Introduction

I am buying a kayak soon. Currently focused on the pro angler 14 for a few reasons...I'm a big guy and pushing 60 years old. Have my sights on surf launch in Pacific City. I like fishing big water. Willamette, Columbia, estuaries. I also am a sailor. So the option to add a sail is a plus to me. I am currently focused on a sail from star in Australia. 3.4 meters and comes complete with furling and mast and running rigging. I also like the trolling motor mod that can be done through the mirage drive hole. So paddle, pedal, wind and electric motor propulsion is all at your disposal.

I've been hunting a lot in recent years and doing less fishing. Something I'm thinking of flipping back to. Age and reduction of good hunting habitat is making it less enjoyable. I currently do not have a boat and don't really like bank fishing with the crowds. I've never fished warm water stuff, but may change that soon.

I am stepping out away from my friends here and doing this on my own. They either think I'm crazy or don't see the benefits of kayak fishing. One friend has a 20' alumni weld and he thinks this is crazy. But i see a lot of benefits...being able to carry the boat while pulling a travel trailer. No maintenance. Beach launch and avoid the ramp crowds. Etc.. So I guess I'll be looking for some new activity partners. If "partner" is an acceptable term not referring to sexual orientation. I am conservative. See Trump as our only choice to protect our freedoms. Ideal, no, but the alternative sucks. I try not to be political on forums, but it's part of who I am, so I felt it necessary to share.

I also like tools and equipment. So a well outfitted kayak seems to fit my personality. The propulsion options as decribed above will allow for varied muscle use and allow for longer distances to be covered with my aging body. Have a hip replacement in my future soon.

W-AA-Y more information than I needed to know, but welcome to the forum.

I'm of the opinion that a PA 14 is a trailer boat, at least for me at my age and BMI. You may quickly find yourself waiting in the ramp line.

Not wanting to micturate in your cheerios, just disabuse you of a questionable notion.

You may also be overestimating the ease of changing from pedal to motor through the drive hole, not to mention the viability of paddle propulsion of a PA.

Finally, as someone who has actually loaded an Outback on the truck rack so to be able to pull the travel trailer at the same time, I shudder at the thought of lifting a PA 14 into position.

There are always options:

Welcome to the forum.. I retired a couple years ago and had planned on buying a 20 ft North River for my fishing.  That was until I started kayak fishing.

My primary kayak is an outback and I love it.  I fish Pacific City whenever I can as well as many lakes and rivers.  Even the outback can be a bit bulky when loading by myself.

I would suggest doing one of the demo days some of the kayak shops have to get a better feel for them and see if you can handle them both on the water and on shore.

Lots of great information and advice here on the forum.

All your reasons for a PA-14 apply to an Outback, with fewer disadvantages.

Don't set your plan in stone off a few internet videos. Try before you buy. And I mean the whole enchilada. Loading, launching paddling, pedaling, self-rescue. Everything. That's all I'm saying.

Isn't the PA going to offer a more stable platform? It might be like my iPhone 6 Plus.  It's great in all ways except for its portability. No other downside.

More stable definitely, but also heavier, harder to right when (not if) you flip it as well. It's not to say a PA isn't a fine boat, just that it's actually classified as a "Boat" instead of kayak... Try both out and if possible bring your carry rig, make sure you can lift/load it on your own.

Where does a guy in the Portland area do the in person comparison?

Kayak Shed in Hood River does Demos

Sent from my VS987 using Tapatalk

Next Adventure does them as well at the Scappoose Bay paddle center.