Pro 14 and 17 too big?

My turn at the dead horse. Forgive me, but I've spent a lot of money on boats, gear and toys only to find out I bought the wrong thing. We own property in Anchor Point so my main mission is to learn every nook and cranny in Kach, Cook and Res Bay. Maybe Whittier again if they make it a happier place. I want to grow up to be a fisherman like Kardinal 84. My main goal is fishing but I also have an addiction to bow and arrows. I like the size of the Pro 14 and 17 for the extra capacity to haul a bear back to the Spit. I'm 6'2, 220...ok, maybe 225. I've read some posts on here that say the big Pros are not the best choices for Cook Inlet fishing. Are they bad enough in the surf, wind and current that I should just stick with an Outback for fishing and forget about bear Yaking? Oh, I forgot to say "hello I'm new" but you probably noticed that. Thanks.     

What's your main purpose for the boat?   Plenty of guys in the 200+ and over 6 feet tall category use the revo 16 / adventure.  If you plan on fishing salt in areas with heavy current or winds,  I would not recommend any of the PAs.

If you need to haul an animal,  you'd be better or bringing a buddy or a cheap sit on top to tow.   Outbacks have decent weight capacity.

Plenty of guys in the 200+ and over 6 feet tall category use the revo 16 / adventure.  If you plan on fishing salt in areas with heavy current or winds,  I would not recommend any of the PAs.

I'm, 6'6" 210 and say the Adventure is the best kayak on the Hobie line for me. Hauls butt, good fishing options, and is pretty manageable when it comes to moving it around. Rory is the same size as me and likes the Outback better. He's weird but he does catch fish. What say ye Rory?

Lol.  Trust me...you don't want to be like me!  As in anything in life...moderation works best.  But hey, I'm an addict., I need help, I do what I can, and I simply don't have a life outside of mandatory woork and home life.  haha. 

Never been in anything but an outback.  BUT I will say that I look at my outback and unload, half the gear before I even roll it up the sand beach.  If I owned an PA and used it like I use my kayak, I'd invest in a winch system for my vehicle.  My outback is a handful at the end of the day pulling it up the beach. 

So you just need to be honest.  If I only fished Seward, Whittier, and lakes where I have access to a boat launch, I'd seriously consider the PA.  Bow fishing for pike comes to mind.  But anywhere you are dragging it up the beach, it will be a work out.  It can be done.  I'm 5'7", overweight, smoke a pack a day, and do no exercise outside of fishing.  On the long days...I miss my 35 pound mini-x.  The outback is plenty. 

So just be honest with your strength and desire.  Go rent a PA or outback from Alaska Raft and Kayak for a day.  I think if you buy it from them, they may even apply the rental to the cost of the Kayak.

So to summarize...for me at least.  A PA is a boat.  But a handy economical little boat that will get you on the water 80% of the time a kayak get on the water.  Outback is still a heavy kayak.  But you can use it like a kayak in terms of dragging it to launches other than boat ramps and such.   

For bigger badder adventures...I am leaning more towards the tandem Island or adventure Island vs the PA since I can use the kayak as a stand alone and it comes a part so at least even if it means more trips, I can get it up the beach. 

Towing a trailer sounds cool but wonder if a stiff wind would make tracking a real problem. Interesting. Maybe an Alpaca with a splash skirt.

If I had more Kayak experience the Adventure might be the ticket. Maybe someday I'll become enlightened and learn how to sail. I could only use the sail as tarp for now.

I'm too young to smoke at 52. I'm still in pretty good shape to pull a boat up the beach. I'd pull your boat up too if you show me how to put fish in mine. Bow fishing? You're psychic. I saw some monster suckers in undisclosed chain of lakes once.

Loading and unloading the YAK is not a huge issue. I plan to use my "Spitzlift" to raise and lower the Kayak from the top of my slide-in camper. We'll be living in the camper over weekends for the next few years down there while we build our retirement shack.

Stopped by Alaska Raft and Kayak again today. I sure wish they didn't put some many bells and whistles on the PA. It's a bug light! Anybody ever think about mounting oar locks on the rails and using a set of light weight oars vs paddling? Maybe that's Kayak sacrilege? 

Oars would be cool for river floats if the bars can support the force.

I've got a PA 12 which I brought up with me from California when I moved here 8 months ago.  I probably took it out in the ocean in San Diego close to 75 times and loved it.  If you could find a way to invest in Hobie ProAngler stock in Southern California you'd be rich...they are selling like hotcakes down there.

That being said, I've only taken it out here in Alaska 4 times and so I am still figuring out the scene/tides/currents up here.

I'll start with the cons...the most obvious is that it is big and heavy, which means it moves and turns a little slower than the rest.  God forbid you ever break a pedal or the rudder and actually have to paddle the thing--its going to be a long day (but it is possible).  With Hobie's heavier duty wheels, I don't think dragging it up a beach is that bad...but yeah it can still be a workout.  I've got a truck and so lifting it into the bed isn't too bad...but I think it would be near impossible to put it up on a roof rack solo. 

The pros...it is soooo comfortable.  You are sitting in a lawn chair with adjustable lumbar support!  You really can't beat that.  I also really like having the extra space...it seems every trip I am adding yet another item to carry with me and there is plenty of room.  And there is nothing like being able to stand up and stretch your legs if the water is reasonably calm.  Which brings me to the absolute best part...which is I can either stand or kneel when I need to take a leak.  I remember Rudy saying at the Sportsman show that "liquid management" was one of a kayakers biggest concerns...honestly its not much of an issue in the PA because it is so easy to go.  I even had one very unfortunate experience down in California where I had to dispose of some "solids" while several miles offshore.  Popped out the peddles and squatted over the center hole.  Not recommened but it worked.  Although that would definitely be impossible with the dry suits up here. 

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.  I am sure every kayak is going to have pros and cons.  All in all, I really like my PA.

Thanks for the reply on your PA.  They definitely look comfortable. Sounds like carrying a spare peddle unit might be wise up here with any model. Here's a link to Spitzlift. http://www.spitzlift.com/  I'll never be without one. Anyone can load a heavy boat on top of a pickup truck with one. I've loaded and unloaded a complete 350 V8 engine in the back of my truck with it.

Looking at the Adventure. How do you all fish without getting tangled in the crossbars? Take them off and just use the Kayak without the outriggers?  They're right at $5000 shipped up here. That's almost the same as 2 Outbacks.

I shot for the middle and ordered an Outback today from Alaska Raft and Kayak. A nice yellar' one. The June delivery schedule gives me plenty of time to gather all the proper Yak fishing, safety and navigating gear I'll need. Thanks.     

When guys are saying they fish out of the Adventure most are referring to what is now called the revo 16. It used to be called the Adventure and the same hull was used with the ammas and large sail to make the Adventure Island. 
The Revo 16 is a sweet boat if you plan on covering a lot of distance. I am 6'3" 220 and have had over 50 pounds of fish and 30 pounds of gear in mine without a problem.