Considering a new Pro Angler

A few years ago I was looking hard at the Hobie PA. Then the OT Predator hit the market. I figured I'd bit the bullet on that first since I was new to kayak fishing. While I have enjoyed it to its fullest potential I'm in the market for a new Kayak.

I love the Hobie setup. However, I've looked at 9 different PA 14 boats which were used and over half have had cracked hulls. I know this happens but I'm concerned of the same happening to me and then being outside the 2 year warranty period. it would be a kick to the crotch if I spent 3K plus and the hull cracked after 25 months.

So the lesser of the warranty has me focusing on the Predator XL w/Minn Kota. Money wise they are equivalent just about. But the hull warranty is lifetime on the OT. But I would prefer the mirage drive than lugging motors and battery around.

I know this is a Hobie site and realize that most opinions will be biased. Looking for someone to sell me on the Hobie over the minn Kota powered Predator. It's narrowed down to warranty vs. propulsion system at this point.

Nine PA's and all had cracked hulls?? Wow- that's bad luck there. I made the decision to buy used as I just can't bring myself to spend $3k+ for a yak. Out of all the PA's I looked at, only 1 had a crack and that was behind the seat (owner had it welded though). I wouldn't have hesitated to buy the cracked one had the owner offered a fair price, but apparently used Hobies have gold impregnated in them- even cracked ones!

I ended up with a great deal on a 2012 though. Not sure where the cracks are in the hulls you've looked at, but if it's in a spot that can be easily fixed, I wouldn't hesitate on getting it- you might be able to score a great deal on it!

I am on my 3rd PA14. 9 PA14s with cracked hulls should be clarified. Where were the cracks? Did they affect the usability of the PA? What caused the cracks? Misuses or a defect?

I can attest the the durability of the PA as I made some initial dumb hauling mistakes with my 2012. I learned from it as well. A good friend has the 2012 PA14 and it is serving him well. If those PAs were abused, that explains why they are trying to get rid of them.

I would not write off getting a good used PA. There are some out there. Just use some common sense when evaluating them. You will love it once you fish from it. Good luck!

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

Your looking to buy new at this time? If your looking for reasons to choose a PA14 over the Old Town Predator, there are a ton. The Hobie PA was designed as a peddle craft from the get go, not a modified hull to turn it into a motorized craft. The mirage drive is super efficient, I peddled for 9 hours yesterday, in some very windy conditions. I never had to worry about the battery. I got some amazing exercise. Skinny water, no problem with the fins tucked up to the hull. Really skinny water just pull the drive...super easy to do. Want to add a trolling motor, there are a bunch of kits to build or buy online as well as the Evolve Torqueedo. Can you add peddles to the OT? Comfort, stand-ability, room, storage, those are all subjective, and I would say the PA excells at them all. The seat alone sets it apart from most kayaks. But you also have the community of Hobie users. I am sure there is a following of Old Town kayak and canoe users. But the Hobie community is different, passionate and very helpful.

I just got mine, an upgrade from a Jackson Cuda 12, which was an upgrade from a Pelican 10. I cannot attest to longevity, but I paddle (now peddle) the heck out of my boats, and in the short time I have had the PA14 I have fallen for it. I am not going to marry it or anything. But I like it a LOT. Perfect world I would have a handful of boats. Right now, the PA14 fits the great majority of my fishing needs, and if I ever need a boat to haul 10 miles down a trail on my back, I still have the canary yellow Pelican.

_________________
STLKayak
2020 Pro Angler 14 360
St. Louis, Missouri
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005695487937

Sorry for the delayed response. Been very sick and finally on the mend.

To clarify I have looked at nearly 30 at least used PA 12 and 14's. over the course of 2-3 years. Originally when I started to get into kayaking the PA was my choice. But I couldn't justify the price for something I didn't know I would enjoy. OT came out with the Predator and I decided it was a better choice for entry into the sport. Plus considerably cheaper.

Fast forward and now I'm considering upgrading.

Mostly all of the 9 I looked at were cracked at the seat area. Some were due to abuse / neglect. However as stated by another post, its hard to justify paying $500 less than new for a damaged boat. A couple were still under warranty and I tried to get the owner to deal with it but they wouldn't. Strange.

Anyway...I'm decided on a NEW boat. Unless I find a stellar deal on a pre-owned one.

I know there are a lot of negative to the OT Predator when you factor a battery and the heavy drive unit. But the Warranty service there is outstanding.

I love the idea of being able to simplifying everything on the PA by just pedaling.

On the 2015/2016 were there any significant advances in the strengthening of the hull in problem areas?

I weigh 180-185 pounds. I averaged at least 15 hours a week out of my 2013 PA14 for 2 years. Not a single crack anywhere especially around the seating area. From what I remember of reading about cracks in the seating area over the years, those were more prevalent on the hulls with the older seat. Some folks added an additional seat slider (I did...no issues) under the seat. A lot of the cracks (reason not determined) were near the side drains into the main seat decking area.

There are foam pads under the flooring in strategic spots to help with deck support and to provide flotation if that's ever needed. I don't recall any recent issues with cracks in the flooring area around the seats for 2013 and newer PA14s. The weight of the seat and passenger was spread over that middle floor area on the older models. It's supported differently on the 2013 and newer PA14s. I haven't looked to see if there's any real difference between my 2013 and 2015 as far as the floor area around the seat. I doubt if there is any.

Bottom line is that you can't beat the hauling capability and stability of the PA14. I had white caps over the bow in the Gulf last weekend. No worries at all. The flexibility of the H-Rail system to configure your ride for various fishing outings without drilling any holes in the hull cannot be beat!

_________________
Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I have now owned my PA14 2014 going into my 3rd year. No cracks, everything still working great. I love it. I load my PA14 in the back of my truck. I have a rubber bed, plus use foam supports on the bottom with a bed extender. I drive down nasty dirt forest service roads to get to some lakes and no problems. I love the kayak. Good luck and tight lines.

Just to add another plus for the PA over OT or any paddle craft: Try vertical jigging in windy conditons!
Yesterday I was jigging in 8-14 mph winds. No big deal to stay on top of 25-ft wide schools of Cisco 90 ft down, because I could point upwind and feather the MD to stay put, maintaining a vertical lure presentation. I limited out in about an hour! Another angler in a paddle yak was having a horrible day. He could only troll (but not at the depth that the fish were at), was having a heck of a time maintaining trolling speed while heading upwind. He finally paddled in, empty-handed, frustrated and exhausted. Hobie wins again! I know that your Minkota would have alleviated some of that exhaustion, but I doubt it would permit you to fine-tune upwind force in real time to exactly match up-and-down wind conditions and gusts.