I need some opinions

[Harry Hill]

I'm going to buy a pedal kayak this year but I don't know which brand yet or model. My question isn't about brands but about size. I figure the sizes run from 11.5 to 15' and I would like to hear everyones thoughts about why they chose a certain size and if they are happy with their choice. I am fishing mostly salt water in bays but plan on going off shore more often. Currently I am paddling a Malibu Pro2tandem from mostly the solo position. I've got a blown out shoulder so paddling is starting to hurt. I did have a 12' Ascend from Bass Pro that was a tank but stable, although it took on water in the slightest chop. It still seemed to be an adequate length so I don't think the 12' was a handicap and the Pro2T is 14' and also seems okay. Since I can only reach things within arms length anyway I don't need extra length but if it's better in rough water to have length that would be a benefit. Anyway, thanks for the input in advance. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on this so please weigh in on it.

Harry

[TheBoyScout]

Hobie Pro Angler. I love having all the space still easy to pedal and I can story everything I want to be comfortable on the water. Hobie outback is also a good choice I have both 2015 models I still prefer my PA14


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[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by TheBoyScout

Hobie Pro Angler. I love having all the space still easy to pedal and I can story everything I want to be comfortable on the water. Hobie outback is also a good choice I have both 2015 models I still prefer my PA14


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Thanks, one benefit I see with length is storing rods when landing

[Mr_Fixit]

I was considering the same thing not long ago. There are many factors involved. In my case, I have a constraint due to the weight of the kayak. I needed to be able to get my kayak on top of my car.

The AP's get serious + on stability (Easily stand on them) and storage, but a - for weight - they are quite heavy.
The Outback has decent storage but you are not able to stand (Or at least I cant). They are definitely lighter than the AP.

For me, the Outback was the choice. Though if I did not have weight constraints I would have easily and happily gone with the AP.

[Hunters Pa]

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]

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]

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.

[Sheephead]

If you don't have a bad back and need to put a PA on top of your car, have you tried walking the yak up rather than trying to lift it up? Walking it up lets you use your body to keep the yak propped up and makes putting it on top super easy!

Originally Posted by Mr_Fixit

I was considering the same thing not long ago. There are many factors involved. In my case, I have a constraint due to the weight of the kayak. I needed to be able to get my kayak on top of my car.

The AP's get serious + on stability (Easily stand on them) and storage, but a - for weight - they are quite heavy.
The Outback has decent storage but you are not able to stand (Or at least I cant). They are definitely lighter than the AP.

For me, the Outback was the choice. Though if I did not have weight constraints I would have easily and happily gone with the AP.

[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by Sheephead

If you don't have a bad back and need to put a PA on top of your car, have you tried walking the yak up rather than trying to lift it up? Walking it up lets you use your body to keep the yak propped up and makes putting it on top super easy!

My camper shell makes it tough to do anything but lift one end then push from the back. So I built an aid kind of like the Rhino Lift in that it tips back forty five degrees so I don't have to lift so high. Then at the back I can lift and push and it goes up to the rollers so I can slide it forward to the front cradles. It's all a matter of leverage now. I found this great rubber mat I put at the back of the kayak so it doesn't slide, that was always a problem when I had to lift it so high.

[TheBoyScout]

I personally don't put my rods under the deck but I like the option. PA has plenty of pad eyes for Rod leashes


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[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by TheBoyScout

I personally don't put my rods under the deck but I like the option. PA has plenty of pad eyes for Rod leashes


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I don't plan on putting rods under the deck but I had pad eyes to everything and I think if a kayak is long enough for me to keep the rod tips in the boat and put a bungee across the rods so they are down out of the way. Most of my rods are about 7' long, now I stash them in the rod holders on my bait tank but I haven't done any surf landings yet and I'm afraid if I rolled I could break rods if they are strapped in.