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Hobie vs Wilderness
#11908396
10/30/16 08:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455
Tom Baty
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455 |
It's time to retire the old kayak and get an upgrade, so I've been looking at my options. I've compiled a bit of a "wish list" of features over the years that have led me to three options: Hobie Outback, Hobie Revolution, and Wilderness Tarpon 130X. What's making the decision difficult is that I split my time between the lake and river. One weekend I'm floating the Upper Brazos, the next I'm out on Grapevine.
I like the idea of the pedal drive because I like to troll for sand bass, but am not sure the extra cost of a mirage drive kayak is worth it. Stability is a big desire as well, because I like to duck hunt, run trot lines, and freedive off my kayak. If anybody has experience with both of these kayak companies, I'd appreciate your feedback.
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11909421
10/31/16 09:56 AM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 898
kickingback
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 898 |
Once you get a Hobie you will not go back. Trust me. It is like night and day to be able to fish and move as you do. Can't do that with a paddle yak.
USAF Retired and Fishing!
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11909547
10/31/16 12:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,042
pontiactech
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,042 |
Both of my kayaks are paddle kayaks but I do have a Hobie Quest and an Atak 140 love both yaks although as I go up in age the Atak is winning out because of the seat and the ability to stand . My best suggestion for you is to find a dealer such as Mariner Sails that carries the yaks you are interested in and demo them . I have tried the kayaks that have the bicycle type pedal drive and my knees don't hold up well in them honestly have never tried the Hobie drive . But everyone is different in all the kayaks out there and that is why the number one suggestion is demo demo demo .
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11909587
10/31/16 01:33 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,617
C-Frog
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,617 |
Ive got a TarponX 130 for sale if youre interested. Fully rigged with a fish finder. PM me in interested
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11909601
10/31/16 01:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686
Todd
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,686 |
My second kayak was an Outback and I still have it but it sits in storage for the most part but my wife likes it. I fish too many places where a pedal drive will not work plus I like the room in my Commander and Ride. There are many times I wish I had a pedal system on them. It would help on long runs and they are much more stable than the Outback. Well Wilderness system has answered the call. I can't wait to demo this bad boy. Designed to be a paddle first and you can go pedal or motor. http://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products/radar-115
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11909737
10/31/16 03:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,124
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,124 |
Gosh, I'd go Native Slayer Propel way before I'd go Hobie if I were looking for a pedaler, though Hobie is a truly great kayak. The PA 12 and 14 are just so, so heavy. The Outback has become the choice for many Hobie types for this very reason: more portable.
But, getting back to paddle versus pedal. There are many lakes that are so grassy, certainly here on Lake Athens for example, that one would be better with a paddler. And, you will have much less maintenance, too.
I have the Slayer 10 and I think it might be the best fishing kayak for lakes. You can nail position and hold water very effectively and the vessel is easy to transport. I love it for Wheeler Branch. It paddles well, too, for a 34" wide by 10 feet long vessel.
So, what I was telling Duane recently and others is that I have been looking for a paddler. I am going back to a finesse rig: flip it up on the truck bed, a couple of rods, a couple of Plano tackle boxes . . . and off to the lake with no fuss, no greasing, no trailers, no broken cables, etc.
The paddle kayaks that really impress me are the Eddyline C-135, Jackson Cuda LT and the Wilderness Systems ATAK 120. For me, I have eliminated the C-135 as I think, while it is a fabulous kayak, it is priced very aggressively. Also, I want something nearer 12 feet than its 13+ feet. The Jackson Cuda LT is another, like the C-135, thermo-formed kayak and it is really, really light, fast in the water. I like it a lot for a finesse rig.
But, of the current offerings, nothing has struck me as being better all-around, better thought-out, than the ATAK 120. It is cheaper than the other two ($1649) and it is really set up to fish out of, to paddle well, to stand up easily (35" wide) and more.
Some ideas, some of my own research. See you on the water.
Brad
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Todd]
#11909793
10/31/16 03:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,800
BassFever
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 15,800 |
My second kayak was an Outback and I still have it but it sits in storage for the most part but my wife likes it. I fish too many places where a pedal drive will not work plus I like the room in my Commander and Ride. There are many times I wish I had a pedal system on them. It would help on long runs and they are much more stable than the Outback. Well Wilderness system has answered the call. I can't wait to demo this bad boy. Designed to be a paddle first and you can go pedal or motor. http://www.wildernesssystems.com/us/products/radar-115 That Wilderness system looks sweet. Buy just the Kayak first, then add whatever you want or all. Could get $$$ But you do NOT have to buy the peddle or motor if you don't want or need them.
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11910758
11/01/16 02:22 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,124
Brad R
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 2,124 |
BassFever,
I agree and I should have mentioned the Wilderness Radar 115 in my own little review. I think it is 11' 8" and around 34" wide, so a really nice sized kayak, not too small or too large. And, it has the paddle power as a first standard option, then one could add the pedal unit (it starts getting expensive now and more in line with the cost of Native Slayer models), and even add the motor drive (requires a small mortgage).
This was really good thinking by Wilderness to build a kayak with all three power options. A good starter price, too, as I believe the paddle version alone, with no pedal system or motor drive, is under $1500.
With an ATAK 120, you can go either paddle or motor . . . there is no option for a pedal drive.
The Radar 115 is a good looking kayak, too, I think. Nice lines and functional looking layout.
Brad
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11910941
11/01/16 11:24 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455
Tom Baty
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455 |
Thank you for all the input, guys! You've given me a lot to think over, and some alternatives to consider. I'll be sure to let everybody know what I decide to do.
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11911050
11/01/16 01:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 570
ben_beyer
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 570 |
This is a conversation I've had with myself several times and there were other manufacturers like Native involved. If you fish lakes, rivers, and saltwater and have the money, get 2 kayaks. If you can only have one, find the kayak that best fits your needs.
I'm moving to College Station so I can finally justify having a kayak. I need something that will do lakes, rivers, and saltwater flats so that basically means a paddle kayak. I'd love to get a Hobie or Native but I know given the price, the wife won't let me spend that much.
Right now I'm leaning towards the ATAK 120 (maybe the 140) or the Radar 135. I've looked at a Jackson Coosa HD but I have a Blackpak and I don't want to sell it to get a JKrate. If I do end up with the Coosa I will but I'd rather not.
The great thing about those 2 is I can possibly get some kind of propulsion system for them in the future if I decide to go down that road.
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11911634
11/01/16 07:30 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 878
FWBanger
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 878 |
You can't got wrong with a Hobie. I use mine to troll on lakes and I also use it frequently in rivers. It's very easy to either pull out the mirage drive or just kick the fins up against the hull. You'd be surprised at how shallow you can go with the mirage drive in but up agains the hull. My outback is plenty stable too.
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11926340
11/10/16 12:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455
Tom Baty
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 455 |
Alright guys, I've decided Hobie Outback. Going to pick it up Saturday. Thanks for all the input everybody gave!
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Re: Hobie vs Wilderness
[Re: Tom Baty]
#11938754
11/17/16 07:31 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422
HAWK84
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 422 |
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