Differences between PA 12 & 14 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Onthefly · 09-21-2016, 07:29 PM

Im new to the Kayak world, I fly fish the Sierras mostly but since I live in Orange County I find myself in the harbors often. Mainly in my float tube or pontoon. Im looking to branch out and cover more water so Im looking to purchase my first Kayak.

Can someone tell me the advantages and disadvantages (if any) to owning a 12 foot or a 14 foot Hobie Pro Angler? Like I said, id use it in the many lakes throughout the Sierras but also in the harbor and outside the break walls of DP and NPH. Just trying to figure out which model best suits my needs.

Thanks so much!

ful-rac · 09-21-2016, 07:34 PM

Get the 14, they're both heavy. You will enjoy the real estate, otherwise if size is a problem for you get the outback.

619-SWIM-DOG · 09-21-2016, 08:04 PM

The difference is 2ft of plastic. Just go with the 14.

PapaDave · 09-22-2016, 05:35 AM

PA 14, the extra room will be noticed.

WARRIORMIKE · 09-22-2016, 07:18 AM

PA14 is the way to go. Fishes like a boat........

Saba Slayer · 09-22-2016, 07:23 AM

The biggest obvious difference is the front hatch size.
Since I've been with the Hobie team I've seen that the reason that anglers buy the 12' PA is due to storage or transport problems.
If you don't have these storage or transport problems then the 14' PA is the best way to go...as Tony said " You will enjoy the real estate".
As far as price...it's only a couple of hundred dollars difference between the two.
IMHO...I'd go with the PA 14'.

Onthefly · 09-22-2016, 07:30 AM

Great insight. Thank you everyone! I have a long bed Tacoma so I think transport will be a breeze. On the hunt for a 14

alanw · 09-22-2016, 12:20 PM

Rolled down to the launch next to a guy that just bought a 12' PA the day before and he already had buyers remorse after seeing my 14' rigged up

Get the 14' for sure.

Raskal311 · 09-22-2016, 01:36 PM

After 3 very happy years with the 12 I'm ready for the 14... just upgraded from a 5 foot truck bed to an 8.

YakDout · 09-22-2016, 03:41 PM

The 14' fit in my 6.5 foot bed well with no bed extender. Roof topping it can be a bitch though. I recommend unrigging before trying that. Its a great kayak.

jorluivil · 09-22-2016, 03:55 PM

I've never owned the 12 but I have owned the outback and now own a 14. There is more than enough room on a 14 to carry multiple large fish and hooping gear if you plan on hooping.

HELLSTER INC. · 09-22-2016, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I've ever owned the 12 but I have owned the outback and now own a 14. There is more than enough room on a 14 to carry multiple large fish and hooping gear if you plan on hooping.

The king has spoken!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Raskal311 · 09-22-2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

I've ever owned the 12 but I have owned the outback and now own a 14. There is more than enough room on a 14 to carry multiple large fish and hooping gear if you plan on hooping.

The 12 does have plent off room for 5 fully rigged ambush hoops; even 7 would be comfortable.

CrazzyGar · 09-23-2016, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raskal311

The 12 does have plent off room for 5 fully rigged ambush hoops; even 7 would be comfortable.

7 hoops are illegal to have onboard unless you have another person onboard.

09-21-2016, 07:29 PM	#1
Onthefly Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 44	Differences between PA 12 & 14 Im new to the Kayak world, I fly fish the Sierras mostly but since I live in Orange County I find myself in the harbors often. Mainly in my float tube or pontoon. Im looking to branch out and cover more water so Im looking to purchase my first Kayak. Can someone tell me the advantages and disadvantages (if any) to owning a 12 foot or a 14 foot Hobie Pro Angler? Like I said, id use it in the many lakes throughout the Sierras but also in the harbor and outside the break walls of DP and NPH. Just trying to figure out which model best suits my needs. Thanks so much!

09-21-2016, 07:34 PM	#2
ful-rac Emperor Join Date: May 2009 Location: Buena Park Posts: 3,649	Get the 14, they're both heavy. You will enjoy the real estate, otherwise if size is a problem for you get the outback. __________________ There's nothing colder than yesterday's hotdog.

09-22-2016, 05:35 AM	#4
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,453	PA 14, the extra room will be noticed. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

09-22-2016, 07:23 AM	#6
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,832	PA The biggest obvious difference is the front hatch size. Since I've been with the Hobie team I've seen that the reason that anglers buy the 12' PA is due to storage or transport problems. If you don't have these storage or transport problems then the 14' PA is the best way to go...as Tony said " You will enjoy the real estate". As far as price...it's only a couple of hundred dollars difference between the two. IMHO...I'd go with the PA 14'. __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

09-22-2016, 12:20 PM	#8
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	Rolled down to the launch next to a guy that just bought a 12' PA the day before and he already had buyers remorse after seeing my 14' rigged up Get the 14' for sure. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

09-21-2016, 08:04 PM	#3
619-SWIM-DOG Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: San Diego Posts: 619	The difference is 2ft of plastic. Just go with the 14.

09-22-2016, 07:18 AM	#5
WARRIORMIKE Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 303	PA14 is the way to go. Fishes like a boat........

09-22-2016, 07:30 AM	#7
Onthefly Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 44	Great insight. Thank you everyone! I have a long bed Tacoma so I think transport will be a breeze. On the hunt for a 14

09-22-2016, 01:36 PM	#9
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,256	After 3 very happy years with the 12 I'm ready for the 14... just upgraded from a 5 foot truck bed to an 8. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

09-22-2016, 03:41 PM	#10
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	The 14' fit in my 6.5 foot bed well with no bed extender. Roof topping it can be a bitch though. I recommend unrigging before trying that. Its a great kayak.

09-22-2016, 03:55 PM	#11
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,855	I've never owned the 12 but I have owned the outback and now own a 14. There is more than enough room on a 14 to carry multiple large fish and hooping gear if you plan on hooping. __________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer Last edited by jorluivil; 09-23-2016 at 11:49 AM.