What's wrong with a PA-12 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

fish-on-bro · 07-02-2017, 09:02 PM

I own a Malibu mini-x and been using it for 6 years and love it. The Mini-x fit my bill for fly fishing, now I'm looking to upgrade to a PA-12 and see people getting rid of the 12 for the 14. To me the 12 will fill my needs and don't really want a 14' kayak. I would like to hear some feedback on this.

Thanks,
Fish-on-bro

GTboosted · 07-02-2017, 09:07 PM

Speed and storage onboard favor the 14.

Cons for the 14 is slight extra weight

But coming from a mini x, even an outback will be a barge

Raskal311 · 07-02-2017, 09:28 PM

I rarely see people sell to upgrade for a 14. The 14 is very nice but the extra weigh, storage , transport isn't worth. Many of the pa 12 you have seen posted around OC belongs to my buddies and all have upgraded to a 2017 PA 12 or a boat.

Saba Slayer · 07-03-2017, 06:53 AM

It seems like most anglers that buy a PA 12 have 2 primary reasons for buying the 12' version. Transport in the bed of a pickup and storage seem to be the reasoning most use to purchase the 12 footer.
The price difference in the two is minimal at original purchase (only about $250)...I prefer the extra storage in back and the larger hatch up front since I like to attach my reliable kill bag on the front hatch.
Yes the PA is big and heavy...but it's like sitting in a a big old luxury sedan...I can spend all day in that big Vantage seat.

jorluivil · 07-03-2017, 08:54 AM

Best advise I can give is to test ride the 12 and 14 but I would recommend the 14 for two reasons:

1. You get two more inches in width, I know it doesn't sound like much but it is.

2. The extra 2 feet of kayak means you get 2 more feet of storage and despite the fact that it's longer and heavier the 14 is extremely fast, it's just as fast is not faster than the Outback.

Again, my best advise is to test ride both and go with what you like and not what others suggest

Baja_Traveler · 07-03-2017, 10:32 AM

The new PA's are a noticeable upgrade to the previous versions with the skeg system for better tracking, and the new 180 drive. The Mirage 180 costs so much to upgrade, that it kind of makes sense to just sell an earlier boat in its entirety and pick up a brand new one. If the old boat is well taken care of, you end up spending about the same extra money as just buying the drive, but you end up with a whole new boat also. This may be the reason we are seeing some of them up for sale. Nothing wrong with the PA12, more of them were sold for reasons already stated, so it follows more would be on the second hand market.
Me - I love my 14 and would get another in a heartbeat...

fish-on-bro · 07-04-2017, 02:20 AM

Thanks for all the input, sure gives me something to chew on.

Fish-on-bro

07-02-2017, 09:02 PM	#1
fish-on-bro Junior Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	What's wrong with a PA-12 I own a Malibu mini-x and been using it for 6 years and love it. The Mini-x fit my bill for fly fishing, now I'm looking to upgrade to a PA-12 and see people getting rid of the 12 for the 14. To me the 12 will fill my needs and don't really want a 14' kayak. I would like to hear some feedback on this. Thanks, Fish-on-bro

07-02-2017, 09:07 PM	#2
GTboosted Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Lake Balboa, The Valley Posts: 425	Speed and storage onboard favor the 14. Cons for the 14 is slight extra weight But coming from a mini x, even an outback will be a barge __________________ -Beto

07-02-2017, 09:28 PM	#3
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	I rarely see people sell to upgrade for a 14. The 14 is very nice but the extra weigh, storage , transport isn't worth. Many of the pa 12 you have seen posted around OC belongs to my buddies and all have upgraded to a 2017 PA 12 or a boat. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

07-03-2017, 06:53 AM	#4
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,857	PA 12 It seems like most anglers that buy a PA 12 have 2 primary reasons for buying the 12' version. Transport in the bed of a pickup and storage seem to be the reasoning most use to purchase the 12 footer. The price difference in the two is minimal at original purchase (only about $250)...I prefer the extra storage in back and the larger hatch up front since I like to attach my reliable kill bag on the front hatch. Yes the PA is big and heavy...but it's like sitting in a a big old luxury sedan...I can spend all day in that big Vantage seat. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

07-03-2017, 08:54 AM	#5
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	Best advise I can give is to test ride the 12 and 14 but I would recommend the 14 for two reasons: 1. You get two more inches in width, I know it doesn't sound like much but it is. 2. The extra 2 feet of kayak means you get 2 more feet of storage and despite the fact that it's longer and heavier the 14 is extremely fast, it's just as fast is not faster than the Outback. Again, my best advise is to test ride both and go with what you like and not what others suggest __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer Last edited by jorluivil; 07-03-2017 at 11:23 AM.

07-03-2017, 10:32 AM	#6
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	The new PA's are a noticeable upgrade to the previous versions with the skeg system for better tracking, and the new 180 drive. The Mirage 180 costs so much to upgrade, that it kind of makes sense to just sell an earlier boat in its entirety and pick up a brand new one. If the old boat is well taken care of, you end up spending about the same extra money as just buying the drive, but you end up with a whole new boat also. This may be the reason we are seeing some of them up for sale. Nothing wrong with the PA12, more of them were sold for reasons already stated, so it follows more would be on the second hand market. Me - I love my 14 and would get another in a heartbeat...

07-04-2017, 02:20 AM	#7
fish-on-bro Junior Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 12	Thanks for all the input, sure gives me something to chew on. Fish-on-bro