Hobie Experts: What's a decent price for a HOBIE MIRAGE PRO ANGLER?

Sold my kayaks prior to leaving Vancouver, but already considering another one since landing. I have a chance at a used HOBIE MIRAGE PRO ANGLER, but don't know what a fair price is, or if this was a good model. I've also never owned a PA so I don't know what to expect or if I should just stay with a Revo, Outback, etc. Also, I just noticed the PA doesn't have a rudder....or do they? 

Here's what the dude selling it is claiming and his pictures.

14 ft Hobie Pro Angler With
Turbo Mirage Drive
*Accessories included (see photo)
$1750.
Only used a few times
Purchased 3 years ago for $2,600.
GREAT CONDITION!!!!!

How would you steer without a rudder?  My guess is that the rudder just isn't visible in the pictures.

That's probably a decent price for a 3 year old PA-14.  Not a screamer, not a rip-off.  Whether that's a good deal for you depends on what you want from it and whether a smaller and less expensive kayak would get you the same net result. 

Just to throw it out there, new ones run around $3,199. Seems like a nice rig. Main reason I didn't consider the angler line aside from the cost was its weight--145lbs or so.

Too heavy for an aftermarket roof rack or easy portage. Would probably make a great rig to put on a cheap utility trailer for larger bodies of water. It's practically a boat.

As sumpNZ said, whether it's worth it largely depends on what you'd want to do with it.

Since starting this thread a few ours ago, I've been researching online and believe this must be a 2011, due to the 2012 having a different (improved) seat. Apparently it does have a rudder, so that's not an issue.  As for loading, it is definitely heavy, but I have an import truck so whatever I end up with would just go into the bed and hang out. I know its not considered a kayak, but is actually deemed a boat, even requiring a registration in some states.

I'd still really like to have as much feedback as possible from those that are in the know and thank you in advance for any information passed along.

I have 2 PA 14's and yes the rudder is in the up position.  It tucks up inside the hull out of the way.  The PAs are great in any water that I have used them on.  Open water Grays Harbor, Chehalis River, even Wynoochee and Satsop Rivers.  They are big and heavy but with a ton of storage and stability.  (and a much drier ride)  I also have 2 outbacks that are completely different monsters altogether.  Much wetter ride and very stable as well.  The revos are fast but with fast you sacrifice stability so you have to watch your balance alot more.  $1750 is a very fair price for a PA in that condition.

that is a pre-2012 and I think that price is way too high.  2012, when they introduced the PA12, had a major redesigned Vantage Seat and the tackle storage in front of the seat was dropped down so that area is flat, also I think they re-inforced areas of the hull that were prone to cracking in the original PA14 design.  pre-2012 also, I think, had V1 Mirage drive...check out how much better the post-2012 seat and deck area is before making an offer...cheers, roger

The best way to tell the model year, is by the last two digits of the serial number, etched on the stern of the PA-14.
All PA's made after 2009 had V2 Mirage drives and the PA-14 came standard with turbo fins.
In 2013 Hobie changed the steering from a lever mounted on the bottom L/H, front  side of the seat up to the side rail....this is much better and one of the reasons I bought my PA-14 in 2013.......the seat improvement in 2013 was major and as rogerdoger noted, the flotation was improved to better support the deck around the seat.

If the PA-14 is in really good condition, I would say $1700 is a fair price.....if you found a 2013 for a couple of hundred $$ more, I would opt for the newer model.
In any case, you should not get hurt in the $1700 range.
IMHO, you still need a fish finder, safety flag, anchor, hand bilge pump, etc. I think I see a PFD in the photo.

I think they re-inforced areas of the hull that were prone to cracking in the original PA14 design.  pre-2012 also, I think, had V1 Mirage drive. cheers, roger

You bring up two very good points Roger, and this is exactly what I'm looking for as information goes (no disrespect or intended lack of gratitude to other contributors). I wasn't aware of areas prone to cracking, other than maybe scuppers where a cart is inserted and stresses the plastic. As for it possibly having the V1, rather than the V2, that would probably almost be a deal killer by itself. Those reasons and more may also be why its been in the local paper for five days so far and not already been bought.    Hmmm?

The best way to tell the model year, is by the last two digits of the serial number, etched on the stern of the PA-14.
All PA's made after 2009 had V2 Mirage drives and the PA-14 came standard with turbo fins.
In 2013 Hobie changed the steering from a lever mounted on the bottom L/H, front  side of the seat up to the side rail....this is much better and one of the reasons I bought my PA-14 in 2013.......the seat improvement in 2013 was major and as rogerdoger noted, the flotation was improved to better support the deck around the seat.

If the PA-14 is in really good condition, I would say $1700 is a fair price.....if you found a 2013 for a couple of hundred $$ more, I would opt for the newer model.
In any case, you should not get hurt in the $1700 range.
IMHO, you still need a fish finder, safety flag, anchor, hand bilge pump, etc. I think I see a PFD in the photo.

Wow...some more great info. Thanks Doc. As for the goodies to add on once I decide between this PA or a new Outback, I've got everything you mentioned (and then some) still new in the box and ready to go from previous projects. 

The best way to tell the model year, is by the last two digits of the serial number, etched on the stern of the PA-14.
All PA's made after 2009 had V2 Mirage drives and the PA-14 came standard with turbo fins.
In 2013 Hobie changed the steering from a lever mounted on the bottom L/H, front  side of the seat up to the side rail....this is much better and one of the reasons I bought my PA-14 in 2013.......the seat improvement in 2013 was major and as rogerdoger noted, the flotation was improved to better support the deck around the seat.

If the PA-14 is in really good condition, I would say $1700 is a fair price.....if you found a 2013 for a couple of hundred $$ more, I would opt for the newer model.
In any case, you should not get hurt in the $1700 range.
IMHO, you still need a fish finder, safety flag, anchor, hand bilge pump, etc. I think I see a PFD in the photo.

you are correct, the PA12 was introduced in 2012 with the new Vantage seat and flat deck/rectangular storage in front of the seat.  the PA14 was updated to match those features for the 2013 model year...

I think it's a fair price for the older model.  I sold my late 2012 with a brand new (warrantied hull) for about the same price and included a wheel cart and small fish finder.  The new Vantage seat is a nice on the newer PA's but not a deal breaker if you are looking for a good deal.  I will say that if you want to stand and fish, the newer model PA's with flush tackle box (verses raised cutting board) and the Vantage seat in the higher position do make it much easier to stand and sit back down.  You'll be straddling that cutting board while standing.  I've own/owned 5 Pro Anglers over the years and have never had an issue reselling them.

For what it's worth, I talked to the gentleman selling a 2015 PA 14 yesterday.  He's only used the boat a dozen times and has a few extras.  Selling it because he has problems loading it http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/boa/5192550609.html

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I sat on this for a week and since it was still listed in the local paper, I couldn't take it any longer and pulled the trigger. I walked around it for an hour, looking it over, kicking the cart tires and asking a ton of questions. The fella I got it from also included a custom made hitch extender with lights, which gives the hull additional support about two feet back from my tailgate. That being said, when I haul it to the water in my truck it'll have six feet of bed and about 16" of tailgate supporting the hull, a gap for about two feet, and then supported again with about four feet unsupported. He included a cart, the original paddle and "T" handle, an adult sized PFD, a Hobie dry bag, all the original owners manuals and a dvd from when he bought it.

It had been garage stored its entire life with minimal hull scratches (no gouges) and no dry rot/sun baked bungee cords or seat material. He only had one rod holder mounted on the left side and other than that, no holes cut or drilled that weren't factory.

As you might guess from my rambling, I'm really happy with it and hope to get out on Little Dell reservoir, 30 minutes from our home in Salt Lake City (upper Mill Creek), sometime this week for a test run. Then, once I get to my storage unit where all of my stuff landed after the move, maybe I can start getting it set up and fishable, prior to the first snow.

Congratulations on your ride and don't forget to take pictures an the water!

Congrats!!!