PA12 vs. PA14

I know there are threads discussing this, and I will search for them later. I have a question related to registration. In my state, SD, you can have a 12 foot, non motorized craft and not need to register it.

Most of you would prolly say to pick the PA14 over the PA12 for performance and stability, but would you pick the 14 if you had to register it every year and pay a $25 fee when the 12 would be free?

I mainly fish 500 acre or less lakes in my 10.5 foot Perception, but the Hobies keep calling me and this online community has been fun to visit on my breaks from work. It would be neat to be part of it.

So...free PA12, or yearly fee PA14? Transport would be the same for either one.

Get the one that is right for you regardless. Otherwise you will regret it. In the overall cost it is negligable

I would reach out to a dealer and see when they have a demo day happening. Getting in both yaks and feeling them out will certainly help you decide whether the $25 yearly reg fee is worth it or not.

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

I think you will find that owning the Hobie, either 12 or 14 is going to open up a lot of water for you. $25 when you are considering buying a $3500 kayak is pretty negligible. I have purchased licenses for a number of lakes that are $25+ to use that one lake, and many ramps in the state of Illinois are fee for use. That is in addition to the water use sticker we need on all craft. Pick the PA that most fits your style of fishing, transporting and what you feel the most comfortable in. I would not even put licensing or water use stamps in the equation.

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

Thanks everyone. Those are all good posts with well thought out responses. I'm gonna think on this for a while since we're all froze up in SD. I'm also gonna watch next year for a good deal on either one. My local Scheel's had their Hobies out on a local pond last year for demo rides, (I was fishing that day) so next year I will be there for that and try a few on. In the meantime you will see a post from me on here from time to time as I get my learn on about these vessels.

Right now at my Scheel's their leftover Hobies are on sale for around $500 less than usual. Maybe I'll hit that sale next year when they have the new Mirage drives with reverse on them.

I'm also a member of the Hobie group on Facebook.