Mind in circles over kayaks

[Fishguts430]

So i bought an ocean prowler 13 last winter and have been using it all spring summer and now heading into the fall. I love the thing. But now that im starting to get into more of bay and salt water fishing im really tempted to get a peddle kayak. They are a Lot more money and my wife well she wouldn't be to happy especually since I just bought mine this past winter. There is also so many to choose from. Not many places around here that do demo days either. Anybody ever stick with a paddle yak or tried s peddle kayak and went back to paddle? Need some thoughts as i have never used a pedal drive yak

[clm]

I have a 2009 Hobie outback and I would not trade it for the world...I send a lot of time standing up and paddling in it....I pedal out to the main Potomac from farmington landing...the joy of having a pedal kayak is that it paddles just as well...I can paddle it faster than I can pedal....but can pedal longer distances....I've read in several places where non-informed have said the pedal yaks can't run in skinny water...uhhh, push the pedals apart and they are flat...or take them out....

[ronaultmtd]

I would not want to paddle the Lady Luck any distance, but like you I love my Outback...my Ocean paddle kayak is mostly unused, but I am hanging on to it...if I fished shallow rocky rivers, I would use my Ocean..but for open water, no question, it is my Hobie Outback..the having your hands free to fish is such an advantage that I would never go back...I am more of a fisherman than I am a kayaker...

[Yakmac]

I paddled an Ascend FS12T for almost 2 years before I got a Hobie and while the Hobie makes it so much easier to get where I need to quickly I still enjoy a nice paddle from time to time, I’ve upgraded my paddle kayak as well. I’m lucky I can keep both but if I could only keep one it would be the Hobie.


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[LivinTheDream]

my wife well she wouldn't be to happy especially since I just bought mine this past winter.

Happy wife, happy life, that's my answer. I stuck with paddling including in all sorts of salt and fresh water conditions for around 10 years before I purchased a pedal boat last week when the wife agreed it would be okay. I expect I will still use both. I find myself wanting a new boat every year really and I don't expect that will change.

[J.A. Veil]

I have one of each and find that I use the paddle kayak far more than the pedal kayak. The pedal kayak is wonderful for a dedicated trolling trip. But it is heavier and takes me more effort to load it in my van, set it up at the launch, and reversing those steps at the end of the trip. The paddle kayak is really easy to deal with logistically.

Most of my trips are 2-4 hours in length, and I go often (101 fishing days in 2018 so far). I also own a 16' center console boat that allows me to travel longer distances (overlaps with some of the niche of a pedal kayak).

If you decide to purchase a pedal-drive kayak, this is a good time. With new models coming onto the market, many owners are selling pedal-drive kayaks that are a few years old at a substantial discount over new.

[rugbyfish]

I would like to get a pedal kayak some day soon, but I have had a lot of success fishing from my paddle kayak, even in the open waters of the Bay. Each has its advantaged and disadvantages, but I would say you're certainly not at a disadvantage in sticking with a paddle kayak.

[Mark]

So many folks here list ownership of more than one kayak. The reason for that is the same that we also carry more than one fishing rod. There is no one fishing kayak perfect for all situations just like it's better to match your rod to the species you are attempting to catch.

I own one pedal and two paddle fishing kayaks. I paddle more often than I pedal but that's the nature of my fishing preferences and also a reflection of where I live. My immediate access is to smaller protected waters in the mid-Bay region. It's also seasonal. The spring and the fall is primarily when I use my pedal boat to traverse bigger water for stripers. The rest of the year, I rely mainly on my paddle boats. That's not rigid of course, but it's a good rough indicator of how I use my boats.

So consider where you will be kayak fishing and when and what species you will be pursuing. Those factors matter a lot in the pedal/paddle decision.

And then there is the complexity matter. I like to keep things simple and light. The absolute easiest trips for me are those in my Ultimate 12. It's a light, roomy and stable kayak. It's the perfect boat for creeks and ponds. My Revo will also work in those waters with Eastern Shore ponds being the exception. The heavy vegetation in them negates the value of the pedal drive. But when I am heading to unprotected waters and travelling some distance on the water when I get there, my Revo is my choice.

Some think pedals are necessary for trolling. However, I have been on many trips with paddlers who do exceptionally well trolling. Trolling success depends on the angler, not the boat, I'm convinced of that.

Frankly, I find my pedals ideal for casting scenarios. I can cruise a shoreline or maintain a position in the current and wind. Also, Hobie's 180 drive has created opportunities for me to cast in close quarters that were previously enjoyed only by Native users. So pedals put me on lots of fish while casting. I can do the same, just less efficiently in my paddle boats.

Indeed there will come a day when even my relatively lightweight Revo is too much boat for me. But I hope to be paddling my Ultimate 12 for a long time.

So I believe the choice is situational. It depends on what you like to fish for, where you fish and your ability and willingness to transport a pedal kayak with its extra gear and weight. Do the best you can to find a boat that meets those criteria.

Lastly, I often read lots of angst here from people new to the hobby seeking advice on the merits of various boats. They are trying to make the best choice and I can understand that. But I will also say that you will adjust to the boat you eventually buy. You cannot have it all. You will like some things and you will learn to be satisfied with features that you don't like so well. All the major brands offer good kayaks. So don't sweat the small stuff. The important thing is to get on the water and start having fun in the boat you own.

[Slobber Bob]

I've only ever used a paddle kayak so I can't talk about a peddle. I started with the same kayak as you, a prowler 13, and used it for many years. This year I replaced it with a used trident 13. I'm very happy with it.

I certainly see the advantage of a peddle kayak when it comes to hands free, and sometimes wish I had one just for that, but overall, I haven't been limited by a paddle kayak. Most of the close friends I wish with have Hobie kayaks, and so far over the years, I can say paddling has not limited my ability to fish with them when it comes to location, distance, endurance, or catching fish. Unless they've been taking it easy on me all this time

The cost is certainly a factor. That's something you have to weigh yourself. In my case, the advantages didn't outweigh the extra cost. For both of my used kayaks I have less than half the retail of a new peddle kayak invested in them. And that makes my wife very happy

Rest assure, whatever you decide, the prowler 13 can handle most everything from a pond to the ocean.

[Slobber Bob]

Lastly, I often read lots of angst here from people new to the hobby seeking advice on the merits of various boats. They are trying to make the best choice and I can understand that. But I will also say that you will adjust to the boat you eventually buy. You cannot have it all. You will like some things and you will learn to be satisfied with features that you don't like so well. All the major brands offer good kayaks. So don't sweat the small stuff. The important thing is to get on the water and start having fun in the boat you own.

Very true!

[moc]

There was a lot of good words of wisdom in this thread. I started out with a Tarpon 120 Anglers Edition by Wilderness Systems. I loved paddling that kayak and I have many fond memories of areas that I fished and species that I caught over the years. It went everywhere that I needed to go. But that being said, I traveled farther, and explored more fishing locations when I got my peddle yak, in my case it was a Hobie. I never regretted the money that I spent on it. It was heavier than my paddle yak, but I think I developed my own way to lift it on top of my truck that negated most of the weight issues for me. The ability to fish at the same time as I was moving was a great asset. I also like to crab (trot line) off of my kayak. Running a trot-line would be difficult in a human paddle yak. Of course, you can equip any kayak with an electric motor, but I am just referring to human powered non electric kayaks. Part of the reason that I kayak is for exercise. On the used market, you can find many good deals on peddle yaks. They can range from $1200-$2000.

[LivinTheDream]

I got my peddle yak, in my case it was a Hobie. It was heavier than my paddle yak......Part of the reason that I kayak is for exercise. On the used market, you can find many good deals on peddle yaks. They can range from $1200-$2000.

The Hobie Compass I bought last week was $1550 and brand new, not even a floor model. It's also actually much lighter at 68 pounds than my Wilderness Ride 135. Like MOC said, the exercise is great (and I need it) peddling and certainly different than paddling. That's partly why I plan to continue with both boats.

[Fishguts430]

I noticed the compass and how it is cheaper than most of the others. I can't figure out what makes it cheaper looks like it has a Lot of the stuff the out back or what I want the revo has

[Mark]

I noticed the compass and how it is cheaper than most of the others. I can't figure out what makes it cheaper looks like it has a Lot of the stuff the out back or what I want the revo has

The Compass does not come standard with the 180 Mirage Drive which allows you to pedal in reverse. That's a feature I did without for years but have enjoyed immensely with the 180.

The Compass seat has less adjustments (lumbar support and reclining settings) than the seats on higher priced Hobies. However, if it squeaks less, that would be very good. (There's a simple solution to the squeaking which I've discussed on another thread.)

[LivinTheDream]

I noticed the compass and how it is cheaper than most of the others. I can't figure out what makes it cheaper looks like it has a Lot of the stuff the out back

Like Mark said, the drive and the seat are the big differences, but there are also differences in hatches, rails, storage, and such, especially in the 2019, which looks like a wonderful boat to me. If weight and price were no issue, I would certainly go with the 2019 Outback, but for the money and as the 2018 Compass is really all I need, you can't beat the price or the weight. The changes to the Compass from 2018 to 2019 are minimal and of no consequence at all for me, so a discounted 2018 made sense. The changes to the Outback from 2018 to 2019 are more substantial and I would forgo a deal on a 2018 in order to get the features of the 2019 personally.