Hobie Kayak Owners: Pros and Cons - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

RockyRaab · 03-30-2014, 08:18 AM

Sandy, like most states, Utah does not require a license/registration for any craft that is wholly human-powered. But put a sail or a trolling motor on it, and you must register it and display the numbers on the craft.

I had a marine patrol check me out one day. The officer said he just KNEW I had to have a motor because I was cruising right along and I wasn't using a paddle. At the time, I think I had the only Hobie in Utah, and he was astounded by the Mirage Drive - and by how silent it was. No ticket, and he left mumbling that he simply HAD to have one of those things.

YakDout · 03-30-2014, 08:59 AM

I just switched from a revolution to a PA14. Why I didn't do this sooner, I don't know. I took out my new PA for the first time 2 days ago, and it was my first time on the water with one. It's just as fast as my revolution was, and the steering feels more reponsive as well. A couple features I love are:

Rudder-comes straight down and back up into the boat

Lowrance ready- I had a transducer arm on my revolution, which you would think gets you the best possible reading. No it doesn't. My sonar is working like it should now.

The seat-no comparison to the revolution. Went from uncomfortable, to lazy boy.
So many adjustments, even lumbar.

Stability-I was standing in my PA in 10 minutes.

This is the KING of kayaks. My fishing confidence level went through the roof in the short time I was on the water. I went from catching a couple fish and wanting to come in, to catching squat and wanting to stay out.

sandydiego · 03-31-2014, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

Sandy, like most states, Utah does not require a license/registration for any craft that is wholly human-powered. But put a sail or a trolling motor on it, and you must register it and display the numbers on the craft.

I had a marine patrol check me out one day. The officer said he just KNEW I had to have a motor because I was cruising right along and I wasn't using a paddle. At the time, I think I had the only Hobie in Utah, and he was astounded by the Mirage Drive - and by how silent it was. No ticket, and he left mumbling that he simply HAD to have one of those things.

That's freakin funny. Love it!

buddha · 04-03-2014, 06:42 AM

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

ful-rac · 04-03-2014, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

Thankfully it's pretty difficult to flip a PA, I can say that I never have, at least in open water. I have practiced flipping my PA over and then tried righting it, and it was pretty easy with the help of my bow line I always have tied to the front.

The bow line is just looped around the front handle, and in the event of an open water capsize, I would just unloop the handle from the front and loop it around the side handles, flip the rope around to the other side and flip the PA back over.

Raskal311 · 04-03-2014, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ful-rac

Thankfully it's pretty difficult to flip a PA, I can say that I never have, at least in open water. I have practiced flipping my PA over and then tried righting it, and it was pretty easy with the help of my bow line I always have tied to the front.

The bow line is just looped around the front handle, and in the event of an open water capsize, I would just unloop the handle from the front and loop it around the side handles, flip the rope around to the other side and flip the PA back over.

That's a dam good ideal... I think ill do that too!

svendawg · 04-03-2014, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

Question for the PA users.

If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?

Once you turn over in your PA it is very difficult to flip it upright if you have all of your gear, without a line like Ful Rac mentioned. I have a dedicated line tucked in the web pocket below the side handle on my PA.
I used a 6" piece of 1/2 PVC to make a handle. The other end stays looped/tied on the handle so it readily available when need. I used 700 lbs para cord for cord because it rolls up nicely around the PVC handle and easily fits in the pocket under the handle without sticking out. This is so compact I never have to remove it, even when transporting it on top of my SUV.
So if I flip I know exacatly where the line is, it's already attached. Just pull it out and throw it over the PA, get on the other side a flip it back over.
This is just my version of what others have already done using different materials.

03-30-2014, 08:18 AM	#1
RockyRaab Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 138	Sandy, like most states, Utah does not require a license/registration for any craft that is wholly human-powered. But put a sail or a trolling motor on it, and you must register it and display the numbers on the craft. I had a marine patrol check me out one day. The officer said he just KNEW I had to have a motor because I was cruising right along and I wasn't using a paddle. At the time, I think I had the only Hobie in Utah, and he was astounded by the Mirage Drive - and by how silent it was. No ticket, and he left mumbling that he simply HAD to have one of those things.

03-30-2014, 08:59 AM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	I just switched from a revolution to a PA14. Why I didn't do this sooner, I don't know. I took out my new PA for the first time 2 days ago, and it was my first time on the water with one. It's just as fast as my revolution was, and the steering feels more reponsive as well. A couple features I love are: Rudder-comes straight down and back up into the boat Lowrance ready- I had a transducer arm on my revolution, which you would think gets you the best possible reading. No it doesn't. My sonar is working like it should now. The seat-no comparison to the revolution. Went from uncomfortable, to lazy boy. So many adjustments, even lumbar. Stability-I was standing in my PA in 10 minutes. This is the KING of kayaks. My fishing confidence level went through the roof in the short time I was on the water. I went from catching a couple fish and wanting to come in, to catching squat and wanting to stay out.

04-03-2014, 06:42 AM	#4
buddha Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: chula vista Posts: 907	Question for the PA users. If you flip the kayak how easy is it to bring it right side up?