Hobie kayaks...say what!?

[steveooo]

Originally Posted by kayakfisherman

I've been paddling for 10yrs, and at 58 I've got a six pack. ..

He ain't kidding!



True story. That picture was taken about 30 seconds before a fox mistakenly ran out of the woods toward Yani. He killed the fox with his bare hands, and made a delicious Greek soup out of it.

In regard to Hobie kayaks (and any other kayak), I think the best thing you can do is try before you buy. Every kayak has its pros and cons. Experiencing those pros and cons on the water, and figuring out what is important to you will help you make an informed decision about which kayak is the best for you.

I'm in a Hobie because for me, the one BIG benefit (Mirage Drive) outweighs any of the other things listed above. Most of the things listed in posts above are a non-issue for me, or are a result of having the Mirage Drive, so the choice to be in a Hobie was an easy one. Everyone has a different list of what is important to them. Sometimes Hobie come out on top as the best choice, occasionally it doesn't. Judging by the amount of guys in So Cal that started in a paddle kayak, and have ultimately ended up in a Hobie, I do think Hobie is doing something right.

OEX has demo kayaks from most major kayak manufacturers, is located right on the water, and they also host kayak demo days every once in a while. If you want to test out a few brands, I'd definitely go pay them a visit to try a few to figure out which is the best for you.

[f'nsabiki]

That was the best post ever!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqcHE4WVSs#t=143
"Landings can be exciting too, im sure all of you have seen frank wiredantzs video of me eating it in the surf possibly the greatest video of all time. I honestly dont see why its funny but other people seem to think so. That happened because i had lost my paddle earlier in the day bad timing and i got caught in the kill zone with no way to back up or turn around. Since then i havent had any crashes that i can remember....i like to come in sideways and brace into the oncoming waves all the way in, it seems to work."

[buttchaser]

Originally Posted by f'nsabiki

That was the best post ever!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqcHE4WVSs#t=143
"Landings can be exciting too, im sure all of you have seen frank wiredantzs video of me eating it in the surf possibly the greatest video of all time. I honestly dont see why its funny but other people seem to think so. That happened because i had lost my paddle earlier in the day bad timing and i got caught in the kill zone with no way to back up or turn around. Since then i havent had any crashes that i can remember....i like to come in sideways and brace into the oncoming waves all the way in, it seems to work."

l.

Haha.. oh Gawd just what i needed to start the week off right....

[lowprofile]

Man, I love Hobies. I miss my PA something fierce! (*hobie, if your listening, please send me a PA for Christmas!*)

surf launches?
yeah, it was tough at first. the PA is a big boat (for a single person, kinda small for two though). I had to get used to plowing through waves rather than going over them like in my X-factor. the way to do it is with the drive installed. many people advise against it but if you can time the sets right to where your launching in knee deep water, throw that drive in, hop in and peddle like hell!

Landing. its not the easiest. using my PA to run shark baits off the beach gave me A LOT of launching and landing practice in not so ideal conditions. A lot of night runs too. your not going to surf the PA like a Malibu or OK kayak, the best way I found in big surf is to come in backwards. you'll need your peddles AND paddle for this one.
when you make it just outside the break, turn so your rear is facing the beach and paddle backwards. when your inside the break and a wave is coming at you, stop paddling and peddle forward to keep in one spot, just before the wave hits peddle into it and push through the wave. Once on top or through the wave start paddling backwards again. once you make it closer to shore and your in about 4ft of water, pull the peddles and rudder. face into the oncoming waves and just keep straight as they push you towards shore.

The PA needs more storage. Like said before, you cant fit a 40lb fish in the hull. the storage box heats up and ice never stays frozen. the old seat was too low and my legs fell asleep, the vantage seat is difficult to jump in and out of. the paddle clip should be on the outside of the yak, not next to the seat, taking up more room.

not much wrong with them in my eyes, but they aren't perfect. the stability, weight capacity and ability to handle rough water makes up for most, if not all its faults.

I'm not here to persuade anyone into a Hobie. try different yaks, find what you like and have fun. that's what its all about. I had a lot of fun in my Malibu and Hobie. I caught a lot more fish in the Hobie because I took it out more often. Although that was probably due to the hobie being easier to load up and get on the water with.

Heres some pics of me and some friends having fun in our Hobies.

[kauaiboy04]

thanks for the honest writeup. many people push others to choose certain kayaks over others, but i strongly believe in trying EVERYTHING out for yourself. some people like to paddle, some people like to peddle. to each his own.

[wiredantz]

Pro Anglers, are good skiffs. I strongly believe they should offer a limited life time warranty on the kayak itself for a price tag of 3k.


Even if they do take care of you, unless its on paper, I am not shelling out 3k for it.


That a hefty price tag for me at least.

[tsugg]

Great post! I've been lurking in the private message arena for a while asking all the questions I was afraid to post out in front because I own a pa14 and didn't want to apear to be a Hobie douter. I think that in hindsight I would go fishing a lot more if it was easier to get the yak to and from the water. I really hate the wondering steering on the pa. I really like some of the Malibu models- light and high capacity. And I almost forgot CHEAP!!!

[tunaseeker]

Any comments on a sail for the PA14?

[TJones]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYqcHE4WVSs#t=143

[ful-rac]

I still don't see what's so funny....

[Iceman]

Tony did you feel the bow hit bottom, sure looked like. I had a similar experience where the bow got pushed into the sand bottom and I was standing straight up on the foot pegs, luckily managed to fall back in the seat and ride in unscathed.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by Iceman

Tony did you feel the bow hit bottom, sure looked like. I had a similar experience where the bow got pushed into the sand bottom and I was standing straight up on the foot pegs, luckily managed to fall back in the seat and ride in unscathed.

Oh it hit bottom alright...I heard a loud snap as it hit...that turned out to be my yakattak light pole.

[CaliShark]

Originally Posted by ful-rac

I still don't see what's so funny....

The actual flipping part isn't nearly as hilarious as the video editing is. Cutting in the gangnam style music video is fucking awesome that's what had me laughing...

I noticed when you were peddling in you weren't looking over your shoulder behind you and the wave kind of hit you by surprise...When ever I'm in that zone I'm constantly looking behind to see the waves. Also when you flipped and stood up you were in like 2 feet of water. I would have jumped out and walked my yak in if I was that shallow.

[ful-rac]

Originally Posted by CaliShark

The actual flipping part isn't nearly as hilarious as the video editing is. Cutting in the gangnam style music video is fucking awesome that's what had me laughing...

I noticed when you were peddling in you weren't looking over your shoulder behind you and the wave kind of hit you by surprise...When ever I'm in that zone I'm constantly looking behind to see the waves. Also when you flipped and stood up you were in like 2 feet of water. I would have jumped out and walked my yak in if I was that shallow.

Yes...

Thanks for schooling me on that....

I'll remember that next time...

[jorluivil]

Hobie don't have reverse? Seriously? I can't believe I just read that!

If you decide to paddle in the dark and run into kelp are you just going to sit there until someone rescues you or are you going to back out of it using your paddle?

[alanw]

I ran across another article listing Hobie cons I thought to share. The guy is obviously selling paddle kayaks so keep that in mind. Hobie is sort of like Apple IMO, they are able to sell you anything even if it has some flaws and is overpriced... great marketing. Anyway, some interesting points raised in the article are worth a look.

http://wavewalk.com/blog/2010/10/11/...ishing-kayaks/


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