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

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.

Saba Slayer · 08-19-2016, 05:01 PM

Try a few Kayaks to see what fits your fishing style and what works for your transport and storage...MO says..."kayaks are like shoes, you need to find one that fits".
OEX has two locations on the water and the Sunset Beach store is a Hobie dealer.

CR Yaker · 08-19-2016, 08:29 PM

The Revolution 11 is the perfect kayak for all short trips both surf and fresh (I've been in an Outback and Revolution 13, if your a big guy I would recommend the Outback or 13). If you get caught in nasty weather it cuts through waves nicely and has great stability. At 11.5 ft, easy to transport and store. Is light enough to lift by the handles. To me it's the perfect all around kayak. For long distance and guests I have the Tandem Island.

King Saba · 08-19-2016, 09:09 PM

I like hobies since their Mirage drive only requires a pushing movement from your legs thus resulting in less fatigue and joint stiffness IMO. Kayaks with prop blades and bike pedals may be a good alternative since they are looking to be cheaper than a hobie.

taggermike · 08-20-2016, 08:36 AM

There's a fundamental difference between peddle and paddle yaks that I haven't heard mentioned before.

Hope I can explain it well enough. A paddled yak gets its propulsive force at the sides in alternating strokes. This causes the yak to 'snake wake'. A remedy for this is to make long narrow yaks that don't pivot left n right on their central point.

Ive used the extremes of paddle yaks. Cobra fish n dive at 13' x 36" to a 17' X 26" sit in side touring yak. The FnD tracks horribly as a good part of the paddle stroke drives the bow sideways as well as the boat forward. The touring yak drives forward and keeps a much straiter course.

A peddle yak has its propulsion at its mid line. This force is more constant as well. This puts the force in to forward motion and not in to moving the bow back and forth.

Ive used the extremes of peddle yaks as well. Hobie out back Vs Hobie adventure. I found they track the same; nice and straight. The 16' adventure did move faster for the same effort than the out back tho.

Sorry if this post got involved. My main point is that width is less critical to a peddle yaks performance than it is to a paddle yaks. Hope this helped. Mike

08-19-2016, 05:01 PM	#5
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,870	Try Try a few Kayaks to see what fits your fishing style and what works for your transport and storage...MO says..."kayaks are like shoes, you need to find one that fits". OEX has two locations on the water and the Sunset Beach store is a Hobie dealer. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

08-19-2016, 08:29 PM	#6
CR Yaker Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Jaco, Costa Rica Posts: 119	The Revolution 11 is the perfect kayak for all short trips both surf and fresh (I've been in an Outback and Revolution 13, if your a big guy I would recommend the Outback or 13). If you get caught in nasty weather it cuts through waves nicely and has great stability. At 11.5 ft, easy to transport and store. Is light enough to lift by the handles. To me it's the perfect all around kayak. For long distance and guests I have the Tandem Island. __________________ Fishing touring guide service Central Costa Rica. cryaker.com Mark Last edited by CR Yaker; 08-19-2016 at 08:34 PM.

08-19-2016, 03:55 PM	#1
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	#3
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	#4
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.

08-19-2016, 09:09 PM	#7
King Saba Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: SGV Posts: 848	I like hobies since their Mirage drive only requires a pushing movement from your legs thus resulting in less fatigue and joint stiffness IMO. Kayaks with prop blades and bike pedals may be a good alternative since they are looking to be cheaper than a hobie.

08-20-2016, 08:36 AM	#8
taggermike Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 1,589	There's a fundamental difference between peddle and paddle yaks that I haven't heard mentioned before. Hope I can explain it well enough. A paddled yak gets its propulsive force at the sides in alternating strokes. This causes the yak to 'snake wake'. A remedy for this is to make long narrow yaks that don't pivot left n right on their central point. Ive used the extremes of paddle yaks. Cobra fish n dive at 13' x 36" to a 17' X 26" sit in side touring yak. The FnD tracks horribly as a good part of the paddle stroke drives the bow sideways as well as the boat forward. The touring yak drives forward and keeps a much straiter course. A peddle yak has its propulsion at its mid line. This force is more constant as well. This puts the force in to forward motion and not in to moving the bow back and forth. Ive used the extremes of peddle yaks as well. Hobie out back Vs Hobie adventure. I found they track the same; nice and straight. The 16' adventure did move faster for the same effort than the out back tho. Sorry if this post got involved. My main point is that width is less critical to a peddle yaks performance than it is to a paddle yaks. Hope this helped. Mike