Hobie or keep my Malibu stealth 14

[Siebler]

Originally Posted by sdfishman

Wait up for me haha.. Your trolling motor will die one day and I will pedal right past you..

Until you break a drive cable

Ill stick to paddling thank you

If you think paddling is too hard its probably because your paddling a slow boat. If you notice, most of those who say they would rather paddle are on efficient boats like Tarpons, Prowlers, Etc.

[sdfishman]

I'm too big for those tarpons/prowlers . I have a XFactor when I decided to paddle.

Originally Posted by Siebler

Until you break a drive cable

Ill stick to paddling thank you

If you think paddling is too hard its probably because your paddling a slow boat. If you notice, most of those who say they would rather paddle are on efficient boats like Tarpons, Prowlers, Etc.

[Siebler]

Originally Posted by sdfishman

I'm too big for those tarpons/prowlers . I have a XFactor when I decided to paddle.

Bet your not too big for a Prowler Trident 15. Theres a few larger guys paddling this boat and they LOVE it.

If theres a will theres a way

[oneyedeer]

go down to OEX and take couple of the hobie out for a test drive....try the outback and revolution. Paddle and peddle them

you test drive cars test drive your women why not a kayak

[ful-rac]

id keep the stealth!!!!!....because I have one too!!! I personally love my stealth 14, it has served me well, and hopefully for many more years to come.

Tony.

[da22y]

I have a Hobie Adventure.
I also purchased Tarpon 160, Malibu stealth14, Trident 13 "AFTER" my Hobie.

All is sold but my Hobie stay.
Just can't break my Hobie addiction.
Hobie is not perfect , but I still think it is the best for me.

[Podaker]

I went from a tarpon to a hobie and there will be no going back. It's hands free, less effort, faster, and you can turn on a dime. not as good in the surf and you can't go backwards until you grab your paddle. for me the pros far outwiegh the minor cons. go try one out, if you are in san diego you can test one out at fastlane on mission bay.

[Siebler]

Originally Posted by Ed

I am not sponsored and have nothing to gain. I have owned 2 Prowlers, 2 Malibus and 1 Hobie. I love my Hobie and it hasn't failed in 7 years. If I were sight seeing, looking at whales or other such recreation, a paddle is great. I love to paddle. When fishing a Hobie rules. I love to have my hands free to set lines or cast or have a sandwich, whatever. When it gets really windy and choppy the Adventure lets me hold position and vertically jig. As for a mechanical failure, if my Adventure drive ever fails my yak magically tranforms into a regular kayak and I just paddle in. Oooooo, dangerous.

Opinions from Utah dont count Ed

Cant wait to see you and Alan in May, gonna be a blast again!

[bellcon]

Originally Posted by Siebler

Bet your not too big for a Prowler Trident 15. Theres a few larger guys paddling this boat and they LOVE it.

If theres a will theres a way

Yep CJ is right on
6'-4", 250lbs here and been on a Trident 15 for about 5 years
I can keep up with the Hobie guys no problem...

But in the wind? a strong current?, while trying to hold a spot? or when the fish blow up WAY over there?
that's when I hate them same Hobie guys
even more when they peddle past me waving with a beer in one hand and a rod in the other


Look at the WCW leader board I think everyone with a submission is on a Hobie
well almost everyone


having said that
Looks like the PA is my next ride

[dorado50]

I really don't know why anyone states the real benefits of a hobie. Yes they are all of the above but when it comes to fishing they have a reel advantage. Instead of the fish taking you into the kelp or into a lobster line you can lead that fish away from said objects,thus increaseing your chances of landing fish. Also a Hobie allows you to have better control of fish by keeping rod to one side of kayak at all times thus eliminating those over the bow swings during different stages of fight,which obviously keeps your rod and spool /line tension consistent throughout the battle. Just two prime examples of why hobies work!

[Salty Dog]

I have a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160 and a Hobie Revolution 13.

I got the Tarpon first. I wanted a kayak that was seaworthy and could cover long distances. The first thing I bought after was a carbon fiber paddle. A good paddle can turn any kayak into a better kayak. I have paddled and fished with it from Newport Beach to Laguna Beach and back without too much trouble. I think someone made the crossing to Catalina on one.
Paddling for fish is an art. More skills are required to handle the kayak. I welcome the challenge.

I got the Hobie when I noticed that my my legs were beginning to look like chicken legs while my shoulders were all buffed out. Balance is the key. Great training for hiking or backpacking!!!
Pedaling for fish is fun! No skills required! With paddling I had to stop to have a drink. Now I just keep going and not waste any precious beer drinking time

I better get back on the Tarpon soon. My arms are starting to look like chicken wings.

[jorluivil]

Get a Hobie

When your battery dies I'll peddle past you
When you paddle breaks I'll peddle past you
When my peddles break, your battery dies and your paddle breaks I'll paddle past you
When my paddle breaks......I'll call you and ask you how you got in when your motor and your paddle broke.

I've owned both types of kayaks but nothing beats a Hobie.

[mazilla]

Originally Posted by jorluivil

Get a Hobie

When your battery dies I'll peddle past you
When you paddle breaks I'll peddle past you
When my peddles break, your battery dies and your paddle breaks I'll paddle past you
When my paddle breaks......I'll call you and ask you how you got in when your motor and your paddle broke.

I've owned both types of kayaks but nothing beats a Hobie.

Ha! You've never owned a luxury liner with a motor...you'd change your tune.

Then again, not too many people have the mechanical ability to design a motor system...so they don't have much of a choice.


When your struggling to get back, I'll motor past you in reverse and ask you what the big deal is...as I clip my toe nails. I can cruise my motorized yak for 7+ hours(haven't run out of battery yet)...how many hours can you peddle before you pass out? HAHAHAHA

I recently went from a Stealth 12 to a Hobie Pro Angler. I've found a lot of benifits, mostly listed above. But to be honest, I find myself Kayaking 300% more than I did with the stealth. Just the little things you can do on a hobie make it so much more enjoyable on the water. I hated having to secure my poles, grab the paddle, and move back on top of a good spot.

Maintaining position on the Hobie is so much easier. Point your bow toward where the wind/current is coming from, set the rudder and just slowly peddle, all the while you still have your rod in your hand.

Trolling is another good example. I like trolling with my rod in my hand. I can control the baits better by controlling the rod tip, jerking plastics, feeling hits ect.

Also, when you got caught on the bottom or in some kelp, you know right away. As opposed to when you're paddling and you're already to far to really do your self any favors. In a hobie, you can peddle around whatever you're caught on and are much more likely to free your rig.

I will say this though. I miss the side compartments on my Stealth more than anything, those were the best things to have.

[jorluivil]

Originally Posted by PapaDCh

I'd say about 14 hours... isn't that about right Jorluivil?

Longest I've gone is from about 6am until about 4pm.

Originally Posted by Drake

I recently went from a Stealth 12 to a Hobie Pro Angler. I've found a lot of benifits, mostly listed above. But to be honest, I find myself Kayaking 300% more than I did with the stealth. Just the little things you can do on a hobie make it so much more enjoyable on the water. I hated having to secure my poles, grab the paddle, and move back on top of a good spot.

Maintaining position on the Hobie is so much easier. Point your bow toward where the wind/current is coming from, set the rudder and just slowly peddle, all the while you still have your rod in your hand.

Trolling is another good example. I like trolling with my rod in my hand. I can control the baits better by controlling the rod tip, jerking plastics, feeling hits ect.

Also, when you got caught on the bottom or in some kelp, you know right away. As opposed to when you're paddling and you're already to far to really do your self any favors. In a hobie, you can peddle around whatever you're caught on and are much more likely to free your rig.

I will say this though. I miss the side compartments on my Stealth more than anything, those were the best things to have.

What ^^^he^^^ said. Especially, the stuff in bold print regarding storage


There's a reason why Hobie is taking over the market. Many of us have been on both types of yaks and so far I haven't met one person that has said, "I'm going back to paddling".

[dsafety]

Most of the comments posted above are valid and reasonable. IMO, the most valuable feature of the Hobie system is the "hands free" factor. You can go where you want to go while still keeping your hand on your rod making it possible to instantly respond to whatever is on the other end of the line.

If this is important to you, then Hobie is the way to go.

That said, many of us are regularly out-fished by folks with better skills on other platforms.

Bob

[Fish Taco]

Originally Posted by dsafety

Most of the comments posted above are valid and reasonable. IMO, the most valuable feature of the Hobie system is the "hands free" factor. You can go where you want to go while still keeping your hand on your rod making it possible to instantly respond to whatever is on the other end of the line.

If this is important to you, then Hobie is the way to go.

That said, many of us are regularly out-fished by folks with better skills on other platforms.

Bob

This has been an interesting thread for sure... and the debate continues... but, I have a question for all of you Hobie mirage drive users...

I water tested a Hobie Outback before I made a decision not to go with a Hobie mirage drive system... and this is why... My experience while testing this kayak was that while underway, feet in stirrups and pedaling away... I felt like I almost needed to grab the sides of the kayak seat to get the proper leverage while pedaling. I tried to pedal without grabbing the bars on the sides of the seat (I think there were some sort of bars or handles there, can't remember exactly) but anyway... I wasn't comfortable being totally hands free while pedaling. I felt as if my feet were positioned too high in the air. Now I'm about 5' 8" tall and have somewhat short legs (28" inseam) but still felt as though this shouldn't have been an issue for me. The guys at the kayak place didn't offer any solutions or suggestions when I explained that I felt like I kept wanting to hold on at the side of the seat while paddling... so I just figured that that is the way it is with a Hobie Mirage Drive... and my conclusion at that point was... "What's the point of pedaling if you can't comfortably free up your hands - I mean, isn't that the whole point of the mirage drive?" I wanted a yak that I could fish from more than anything else. Needless to say, I was kinda bummed that it didn't work out for me with the Hobie. Although, my eye was always on the Stealth series from the get-go too, but really wanted to give the Hobie a fair try.

That being said, it wasn't until recently that I heard one Hobie user tell me that all I needed to do was raise the seat up some, and I would have been fine. Hmmm, nobody ever suggested that to me before, not even the owner of the kayak outfitter who was pushing me to buy the same boat he had, the Hobie Outback. I am happy with what I ended up with however, and I purchased a killer Stealth 14 from OEX in Mission Bay from CJ, who helped me rig it just the way I wanted it, complete with a Bassyaks motor & lift kit.

But I do wonder if any of you Hobie users have ever experienced what I did, and the urge or need to want to grab the side of the seat to get leverage while pedaling... or have any of you heard of this, and/or remedied it by raising your seat?

I'm just curious is all. The one thing I DO really like about my Stealth is that I can get into very skinny water without worrying about the mirage drive fins... where I live out here in New York (Long Island's North shore) there is plenty of flats and estuaries to fish from that hold large striped bass feeding on small baitfish, sand eels, grass shrimp, etc. and this yak will be easy to get in skinny water where other boats cannot.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts and experiences with using your Hobies and what you encountered with leverage and pedaling.

Tight lines!

- Ken

[mtnbykr2]

I love a good debate...
consolodate and keep em both if it has been an option.....