Hobie Has A New 17' Pro Angler Tandem

Here is the kayak cart for the new Pro Angler Tandem.

You guys misunderstood. The forklift is for carrying the the money from the bank to the kayak shop to pay for it. $6000!!! Yikes!!!

Or the 600 pound occupant and his 300 pound kid

You guys misunderstood. The forklift is for carrying the the money from the bank to the kayak shop to pay for it. $6000!!! Yikes!!!

yeah but it comes with a pair of cupholders!

"A pair each of H-Rail Mounting Plates, Rod Racks and Cup Holders come with the boat to get the individualized rigging started"

Here is the kayak cart for the new Pro Angler Tandem.

Hey, its even in SWMBO's favorite color!!

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats? 

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats?

I agree it is large and heavy but my criteria for a SOT kayak is:  self draining (sculpers) and enclosed floatation hull.   

Reason: none of these have that:  canoe, small boats, folding boats, drift boats, surf boards, stand-up-paddle boards.

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats?

Honestly I think people are blurring the line between the two in their enthusiasm to grab blindly onto the newest and faddest thing out there.

I see this strictly as a boat, same as the others in the PA series. And even the maker says it's a boat, which makes sense since their largest retail isn't in kayaks, but in catamarans and other small sailing boats.

Having said that, I see it lending itself well as a substitute to a more traditional canoe or small rowboat at places like large lakes and the sound, family fishing and camping, and even being used for crabbing... can you see how many pots/traps can be stowed on this thing? Most of us only drop one or two from our yak for personal pleasure on the way out as we go fish elsewhere, but what about the person who has a spouse that doesn't like to fish or paddle but loves to crab?

Have to be careful though.. by the time you'd add things like (examples) a saltwater rated trolling motor and battery, dual headed fish finder/plotter,  a trailer (who in their right mind is gonna try to hump this thing more than 20 feet?) you would be just as well off going to a boat yard such as Gig Harbor Boat Works (ghboats.com in case you're interested) and buying one of their more traditional small boats.

Still there are going to be a lot of people who swallow the hype hook, line and stinker and buy it as their entry into "kayak" fishing.

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats?

I see this strictly as a boat, same as the others in the PA series. And even the maker says it's a boat, which makes sense since their largest retail isn't in kayaks, but in catamarans and other small sailing boats.

I don't agree, Hobie website has it under 'Mirage Kayaks' and I guess that I am curious what "non-subjective" criteria people might have for what is a kayak and what is not?

for example, a kayak that can be fitted up with the capabilities of a small boat or canoe is still a kayak (having those capabilities doesn't make it 'not a kayak', right?)

a heavier kayak that can be easily loaded in and out of an SUV or on a pick-up ladder carrier or roof-top is still a kayak, IMO.  and using a cart with correct wheels, even a heavy kayak can be rolled plenty far on roads and beaches.  but so can small boats, I see lots of people carrying or rolling small or folding boats and also canoes using creative carts/wheels...

as per my previously stated non-subjective criteria, any of the PA line can be rolled over in the water, rolled back upright and you jump right in.  this to me is what you can do with any SOT kayak.  can't do it with a small boat or a canoe...

so back to weight, perhaps the criteria is that you must be able to carry your kayak a certain distance in order for it to be a kayak?  that makes sense for a white water kayak but IMO it doesn't make sense as a criteria for SOT fishing kayaks.   

for example, an Adventure is 89#, add fishing gear, eats, fluids, sonar, rod holders, battery, definitely taking that to 110# or so, how many folks can carry that very far?  so would a weight criteria make an Adventure a boat?  and don't look now, a Revo13 is 83#, so at >100# fully rigged, also sounding like a boat...

cheers, roger

Why is everyone worried about how to classify this thing?  It's a means to an end, and it either works for you, or it doesn't.  It clearly works for someone, and anytime you make a vessel that gets people in the water, it's a win.

When you have time, Lee, check your inbox.

Damn it!!!
I have to agree with Lee again.

Who cares what people call it. Some power boaters like Grady Whites some like pontoon party barges.
Different boats for different folks.
Personally if my kayak requires a trailer and boat ramp I might as well just get a power boat.

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats?

And even the maker says it's a boat, which makes sense since their largest retail isn't in kayaks, but in catamarans and other small sailing boats.

WRONG......the majority of Hobie Cat sales worldwide is coming from kayak sales and not catamaran and small sailing boats. Kayaks and all PA's now make up a HUGE majority of Hobies gross  sales worldwide.

Personally if my kayak requires a trailer and boat ramp I might as well just get a power boat.

That is my sentiment exactly.

For me, call my PA-14 a kayak or boat as I don't care, BUT it still has the mirage drive and that makes it unique in the market.
I love fishing in it and the side benefit is great physical fitness I derive typically covering 7.5 to 9.3 miles trolling.
Catching fish exceeding 18" is a bonus 

What's with the trend of turning kayaks into boats?