hobie vs trident 13
 

Well I got back from deployment a couple months ago and finally got my family moved out here. with that being said i think i'm finally ready to start fishing again. I currently own an ocean kayak trident 13 but was debating on selling it and getting an outback. I have owned outbacks and pro anglers in the past but that was in west Florida.

Is it worth the price diff to get an outback or should I just stick with the trident and save my money? Im concerned with is how the mirage drive does in the kelp. Also I really like the rod pod feature on my trident to keep my gear safe when launching and heading back in.

Thank you in advance
:linesnap::reeling:

Use the trident a few times in the surf and you will appreciate the rod pod.

i originally had a trident 13, traded it for a hobie revo... hated the surf launching and landing... hated the lack of space... missed the storage of the rod pod... ended up trading it for a trident ultra 4.7 and feel that i made the right choice for me. i want a kayak that gives me the best chance to catch fish in all conditions. my 2 cents, keep the trident... its the best (non-pedaling) fishing kayak...

thank you for the feedback fellas. I've never bought a nice paddle which one do you recommend for the trident i'm looking for speed and efficiency.

i like my werner... pricey, but it does the job...

WHich model Werner do you use i need a new paddle

werner camano, i got it because it was recommended to me from a non-fishing kayaker... you may want to get some info from others, but i am happy with it.

It all comes down to personal preference...paddle vs. pedal.
Remember with paddle you have to be good at multi-taking...if you pedal you have both hands free to fish, cut bait, rig gear etc.
Everyone here has their preference. You could also find a number of threads about Outback vs. PA's (then 12's vs 14's) :D
FFY

I love my tarpon which is similar to the tridents, just not as at home in the surf ha. I dont k ow if I will ever give up the paddle for the peddle...

I was always indifferent about my Revo until I went out one day with a ripping current, I was easily able to use my hands for fishing while slowly pedaling to keep myself on structure. If I'm fishing the kelp or harbors, or launching and landing through some big stuff I fish my Tarpon. I heard on the past there's not really one kayak that does it all and thought that was ridiculous, but now have 3 in my garage for that exact reason.

I have a Trident 15, a Scrambler and now a PA 14.

The Scrambler is to throw on top of my commuter (Civic) if I can cut out of work early and hit Huntington Harbor for a few hours with 2 rods and a tray of plastics. Also for putting one of my kids in and towing them around with teh Trident or PA when they get too lazy/tired/bored to paddle for themselves

I have had the Trident 15 for roughly a year, and a Prowler 15 for a couple years before that. This has been my go-to for everything until getting my ass handed to me by a black seabass at the Baytubers tourney. Paddling back after a mile sleigh ride and about an hour of tug-of-war (I'm sure I will be corrected on this :rolleyes:) and the associated wasted arms I was really envious of those with peddle power. I will be hanging on to the Trident for surf or other situations where the PA will be too unweildy. I love the rod pod and it seems to fit me aand my paddling style pretty well. I also plan on using the Trident when the plan involves a lot of surface kelp.

Pro Angler 14 is new to me. I am looking forward to the stability (not a problem on the Trident or Scrambler either) and using my legs for propulsion but I am dreading the loading/unloading on top of my SUV. I made runners out of 2x4s to help, but we will see how I do after a day on the water. Also, will be interesting the first time I need to pull it up on the dock (Redondo) and insert the scupper wheels. This thing is a beast! I will have to make a conscious effort NOT to bring along too much crap as it will be really tempting with all that space I don't have on the Trident or Scrambler.


Before these three I had a Prowler 15 (same hull as Trident, different deck configuration) and a Scupper Pro Tankwell. Loved them both, but my needs evolved so they were passed on to new homes.

Maybe more info than you were looking for, but hopefully there is something you can use.

I had a T13. I loved it. Great kayak, fun to paddle and great in the surf. I upgraded to an Outback a few months back and will probably never go back to a paddle kayak. I'm not saying that the Trident was somehow flawed in any way, it was a great ride. But the Outback is just a whole new level of a kayak.

Hands free fishing is just so much better. Looking back, I can't believe how much time I spent paddling back and forth and not actually fishing...


Trident Pro's- Easier to move around. Lighter. Better in the surf. More storage below deck (Rod Pod!!!)
Trident Con's- Less time fishing, more time paddling.

Outback Pro's- You'll fish more. You'll enjoy being OTW more. It's simply more fun.
Outback Con's- Lots of hull-slap in the water. Not so good with storage of rods if you do a lot of surf launching. It also costs much more.

To tell you the truth, it is truly an individual choice based on your wants and needs. Living in SD is a special situation with a protected launch at LJ and a couple of big harbors to choose from, there is little need for a surf launching kayak. The exception is if you want to be able to launch at other locations with less than desirable conditions. There are other notable exceptions: like fishing rockfish is probably better on a Hobie and fishing in the kelp for Calicos is probably easier on a paddle kayak. I can tell you for sure that, as incredible as it may seem, you can fish and paddle at the same time. And just about every person that tells you you need a Hobie to hold your rod while pedaling has a rod holder on each side of their kayak and one hand on there rudder control. ;)

Greg just buy a PA....so you can have the best of both worlds.

[QUOTE=MrM;200381]I had a T13. I loved it. Great kayak, fun to paddle and great in the surf. I upgraded to an Outback a few months back and will probably never go back to a paddle kayak. I'm not saying that the Trident was somehow flawed in any way, it was a great ride. But the Outback is just a whole new level of a kayak.

Hands free fishing is just so much better. Looking back, I can't believe how much time I spent paddling back and forth and not actually fishing...


Trident Pro's- Easier to move around. Lighter. Better in the surf. More storage below deck (Rod Pod!!!)
Trident Con's- Less time fishing, more time paddling.


Outback Pro's- You'll fish more. You'll enjoy being OTW more. It's simply more fun.
Outback Con's- Lots of hull-slap in the water. Not so good with storage of rods if you do a lot of surf launching. It also costs much more.[/Q

I do take exception to less time fishing and more time paddling. I have never had a problem keeping up with other people on their hobies with my t-13. Yes, there are times when a hobie is better just as there are times when a paddle kayak is better. I will take a T-13 in the surf anytime over a Hobie and when fishing the boilers next to a jetty, try backing up in a hobie, just doesn't work. It all comes down to what you prefer and the pros and cons of each.

Thabks everyone for taking the time to answer my questions . Im going to stick with the trident for now but im anxious to see the new ourback. I hear it has a vantage style seat and a flat deck..... anyone heard anythinf?

Outback with a vantage seat...?

I guess you never know....never thought there would ever be a PA17....:eek:

Was thinking about replacing my '13 Outback for a '14 just for the scupper transducer. But every time I buy something, a newer Model/Style/Version comes out! I was hoping HOBIE would make a major improvement (like a Vantage style seat) to the Outback to warrant an upgrade (though I was expecting them to take a couple more years)!
If/when HOBIE comes out with an Outback with a Vantage seat:luxhello:...I'll be one of the first to order one :D! Will solve my back problems and modifying my aftermarket seats to increase Lumbar support!!!
FFY.

Yup that's the big rumor. Bigger than lebron going back to Cleveland. And we know how that ended.

The new trident has an awesome seat. Just picked up a new 13 after sellin my PA and have not regretted it at all. No getting stuck in kelp. No zig zagging or holding a rudder to try and stay straight. The rod pod is sick and plenty if storage options. Pedaling was nice but I'm stoked in getting back to basics.

I loved my trident 13, I just picked up a revo 13 and its a beast but the trident handles way better in the surf hands down. Im going to master the revo then decide from there... both very fishy yaks :wsb:

Curious -- let me jump into this thing and ask a couple of things.

How many rod/reels are you guys able to fit into the rod pod of the T13 comfortably?

The rear tank well has that somewhat unique configuration -- with those molded tabs about 1/3 way in. How do you like that design? Does it make reaching into the baitwell and grabbing those little fish any more difficult considering it's a little farther away from the seat, or give you any issues with how you want to arrange things in the tank well?

i fit 4 - 8' rods under the seat towards the back while surf landing and launching. i've also fit 4 good sized halibut (not with the rods...) in through the rod pod well. the molded tabs are to hold a plano box perfectly... i had no problems reaching the bait tank, though i often used a little bait net, it wasn't because i couldn't reach it. i've also cut out the shape of those tabs in a milk crate which locked in the milk crate more forward to the seat. honestly, you'll have plenty of room for wheels, or ice chest, or better yet, fish...

you can always check one out at oex...

not mine anymore...

http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...25095155-1.jpghttp://i747.photobucket.com/albums/x...8-25100529.jpg

Thanks, piggy. Will prob look into doing a demo paddle sometime soon.

Dannowar do you have a pic if your trident with the new seat?

Here ya go. Honestly it's a great seat because I don't even notice it's there. Haven't been uncomfortable once. It doesn't slide around at all because there's two front tabs on the seat bolted into the hull.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...pspcc2wbgo.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ps6bszy4to.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...psh1stclsf.jpg

Thnks Dan i cant seem to decide on a paddle

I spent years diving from OK Scramblers and a Necky Spike and they were great, especially the Necky, for that use in and around the kelp beds. For surf entries the Necky Spike was better than any kayak designed for fishing.

Fishing with the Necky and later a borrowed Trident 13 I found that 75% of the time I was not fishing but retrieving my line and paddling away from the kelp. Sometimes I could grab some of the kelp and wrap a line around it and use it as my anchor but this was still marginal.

With the Revo I can keep my line in the water while fishing the areas around the kelp and I can troll with one or two rods and with one rod I can better sense when a halibut has grabbed the bait.

I also have noticed that when dealing with strong current and strong winds I am not even fazed when using the Revo. Part of it is the pedal power using my legs and part of it is having a lower profile into the wind than when paddling. It is like the diffference between a standard bicycyle and a recumbent one.

I have greater range with the Revo and going out 10 miles is very doable and I went 5 miles out into Monterey Bay the first day out with the Revo and it was effortless. Adding a sail or a eVolve unit can extend double my range.

I also have more speed if needed though going 4-5 knots instead of 2-3 may not seem like a lot - but with a 2 to 4 knot tidal flow it can make all the difference in the world.

I was apprehensive about the weight of the Hobie boats but have found the 71 lb. weight of the Revo 13 manageable even with my truck's roof racks which are 7 feet off the ground.

The trick is to find a place that will provide a demo boat. I had to make a 2 hour drive to Oakland to demo at California Canoe and Kayak and would expect that to be common for many as Hobie dealers are few in number and of those even fewer are set up to provide boats for a demo.