NorthWest Kayak Anglers

Kayak Fishing => The Kayak Shack => Topic started by: ZeeHawk on June 26, 2012, 09:05:20 PM

Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 26, 2012, 09:05:20 PM
Now that I've had some good time riding and fishing the PA12 I was hoping to share some of my experiences.

First, I've ridden the PA14 on a few occasions and I wasn't too impressed with what I wanted to fish it in. It was really big and hard to handle and in the water just didn't quite have the speed I was looking for. There was a lot of space but didn't really feel like I needed all that real estate. Don't get me wrong, If I were a full on Basscar fan, it would be my ride but I don't hit the poison water often enough to get one. When I got my eyes on the PA12 when in development I was intrigued.

I'd only gotten some photos to look over and from the looks of it, it was close to the same deal. When I got the low down and the specs came through things looked more interesting. All the good things of the PA in a package that was easier to handle and most likely a more efficient pedaler. Then I got a test run.

Right out of the gate my first impression was how fast it was. Yes, it was nearly as stable as the 14 and to be expected but the speed (or better yet it's pedaling efficiency) that really got me excited. When I got it into current it was blasting along almost as good as the Adventure. Then in a later model I got to see how the hatches were, built in, Fishfinder trans was implemented and rod holders were laid out. This really got me stoked and couldn't wait to fish it. On my first few hours I was pretty impressed. You sit pretty high in the PA12 and you'd figure it would be tippy but the hull balances it out well. The bow is exactly what I'd like to see on all Hobies and blasts up and out of waves instead of through them. My Hobie brothers know of what I speak. The big rudder and turning radius also make this boat a pleasure in big water. It is more than enough for saltwater and having a 1' turning radius is really helpful around kelp etc.. And finally the seat is just really, well... ridiculous is all I can come up with. Obviously no wet butt but extremely comfortable. We fished from 5am to 3pm and no fatigue. You really gotta try it to appreciate the comfort.

When I brought it to the ORC I finally fished it with some other Hobie regulars and was impressed with how it measured up with the others. I was fishing with Ron (PelagicPedaler) and Jeff (Rawkfish) and never felt like I was dragging butt. In fact, Jeff in his Revo and I had a quick 50 yard dash and came out pretty much even. All those out there know how much current was in the water that day the PA12 handled it like a real Hobie kayak. That was pretty much all I needed to make this a regular in my quiver.

The few things I see the PA12 not doing well are surf launches and portaging over tough terrain. The PA12 is also still really wide and you can't just sling it over your shoulder and shimmy down dirt, rock, drift wood strewn hill with ease. While it still is harder to handle than a kayak it's positives definitely weigh it all out. It's a great little fishing boat and see it being used heavily in the future.

By all means, take it for a test pedal and find out for yourself! Would love to hear some other feedback and answer any questions.

Thanks for the pics Jeff!
(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/527-180612043221-37251457.jpeg)

(http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/gallery/527-180612043222-3726454.jpeg)
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Rory on June 26, 2012, 09:31:16 PM
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Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: IslandHoppa on June 26, 2012, 09:53:53 PM
Nose bleed! That is one sweet high ride.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Bridgeman on June 27, 2012, 03:21:19 AM
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Zee...you've got me thinking and hoping I didn't make a mistake in buying my PA 14.  As a newbie to the sport, my biggest concern was stability on the open water.  While I will use my 14 in some lakes, I plan on putting in most of my time in the Sound and Coastal waters.  I can definitely see the portability and speed issues compared to say a Revo or Outback. I think I can live with that…

Did you get a chance to drive the 14 in open water?

You mentioned seeing the difficulty of surf launches with the 12. Do you mean portability or blasting through the waves?

I wish I would have read this / talked with you before my recent purchase.  I have an older (1999) Mirage Classic that someone gave me and have had it out and was not comfortable with the instability as a newbie.  I fear I would have did more than my share of swimming with a platform like the earlier Classics.

Bottom Line Question:  Will the PA 14 make a good open water fishing yak?

Thanks for putting up with my questions.  ;D
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: OlySpec on June 27, 2012, 05:28:46 AM
Bridgeman...

As a PA 14 owner, I will say that it is a great open water kayak.  I have surf launched, did 22.5 hours on the ocean at ORC, had it on lakes and the sound.  I have not found a condition that it cannot handle.  I don't have the experience on other yaks due to my weight, but can tell you that I love my PA. 

The only time I don't like it is when I have a long beach pull back up after a day of fishing.  It is very heavy......again.....very heavy.  Slow...hmm....yeah a bit, but I am not out for speed.  I was able to get north of Depoe and hang in the 3kt currents with the rest of them, it just took me longer to get up there.

I would love to check out the 12 sometime though to see how it feels after owning the 14.
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 27, 2012, 06:26:31 AM
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Zee...you've got me thinking and hoping I didn't make a mistake in buying my PA 14.  As a newbie to the sport, my biggest concern was stability on the open water.  While I will use my 14 in some lakes, I plan on putting in most of my time in the Sound and Coastal waters.  I can definitely see the portability and speed issues compared to say a Revo or Outback. I think I can live with that…

Did you get a chance to drive the 14 in open water?

You mentioned seeing the difficulty of surf launches with the 12. Do you mean portability or blasting through the waves?

I wish I would have read this / talked with you before my recent purchase.  I have an older (1999) Mirage Classic that someone gave me and have had it out and was not comfortable with the instability as a newbie.  I fear I would have did more than my share of swimming with a platform like the earlier Classics.

Bottom Line Question:  Will the PA 14 make a good open water fishing yak?

Thanks for putting up with my questions.  ;D
No worries BM. I lent my PA12 to a dealer so won't have it for a bit but when it comes back I'll let you know and we could meet for a spin out there. Until then, just for giggles, you might want to test pedal the 12 at a dealer. If you end up liking it I'm sure someone out there would love to buy a 14. On that, like Olyspec said, it is not a bad boat. It was just a little off my liking. I had the 14 in the sound a few times and it definitely works. Just a little too much boat than I wad looking for. Real men like OS can handle it no worries! ;)

About surf launches I see the paddling a difficult part of the PA series. They're so wide and you sit so high that it becomes a challenge. Can it be done? Yep. Check out YouTube. Would it be the one I choose to surf launch. Probably not. I've become one of those "right tool for the job" kind of kayak fisherman over the years.

So to answer your question about the 14 being a good open water boat, only you can decide. OS rocked it like a champ and he gave a great review. Give it some time and you'll know for sure.
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 27, 2012, 06:28:55 AM
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Yeah!! Pics of the rigging yet??
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: OlySpec on June 27, 2012, 06:58:40 AM
I absolutely believe that this boat will be destined for non-surf launches after I lose enough to get into a Revo comfortably; however, for Depoe, Westport marina, and others with very little surf, I love having the deck space, stability, rod storage, etc...
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Rory on June 27, 2012, 09:13:47 AM
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Yeah!! Pics of the rigging yet??

Not yet. Still waiting for this BS storm to abate. Gonna rig it up tonite in hopes of doing some inshore tomorrow. Suuuuper stoked.


---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?4cewh0
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: [WR] on June 27, 2012, 10:17:44 AM
Zee,
was wondering about the seat height when i saw you in earlier pictures on it. there's not a lower position at all?
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 27, 2012, 02:37:03 PM
Zee,
was wondering about the seat height when i saw you in earlier pictures on it. there's not a lower position at all?

There are 2 positions and that was the low one.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: micahgee on June 27, 2012, 07:17:52 PM
Bridgeman...

As a PA 14 owner, I will say that it is a great open water kayak. I have surf launched, did 22.5 hours on the ocean at ORC, had it on lakes and the sound.  I have not found a condition that it cannot handle.  I don't have the experience on other yaks due to my weight, but can tell you that I love my PA. 


Where have you surf launched? I wouldn't classify half moon bay at Westport as a surf launch considering there are not multiple rows of breakers to punch through. Have you launched your PA in unprotected (ie not half moon bay) surf?
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: OlySpec on June 27, 2012, 07:26:40 PM
Went back to S. Ocean shores and played.  Wasn't big, but got the hang of mounting, paddling, clipping in.....  Sure, it was not PC or anything, but I am confident the PA will make PC on a nice day easily.  I will be doing Hobuck later in the year and hopefully the group will have a surf play day coming up soon to do some PA surf video :)
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: micahgee on June 27, 2012, 07:30:01 PM
Is that inside of the sunken jetty or the open pacific?
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: OlySpec on June 27, 2012, 07:34:22 PM
inside the sunken jetty.....Yeah, still not the same as rolling up on the beach and going for it I guess. 
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: micahgee on June 27, 2012, 07:43:21 PM
inside the sunken jetty.....Yeah, still not the same as rolling up on the beach and going for it I guess.

Indeed. Playing in the little stuff is fun and good practice don't get me wrong its just not the same as being punching through rows of breakers.

I look forward to that PA surfing video!

Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 27, 2012, 09:47:12 PM
I look forward to that PA surfing video!
No need to wait!

Hobie Pro Angler in the surf (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-GJ9LAGp94#)
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: micahgee on June 27, 2012, 09:55:52 PM
Hilarious! Huli's galore! That wasn't exactly large surf either.

Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Mark Collett on June 27, 2012, 10:00:22 PM


  Love it---way to show how it's done...........
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: micahgee on June 27, 2012, 10:01:02 PM


  Love it---way to show how it's done...........

or not done!
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Mark Collett on June 27, 2012, 10:03:59 PM


  Love it---way to show how it's done...........

or not done!

  micahgee--I know that you were grinning when you saw that vid.I know I was.........bring on part 2.
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Rory on June 28, 2012, 04:54:57 AM
Maiden voyage on my PA12 in fl yesterday. It's quite a craft! Gonna take some adjusting from fishing off my Adventure down here. Polar opposites.

I'll expand on this a little later...initial thoughts...
(note that I have no experience with the PA14 and am unaware of the similarities and differences. Also, I am a man and therefore have not read the owner's manual)

Lot of stand-and-fish down here, and this boat is perfect. And, with the high seat it's soooo easy to go from sitting to standing and back again. For me, this alone is worth the price. And that seat, deeeam. Luxurious!!

But even from sitting, you're high up enough to be able to give yer baits effective twitchy action.  and hooksets are far easier with light tackle than they'd be in my addy (at the waterline). And it's quite nice how stable everything is in every position. Low seat, hi seat, standing. I never had that "bout to fall in" feeling when standing.

Two things I did notice...

it spins out very easily. This is probably due to lack of a decent keel. Yah, beach launches and landings are going to be trickier for sure.

The rudder is a little short IMO. They may have a good reason to have a shorter rudder that I am not aware of... But being used to the sailing rudder on the addy, turning in this beast is just a bigger deal. Requires more room, even tho it's shorter.

 Also, there may be a fix for this...but I had to keep my hand on the rudder control at all times while pedaling, or it spins out. This is different from the other hobies I've had where you can set your course and take your hand off the rudder, only making small adjustments from time to time. PA rudder is very smooth, but I could use a touch more friction to keep it in place. Maybe I should read the manual!

All in all a great first experience. I'll be taking it into the gulf soon and will report back on that.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: demonick on June 28, 2012, 08:15:31 AM
Lot of stand-and-fish down here, and this boat is perfect. And, with the high seat it's soooo easy to go from sitting to standing and back again. For me, this alone is worth the price. And that seat, deeeam. Luxurious!!

Sorry, I must have missed it, but where is "down here"?  Plan to use it on fresh, inland, and/or ocean waters?
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Lee on June 28, 2012, 08:24:22 AM
Lot of stand-and-fish down here, and this boat is perfect. And, with the high seat it's soooo easy to go from sitting to standing and back again. For me, this alone is worth the price. And that seat, deeeam. Luxurious!!

Sorry, I must have missed it, but where is "down here"?  Plan to use it on fresh, inland, and/or ocean waters?

Florida, gulf coast side if if memory serves
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Rory on June 28, 2012, 09:01:18 AM
Lot of stand-and-fish down here, and this boat is perfect. And, with the high seat it's soooo easy to go from sitting to standing and back again. For me, this alone is worth the price. And that seat, deeeam. Luxurious!!

Sorry, I must have missed it, but where is "down here"?  Plan to use it on fresh, inland, and/or ocean waters?

Florida, gulf coast side if if memory serves

Yah, florida gulf. Storm finally let up so imma storm these waters in my PA.


---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?y0ze2m
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on June 28, 2012, 09:23:37 PM
Thanks for the notes Rory. You just about kayak fish more than anyone else I know so should be good.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: redfred on July 11, 2012, 06:48:38 PM
Lee,
how does the pa12 stack up against the ob, on glide and open water
thanks,
redfred
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on July 11, 2012, 08:43:41 PM
Lee,
how does the pa12 stack up against the ob, on glide and open water
thanks,
redfred
The PA12 has a ton more glide. I had an OB for about 4 years and thought it pushed a lot of water comparatively. Rory has maybe the best POV because he's been using the OB for a few years and now has been using the PA12 quite a bit. Rory, what's the word?
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Rory on July 12, 2012, 09:48:43 AM
Hard to compare. But I'd say the PA12 moves faster thru the water despite being heavier. Not sure how they figured that out, but it's an engineering miracle!  I bet you could sustain at least .5 mph more on the PA12 using the same amount of energy (vs OB)

I have been spending nearly every day on my PA12 down here in FL, and have gotten to know it very well. Will be interesting to go back home and get in the outback next week. (I am soooo looking forward to getting some dungies)

Anyway, rambling. I am mentally arranging my thoughts on the PA. I will hopefully get that post together soon.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Ling Banger on December 10, 2012, 11:49:11 AM
A little testimonial to the stability of the PA 12. There was a south swell and the wind was from the south, so we sought some shelter on the north side of GP in DB. It was a much rougher day than it appears in these photos. Small craft advisories were in effect and the DB bar was restricted to >18'. I was impressed. 
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Sinker on December 10, 2012, 08:52:45 PM
I want one...
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: ZeeHawk on December 11, 2012, 12:07:10 AM
The PA12 is a real trip. Don't forget, Jeff is a muthaf0kin' rockstar! >:)
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Sinker on December 11, 2012, 08:31:02 AM
Zee, I'm not sure about that, but the man did throw a live Ling at my head.
Title: Re: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: rawkfish on December 11, 2012, 08:38:23 AM
But it didn't hit you, now did it?  >:D
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Noah on December 11, 2012, 08:52:22 AM
But it didn't hit you, now did it?  >:D
Try harder next time....
Title: Hobie PA12 review
Post by: Sinker on December 11, 2012, 09:01:39 AM
Payback is a female dog :D