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Message
1
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:41 am to lsuson
My buddy takes his Hobie PA 14 into water that's a few inches deep, he just pulls the mirage drive. It's heavy but it doesn't exactly sit low in the water.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:53 am to SneakyWaff1es
I've used a PA 14 a couple times and it was great in open water but a complete bitch to paddle in shallower water.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 7:57 am to reds on reds on reds
If it's too shallow to flutter the fins, I just use a push pole. Never used the paddle.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:18 am to Sythyn30
I own a 2015 Hobie Outback and a 2014 Native Propel 13. Both are great boats and have their pros and cons, I honestly think it is hard to say that one is overall better than the other.
I purchased the Outback for my wife because she found the drive is lighter weight and easier for her to take in and out herself. The outback turns much better than the Native, even after adding an aftermarket extended rudder to the Native. But, the Native has reverse so the sharp turns aren't as necessary.
Many of the diehard Hobie guys will tell you "I can't think of a time I needed reverse" but that's probably because they have never had it. I use it all the time and I know my wife will tell you she wishes the mirage drive had it.
The Native layout is more of a blank canvas with many gear tracks to set it up how you want. The Hobie has more enclosed storage and has a lot of the small accessories built in for you like paddle holders, rod holders, etc. The hobie is also is GPS ready with thru hull fittings for wires and a transducer mount in one of the scupper holes.
Native has better area for standing and site casting, is still possible in the Outback but not as comfortable.
Propel drive needs 12-18" of water, any shallower and you are pulling it up through the hull. The mirage drive can run in much shallower water by fluttering the fins, or you can pull the fins up flush with the bottom of the hull but do not have to remove the drive.
Mirage drive is better around submerged grass and lilly pads...sometimes they will slow it down but usually if you keep pedaling the fins will clear themselves. The propel drive is completely useless is grass and lillys, and you have to pull the drive up through the hull and clean the propeller with your hands. The native paddles very well when fishing in those conditions though.
Just depends on your preference.
I purchased the Outback for my wife because she found the drive is lighter weight and easier for her to take in and out herself. The outback turns much better than the Native, even after adding an aftermarket extended rudder to the Native. But, the Native has reverse so the sharp turns aren't as necessary.
Many of the diehard Hobie guys will tell you "I can't think of a time I needed reverse" but that's probably because they have never had it. I use it all the time and I know my wife will tell you she wishes the mirage drive had it.
The Native layout is more of a blank canvas with many gear tracks to set it up how you want. The Hobie has more enclosed storage and has a lot of the small accessories built in for you like paddle holders, rod holders, etc. The hobie is also is GPS ready with thru hull fittings for wires and a transducer mount in one of the scupper holes.
Native has better area for standing and site casting, is still possible in the Outback but not as comfortable.
Propel drive needs 12-18" of water, any shallower and you are pulling it up through the hull. The mirage drive can run in much shallower water by fluttering the fins, or you can pull the fins up flush with the bottom of the hull but do not have to remove the drive.
Mirage drive is better around submerged grass and lilly pads...sometimes they will slow it down but usually if you keep pedaling the fins will clear themselves. The propel drive is completely useless is grass and lillys, and you have to pull the drive up through the hull and clean the propeller with your hands. The native paddles very well when fishing in those conditions though.
Just depends on your preference.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:19 am to Sythyn30
quote:
Hobie's Mirage Drive vs. Native's Pedal Drive with Reverse? Pro Angler looks like a king but, has no reverse?
I have a 2015 Outback and I can honestly say, after nearly a year's worth of use, that it has never once occurred to me, "Man, it'd be great to have reverse right now."
Now, I'm sure if I had it, I could've found a use for it, but stick anchoring or using the marsh foot to push pole isn't at all an inconvenience.
And like Pop said, if you really want to peddle backwards, pull it up and flip it around.
I have no experience with the Slayer Propel.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:19 am to Sythyn30
I have a pro angler and I love it. The mirage drive is tough to navigate in the shallow water, but you can flutter or paddle still. Also getting a bigger rudder is very useful. Not having reverse has honestly not been an issue to me.
I've never paddled the native's propel, but I've heard that they have had pretty bad rust issues. So if that's true and you plan on fishing saltwater at all with it, that would be something to consider.
I've never paddled the native's propel, but I've heard that they have had pretty bad rust issues. So if that's true and you plan on fishing saltwater at all with it, that would be something to consider.
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 8:24 am
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:20 am to bayoubound
quote:
Many of the diehard Hobie guys will tell you "I can't think of a time I needed reverse" but that's probably because they have never had it. I use it all the time and I know my wife will tell you she wishes the mirage drive had it.
Damn, you read my mind...
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 8:21 am
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:25 am to rlebl39
I believe the rust issues have been solved. They had problems with rust on the 301 series of propel drives but all the newer models are coming with 401 series drives which have new upper gear assemblies that are fully sealed.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:31 am to SetTheMood
To the guys above with PA 14's... Man I bet those are beast to lug around...
Are the outback's really that awkward to stand in?
Are the outback's really that awkward to stand in?
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:32 am to nahtanojc
quote:
Can't really compare the Slayer Propel to the Pro Angler- it's a really unfair comparison and the PA will trump the Propel in almost every category. The Outback is more in line as far as comparisons. Both are around the same price, same weight, length, etc. and the Propel is easier to stand up in, but the Outback's improvements for 2015 get the nod in the other categories.
Solid review of both. The 2015 outback is awesome.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:35 am to Sythyn30
quote:
To the guys above with PA 14's... Man I bet those are beast to lug around...
They are definitely tough to manage by yourself. I finally gave in and bought a set of wheels, since probably 95% of my fishing is by myself, and it is MUCH easier with wheels. I've developed a system for loading/unloading by myself now that has made it not that bad anymore.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:48 am to rlebl39
What's the reasoning behind a Hobie PA over a Gheenoe and an outboard? I saw a trailer not too long ago with TWO pro anglers, both with power poles and electronics. I always looked at kayaks as a cheap way to fish but there is nothing cheap about them. I hear the operation cost argument but even my skiff on a 50 mile day only burns $20 in fuel.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 8:52 am to Barf
Some people just enjoy kayak fishing.... there doesn't have to be reasoning to justify it, I just like fishing out of my kayak.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 9:01 am to rlebl39
I get that but can we even call a $3k Hobie Pro Angler a kayak? There is a 17 foot Pro Angler out now. When does a kayak no longer become a kayak? I had to tow one in because his flappy paddle thing was busted and he didn't have a paddle.
Don't get me wrong, I own kayaks and paddle boards that we fish from but when you have to put the thing on a trailer to move it around it kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?
Don't get me wrong, I own kayaks and paddle boards that we fish from but when you have to put the thing on a trailer to move it around it kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?
Posted on 7/9/15 at 9:25 am to Barf
Even as fancy as the PA is, I like it because it's just simple. No motor to worry about, no ethanol to worry about, no batterys to worry about. I just throw it in the truck and go. I don't use a trailer, but I think they do have some advantages if you're toting more than one yak. Just leaves you a lot more space for gear in the truck. Space could also be another factor in buying a PA over a boat. I have a War Eagle with a 30, but no place to keep it at my house. It stays at my parents and I hardly touch it. But I like my PA enough that I probably would still use it quite a bit.
I also fish in the gulf in mine, some of the conditions I've fished in I don't think I would be out there in a small boat. It isn't a concern when I take waves over the bow of my PA.
I also fish in the gulf in mine, some of the conditions I've fished in I don't think I would be out there in a small boat. It isn't a concern when I take waves over the bow of my PA.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 9:26 am to DownSouthDave
quote:
DownSouthDave
I agree with everything you just said. I have a 16' Boston Whaler and I don't think I've fished on it once in the past year, while I go on my kayak almost every weekend.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 9:36 am to DownSouthDave
quote:
No motor to worry about, no ethanol to worry about, no batterys to worry about.
This is what originally piqued my interest in kayak fishing and led to me buying my first one, which was a as basic as it can get ocean kayak. Years later I bought a PA because I loved the hobby so much that the higher price tag wasn't an issue to me.
At this point in my life I don't have time to worry about a boat and a motor. Maintenance and storage are too big of headaches that you just don't have with even the fanciest and most expensive of kayaks.
Posted on 7/9/15 at 9:52 am to DownSouthDave
quote:
Even as fancy as the PA is, I like it because it's just simple. No motor to worry about, no ethanol to worry about, no batterys to worry about. I just throw it in the truck and go. I don't use a trailer, but I think they do have some advantages if you're toting more than one yak. Just leaves you a lot more space for gear in the truck
I had a PA 12 for a few months. Enjoyed fishing out of it. Hated everything else about it. I found it much easier to fish out of my flats boat (as far as preparing everything). Night before I could load everything up in the boat and lock the hatches with it connected to my SUV. Pull up to the launch and could have it in the water by myself in 3 minutes. Park the trailer and off to fishing.
With the PA, I had to get the PA on a trailer (and I'll admit that's a difficulty from getting the heaviest yak available and driving a tall SUV). Had to load the mirage drive, rods, net, tackle, etc. in the back of the SUV. Leave in the morning and put all that crap in the yak. Get the cart wheels installed (too heavy to lug around) and roll to the launch/dock. Would take about 10 minutes (I'll admit I always bring a lot of crap) Then do it all again backwards while picking up. I moved away from the coast and kept it for a little while, but it took up so much room in the garage, I put it up for sale. I love to fish, but I personally can't say that I miss it (the yak that is).
I was much more efficient with my boat.
As far as the mirage drive over the propel. I really wanted the propel, but the layout of the PA (I don't think I could live without the gunwale rod holders) is what made me go that direction. After having it and realizing how much I had to flutter peddle on flats and oyster beds, I don't think it would have been very fun to have the propel system. Paddling a PA is a nightmare though. I never brought a double paddle, because the only reason a paddle would be used was to back out of somewhere really quickly or in an emergency. I tried paddling one trip and said screw it.
This post was edited on 7/9/15 at 10:28 am
Posted on 7/9/15 at 10:01 am to DownSouthDave
quote:It's worth it IMO.
it adds a shite ton of weight between battery and motor
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