New to Hobie town.

I've been yakfishin since 03. But since I recently moved from Texas to Oklahoma, I've been in search of a good long range kayak. I was once sponsored by Cobra Kayaks (and am still listed on their website) and am a long time FnD driver. I defected to Wilderness for a short time but found the T-160I to be exceptional in the speed department, but not so great for rough, open lakes. So I've recently put my deposit down on a brand new Hobie that will be in next week.

I'm really leaning hard on getting the PA but can't rule out the Outback until I've peddled both. Peddle kayak fishing is new to me, so I'll take the experience with a grain of salt and most likely go with the boat which feels the most comfortable. As most say that is the PA.

I do have some questions.

1. Which is better in terms of rough water handling, the PA or Outback?
2. Can you store a PA on its bottom with foam blocks? I've never had a problem with any other yak doing this.
3. Are the turbo fins that much better than the stock fins that come on the PA?

Any other tips will help.

Thanx!
Norm

Think the stock fins on the PA are the turbo. You can probably store on blocks if you make sure you form them to the hull some and cover quite a large area longitudinal..... That would be my take on it. Rough water? Relative. I wouldn't say I've been in what I'd call rough. Sloppy maybe and I have both and haven't felt uncomfortable in either.

_________________
Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

Welcome Parrothead !

Your gonna love your new Hobie ( or already do by this time ). With the mirage drive you will find yourself way more comfortable in the really windy days than ever before. It is really nice to let the big muscles of the legs carry the load for your paddling.

I fish Lake Texoma a lot and easily have logged many dozens of days in open water in the outbacks and a similar number in the PA's. That means I have found some very nasty chop in very high wind. I usually launch from the tip of Preston Peninsula or either end of the dam and try to hide form the wind, but it doesn't always work in a lake that big and deep.

If I am facing a hard wind in my outback, I would take a little bit over the bow occasionally and surf some when going downwind. In my PA I tend to carry a much heavier load and actually ship a bit more water over the bow, but I have never had either one give me any reason for distress and I have never had them side by side on the same conditions. I am dry in either one except for what the wind shears off the whitecaps and puts in my face.

All of that being said when I had to pare my fleet down to one yak, I kept the Pro Angler. I DO miss my outback though.

Don't forget about the GTG at Ray Roberts in North Tex on April 16th. There will be a lot of Hobies there and Mariner is coming also.

Take care, Phill

Given your stated priorities, I'm surprised you didn't have the Adventure on your list. It handles rough water like no other and is a solid and stable fishing platform.
The PA is a heavy boat; the important thing is to make sure it is broadly supported so it doesn't sag or develop flat spots.
Absolutely! Regardless of your boat selection (except the PA), you should have Turbos and a large rudder to maximize your range and control in rough water.

Took the words right out of the tips of my fingers RR. My advice is to buy neither until you've tried the Adventure (and even Revo) first. Don't get me wrong - PA and OB are great kayaks, but I think way more removed from what you are use to.

Theres a reason the comfort of the PA is heralded as often as it is - it doesn't feel like a kayak at all. That big old seat is very attractive to people who typically find kayak seats uncomfortable. A lot of the guys I know that own PAs are guys who like the idea of kayak fishing, but don't like the idea of kayaks. Even Hobie themselves draw a line between them. Check out the Hobie website. They have 'Miragedrive kayaks', 'Paddle kayaks' and 'Miragedrive boats'. Hobie have categorized the PA as a miragedrive boat, not a kayak... and I think that makes all the sense in the world. However it is described, its an awesome fishing platform either way.

_________________
Kayak Fishing Specialist: SLH
https://slhobie.com.au