N(oYo)bie Introduction

Hello to all my fellow fishing addicts. My name is Dave  I figured I would stop the light internet stalking of this site and introduce my self due to the fact of how awesome this site is. I currently reside up in Anchorage, AK and have lived in AK most of my life. I have been fishing since i can remember, and it seems like a natural progression towards a kayak. Diapers->Feet->Canoe->BellyBoat->18' Cataraft, next step kayak. Never owned a power boat and never will.

About a month ago I was fishing down in Seward and ran into a gentleman who goes by kardinal_84 out on the water. I was so impressed by his Hobie Outback that I started researching his craft and now after several weeks of waiting for a price quote I finally have one, at the tail end of our fishing season. But I will have one by next April. I plan on purchasing a Hobie Pro Angler but the question I have is it a legal vessel for the AOTY competition?

I have about a year left in the Army then I will retire with 21yrs or more, and then it looks like I will be moving down to WA or OR and fish some new waters.

Looking forward to meeting you guys in the future.

Hey hey!  Welcome. This site has been ultra helpful with none of the usual BS associated with some of the other forums. Don't want to step on AOTY reps but if it's human powered it's ok I think even if Hobie does list the PA as a boat. Lol

I'm a terrible fishing partner since I tend to make decisions last minute but always open for anyone that can put up with my scheduling.

Need more of us up here in Alaska!!!!

Welcome!!!!!

Welcome to the cure Bear!

Glad to see more Ak representation on the board.

Congratulations on the new purchase!  I think the jury of peers ruled sail power would be considered "Aided" and thus not eligible for the AOTY. 

-Spot-

Welcome to the forums Beartoothclaw!

The Pro Angler is a legal vessel for AOTY since it is powered the same way as the other Hobie kayaks.  As long as you aren't using a sail kit on the boat, like Spot mentioned, or the Evolve electric motor that can be attached to the Hobie kayaks, you're good to go.

 Welcome to the Site, BearToothClaw.

The Pro Angler is a great Kayak for Stability but it is a PITA to cart around. 
It almost needs a trailer.   
It's 88# dry weight, add some accessories and approaching 100#s easily.   
Great for Stability but very Slow in the water.     

Test drive them 1st @Next Adventure.  They have Hobies,  PA, Revo, and Outback.   
When I was there last.   

Welcome to the forums Beartoothclaw!

The Pro Angler is a legal vessel for AOTY since it is powered the same way as the other Hobie kayaks.  As long as you aren't using a sail kit on the boat, like Spot mentioned, or the Evolve electric motor that can be attached to the Hobie kayaks, you're good to go.

Thanks for the clarification Rawkie!  I was thinking about the Hobie Adventure Island.

-Spot-

Thanks for the clarification Rawkie!  I was thinking about the Hobie Adventure Island.

-Spot-

No prob! 

... But I will have one by next April. I plan on purchasing a Hobie Pro Angler but the question I have is it a legal vessel for the AOTY competition?

I have about a year left in the Army then I will retire with 21yrs or more, and then it looks like I will be moving down to WA or OR and fish some new waters.

Looking forward to meeting you guys in the future.

Thank you for your service! 

Welcome to the forum, and welcome in advance to the lower 48.  Better beer in OR, but more varied fishing in WA.

Check out the Revolution before you get the Pro Angler.  Not sure what factors move you toward the Pro Angler, but if it is stability, my GUESS is that they are not very different in that regard.  While the Pro Angler is wider and hence "more stable", one sits up much higher and so the lever arm on the center of gravity is higher.  In a Revo or Adventure one sits inside the gunwales and hence the center of gravity is lower.  My GUESS is that these factors balance out, and in the end, loaded with driver and gear, the two boats have nearly the same effective stability. 

Check out the Revolution before you get the Pro Angler.  Not sure what factors move you toward the Pro Angler, but if it is stability, my GUESS is that they are not very different in that regard.  While the Pro Angler is wider and hence "more stable", one sits up much higher and so the lever arm on the center of gravity is higher.  In a Revo or Adventure one sits inside the gunwales and hence the center of gravity is lower.  My GUESS is that these factors balance out, and in the end, loaded with driver and gear, the two boats have nearly the same effective stability. 

Gonna have to disagree with you on that demonick.  I realize you were just guessing, but to set the record straight, there really isn't any similarity when it comes to stability between the Hobie Pro Angler and the Revolution.  It is true that your center of gravity is a little higher in the Pro Angler than in other kayaks.  However, this boat was designed so that anglers could comfortably stand up and fish.  Standing while on a kayak obviously raises ones center of gravity much higher still.  Hence, it is very stable while sitting down.  Trying to flip this kayak is like trying to flip one of those diving platforms people anchor off the shoreline of a lake house.

Trying to flip this kayak is like trying to flip one of those diving platforms people anchor off the shoreline of a lake house.

Or just take it in the surf =)

And just because one guy can do it doesn't mean we all can !

Or just take it in the surf =)

These guys did.  I realize its SoCal, but its still fun to watch.

These guys did.  I realize its SoCal, but its still fun to watch.

That's the kind of dead flat day we dream about here in the Northwest.  Load that bad boy down with crab pots and fishing gear and repeat in surf twice the size with half the period for a real evaluation.   

-Spot-

Those are cute little ankle slappers =)
I want to watch guys try to land in PNW surf 

  Better beer in OR, but more varied fishing in WA.

 

 :occasion14:I better live next to the border and get the best of both!!

I wish we had a place up here try out the different models. I like the stability option, and all the gear it can carry. I’m not to worried about the weight of it, the Infantry has taken care of that. Dealing with waves will be something new for me, my Cataraft usually twists/bends/contorts right over them.

Again this forum is awesome so far, thanks for the replies.