1st of many posts

just wanted to introduce myself yada yada yada.  Looking at kayaks and looking for a few answers I am sure some members here might be able to help me out with.  I have owned a SINK but never a SOT.  My main goal for purchasing an SOT is open water ocean fishing only.  I have a power boat  and a fishing pontoon for other waters.  I have not test paddled (or pedaled) any yet.  I am pretty dead set on OK or Hobie but leaning more towards OK as a price point. The only thing that keeps me wanting the hobie is I keep picturing myself out in the ocean (wind)  trying to fish and all I am doing is paddling and using choice words instead of fishing.  I like the idea of the 4.7 ultra but I am thinking the 15 ft is a little big.  I was wondering if a trident 13  will handle most anything that us kayakers would run into.  For Hobie I was thinking of testing outback and revo 13.  What is everyones opinion of buying a cosmetic blem or 2nd and has anyone had any experience with purchasing a 2nd through kayakcity.com.  Thanks sorry for the long 1st post

should have no trouble finding all your answers here.  welcome!

Welcome...yada yada yada.  As you well know, personal preference and subjectivity play a big role in choosing a fishing kayak.  The longer and narrower the easier to paddle and higher speed.  Short and wide offers greater stability but they can be dogs to paddle.  I have a Malibu X-Factor (14' 4") and it paddles easily, was reasonably priced, and very stable.  The 13' to 15' range probably gives the best overall performance.  However, you just cannot make a cogent choice without demos of different models to determine what suits you best.     

Welcome aboard! 15' is definitely not too big, especially when your talking open ocean. The PT 13 is a solid do anything kind of boat that is more than capable of taking you offshore. As for Hobie, you're pretty spot on. The more or less hands free control while fishing was my reason to make the switch. The Outback is a sweet stable dry ride, but IMO not the ideal offshore boat. The Revolution and my personal favorite the Adventure are the way to go. The reason I favor those boats is sheer efficiency and the ability to paddle them some distance should you have a Mirage Drive failure. Other's opinions will vary...

thanks for the replies.  I guess the one thing that freaks me out about the hobie is if the mirage drive breaks you gotta drop 6 hundos to replace.  but i guess you gotta pay to play

thanks for the replies.  I guess the one thing that freaks me out about the hobie is if the mirage drive breaks you gotta drop 6 hundos to replace.  but i guess you gotta pay to play

All you have to do is buy the replacement parts for whatever breaks. Personally, I thing the mirage drive is very durable.  I beat the hell out of mine in rocky rivers and have come to an instantaneous stop numerous times after hitting a submerged item.  I just straighten the masts back out and keep going.  I have yet to have anything break. Knock on wood!

If I remember right, we had to find a tree to bend one of the masts back. Neccesity is such an inventor.

Wobbler