guess the best thing would be is to own two kayaks for different applications.

My first kayak was a OK Prowler, no more than a year after buying the OK I purchased a new Outback from OEX-SB. Fast forward four years.......I'll be the proud owner of a 2014 PA 14 in just a few days. Why a PA? Basically, because of what Tony said but I'll have to admit that Tony's numbers are wrong, he said 99% but I believe its more like 99.99%.

[Fishwhisperer619]

I have absolutely zero negatives to say about my PA 14. or really any hobie for that matter. However I am told that the PA12 does not like to cooperate steering sometimes. Not sure how true that is but something to look into

[RockyRaab]

Sandy, like most states, Utah does not require a license/registration for any craft that is wholly human-powered. But put a sail or a trolling motor on it, and you must register it and display the numbers on the craft.

I had a marine patrol check me out one day. The officer said he just KNEW I had to have a motor because I was cruising right along and I wasn't using a paddle. At the time, I think I had the only Hobie in Utah, and he was astounded by the Mirage Drive - and by how silent it was. No ticket, and he left mumbling that he simply HAD to have one of those things.

[YakDout]

I just switched from a revolution to a PA14. Why I didn't do this sooner, I don't know. I took out my new PA for the first time 2 days ago, and it was my first time on the water with one. It's just as fast as my revolution was, and the steering feels more reponsive as well. A couple features I love are:

Rudder-comes straight down and back up into the boat

Lowrance ready- I had a transducer arm on my revolution, which you would think gets you the best possible reading. No it doesn't. My sonar is working like it should now.

The seat-no comparison to the revolution. Went from uncomfortable, to lazy boy.
So many adjustments, even lumbar.

Stability-I was standing in my PA in 10 minutes.

This is the KING of kayaks. My fishing confidence level went through the roof in the short time I was on the water. I went from catching a couple fish and wanting to come in, to catching squat and wanting to stay out.

[sandydiego]

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

Sandy, like most states, Utah does not require a license/registration for any craft that is wholly human-powered. But put a sail or a trolling motor on it, and you must register it and display the numbers on the craft.

I had a marine patrol check me out one day. The officer said he just KNEW I had to have a motor because I was cruising right along and I wasn't using a paddle. At the time, I think I had the only Hobie in Utah, and he was astounded by the Mirage Drive - and by how silent it was. No ticket, and he left mumbling that he simply HAD to have one of those things.

That's freakin funny. Love it!

[buddha]

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by buddha

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

Thankfully it's pretty difficult to flip a PA, I can say that I never have, at least in open water. I have practiced flipping my PA over and then tried righting it, and it was pretty easy with the help of my bow line I always have tied to the front.

The bow line is just looped around the front handle, and in the event of an open water capsize, I would just unloop the handle from the front and loop it around the side handles, flip the rope around to the other side and flip the PA back over.

[svendawg]

Originally Posted by buddha

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

Once you turn over in your PA it is very difficult to flip it upright if you have all of your gear, without a line like Ful Rac mentioned. I have a dedicated line tucked in the web pocket below the side handle on my PA.
I used a 6" piece of 1/2 PVC to make a handle. The other end stays looped/tied on the handle so it readily available when need. I used 700 lbs para cord for cord because it rolls up nicely around the PVC handle and easily fits in the pocket under the handle without sticking out. This is so compact I never have to remove it, even when transporting it on top of my SUV.
So if I flip I know exacatly where the line is, it's already attached. Just pull it out and throw it over the PA, get on the other side a flip it back over.
This is just my version of what others have already done using different materials.

[momo fish]

Only con I can see so far is price. Compared to any other kayak company it prices many out which is confusing given that they could have bigger market.


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[FlyFishinYakr]

Originally Posted by buddha

I may be in the market for a Hobie this summer and I think these are the popular choices for fishing.

Pro Angler 14
Pro Angler 12
Hobie Outback
Hobie Revolution 13

I would guess that many like the stability and ability to stand up as well as the space of the PA's.

Outback is good too and lighter than the PA's but can't stand up.

Revolution is a faster boat but not as much deck space.

What Hobie do you own and are you happy with your kayak or do you wish you bought another kayak?

I guess the best thing would be is to own two kayaks for different applications.

As my screen name implies I Fly Fish from my Kayak.
That being said stability is "my" priority. I thought about a PA HOWEVER I'm recovering from a severe blow-out of my L-5 S-1 gap (pinched sciatic nerve). I now have trouble lifting too much weight.
I chose the outback because after showing it to my Orthopedic surgeon he thought it would be a good Low-impact exercise piece of equipment and it would help me be active outside.
I did my fair share of "Lurking" (almost a year) on the pros and cons of the different "Hobies" from the members hers an they have great insight.
The Revos, by most accounts, were a little "tippy", but are the fastest of the bunch but a little limited in room (depending on your size) and plan on getting wet (launching and moderate swells)!
I chose an Outback for extra stability especially when side saddle fish fighting (even though I can't stand up in one) and the more responsive steering (due to the placement and max deflection and surface area of the rudder-I don't know if you can equip a PA with a sailing rudder).
Short of a boat, it has as much storage as I need plus the option of having the PA rectangle center storage installed.
With all the extras and modifications it came down to $$$. I spent almost $3K on my outback! My only regret is that this year just after I buy mine, they come out with a transducer scupper (I have a wet mount and it's iffy at times, especially deep) ! I might buy the new one and keep the other for a spare!
The PA's (especially the 14) are an Excellent platform especially with the new seats , almost as stable as a Johnboat, but heavier than heck when accessorized (from 100-120#'s+).
I also don't care for the easy way to transport (i.e. In the back of a truck with half the boat hanging out on an extender). With the way people drive all you need is a knucklehead tailgating while talking or texting to ruin a $3,500 PA! (I put my outback on a roof mount Thule Slipstream 887XT...rolls on and right off.
If I had a 4X4 truck with a ladder/material rack I might have considered a PA but again the weight is a big consideration "for me".
I've heard they can be wet when launching but with the bow configuration I suppose those that complain are the "hard core" kayakers that go out in just about all weather!
I hope this helps. Just my .02
FFY