Question for Pro Angler 12/14 owners

[seriola_killer]

Originally Posted by dc1983

I picked up a Pro Angler 12 last weekend and have taken it out twice now. The first time it was calm out for most of the day and I had no trouble controlling my drift but when the wind picked up it was pretty hard to control. Then when I took it out today it was impossible to drift as the PA kept turning perpendicular to the wind and when I would try and peddle it took some time for it to start turning.

Now here is my question- How do you control the drift? Would a drift chute help? Anyone else notice the steering doesn't work very well, when the wind picks up.

Thanks

I control my drift (direction, not speed) using my rudder. My steering in my PA is all over the place regardless of wind. I'm always having to make rudder control adjustments on the water. Don't know if this is the norm, but I've only had it a relatively short time, so I just assumed it's the nature of the beast.

I see alot of the guys simply pointing into the wind and slightly pedalling. They seem to slow their drift that way.

[dc1983]

My trouble is not the speed of the drift or the direction I'm drifting. It more the direction the PA is facing during the drift. My steering was all over the placed today as well, with a lot of lag time when I wanted to turn.

[ericko]

I went from the outback to a pa12 and ive only hit a lake 3 times i to see a lag time with the steering and was wondering if there was a sailing type rudder upgrade..

After a while you'll get the hang of it. Its a very manageable boat. If you crank the rudder and peddle tiny little quick strokes, it will durn on a time.

[deepdvr]

Steering/drifting is a definite weakness on the PA. Its even more interesting when you are going for a sleigh ride. I know a few guys that are contemplating going back to the revo. Its still arguably the best yak fishing platform available but they also have room for improvement.

[OutdoorAdvntr]

hi, not to hijack the thread. but i guess this is also related.. i'm wondering if you use anchor in the ocean? or it is only use in the bay? thanks!

[RockyRaab]

I only use my Prangler 14 on lakes. I control drift speed and direction easily using a drift chute with the line fed through an anchor trolley. By moving the trolley ring forward or backward, it changes the angle of the hull to wind anywhere from parallel to perpendicular, and thus the direction of drift. I can drift bow or stern forward, as desired. Positioning the rudder helps, also.

As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.

[Rufus]

As to response time, you do have to have forward speed for any rudder to work. As mentioned, a burst of "quiver" kicks on the pedals will give you enough forward motion to turn quickly.[/QUOTE]

I apologize for being pickey, but it's not your forward speed, it's water flow over the rudder.

You can be anchored with zero forward speed and have plenty of stearage in a current.

But yes, to your point, give it a few kicks to get water flowing over your rudder and all of a sudden you'll have rudder response.

[driftwood]

My PA 14 turns on a dime unless iits windy and yesterday was real shoppy and windy. most everyone that was paddling left eary or got blown back to the launch.

I was comfortable in my PA inspite of inclement weather.

[Iceman]

David, PA will definitely catch more wind than your Outback, you may want to use the anchor trolley and drift chute to keep it pointed where you want it in higher wind/stronger current.