Kayak upgrade time?

Just moved from Knoxville TN where I happily used my OK Prowler 11 for bass fishing.

I am in West Seattle now and not sure I want to spend too much time in the sound on the 11 due to size etc so I am thinking about a Hobie Adv after reading some forums.

I would love to hear some opinions on the boats and what to expect fishing here in them. 

I am thinking about selling the prowler geared with the fish finder and I have a nice Werner Paddle, I see the Hobie comes with a paddle is it decent should I just bundle the whole thing?

 

My thinking is you'd want both, not just the one.  Many of us have more than one yak for different kinds of opportunities.

Yeah I thought about that, it a money/wife issue on that end.  Not to mention space.  I also only got out about ten times last years so I do not get to go often enough to justify 2 yaks.

OK, that puts it into better perspective.

So why are you thinking an Adventure rather than a Revo or Outback which are both (IMHO) more suitable for fishing?

I am less than a mile from Alki etc so my thought is get something that will be a fun boat as well, fast but still fish-able.  The mirage drive is almost more the priority than the particular boat.

Honestly I plan to test all 3 later, I just need to find a hobie retailer that does test rides.

When I first started thinking Hobie I went to www.hobiecatsnorthwest.com.  I can't seem to find my notes so I can't remember the guys name but he was very helpful.  But that's where I decided on my Hobie Adventure which I later purchased somewhere else closer to home.

That's where I'd start.  Just pak up your wetsuit and booties as they have everything else.

See Dan at Hobie Northwest, he'll set you up with Outback or Revo test rides.

Next adventure does hobie demo's. Call the NA paddle center @ (503) 445-9435 and they can schedule the time. They also have a decent selection of demo's. Enjoy the ride!

Just moved from Knoxville TN where I happily used my OK Prowler 11 for bass fishing.

I am in West Seattle now and not sure I want to spend too much time in the sound on the 11 due to size etc so I am thinking about a Hobie Adv after reading some forums.

I would love to hear some opinions on the boats and what to expect fishing here in them. 

I am thinking about selling the prowler geared with the fish finder and I have a nice Werner Paddle, I see the Hobie comes with a paddle is it decent should I just bundle the whole thing?

 

Welcome to NWKA. Quite a move from Tennesse.

All Hobie Mirage drive Kayaks are great, just depends on your preference of speed over stability. I fish an Outback and has been a great ride but as far as the perfect all around boat i would say a Revolution is the way to go.  The paddles aren't so great and if you were gonna do alot of paddling in a hobie i would upgrade it. but for just launching and tight spots or mirage drive malfunctions it will work.

Welcome to the great pacific northwest!

The Hobie paddle I got with my Revo sucks.  Suitable as an emergency paddle stashed below deck.  Keep your Werner. 

The mirage drive is awesome.  The Hobie hulls are thinner and more flexible than the OK.  If you were used to dragging your OK across rocks and such, be much more careful with your Hobie.

I have a friend who has an Outback. We launch from Alki and Lowman beach near Lincoln park quite often. He still uses his paddle that came with the boat, but only for launching and recovery. I would second demonick and say,if you have a better paddle I would keep it and use the other for back up. But, speaking as an observer, I don't imagine anyone who has a mirage drive using their paddles that often. The mirage drive is just too efficient.

... But, speaking as an observer, I don't imagine anyone who has a mirage drive using their paddles that often. The mirage drive is just too efficient.

You'd be surprised.  I use my paddle every trip even with the mirage drive on the Revo.  Remember the fins stick down 16" or so, and it is not easy to go backwards or sideways.  Every trip I use the paddle at least for launching and beaching.

I didn't realize you don't paddle more!  Interesting.

The Hobie paddle I got with my Revo sucks.  Suitable as an emergency paddle stashed below deck.  Keep your Werner. 

The mirage drive is awesome.  The Hobie hulls are thinner and more flexible than the OK.  If you were used to dragging your OK across rocks and such, be much more careful with your Hobie.

The paddles have been upgraded last year and actually not that bad now. Manfd. by Bending Branches. I agree w/ D though, the Werner is probably going to still be better.

BTW D, not sure which of your yaks has issues but Hobies' plastic is much thicker than OK. You can usually see the gear in OK's yaks through the plastic.

Z

BTW D, not sure which of your yaks has issues but Hobies' plastic is much thicker than OK. You can usually see the gear in OK's yaks through the plastic.

Z

Zee's right about that. Bright sunlight, You can pretty much see how much stuff is stuffed in my hull...... couldn't say the same abouts Zee's Hobie when on Lake Washington with him and polepole a few years back.

'course, that's also the day yarjammer and i watched Zee make the jump to light speed on his Big A.