I own both paddle and peddle love them both but if I could have only one it would be the paddle. I use a malibu X13 and to be perfectly honest it is my favorite I just like paddling better and it gives me more space in front of me for landing fish (ok so I don't need the space that much but its there) and with my bait tank in front of me (I have a kayatank) I'm not always trying to turn around to get out a fresh bait. Which if you don't have very good balance is a good time to flip your yak over. Nothing insurmountable but just convenience. The other plus is sometimes things go wrong with mirage drives yes you would have the paddle as a back up and its not like it happens all the time but my X13 paddles better than my Hobie Revo (I even forgot to bring the Mirage drive once that sucked).
The thing that makes up for the cost and inconvenience of the Hobie is the speed and distance you can cover. Sometimes I don't have alot of time but I want to fish a spot further away than I would have time to paddle to. The mirage drive allows me to do that. I have more range and it does not take as long to get there. Oh and the kids love the peddles its the only way my nine year old can keep up with my 14 year old and me so for me thats worth owning one (ok so the only time I get to use the Hobie is when I fish alone evenings during the week).
These are just my opinions and observations mind you I'm sure others will chime in but I'm kinda in the market for another yak and I've been thinking too! The Stealth 12 has been a consideration as has been the Outback and it seems like the new Moken might work for me as well. I really like having my bait up front. Though I'm leaning towards the outback just to keep the kids from fighting over who gets to use the Revo like they sometimes do now. So for now I'm just thinking...
One other note if I didn't have such a great paddle the preference might be different the full carbon Werners are that good! A huge difference to a paddler and still cheaper than a mirage drive. Two things I would not skimp on are a good paddle and a good seat. With those things you can do long days on a paddle yak, long enjoyable days
. Hope it helps
Darren