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???

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.

+1 I have an Outback and just recently picked up a used T13...... I love it!

Had a WS Ride 135 for a while, super happy with the stability and the cockpit & stern storage space, but it lacked the hull speed I wanted in big water.

Running a Trident 15 now, and love it.  Great speed, and tracks well in big water and wind.  Rod Pod was a huge selling feature.

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?

THIS. I was going to say something like "Would you still buy a Gulfstream G6 if it was prop-powered?" Nope. Because the whole thing is designed around being jet powered. The question makes no sense.

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.

I'm with Demo on this (but I usually am due to his experience/knowledge ). I have a Hobie Revo13 and my other kayak is an OK Trident T-11. My only complaint on the T-11 is it fishtails as I paddle, losing a lot of forward momentum as the ass end swings from side to side. In defense of the T-11, I blame my rookie paddling technique/lack of experience with a paddle. I just ordered and am installing a rudder kit this weekend, so anxious to get it on the water and see if there was an appreciable difference. Time will tell.

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.

I'm with Demo on this (but I usually am due to his experience/knowledge ). I have a Hobie Revo13 and my other kayak is an OK Trident T-11. My only complaint on the T-11 is it fishtails as I paddle, losing a lot of forward momentum as the ass end swings from side to side. In defense of the T-11, I blame my rookie paddling technique/lack of experience with a paddle. I just ordered and am installing a rudder kit this weekend, so anxious to get it on the water and see if there was an appreciable difference. Time will tell.

Longer kayaks are better about that in general too.  I have a P13 and it tracks fine without any rudder.

Would someone buy a 120 lb. angler kayak to paddle instead of a 65 lb. one of the same length?

What is the real question in your mind?