PA 12 vs PA 14

[Cattledog]

I have a new PA 14. Its is very comfortable and surprisingly fast, but I couldn't imagine loading it on a roof rack. It is just too heavy and wide. Drop it once and you run the risk of destroying the boat too.

I see a trailer in your future, or a full size truck lol. I haul my PA14 in the back of a full size Tundra truck. It hangs way out the back with a red flag on the back.

One odd thing about the PA14 is that the large front storage container is not very water resistant. There are some simple mods you can do to address this problem.

You will also probably get some mixed opinions on the seaworthiness of the PA's. You sit up a little higher in a PA than in a more traditional kayak. At first, the PA seemed less stable to me because of the higher center of gravity, but I am getting used to it.

I had it out at the LJ kelp beds today, 7/27 - almost had a yard sale on the way back in!

Chris

[CR Yaker]

Nice, I see your up in Lake Superior country. Humm, being a MN native myself but a Costa Rica resident, I would suggest the AI for Lake Superior and the wild wind that could whip up at a whims notice. But then that cold water would make me want to sit high and dry in an Outback or PA. Best of both worlds, have one of each, an AI and a PA14. Also for heavier surf can always go with the AI, amas less. For Superior I would go for the PA 14 over the 12. Smaller fresh water lakes, the 12 would suffice. Get the 14, you know you want it.
As far as weight your going to need a trailer regardless with these kayaks, makes life much easier.
Mark
P.S. See a dealer down in Wisconsin has it for sale the PA 14 new for $2400 on Craigslist.

[RockyRaab]

I'm in Utah and have a PA14. It does require nearly constant attention on the tiller handle to track straight. That's a result of its no-keel hull, I believe. It isn't a deal-breaker due to the many other virtues the boat has.

I'm 66 and I get it atop my Durango with very few problems. I installed a set of Hully rollers on the rear cargo bar and lift the bow onto them first.




Then simply lift the stern and push. Piece of cake. You never lift more than half the boat's weight this way. Fasten tiedown straps and bow/stern lines. Done. Straps and lines not yet attached but boat loaded:





Edit to add: Note the angle of the boat in the first photo. A shorter boat (a PA12) would be even steeper and thus more difficult to get to this point. Getting "me" out of that space is difficult enough with the long boat. It's a point to consider.

[WildernessWanker]

I've been curious how many people have the PA14 and wish they had the PA12, and why? Plus vice versa.

[wbrewski]

I have had my 14 for about 3 years now and love it, I am 240 Lb and feel very safe in it, I have a Jeep Liberty limited where the tale gate lift up. I got a bed extender and some magnetic lights . I only have to lift it about 4 feet then push it in. I am going to San Diego bay Thuresday and can take a picture of my rig.

[RockyRaab]

I bought my 14 about three months before they announced the new 12, so I didn't have to make the choice. If I had, I'd have still taken the 14.

It's the classic "tackle box syndrome" in that no matter how big the box seems when you buy it, it soon overflows.

[Cadillyak]

I have the 12. With the space I have allotted for a vessel it was a no brainer. I also yak the bays solo often and the 12 seems more "manageable" with one person. That and I'm only 5'11" & 175lbs.

[icelogger]

Originally Posted by wbrewski

I have had my 14 for about 3 years now and love it, I am 240 Lb and feel very safe in it, I have a Jeep Liberty limited where the tale gate lift up. I got a bed extender and some magnetic lights . I only have to lift it about 4 feet then push it in. I am going to San Diego bay Thuresday and can take a picture of my rig.

That would be great to see some pics of the bed extender and lights. That's an option for me too having a mini van with no back seats.

[alanw]

That seems like a rough and awkward solo lift getting the front of the yak that high up on the roof racks. Do you ever worry that the back end will slip out while loading and drop the front of the yak off the roof?

[icelogger]

Originally Posted by RockyRaab

I'm in Utah and have a PA14. It does require nearly constant attention on the tiller handle to track straight. That's a result of its no-keel hull, I believe. It isn't a deal-breaker due to the many other virtues the boat has.

I'm 66 and I get it atop my Durango with very few problems. I installed a set of Hully rollers on the rear cargo bar and lift the bow onto them first.




Then simply lift the stern and push. Piece of cake. You never lift more than half the boat's weight this way. Fasten tiedown straps and bow/stern lines. Done.
Straps and lines not yet attached but boat loaded:





Edit to add: Note the angle of the boat in the first photo. A shorter boat (a PA12) would be even steeper and thus more difficult to get to this point. Getting "me" out of that space is difficult enough with the long boat. It's a point to consider.

Thanks for the pics. This style of loading and carrying the PA is what I had in mind. There are some good youtube videos how to load a PA like this. I have a mini van and used to load my x factor like this. Works like a champ.

[icelogger]

Originally Posted by CR Yaker

Nice, I see your up in Lake Superior country. Humm, being a MN native myself but a Costa Rica resident, I would suggest the AI for Lake Superior and the wild wind that could whip up at a whims notice. But then that cold water would make me want to sit high and dry in an Outback or PA. Best of both worlds, have one of each, an AI and a PA14. Also for heavier surf can always go with the AI, amas less. For Superior I would go for the PA 14 over the 12. Smaller fresh water lakes, the 12 would suffice. Get the 14, you know you want it.
As far as weight your going to need a trailer regardless with these kayaks, makes life much easier.
Mark
P.S. See a dealer down in Wisconsin has it for sale the PA 14 new for $2400 on Craigslist.

yeah I called that Wisconsin dealer the other day. It's an 2012 model and I'm looking for the 2013. Costa eh? I used to live in Turrialba while training for the US freestyle kayak team. Pura Vida!