PA 14 to Outback?

I'm thinking about going from my PA 14 to an Outback & was wondering if anyone else has done the same.

If so, what did you like best about the switch.

What did you miss most about your PA?

Is the new seat on the outback as comfortable as the seat on the PA?

It seems easy enough to stand & fish on it but probably less stable than the PA.

I have noticed that the PA has a hull slap when anchored from the back, does the outback have this as well?

I have demoed one recently but it was perfect day outside with no chop & there were many people waiting for it so didn't have much time to try it out.

Thanks if advance for your insight.

This guy is known in our neck of the woods and puts out entertaining vids. Here's his opinion on the subject matter.
https://youtu.be/BoT-RJk8beY

Im going through the same thing right now.

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All Fisherman are liars except you and me, but sometimes I wonder about you.

Having first owned a 2010 Outback and now a 2013 PA-14, regardless of the new seat in the 2015 Outback as a major improvement, I still vote for the PA-14.
Reasons are additional room you can't add on to the smaller Outback, stability owing to the 5" wider PA-14 plus its easier to stand up in if you wish and IMHO there is no difference in maneuverability.
Since I already owned a Hobie Trailex trailer, I have no issues in launching or recovery of the PA-14......initially, I car topped my Outback, but a change in vehicles forced going to the trailer.
I can also say that if it's windy, you need to be very careful car topping an Outback, doing it by yourself......it can get away from you, in an instant with a wind gust.
So, both are really good fishing platforms, but this older guy will not go back to an Outback

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Dr.SteelheadCatcher
Warrenton, OR

I have a PA and an Outback and I usually chose the Outback to fish with solely because of the weight. We usually launch from one beach and don't know what beach we will drift to and ride a cab back to our trucks so we don't know what obstacle course we will have to negotiate. Both kayaks have old style seats but the PA is a lot more comfortable but a lot more difficult to launch in a rough surf launch. It can be done if you install drive on the beach and time it right and jump in and start pedaling right away. For inshore fishing the PA wins hands down because of being able to stand. Just don't do much inshore fishing because being towed around by big fish offshore has me hooked. I also have a new AI and use it in kayak mode as much as in AI mode just because I fish with others and just want to stay with the group. Hoping someone else will get an AI soon so we can start reaching out a little further. Not afraid to fish offshore alone but feel a lot safer with someone nearby if something goes wrong.

I went from a 2013 PA14 to a 2015 Outback this year. I've kayaked many years and have had models from all the major brands. Through all these years of kayaking I have become more minimalist with gear and tackle.

Last year I tried out a Hobie and fell in love with the mirage drive system. I immediately picked up a used PA 14 thinking it would be ideal for me. I fished it for 6 months and realized it was a bit too much on and off the water. The storage, stability and comfort were great, but I was having a hard time controlling the boat in the wind and in shallow water. I know some people can work the PA in shallow water, but I had a hard time with it. The "short stroke" in a foot of water for 200 yards against the wind just didn't cut it (talk about getting a leg cramp). Trying to paddle the PA in the same conditions wasn't very successful for me either.

I sold my PA and picked a new outback just a couple months ago. The new seat is great and I really feel like the size of the outback and storage area available is just right for me. I really like the molded in trays on the sides and the little map pockets too. The back tankwell holds the few items I need and I built a new PVC rod holder using the molded-in ones. The outback feels a little faster than the PA and the new drive is awesome. I can pull the drive out and paddle the outback in the shallows without terrible effort either. I've talked to other people about this and we agree that the outback really is a "do-it-all" fishing kayak. For my style of fishing of 50% flats, 40% deeper water and 10% jetty and surf fishing, it's perfect.

Well I tried my buddies outback and ordered one. I already have my PA14 on sale. Laguna fisher hit many points I was going to mention. The PA14 is great on the water but it wasnt enough to keep it. The outback is still plenty comfortable and as long as i can keep my h crate and yeti hopper on it, thats all i need.

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All Fisherman are liars except you and me, but sometimes I wonder about you.

Thank you all for the wonderful information. I am very glad to hear that LagunaFisher & GetBent are happy with the switch. I am definitely going to get an outback . Thank you all.

Thanks,

Ruben