feedback from Hobie peddlers please - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

reel fishy · 11-24-2007, 05:43 AM

I have a Prowler 15 which I love, but have been considering getting a Hobie. No, I haven't ridden one yet, so that should be my next to do. But I am looking for feedback from those of you that have a Hobie how you like it compared to the paddle yaks.

I am 6'5" and 230, and usually start having some low back pain and glute pain after being on the water for 8 hrs plus. In the summer I'll hop off the yak and swim around a bit and that seems to help just to stretch out, but don't really want to do that in the winter.

I was thinking that maybe the Hobie would be better in this regard as it looks like you sit a little more reclined, and use your legs to peddle, thus getting more circulation. Anyone else have this problem before, and what have you found that helped? Anyone that used to have a paddle yak and switched to a Hobie peddler? How do you like it? It does seem like they are a lot faster than my P15. Guess I should hit up FastLane and test drive.

Thanks for your input.

One Rev · 11-24-2007, 06:56 AM

I love the Hobie's because I can drink Newcastle's while moving to my next fishing hole.
I'm 6'3" and weigh about 225 and have never felt cramped at all. I feel the seating arrangement is more comfortable but the stock Hobie seat still sucks after 4 hours or so. One really good thing about the Hobie's is the built in Urinal right smack dab in the middle of the kayak.
Make sure you pedal all of the kayaks. I favor the outback (I've bought two) but the Revolution has it's plus's. The Adventure is just flat out fast but it's length is just a little to much for me.
So try them all and make a decision. You now have two choice's to buy Hobie's in San Diego Co. Fastlane on Mission Bay and OEX in Oceanside. See Nate in O-side, he will set you up with any testing you want.

Mike

bjoseph · 11-24-2007, 08:13 AM

I have had intermittent chronic back pain due to scoliosis and kyphosis and subvertebral subluxation for forty years. As a result, I purchased a hobie adventure rather than a paddle kayak. I have had it out probably fifty times the last two years for as long as six hours at a time and have never had any back pain. This contrasts to sitting on an airplane for only an hour at a time on a regular basis and having tons of back pain. The Hobie's are fast, your hands are free, but you will probably be lazy like me and use your drive to go out through the surf, which works fine. I am also lazy and use it to come back through the surf, which works less fine. You will also probably find that you are less agile than a paddle kayak, unless you also use a paddle to turn and back up. The drive is a pain in the kelp and you have to watch the stringers and pull the paddles against the hull when you pass one. If I was purchasing a new kayak I would purchase the revolution which was not available when I bought the adventure. Ron Lane at Fast Lane is great about letting you test drive the equipment. He will even let you borrow one and take it for a surf launch. Check it out. It is great to have your hands free and when you add the turbo flippers it really moves out.

Adam · 11-24-2007, 08:37 AM

I paddled an ocean kayak for 14 years and last year switched to a hobie outback. I love the outback. I think I fish more effectively because I can power with my legs while still dealing with my rods and tackle. It is nice to be able to troll while holding a fishing pole. Also, I am faster and can go further without getting tired. I cover much longer distances and am less aprehensive about running further offshore. The outback is also very comfortable, the only downfall is I can't stow my rods in the hull which was nice on my ocean kayak because I frequently go through heavy surf. Also, the outback is nearly impossible to ride down the face of a wave (at least for me). The outback is wide and sort of a "tank", but due to the peddle power it still gets me around pretty well. Paddling the outback is okay, but you definitely would not want to do it all the time. Paddling is more handy for fine movements around docks / rocks and fine tuning through surf.

With all that said, there is something very rewarding about paddling which I miss. I would like to also have a paddling kayak which I would probably use half the time. The peddling is quite a different experience that doesn't retain all the sort of ?primitive" / "purist" qualities of paddling out and catching your fish.

steveooo · 11-24-2007, 10:01 AM

I have an extreme and a hobie adventure. The malibu is for sure the more comfortable yak. It has more deck space, it is a dryer ride, a better layout, and is pretty much the rolls royce of kayaks. I bought the adventure with the same idea as you, to get rid of back pain. Wrong. Back pain is the same in both yaks, maybe a little worse in the hobie due to you actually putting all your weight on your butt, rather than having it spread out over all your butt and legs. I have tried every comfy seat out there (GTS airwave, GTS pro) and lower back pain is the same in both yacks.

With that being said, when I fish I usually take the hobie. The main reason is endurance. I can fish a lot longer in the hobie. It is nice to not worry about wind or a lengthy paddle back after an extended fishing session. I can get out of the kayak after literally a 20 mile session and still have energy left for the day. Yes, the adventure is fast in a sprint, but I have found that when you peddle at a comfortable speed that will not burn you out, it is roughly the same speed as someone that paddles.

For lower back pain I have found that it is related a lot to your hamstring flexibility. Ever notice than when your back is killing you after an extended paddle that your hams are really tight too? I know it sucks and is boring but try doing the old-school touch your toes stretch a few times a day; for me it did not completely get rid of it, but did help alleviate it a little. (i knew my kinesiology exercise science degree would come in handy someday!)
Sorry the write up is so long, but I hope it helps a bit.

One Rev · 11-24-2007, 10:01 AM

Adam, primitive went away for me when I turned 50 lol

reel fishy · 11-24-2007, 10:20 AM

Thanks for the responses guys. I will have to test paddle a couple.

Will my Surf-to-Summit GTS seat work on the Hobie?

I will definitely do more old school stretches for the Hams too. Good advice. I have been doing some stretches for my back, and it does help, but the hamstrings do seem to be tight when my back starts hurting. Guess it all ties together.

Endurance plays a factor too, as I am completely exhausted after a long day paddling. I guess getting up at 3:00am, paddling all day and having lots of cervezas will do that to you. But there have been a few times in La Jolla where I drifted south almost without noticing it, and then had to battle uphill against the ripping current for a loooong time and felt like I wasn't making any progress and might not make it back. I did make it back to the launch every time no problem, but was beat tired afterwards. Seems like the peddling can be maintained for a longer period of time without getting worked. Larger muscle group I guess.

Again, thanks for your input, and anyone else feel free to chime in with your .02

Tight lines

11-24-2007, 05:43 AM	#1
reel fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 42	feedback from Hobie peddlers please I have a Prowler 15 which I love, but have been considering getting a Hobie. No, I haven't ridden one yet, so that should be my next to do. But I am looking for feedback from those of you that have a Hobie how you like it compared to the paddle yaks. I am 6'5" and 230, and usually start having some low back pain and glute pain after being on the water for 8 hrs plus. In the summer I'll hop off the yak and swim around a bit and that seems to help just to stretch out, but don't really want to do that in the winter. I was thinking that maybe the Hobie would be better in this regard as it looks like you sit a little more reclined, and use your legs to peddle, thus getting more circulation. Anyone else have this problem before, and what have you found that helped? Anyone that used to have a paddle yak and switched to a Hobie peddler? How do you like it? It does seem like they are a lot faster than my P15. Guess I should hit up FastLane and test drive. Thanks for your input.

11-24-2007, 08:13 AM	#3
bjoseph Junior Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: escondido Posts: 13	hobie adventure and back pain I have had intermittent chronic back pain due to scoliosis and kyphosis and subvertebral subluxation for forty years. As a result, I purchased a hobie adventure rather than a paddle kayak. I have had it out probably fifty times the last two years for as long as six hours at a time and have never had any back pain. This contrasts to sitting on an airplane for only an hour at a time on a regular basis and having tons of back pain. The Hobie's are fast, your hands are free, but you will probably be lazy like me and use your drive to go out through the surf, which works fine. I am also lazy and use it to come back through the surf, which works less fine. You will also probably find that you are less agile than a paddle kayak, unless you also use a paddle to turn and back up. The drive is a pain in the kelp and you have to watch the stringers and pull the paddles against the hull when you pass one. If I was purchasing a new kayak I would purchase the revolution which was not available when I bought the adventure. Ron Lane at Fast Lane is great about letting you test drive the equipment. He will even let you borrow one and take it for a surf launch. Check it out. It is great to have your hands free and when you add the turbo flippers it really moves out.

11-24-2007, 08:37 AM	#4
Adam Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 27	Outback Review I paddled an ocean kayak for 14 years and last year switched to a hobie outback. I love the outback. I think I fish more effectively because I can power with my legs while still dealing with my rods and tackle. It is nice to be able to troll while holding a fishing pole. Also, I am faster and can go further without getting tired. I cover much longer distances and am less aprehensive about running further offshore. The outback is also very comfortable, the only downfall is I can't stow my rods in the hull which was nice on my ocean kayak because I frequently go through heavy surf. Also, the outback is nearly impossible to ride down the face of a wave (at least for me). The outback is wide and sort of a "tank", but due to the peddle power it still gets me around pretty well. Paddling the outback is okay, but you definitely would not want to do it all the time. Paddling is more handy for fine movements around docks / rocks and fine tuning through surf. With all that said, there is something very rewarding about paddling which I miss. I would like to also have a paddling kayak which I would probably use half the time. The peddling is quite a different experience that doesn't retain all the sort of ?primitive" / "purist" qualities of paddling out and catching your fish.

11-24-2007, 10:20 AM	#7
reel fishy Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Diego Posts: 42	Gracias Thanks for the responses guys. I will have to test paddle a couple. Will my Surf-to-Summit GTS seat work on the Hobie? I will definitely do more old school stretches for the Hams too. Good advice. I have been doing some stretches for my back, and it does help, but the hamstrings do seem to be tight when my back starts hurting. Guess it all ties together. Endurance plays a factor too, as I am completely exhausted after a long day paddling. I guess getting up at 3:00am, paddling all day and having lots of cervezas will do that to you. But there have been a few times in La Jolla where I drifted south almost without noticing it, and then had to battle uphill against the ripping current for a loooong time and felt like I wasn't making any progress and might not make it back. I did make it back to the launch every time no problem, but was beat tired afterwards. Seems like the peddling can be maintained for a longer period of time without getting worked. Larger muscle group I guess. Again, thanks for your input, and anyone else feel free to chime in with your .02 Tight lines

11-24-2007, 06:56 AM	#2
One Rev Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 65	I love the Hobie's because I can drink Newcastle's while moving to my next fishing hole. I'm 6'3" and weigh about 225 and have never felt cramped at all. I feel the seating arrangement is more comfortable but the stock Hobie seat still sucks after 4 hours or so. One really good thing about the Hobie's is the built in Urinal right smack dab in the middle of the kayak. Make sure you pedal all of the kayaks. I favor the outback (I've bought two) but the Revolution has it's plus's. The Adventure is just flat out fast but it's length is just a little to much for me. So try them all and make a decision. You now have two choice's to buy Hobie's in San Diego Co. Fastlane on Mission Bay and OEX in Oceanside. See Nate in O-side, he will set you up with any testing you want. Mike

11-24-2007, 10:01 AM	#5
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	I have an extreme and a hobie adventure. The malibu is for sure the more comfortable yak. It has more deck space, it is a dryer ride, a better layout, and is pretty much the rolls royce of kayaks. I bought the adventure with the same idea as you, to get rid of back pain. Wrong. Back pain is the same in both yaks, maybe a little worse in the hobie due to you actually putting all your weight on your butt, rather than having it spread out over all your butt and legs. I have tried every comfy seat out there (GTS airwave, GTS pro) and lower back pain is the same in both yacks. With that being said, when I fish I usually take the hobie. The main reason is endurance. I can fish a lot longer in the hobie. It is nice to not worry about wind or a lengthy paddle back after an extended fishing session. I can get out of the kayak after literally a 20 mile session and still have energy left for the day. Yes, the adventure is fast in a sprint, but I have found that when you peddle at a comfortable speed that will not burn you out, it is roughly the same speed as someone that paddles. For lower back pain I have found that it is related a lot to your hamstring flexibility. Ever notice than when your back is killing you after an extended paddle that your hams are really tight too? I know it sucks and is boring but try doing the old-school touch your toes stretch a few times a day; for me it did not completely get rid of it, but did help alleviate it a little. (i knew my kinesiology exercise science degree would come in handy someday!) Sorry the write up is so long, but I hope it helps a bit.