would you still buy a hobie

if it didn't have the mirage drive system and was purely paddle only.  Would you choose a different brand for other reasons such as hull design for example and what would your next choice be???

Absolutely not. Other brands/models are far more sturdy, paddle WAY better, and have more user friendly decks. IMO, it's hard to beat the X13, and PT13 or 15. The Malibu paddles nicer and all though it has a great deck, that's where the PTs really shine. They're are plenty of other great boats out there, but those are my pic for paddle craft.

I think the prowler/ trident line is one of the best northwest boats out there. Personally I really like the Prowler 13 even though it doesn't have the rod pod. It is a little narrower and has more deck space.
My dream boat is a Prowler 13 with a mirage drive well.

I would not buy one if it did not have the Mirage drive either* due to the benefits mentioned by FG and Rav.  I would probably get an Ocean Kayak

* unless it was this Hobie (go to 3:40.)
 

 It would get you to the halibut and fast. 

I think the prowler/ trident line is one of the best northwest boats out there. Personally I really like the Prowler 13 even though it doesn't have the rod pod. It is a little narrower and has more deck space.
My dream boat is a Prowler 13 with a mirage drive well.

Yeah that is what I was getting at just an all around good boat no trade offs.  With that being said why couldn't hobie make a better hull design more like the ocean kayak or jackson and still have the mirage drive or does the mirage drive impede the improvement on the hull design or possibly sacrificing integrity of the hull and the current design is the way it is for a reason.  I know the drive obviously eats up precious space so I get that trade off.  Just my 2 cents kicking some ideas around.

Some people really like the Jackson Cud a ... Personally I think the center of gravity is far too high for an ocean boat. I got rid of mine.

 I really like my Cuda. I've had it on the ocean at least 40 times since I got it last July. I'm always game for better rides, so this makes me wonder what's out there that is better.

Like I said it is all a personal preference. The seat on the Cuda is super comfortable but for me I felt unsteady in poor conditions. In normal conditions it was great but for me I need to feel the most comfortable when things are ugly.
I guess this is why we say test out as many boats as you can because what is diamonds for one person may not feel comfortable to another.

I think the prowler/ trident line is one of the best northwest boats out there. Personally I really like the Prowler 13 even though it doesn't have the rod pod. It is a little narrower and has more deck space.
My dream boat is a Prowler 13 with a mirage drive well.

I love my prowler! Its nice to have the best of both worlds. My outback will always be my mothership though.

The pedal thing didn't work for what I wanted to do in a kayak.  While the needs that put me in a Wavewalk were somewhat unique (archery duck hunting) I wanted a boat that would be versatile.  The Wavewalk does that for me and is comfortable.  I am happy with my purchase and to represent them.

I personally would not as there are better models for paddling. Love my OK scupper pro, at 26" wide, it paddles great, handles well in the surf and its extremely lightweight. Its an old school design but its one of the best paddling sit on tops IMO.

Having only sampled the outback and the adventure i would say no. Although I think the adventure paddles nice. But I would not tolerate the seating position and sitting in a puddle of water negatives if I had to paddle it exclusively. Adding a skipper seat solves this but of course your in trimaran mode using it.
Not to mention, the hobies are really soft. They sure do scratch/gouge easily. And Hobies are expensive

If I were choosing one of the larger platforms (pushing the kayak/boat boundary) I would stay with a PA.  But I'm sure there are other rigs that have some nicer features when you get to the true kayaks for fishing. 

Hands free did it for me

if it didn't have the mirage drive system and was purely paddle only.  Would you choose a different brand for other reasons such as hull design for example and what would your next choice be???

Sounds like an unfair question. Sort of like would you still buy a Porsche if it had a lawn mower engine in it. The success of Hobie fishing kayaks is totally  designed around the mirage drive. It's not a paddle kayak. Why not simply ask the real question, like what's the nicest paddle fishing kayak out there?

if it didn't have the mirage drive system and was purely paddle only.  Would you choose a different brand for other reasons such as hull design for example and what would your next choice be???

If my Revo13 didn't have the mirage drive I would have stuck with my OK Trident 13 Angler.  I've become a pedaller not a paddler, so take my opinion for what it is worth, I think the T13 is the best overall paddle fishing kayak out there.  The ONLY thing my Revo13 has over the T13 is the mirage drive.  The T13 hull is better and thicker.  The Hobie seat is better.  However, the mirage drive is the deal maker.  Being able to fish hands free is awesome.