Current/Previous PA Owners Insight Sought...

I've been eyeing the Pro Angler 14's for some time now. I am currently in an Ocean Kayak Big Game II that I enjoy, but the extra leg room and the ability to peddle the Hobie's sure do make it tempting. However, after reading through the Hobie forum and watching other YouTube videos, I have noticed several reoccurring concerns from other owners and I would like to get some feed back from some of the long time owners that have had their Pro Angler 5-7 years.

* Plastic Hairline Cracks (especially in the MD area)
* Pro Anglers taking on Water (leaks or hatch seals)
* Boonedox Usage Cracks (even with the larger inner brace)
* Unnecessary Design Flaw Wear of Rudder Cable(s) Eating Plastic

I know the PA isn't an aluminum boat and won't last forever, but I seem to be reading a lot about eventual cracks and leaks for those who have had their kayaks for some time. Is the Hobie plastic a legitimate concern or just a rare small percentage of the number of PA's out there. It's a lot of money for plastic and I just want to do my "home work" first before a potential purchase. After some preliminary reading, I'm wondering if it wouldn't be best to wait until some of these issues are addressed and perhaps corrected. I appreciate any and all insights that current and or previous owners may have.

I own a 2013 PA-14 with hundreds of hours pedaling as I down rig/troll for large trout and Salmon.

No issues at all. Only replaced the idler cable after plastic covering was cracking.

I don't use a Boondox...just launch and recover from my Hobie Trailex trailer.

The first PA-14 came out in 2010....I bought the 2013 PA-14 since the seat changed and its great!

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I have a 2013 PA 14 and a PA 12 and have had no issues with leaks or cracks in plastic.

I trailer the PA and use a C-Tug Cart for beach launches and places that don't have a ramp.

I upgraded my rails to the H - Rail and replaced the rudder with the larger Hobie rudder last year. Wouldn't trade my PA for anything on the market.

That's Encouraging! At an athletic 280 lbs, my primary concern would be where the MD attaches in the kayak. There would have to be a huge amount of pressure and perhaps flex in that area from anyone's peddling much less a "Clydesdale" like myself. The secondary concerns (although related because of the plastic strength) would be the potential plastic cracking of using something like the BooneDox landing. Apparently, a larger inner base is being offered to help prevent the cracking that has been reported (but without guarantees). It just may be that that particular product (as convenient as it appears) just isn't the best solution for this particular kayak. I could live without the BooneDox, but weak/thin plastic would be a deal breaker.

So are the ones that are having problems with hairline cracks doing something wrong (storage or misuse...)? Is there something that could prevent some of the potential problem areas before they developed? I really, really like the the PA 14 with all the features it offers and hope to be fishing out of one down the road, I just need some reassurance that I won't end up with cracked plastic after a few years of fishing. I have never had a yak's plastic to crack on me, but I also have never peddled one. When paddling, your arms and shoulder take the constant flex not the plastic. I appreciate the responses.

P.S. I wonder if Hobie could "sandwich" flex prone areas with a layer of plastic, layer of fiberglass and then a final layer of plastic? It looks like that would work in theory if a sizeable area was used. Just a thought!

The PA has had a lot of improvements in the last 5 to 7 years. I don't own a PA, but have had several different Hobies during the past 17 years and am quite familiar with the PA 14. Some of your concerns apply to the Mirage line in general so I will offer my 2 cents.This problem surfaced with the advent of Turbofins in 2006 and has been resolved by redesigning the drivewell and improving the PE QA. I cracked the drivewell area on my 2006 Adventure within 6 months with Turbos, but my 2010 Adventure has had no problems. My 3 other Hobies also have no problems.
All Hobies will take on a small amount of water if water is washing over the deck (my round hatches don't leak but the front hatch can). I don't see this as a problem, but some do. It's a good idea to seal or dry bag any gear you can't afford to get wet in rough water. If you can't live with it, there are ways to seal the hatches.This is a problem waiting to happen. The PA is a heavy boat (even without extra gear) and is not designed to hang from the rails right side up. Hobie does not recommend the Boondox. IMO the Standard scupper cart works great with the PA 14 -- it weighs less, takes up less space and shouldn't damage your boat. With practice, you can insert and extract it in the water without having to unload your gear. There are other cart options as well that don't tear up your boat.I don't know about the design flaw part, but rudder directional lines that are too tight will rub against its housing and can wear a groove in it. Lines should be snug (no slack) but not banjo tight.

As an "athletic 280 pounder", you realize that you could put a lot more wear and tear on the Drive and drivewell than the average user, especially if you're speeding around in a PA. If you're cruising the PA 14 at 4.5 MPH or less you should be good (most PA owners cruise at about 3.5 MPH +/-), not that you couldn't sprint on occasion. When you fish be careful not to rest your feet on the Drive where you could unconsciously press both feet hard against the Drive in the excitement of catching a fish -- the Drive is not designed as a footrest.

The PA has over 400 parts in it. If you have a defect or break something Hobie is excellent in replacing it. There are sure a lot of happy PA owners around -- I haven't met one who isn't, so there is a pretty good chance that you would enjoy the heck out of your PA!

I started out with a 2012 PA14. Now have a 2013 and 2015. I usually transport the pair on a jet ski trailer using 3 inch PVC for bunks. Never had any hull related issues and both are stored on the trailer. If I use just one PA14 I transport it in the back of the pickup using a Boonedox bed extender. I do not own the Boonedox landing gear. Between the 2 PA14s mentioned I have never had a crack issue of any kind. Never had a Mirage Drive issue except for a slightly bent rod if I hit something in shallow water. Easily fixed. I have the Hobie HD cart that I use all the time. I added a couple of PVC spacers to keep the collars from slipping and have had zero issues.

I fish primarily inshore in the Gulf at least once a week. The only failures have been on the 2015 PA14. I had the cord that holds the back angle on the Vantage seat break. The loop where it attaches under the right armrest broke. Fixed on the water. A month ago, the rudder cord broke near the back. We fixed it at the hotel and went fishing the next day.

Was in the Gulf yesterday for the 4th. Zero issues. I see pictures of people's Mirage drives that look corroded, banged up, etc. and just chalk that up to folks that do not take care of their equipment. I also clean the PA, Mirage drive and my gear after each outing. My 2013 PA14 uses the 2013 Mirage drive as I sold the 2012 PA14 to a friend and let him have the unused 2013 Mirage drive. I am about to the point where I should replace the turbo fins on both drives, but not there yet. So far the PA has been a great investment for me.

You can't go wrong with a PA14. it is the cadillac of fishing kayaks.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I appreciate all the responses and especially the detailed response from Roadrunner and PM from Jim_MI. Lord willing I'll be peddling one hopefully before the new year!

Thanks again,
Crappie Yaker

I too have multiple Hobie boats and have been in them for the last 6 years. I had a 2012 PA14 that I recently sold. The only issues it ever had was a broken idler cable that let go last year and a bent fin mast that was my fault. I'd say that's pretty good considering I probably averaged better than 25 hours a week in that boat and often put 12 miles or more on it during a day of fishing.

Currently I own a 2015 PA14, 2017 PA14, and a 2017 Outback. No issues with any of them so far. A little preventative maintenance goes a long way on these boats. Check your drive regularly for slack in the cables, lube moving parts, and rinse the drives and boats after trips to the salt or when used in heavily sediment filled waters and you'll be fine.

My family and I just returned yesterday from a three day kayak camping trip on Lake Sonoma here in Northern California. We loaded the three Hobies down with tents, chairs, fishing gear, hammocks, clothes, grills, water, food, and other supplies. We did about 12 miles round trip without a hiccup! Can't wait to get back out on the water again in the Hobies!