I need some opinions - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Hunters Pa · 08-19-2016, 01:21 PM

I faced the same choice last summer after a black seabass kicked my butt and I had to paddle back with my arms spasming. I kept my Trident 15, mainly for surf launch/landings. I bought a used PA14. I decided on the PA14 for the following reasons:

Potential to take one of my kids with me
Added stability
Rod storage in rails
Nice wide hooping platform
More stable in case my wife wants to do a bay run, with me in a paddle yak (selling it as a cross-training platform for her triathlon training helped with approval on the purchase )
There was one available at a good price

Now, I am lucky enough to be able to have different kayaks for different applications. I have the PA for ramp or harbor launches, the Trident for surf launches and a Scrambler to throw on top of my commuter car when I anticipate being able to cut out of work early and hit Huntington Harbor for a few hours with the bare minimum tray of plastics and 2 rods.

That said, the PA is a beast. I was putting it on top of my SUV, using a couple carpeted 2x4s as runners to help get it there. It was still unwieldy for someone 5'11 and a scrawny 150#. So I bought a used jetski trailer and adapted it for the PA. Much, much easier loading it on there than trying to put it on top of the SUV after a day on the water. But, the PA on a trailer has a bigger footprint than the PA alone. So you will need somewhere to be able to park it.

No real advice, just insight into my decision process

radastaff · 08-19-2016, 01:40 PM

from a anti shark point of view

If your yak is as long or longer than a shark
maybe the shark will go pick on someone not his own size

If your yak is not harbor seal beige color
maybe the shark will not think your yak is a seal

P

ol'skool · 08-19-2016, 02:23 PM

I had the PA14 and loved everything about it but my problem is the same as yours...bad shoulder & back...and that sucker is heavy, especially when it 's loaded down going up hill in soft sand

I ended up selling it for other reasons but just recently ended up with a 2016 Outback after trying out my buddies. Gotta say, I love it. A lot lighter, very stable, a little faster. Not as feature loaded as the PA but outfitting these things is half the fun for me. I'm 60, 6"3" and 230 lbs and the Outback has all the room I need. I also bought the Rolleze kayak beach cart and now hauling this thing down the beach is a dream compared to the PA. Easier to load and unload by your lonesome also.

octico · 08-19-2016, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol'skool

I had the PA14 and loved everything about it but my problem is the same as yours...bad shoulder & back...and that sucker is heavy, especially when it 's loaded down going up hill in soft sand

I ended up selling it for other reasons but just recently ended up with a 2016 Outback after trying out my buddies. Gotta say, I love it. A lot lighter, very stable, a little faster. Not as feature loaded as the PA but outfitting these things is half the fun for me. I'm 60, 6"3" and 230 lbs and the Outback has all the room I need. I also bought the Rolleze kayak beach cart and now hauling this thing down the beach is a dream compared to the PA. Easier to load and unload by your lonesome also.

+1 I have the 2015 Outback and love it. I would not recommend an Outback older than the 2015, the Vantage seat really makes a difference.

Dave Legacy · 08-19-2016, 03:55 PM

Your Pro 2 Tandem is actually 13' long. For what you're looking to do it seems like the Outback is a pretty good fit.

Harry Hill · 08-19-2016, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Legacy

Your Pro 2 Tandem is actually 13' long. For what you're looking to do it seems like the Outback is a pretty good fit.

Thanks Dave, I think I knew that but in my mind I added a foot. There are a lot of different brands coming out with peddle boats and I plan on trying out many of them. I keep trying to get down to OEX to try the Native boats, but Jackson is coming out with a new boat as is Feel Free and Old Town. I'm in no hurry because money is going to be an issue along the way. I also saw another brand that is using Hobies Mirage Drive but is a third the price of a Hobie. I have a trailer I built for hauling my kayaks but I also have a rack on my truck for when it's just me so weight is a factor. I can put the Pro2T on it with my bait tank and all the gear on it but it's heavy. I could carry in the bed of the truck but I don't like having all my gear exposed if I have to stop somewhere. Mostly I'm not worried about the brand right now. I'm just wondering what is the best length from most of you experienced kayakers is from your combined experience.

Maxfli123 · 08-19-2016, 04:24 PM

PA 14 hands down. Not a big fan of the other peddle kayaks but it may suit your needs well, so demo them all and make a well informed decision. I top my PA 14 on my Cadi and to me seems easier than loading my prowler 15 as you only lift half the weight. My only complaint is I want another PA 14 but both won't fit on top. Good luck with the purchase, I know I love my PA it the "cadiyak" of kayaks if you know what I mean

YakDout · 08-19-2016, 04:45 PM

Outback 2015+ is my input. Lighter, a little faster, I stand on mine all the time unless it is pretty rough. Better in surf as well.

08-19-2016, 01:21 PM	#1
Hunters Pa Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Fullerton Posts: 1,361	I faced the same choice last summer after a black seabass kicked my butt and I had to paddle back with my arms spasming. I kept my Trident 15, mainly for surf launch/landings. I bought a used PA14. I decided on the PA14 for the following reasons: Potential to take one of my kids with me Added stability Rod storage in rails Nice wide hooping platform More stable in case my wife wants to do a bay run, with me in a paddle yak (selling it as a cross-training platform for her triathlon training helped with approval on the purchase ) There was one available at a good price Now, I am lucky enough to be able to have different kayaks for different applications. I have the PA for ramp or harbor launches, the Trident for surf launches and a Scrambler to throw on top of my commuter car when I anticipate being able to cut out of work early and hit Huntington Harbor for a few hours with the bare minimum tray of plastics and 2 rods. That said, the PA is a beast. I was putting it on top of my SUV, using a couple carpeted 2x4s as runners to help get it there. It was still unwieldy for someone 5'11 and a scrawny 150#. So I bought a used jetski trailer and adapted it for the PA. Much, much easier loading it on there than trying to put it on top of the SUV after a day on the water. But, the PA on a trailer has a bigger footprint than the PA alone. So you will need somewhere to be able to park it. No real advice, just insight into my decision process

08-19-2016, 01:40 PM	#2
radastaff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 314	from a anti shark point of view If your yak is as long or longer than a shark maybe the shark will go pick on someone not his own size If your yak is not harbor seal beige color maybe the shark will not think your yak is a seal P

08-19-2016, 02:23 PM	#3
ol'skool Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Lomita Posts: 77	I had the PA14 and loved everything about it but my problem is the same as yours...bad shoulder & back...and that sucker is heavy, especially when it 's loaded down going up hill in soft sand I ended up selling it for other reasons but just recently ended up with a 2016 Outback after trying out my buddies. Gotta say, I love it. A lot lighter, very stable, a little faster. Not as feature loaded as the PA but outfitting these things is half the fun for me. I'm 60, 6"3" and 230 lbs and the Outback has all the room I need. I also bought the Rolleze kayak beach cart and now hauling this thing down the beach is a dream compared to the PA. Easier to load and unload by your lonesome also.

08-19-2016, 03:55 PM	#5
Dave Legacy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Hacienda Heights, CA Posts: 427	Your Pro 2 Tandem is actually 13' long. For what you're looking to do it seems like the Outback is a pretty good fit.

08-19-2016, 04:24 PM	#7
Maxfli123 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 116	PA 14 hands down. Not a big fan of the other peddle kayaks but it may suit your needs well, so demo them all and make a well informed decision. I top my PA 14 on my Cadi and to me seems easier than loading my prowler 15 as you only lift half the weight. My only complaint is I want another PA 14 but both won't fit on top. Good luck with the purchase, I know I love my PA it the "cadiyak" of kayaks if you know what I mean

08-19-2016, 04:45 PM	#8
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Outback 2015+ is my input. Lighter, a little faster, I stand on mine all the time unless it is pretty rough. Better in surf as well.