Yet another newbie needing some assistance with his kayak purchase decisions

[tigers1997]

I spent some time reviewing comments from others and also demoed a few kayaks – thank you Pack & Paddle.

I am both short and skinny (5-10 and 155 lbs).

I want performance over stability.

Looking to get two kayaks, one for sight fishing and tandem use with kids. The other for coastal areas, fun, exercise, etc.

The demo was beneficial, but limited. Hard to judge when you have no real experience.

Kayaks demoed:
1. Hurricane 140 Phoenix. Fast, fun and tracks great.
2. Wilderness Tarpon 140. Great boat. Similar to the Phoenix in performance but a better fishing boat.
3. Revo. Another fun boat. Very similar to the two above, but with pedal power.
4. Adventure.
5. Ultimate 14.5.

For sight fishing, looking at the Native Ultimate 14.5, but I also have some interest in the Magic.

Pros: Stable and thin. Is this boat faster than the Magic?

Cons: It’s a SIK and tends to turn after you stop paddling. Will a rudder correct?

Most on this board seem to prefer the Magic over the Ultimate. Why?

Note: I don’t have any idea where I will sight fist yet. Will the Ultimate be a good boat for sight fishing in South La?

For the other kayak, I’m leaning towards the Revo. Is this an appropriate boat for fishing along Grand Isle or bridge fishing in Lake Ponchartrain? What trips would you choose an Adventure over a Revo?

Thanks in advance.

[Mung]

People like the Magic due to its self-bailing design. No worries about water shedding in a Magic, whereas the Ultimate will need bailing if you get water in it. John decided not to carry the Magics and Manta Rays anymore, but he's got incredible selection regardless. I'd go with the Ultimate 14.5 for the tandem, and you can stand in it and sight fish, or carry a partner. For my other boat I'd do the Tarpon 14. It's a fast, fishing specific design, and tracks well enough to use for exercise. You're never going to get everything you want, but these two do many things well.

[Hobie1Kenobie]

Everyone here has their preferences but for my part I don't think you can go wrong with the hobie. I would say get that first. Any yak with Pedal power has an advantage over ones that aren't so equipped.

[fishtaco]

Any yak with Pedal power has an advantage over ones that aren't so equipped.

In certain situations Hobies with the Mirage drive and Native Propels are advantageous, but in thick grass ponds, pedals are useless. In super shallow ponds (not quite sure exactly what depth), pedals are useless. In the quick flowing streams of the Florida parishes, pedals are useless.....

It sounds like you're getting 2 kayaks. If that's the case I would get a Native Ultimate and a Hobie Outback or Revo. Just a personal preference.

[Glwlsu]

If money is no object I'g go with Hobie (outback or Revo) and the Magic 14.5 (tandem or single) best of both worlds. Love my Ride 135 also for ponds/shallow/rivers....

[bernmurd]

It sounds like you're getting 2 kayaks. If that's the case I would get a Native Ultimate and a Hobie Outback or Revo. Just a personal preference.

I second that. An ultimate for all your site fishing needs and a Hobie for "fishing along Grand Isle or bridge fishing in Lake Ponchartrain" that you mention.

[buddhaman]

It's a tough decision, but if you concentrate on what gives you pleasure and practicality of what you're looking to derive from your yak, I'm sure you'll make the right decision. Personally, I love being able to work the banks regardless of wind or current. I find that fishing a peddle drive gives me that advantage. I also have more strength in my legs than upper body. That being the case, I can be out and cover a lot of territory without getting tired. I own 2 Hobies. My first purchase was a Hank Parker Outback. Weighing only 60 lbs, it's very easy to load/unload from my truck and it's very easy to navigate. The negative is that with the flip and turn rudder, if the rudder is not in the straight position, binding can occur when trying to raise the rudder and I've already broken the cable once forcing it without thinking. Also, it's difficult to raise if in grass. Storage is also limited.
My other is a Hobie Pro Angler. The beauty of this yak is it's storage capability. You can store 6 rods, it has a self contained tackle box/cutting board in front of where you sit, and the storage compartment up front can easily hold a 20 lb bag of ice and 10 reds. The rudder is superb. When raised, it stows up into a tunnel under the hull. The mirage drive is easy to remove. By raising the rudder and pull the drive out, I've easily paddled over heavy grass to get to where the fish are hanging. The big negative on this yak is price and weight. Hobie states that rigged, this yak weighs right at about 140 lbs. I'd say, with you rods, ice, anchor or stake, drinks ... you're looking at around 170 lbs. Now the yak has a capacity of 600 lbs --- it's just a bear to get in or out of your truck. If you don't mind pulling a trailer, that would make things easier. But then again, I got a yak so I wouldn't have to pull a trailer. I am gaining upper body strength, though, by hauling and manhandling that Pro Angler around!!!

[Mung]

My other is a Hobie Pro Angler. The beauty of this yak is it's storage capability. the storage compartment up front can easily hold a 20 lb bag of ice and 10 reds!!!

And obviously, you can carry enough gear to go on multi-day trips, so a two day limit is OK. ;-)

I'm not a peddler, so can't attest to those advantages, but seems like quite a bit of dinero to just start out when you don't know exactly what you need. I'd want to fish out of something before I ponied up a couple of grand on it.

[marshdaddy]

I have a Hobie Revo and a Magic 14.5. The Revo is great for fishing. I don't have to paddle a while, then put the paddle down and fish, and then paddle and so on. It is for serious fishing. It does not perform well in water less than a ft deep or when the water is full of grass. However, I can push the fins up close to the bottom of the boat and then use the paddle with no problem or do the skinny water peddle technique. The Magic has an abundance of room, tracks straight, and is very dry. Although I am not able to stand in it, I have seen many more agile, younger guys stand in them with no problem. The Magic is a beast to turn in windy conditions. Due to it's length and higher sides, it can be painfull trying to turn it on a windy day. But, what you get in one area, you must trade off in another. Had a Ride 135. Very stable, but a little too slow for me. More room in the Magic and much better seat. Arguably, the most comfortable seat on the market. I have a friend that has a Ultimate 2 seater. Same great seats, better stability than the Magic, but not a sit on top. Takes one seat out when fishing by himself. Puts the second seat back in when he has his grandson with him. Hope this helps.

2 fishing machines
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/marshdaddy/2010_0516pp70008.jpg
http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj94/marshdaddy/101_1617.jpg

[buddhaman]

[QUOTE=Mung;12058]And obviously, you can carry enough gear to go on multi-day trips, so a two day limit is OK. ;-)

Oh, and I forgot the 2 gallon bags of filet specks, the back strap of deer that I butchered while in the marsh and the 3 kilos of coke I smuggle in for all my dope fiend friends. I can't speak for you, but when I fish, my gear is neatly stowed and I don't look like Sanford and Son paddling down the bayou. And if I cared about money, I'd be a rich man with nothing to show for it.
DUDE, it was just an opinion .. humble as it may be!

[Mung]

when I fish, my gear is neatly stowed and I don't look like Sanford and Son paddling down the bayou. !

Is that why they call me "Lamont"?

You sure are up early BM. I hope you went fishing.

[Choupique]

dont mind MUNG he’s a lawyer... always trying to start $%^# ;-)