Hobie Forums
http://www.hobie.com/forums/

New in town.
http://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=34348
Page 1 of 1

Author:  Parrothead405 [ Thu Mar 10, 2011 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  New in town.

Just put a deposit down on something with pedals. Not sure yet what it will be. But I'm really leaning towards the Hobie PA, but will be test driving an Outback as well as a Native Mariner 12.5 Propel. I don't really hold to much hope on the Mariner since it doesn't have anywhere close to the storage that the PA and Outback have. And I've also heard it's not so great in rough water. But I have to try it out anway just to make sure.

While I'm not ruling out the Outback completely, the main reason I'm trying it is to make sure the PA is worth spending that much more. I'm very strong so loading it is not my issue.

Ofcourse I really have my sights set on the PA, so much so that the dealer is reserving it for me. I live up in Oklahoma where we fish a lot of lakes and rivers. And my Cobra FnD is just too slow to fish the long distances and do all the trolling I like to do. It really hit me on a few occassions last year when I'd get on the lake and suddenly the other end of it seemed a long ways away! Worse yet, that's where the fish were chewin. Anyway, the PA really appeals to me because you never know when you're going to have to switch up your game-plan. For example, I might get on the lake looking for Stripers and if that isn't happening, I might have to switch to bass, catfish, or even crappie and panfish to pull the day off. The PA holds enough equipment so that I can do that. So that's what is really yankin my chain to get this boat.

I do have a few questions though.

1. Is there a noticeable difference between the stock fins and the turbo fins?
2. What fish finders do you guys recommend? I need something that really marks fish and bottom structure along with temperature. A built-in GPS feature with split-screen capabilities would also help.
3. Lastly, can I store a PA on the ground with foam blocks to support it? I do this with my FnD and have never had any problems.

Any other helpful tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Norm

Author:  redwolf [ Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

The PA comes stock with the turbo fins, so that shouldn't be an issue unless you get the Outback. Mine is currently stored standing on end at an angle in a storage building (wife doesn't like the idea of PA as a coffee table) and have had no issues yet other than not being able to get it in and out solo. As far as FF's go, I haven't put one on mine yet, so no help to you on that part. Good luck :)

Author:  sonnybass [ Fri Mar 11, 2011 6:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

I currently own 2 Outbacks and a PA. I just got the Angler a few months ago. I've had the Outbacks since 2005 and put a lot of miles on the water and a lot of fish in the boat. I loved the Outback--still think it is great--but the PA is the real deal. It's easier to get in and out of, standing is very doable and good gosh the tackle I can bring along now!

The Turbo fins really move the PA. I haven't clocked it yet but I can cover a lot more distance, quicker than I ever dreamed of in the Outback. My biggest problem is slowing down not to overrun my casting targets. I haven't tried the turbo fins in the Outback yet, but I will. I'm sure they will do well.

I just mounted a split GPS/fish finder unit on the PA. It is an Eagle greyscale version of the color Lowrance M68C I use on my bass boat. It does real well. I mounted it inside the hull so water temp readings aren't valid. For that you would need to mount it externally.

I fish freshwater most of the time but do take my kayaks to the saltwater a couple of weeks a year. I haven't had the PA in saltwater yet, can't wait to.

The Outback is about half the weight so loading is a little more of an effort with the PA but it is doable.

Good luck, you'll be happy with either one, but is you choose the Outback, consider the Turbo fin option to cover distance quicker.

Author:  Parrothead405 [ Fri Mar 11, 2011 7:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

So the PA does come standard wth the turbo fins? Makes sense for the size and price of the boat. I've got a dealer who hasn't dealt with the PA and is a new dealer. Nice guy, but sounds like I need to stay on top of this deal.

Author:  Dkwynn [ Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

Save the money and get the outback with the turbo fins. Im returning a PA and getting a Outback this week. The room the PA has is nice and I like the ability to stand. I tested the Outback then found the PA on sale and bought it. Took the PA out yesterday and didnt like it as much as the Outback. Im sure some people will read this and think Im crazy but the PA in my opinion is over kill. Whatever way you go test them both for as long as you can and if your able to take your tackle with you and see how things fit in the boat for you. The PA is too close to being a boat for me .Different strokes for different folks.

Author:  Scotman [ Mon Mar 14, 2011 4:32 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

I started out with an Outback and now have the PA (had both for a while). The nice thing about the Outback is it's a little easier to load and unload from your vehicle. I say "a little" because while it's a lot lighter it can be challenging even if you add several extra handles. It's also a more maneuverable if you add the sailing rudder (a must in my opinion). The thing I really didn't like about it compared to the PA is it is very awkward to turn around and retrieve things from the rear deck area while you're fishing. It's doable but not comfortable. You'll want to keep as much stuff in front of you as possible but there's not a lot of room to store it all.

The PA is heavier but the thoughtful handle arrangements make it manageable. You can easily reach equipment stored behind you and the ability to carry more gear and stow it intelligently is—well—there's no comparison. I find the PA is a lot more comfortable after many hours on the water, too. You can't say enough about being able to confidently stand up once in while.

Either boat will work. If I was only going to fish small waters with just a couple rods and limited tackle for short time periods, I'd get the Outback and save the dough. It's a good boat. But if you're going to be out all day on occasion and want to bring enough tackle to cover any situation I'd recommend the PA.

BTW, I did the 7" seat riser modification to my PA and love it! Standing and sitting are now effortless. The seat is way more comfortable because my feet and legs are now lower than my butt and that takes pressure off my tail bone. Also, I can comfortably rest my feet on the pedals all day if I want (anyone who's pedaled these boats knows it get's harder to do the leg lifts as the hours go by). The trade off was a little less stability but it's a good trade in my opinion.

Best wishes,
Scott

Author:  atavuss [ Mon Mar 14, 2011 8:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: New in town.

I have a 09 outback upgraded with the sailing rudder and turbo fins. I also have a stock 09 Pro Angler. I never use the outback, it is loaned out to people that go with me. the pro angler is very stable and comfortable. the PA is easier to move simply because it has rails front and rear that are easy to get a good hold on. the OB has two straps that make it harder to move around even though it is probably half the weight. I paid about 500.00 more for the PA but I feel it is worth every penny. the OB is not set up with a fishfinder but I do have a FF setup on the PA. I use a Mad Frog's Liberator mount with a transducer arm. no holes were drilled anywhere and everything is installed and removed in minutes. the 5 amp battery is kept in a waterproof walmart plastic box. I use Scotty rod holders on 12" risers that are clamped to the side rails.
pictures are in this post:
http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=78&t=33618

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/