Smaller Hobies - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TJones · 04-23-2014, 08:57 AM

you are in the ocean . not the lake . that is a free meal for any dog ( seal ) in the vicinity . much less , you are inviting sharks . if a dog sees that fish , or smells it , he will grab it and flip you . worse case , steal your yak from you . two guys were up north , i believe one guy took out his brother in law for his maiden trip to the ocean . the gws popped him out of his seat when he made his attack from below the yak . the guy was able to recover and get back in , unharmed and make it to shore . their were some pictures posted . it looked like a hobie sport . i doubt if the fellow will be returning to the ocean anytime soon . at the least , he will need some plastic welding on his underside .

PAL · 04-23-2014, 09:05 AM

^If the tax man takes an interest in you, it won't matter what 'yak you're on. This is a non-starter, and no reason to avoid a shorter boat in my opinion. Most of these incidents took place between Morro Bay and San Francisco, with one off Santa Barbara (give or take).

I've talked with every angler known to have been knocked off a yak by a GWS. Going off memory, the boats were: Hobie Adventure (16'); Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 (15'); Hobie Revo (14'); Cobra Fish n Dive (12'). I'm forgetting a couple, but I might as well add the sit-inside touring kayak that also took a strike (16').

Workplacesafety, you might as well test the Revo 11, but take your normal fishing load including a bait tank to see how much you'll weigh it down. It's a nice shorter boat. Most Hobies have a trophy fish storage problem.

MrM · 04-23-2014, 09:10 AM

How much candy can you fit in that thing?

CheapPelican · 04-23-2014, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrM

How much candy can you fit in that thing?

Took me a while to figure it out, but I get it

Mongo Johnson · 04-23-2014, 06:01 PM

I'm a big guy and the Revo 11 was tippy, but OK. Revo 13 solid, but you've heard guys who really fish and they like more fishing-centric rides the Outback and PA. Then there are the guys who love the Malibus etc.

If you want to fish, get a full size boat and or really consider on-the-water ergonomics. Fishing ergonomics are way more important than a bit of transport lifting as you'll be on the water for hours at a time.

If size to fit in the van is your core criteria then Revo 11 may be the ticket -- or whatever fits like the Sport.

It might be worth considering how much transporting the yak in your van will mung up the van -- even if it’s just good clean moisture when you're able to wash the boat on site.

But, you hear guys talk about water in the hull and there’s always some debris from a beach drag or hump up a trail. You might consider a water bladder to do a rinse at least before slipping into the van. Still, sand and a drip of fishy goo can brighten up the van otherwise.

Ha-ha.

I'd agree with the other poster who suggested a rack. They're loads of post on racks. I think Steveoo or Landwhale may have vans and might have suggestions.

A sturdy step-ladder to leverage the boat up top onto a rack and some good cam straps may be easier that demungging the van. I used to carry a big hard fiberglass Tadco and aluminum canoes on a Pinto wagon without trouble. Now with a 6.5' bed pickup and red flags it's way easier.

steveooo · 04-23-2014, 09:16 AM

I've borrowed Andy's Hobie Sport a few times, and I love that thing.

It takes a little while to get used to not having much kayak in front of you. For being such a small boat, they sure are capable little yaks.

It was silly how easy it was to get the yak to and from the water. The fitted hull only weighs about 55 lbs. It won't track as well as a longer kayak, but I never found that to be an issue because you steer with the rudder anyways. I was surprised at how dry it was too.

If you are primarily looking to get out and cover some serious distance in the ocean, there are better kayaks out there. If ease of transporting is your main concern, the Hobie Sport is a pretty versatile & fun yak.

WildernessWanker · 04-23-2014, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJones

you are in the ocean . not the lake . that is a free meal for any dog ( seal ) in the vicinity . much less , you are inviting sharks . if a dog sees that fish , or smells it , he will grab it and flip you . worse case , steal your yak from you . two guys were up north , i believe one guy took out his brother in law for his maiden trip to the ocean . the gws popped him out of his seat when he made his attack from below the yak . the guy was able to recover and get back in , unharmed and make it to shore . their were some pictures posted . it looked like a hobie sport . i doubt if the fellow will be returning to the ocean anytime soon . at the least , he will need some plastic welding on his underside .

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...hlight=cambria

ful-rac · 04-23-2014, 09:46 AM

Jeff if I had to pick between the Outback and the revo....Id pick the outback.

If I were to pick between the PA12 and the 14, I would go 14.

If I had to pick between the PA12 and the outback, I would go with the outback.

Get the hobie sport if you want to eventually buy 2 kayaks.

Get some racks for the van or for the CR-V and your set. Loading on top of your car isn't as hard as you think, using the proper equipment and or technique, of course.

And Jeff...your not that old! You can still wind in those cow tunas...you can put a kayak on top of your vehicle.

04-23-2014, 08:57 AM	#1
TJones Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 2,526	never hang anything on a stringer you are in the ocean . not the lake . that is a free meal for any dog ( seal ) in the vicinity . much less , you are inviting sharks . if a dog sees that fish , or smells it , he will grab it and flip you . worse case , steal your yak from you . two guys were up north , i believe one guy took out his brother in law for his maiden trip to the ocean . the gws popped him out of his seat when he made his attack from below the yak . the guy was able to recover and get back in , unharmed and make it to shore . their were some pictures posted . it looked like a hobie sport . i doubt if the fellow will be returning to the ocean anytime soon . at the least , he will need some plastic welding on his underside .

04-23-2014, 09:10 AM	#3
MrM Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: The Matrix Posts: 643	How much candy can you fit in that thing? __________________ -Kevin

04-23-2014, 06:01 PM	#5
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	I'm a big guy and the Revo 11 was tippy, but OK. Revo 13 solid, but you've heard guys who really fish and they like more fishing-centric rides the Outback and PA. Then there are the guys who love the Malibus etc. If you want to fish, get a full size boat and or really consider on-the-water ergonomics. Fishing ergonomics are way more important than a bit of transport lifting as you'll be on the water for hours at a time. If size to fit in the van is your core criteria then Revo 11 may be the ticket -- or whatever fits like the Sport. It might be worth considering how much transporting the yak in your van will mung up the van -- even if it’s just good clean moisture when you're able to wash the boat on site. But, you hear guys talk about water in the hull and there’s always some debris from a beach drag or hump up a trail. You might consider a water bladder to do a rinse at least before slipping into the van. Still, sand and a drip of fishy goo can brighten up the van otherwise. Ha-ha. I'd agree with the other poster who suggested a rack. They're loads of post on racks. I think Steveoo or Landwhale may have vans and might have suggestions. A sturdy step-ladder to leverage the boat up top onto a rack and some good cam straps may be easier that demungging the van. I used to carry a big hard fiberglass Tadco and aluminum canoes on a Pinto wagon without trouble. Now with a 6.5' bed pickup and red flags it's way easier. __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.

04-23-2014, 09:46 AM	#8
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Jeff if I had to pick between the Outback and the revo....Id pick the outback. If I were to pick between the PA12 and the 14, I would go 14. If I had to pick between the PA12 and the outback, I would go with the outback. Get the hobie sport if you want to eventually buy 2 kayaks. Get some racks for the van or for the CR-V and your set. Loading on top of your car isn't as hard as you think, using the proper equipment and or technique, of course. And Jeff...your not that old! You can still wind in those cow tunas...you can put a kayak on top of your vehicle. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

04-23-2014, 09:05 AM	#2
PAL Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 754	^If the tax man takes an interest in you, it won't matter what 'yak you're on. This is a non-starter, and no reason to avoid a shorter boat in my opinion. Most of these incidents took place between Morro Bay and San Francisco, with one off Santa Barbara (give or take). I've talked with every angler known to have been knocked off a yak by a GWS. Going off memory, the boats were: Hobie Adventure (16'); Ocean Kayak Prowler 15 (15'); Hobie Revo (14'); Cobra Fish n Dive (12'). I'm forgetting a couple, but I might as well add the sit-inside touring kayak that also took a strike (16'). Workplacesafety, you might as well test the Revo 11, but take your normal fishing load including a bait tank to see how much you'll weigh it down. It's a nice shorter boat. Most Hobies have a trophy fish storage problem.

04-23-2014, 09:16 AM	#6
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,922	I've borrowed Andy's Hobie Sport a few times, and I love that thing. It takes a little while to get used to not having much kayak in front of you. For being such a small boat, they sure are capable little yaks. It was silly how easy it was to get the yak to and from the water. The fitted hull only weighs about 55 lbs. It won't track as well as a longer kayak, but I never found that to be an issue because you steer with the rudder anyways. I was surprised at how dry it was too. If you are primarily looking to get out and cover some serious distance in the ocean, there are better kayaks out there. If ease of transporting is your main concern, the Hobie Sport is a pretty versatile & fun yak.