Pro Angler offshore?

I'm still in the process of deciding exactly which Pedak (Hobie) I want to buy.

I really love the Pro Angler from a comfort, stability, safety, and practicality standpoint. But since I intend to be doing a fair amount of fishing nearshore on the salt, I have been somewhat dissuaded from seriously considering it. I realize that it is a good choice for calmer areas on the salt, like sloughs, bays, harbors, etc...  But actually going out on the open ocean, I've read plenty of comments against it. I'd probably even receive a few snickers, if I was to launch it in Sunset Bay, alongside a few of the regs here, around Coos Bay... lol.

Then I go and read something like this thread:

http://www.akff.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=28415


And I wonder.... Could it be? I know that conditions here are likely to be somewhat harsher, than where the guy was (the one who wrote the review). But after reading it (assuming that it was honest and unbiased), it sounds relatively promising. I know i would like this boat/yak on fresh water. That is not my concern. I just want to know how feasible (and safe) it would be, to use it for bottomfishing on the salt. At least on reasonably favorable days.

After hearing about the decent (at least respectable) speed and superb stability (and watching the videos on it), the apparent drawbacks seem to dim, somewhat. Drawbacks like wind load, and ease (or lack thereof) of paddling.

I'm only buying one yak (for quite some time), and I'm trying to avoid regrets.

Read the review, and please let me know your opinions.

And if anyone here has a P/A, what has been your experience so far?


BILL

I was considering the Pro-Angler, but it didn't quite fit my overall needs.  The Outback is good enough for me for right now, although the Adventure seems a likely addition within the next couple of years. 

I can't see the utility that the Pro-Angler offers on still water as being that useful on the part of the Pacific ocean that we fish on.  So far, on all five or so of my trips out on the ocean, I haven't come across a reason to stand up while fishing.  Likewise for all of my freshwater playtime.  And, with all of the stowage options available, I know that I would try and fill them.  Which just equates to a heavier boat and more crap to keep track of.

The reports coming out of Australia, Texas and the East Coast, (and SoCal?) seem to indicate that the Pro-Angler can handle fine on the ocean.  I don't doubt that Hobie has made a stupidly stable boat.  The one that I say at Next Adventure the other day was pretty cool.  I figure if you don't do anything stupid, most likely nothing stupid will happen to you.

Have only been on south puget sound and summit lake with my new revo, however clearly this is a fun and safe boat for me. I love this yak! It is plenty wide enough and cruises easily with peddles. Handles well on large boat wakes. First day out peddled 10 miles, messing around in 4 hours and found it easy on this ol body.  Working on the crate, gps/fishfiner, rod holder etc.  The sail rudder and turbo fins are worth while. Holt

Hi Holtfisher...

Yeah, the Revolution is the one I've been planning on for awhile now. There are a couple other locals here who are in the market for new Hobie's, but won't be ready to buy for about a month. I have a good friend who is also buying one at the same time that I do, and we are going to go in with these others guys, and buy 4 at the same time. I think that I would be happiest with the Pro Angler on the fresh water around here, or salt sloughs, or the bay, but I also know that I want to use it on the salt as well. As the other guy said, there have been people using them in Australia offshore water, and on the gulf of Mexico, as well as southern California, but obviously the ocean conditions are somewhat harsher up here on the Northwest coast, than down in sunny So Cal, or the gulf (aside from hurricanes!)

As long as the Pro Angler is made watertight and as seaworthy as possible, I think it might make as good a choice for the salt, as some of the other Hobie's that people commonly use for nearshore ocean fishing, but I don't know for sure, which is why I'm soliciting opinions here.  I do realize that it sticks up a bit higher in the wind, and that it is heavier and wider, but the fact that you really have to TRY to capsize it, and that there's plenty of room for mounting equipment are a reasonable trade-off. According to the guy in the review, it really does move along quite nicely, just like the other Hobie's, and turns very responsively as well. I also think I'd feel at least a LITTLE safer in the presence of a Great White, seeing as I'm a little higher out of the water, and it resembles a bigger seal, as opposed to the Revo... lol.

I have a trailer that will easily handle any Yak, including the Pro Angler, so transportation isn't an issue. If you haven't read that review (from the link I provided), then I suggest reading it. Very interesting, when combined with some of the Pro Angler video's I've watched.

I'm still in the process of deciding exactly which Pedak (Hobie) I want to buy.

I really love the Pro Angler from a comfort, stability, safety, and practicality standpoint. But since I intend to be doing a fair amount of fishing nearshore on the salt, I have been somewhat dissuaded from seriously considering it. I realize that it is a good choice for calmer areas on the salt, like sloughs, bays, harbors, etc...  But actually going out on the open ocean, I've read plenty of comments against it. I'd probably even receive a few snickers, if I was to launch it in Sunset Bay, alongside a few of the regs here, around Coos Bay... lol.

No snickers from me, I'd be jealiously drooling over it... Thats sure was a great reveiw and it seems a great boat, but just too darn heavy for me, i'd have to launch it from a trailer like a real boat and you can't always get that close to the water. There's only two problems i really see is the weight issue and the cost.

IMHO, I think a better choice would be An Outback or a Revo. The Outback has a fair amount of room for gear and outfitting.

At any rate, hurry up and get a yak, and let's go fishing!!

This should answer any questions about it's big water ability.


If I fished fresh a lot I'd have one. But if I were going to get one kayak for all different types of fishing it'd be the Adventure or the Revo.

Z

Quote:

"This should answer any questions about it's big water ability."

Yeah, but can't the same be expected from some of the other Hobie's like the Revo, or Outback, during a surf launch? At least according to what I've read about surf launching Hobie fishing Kayaks. I mean... just to be fair, right?

Seems to me, that a Revo (or Outback) would be as easy to flip, during a surf launch.



Quote: (from coosbayyakker):

"i'd have to launch it from a trailer like a real boat and you can't always get that close to the water. There's only two problems i really see is the weight issue and the cost."

Don't those Kayak carts work on the Pro Angler? I do have a trailer, and I don't see how it would be very tough transporting from the parking lot to the water on a cart, just the same as I would a Revo or Outback. I weigh about 200 pounds, and can bench press 300, so I can't see how it would be too exhausting using the compatible cart. Maybe I'm missing something here, which is quite possible, considering that I am an ultra-newbie. 


Quote:

"At any rate, hurry up and get a yak, and let's go fishing!!"

I'm working on it. Still have to wait for Keith and that other guy (can't remember his name) from Englund Marine, to let us know when they're ready to buy. They said somewhere around the beginning of October. I've got Paul's (my friend) custom trailer ready, and am doing some finishing work on mine. I still have to wire my car for the trailer. I've never done ANY of this stuff before, so it's somewhat slow going.

That video made the Angler look like it was "swirling the bowl" instead of heading out to sea with that single blade paddle. 

Maybe if they were using a double bladed paddle, AND peddled he may have had some quicker "go mojo" to get out through the surf, instead being dumped like a wheel burrow.

I would venture to guess that the other two Hobie models that Zee mentioned above would be a bit quicker off the line than the Pro Angler and push on through the surf just fine.   

Quote:

"This should answer any questions about it's big water ability."
Yeah, but can't the same be expected from some of the other Hobie's like the Revo, or Outback, during a surf launch? At least according to what I've read about surf launching Hobie fishing Kayaks. I mean... just to be fair, right?
Seems to me, that a Revo (or Outback) would be as easy to flip, during a surf launch.

A bad surf launch is a bad surf launch no matter what the kayak. When waves are coming at you sideways it's pretty hard not to flip. I think the video shows the PA doing a pretty decent job going through the surf for such a wide beamed yak. Those are pretty tough launching conditions.

Z

We have a saying....."It's not the boat"

That video showes nothing but user error. Seems like the boat is fine, the guy just doesn't know what he's doing (no offense!) He could have easily leaned into that (small) side breaking wave and braced on top of it and been just fine.

You lean down hill though and you get dumped!

Also- that dinky little paddle is completely worthless in the surf.

Boat looks more than capable of handling whatever the driver can handle.

Thigh straps would help too. I don't know how anyone stays on the boat through the surf without them. Really, thigh straps and a double bladed paddle to brace and rudder with are going to make all the difference for surf launch and landing. I'd use the paddle to get out and in, then drop the mirage once out of the zone to cruise.

That video made the Angler look like it was "swirling the bowl" instead of heading out to sea with that single blade paddle. 

Maybe if they were using a double bladed paddle, AND peddled he may have had some quicker "go mojo" to get out through the surf, instead being dumped like a wheel burrow.

I would venture to guess that the other two Hobie models that Zee mentioned above would be a bit quicker off the line than the Pro Angler and push on through the surf just fine.   

I probably won't ever be doing a surf launch even with a Revo. But then again, I shouldn't ever say never.

Did you read the review at the link I provided?

It's fairly thought provoking.

Did you read the review at the link I provided?
It's fairly thought provoking.

I did not as I looked at the length and ditched it. My bad. It is a pretty good account of how the PA works in the salt. Makes me want to try it out there. I see your point YA. It could be the yak for you. Do you have a dealer in your area that will set up a demo?

Z

Did you read the review at the link I provided?
It's fairly thought provoking.

I did not as I looked at the length and ditched it. My bad. It is a pretty good account of how the PA works in the salt. Makes me want to try it out there. I see your point YA. It could be the yak for you. Do you have a dealer in your area that will set up a demo?

Z

Hi Zee...

My friend and I went out today to demo the various Hobies. We met up with the owner of the shop in Florence (OR) at Woahink lake this morning. What an AWESOME and beautiful day to try out the yaks! The first one I tried was the Outback (with standard flippers), and that was my very first experience in a kayak of ANY kind. It was nice, and just about what I expected. Then I tried the Revolution (with standard flippers), which is the kayak I have pretty much been planning on getting. It was much tippier, as to be expected, had almost no room for accessories, and really not much faster at all, than the outback. I could picture myself getting carried away (while landing a fish) on it, and taking a dunk, but I do realize that the secondary stability is probably better than the primary stability makes it feel like. Also consider that I am a TOTAL yaktard newbie... lol.

But...

Then came the Pro Angler. I was hooked in the first 2 minutes of peddling. Yes, I know that it comes with the turbo fins, which made it a breeze to peddle at a decent clip. And yes, I know that the other yaks would be faster than the PA, *IF* the turbo fins were added into the equation. But even so, the speed and maneuverability of this yak/boat was very IMPRESSIVE. It was able to EASILY outmaneuver and outrun the Outback AND the Revolution (which were limited because of the standard fins), even though it is an "aircraft carrier", (as some refer to it).

It was SOOO comfortable, and moved SOOO easily through the water. I called over to the bank to my friend (who was getting ready to sample the Hobie outfitter solo), and told him to watch me as I stood up and rocked the boat hardcore from side to side, demonstrating just how stable this beast was. Then I sat back down and spun around in circles, showing him how tight this thing turns. It literally DOES turn completely around within not much more than one boat length, because of the forward location of the spring-loaded rudder.

To make a long story short, by the time I came back to the dock, I knew that I would not be as happy with the Outback or Revo, all things considered. My friend took a spin on the PA too, and even though he is too short, and was not even able to adjust the pedals back far enough, he STILL liked it so much that he decided at that point to get TWO kayaks... LOL! If there is any way that he can compensate for the seat/pedal distance (seat cushion or whatever), he intends to purchase both a PA AND an outfitter tandem model.

There are only two (well technically three) issues that bother me about the PA. The paddling issue, which there is only so much that can be done about. I think that a longer than usual double-bladed paddle would be a good replacement for the stubby ended single blade paddle that comes standard. Other PA owners have stated that the stock single bladed paddle is too short. The other issue would be the wind-load. Sticking a bit further out of the water (with more exposed surface area) will likely cause undesired drift (on windier days). But I am thinking that the ease of peddling and maneuverability will at least somewhat compensate for this. The third consideration, is the front hatch, which will take on a bit of water if the boat is briefly capsized. Fortunately, the boat is so damn stable that I would have had to INTENTIONALLY capsize it, and even so, would have been able to right it before too much water got in the front hatch. At least that's my perception.

The only other thing that I can think of, would be the weight factor. But as I said in an earlier post, I have a custom trailer that will work perfectly with this yak/boat, and I believe that with the yak cart, it shouldn't be a problem delivering it to the water, and back again.

On the positive said, this beast was super comfortable, with plenty of room for anything I would ever want to take with me. It moved surprisingly well with the turbo fins which come standard with this boat. It just about turned on a dime, and gives a very good sense of confidence, in being able to quickly get oneself out of a situation. It really gives a nice combination of speed, maneuverability, storage, and safety.

I still haven't made up my mind for absolute certain, but I still get the feeling that I will regret it, if I don't get the Pro Angler. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that this boat was the most fun. And the level of practicality was right up there too! Enough to cause my friend to be willing to spring for TWO boats! LOL!!

Here is a real brief video I saw on the net, to compare with that video that you posted previously (about surf-launching a Pro Angler):

http://s206.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid206.photobucket.com/albums/bb55/Wolfman57/Fishing%20HI%20May%202009/P5110028.flv&fs=1&os=1&ap=1



BILL

Damn you Yak Attack... I've been trying to talk myself out of picking one of these up as a second yak in the future and you had to post this.