So ive been paddling for almost 40 years and worked in construction for almost 30 years. All that and now my elbows and shoulders are feeling bad. Ive always been able to paddle as far as anyone but went to the coast a month or so ago and had to stop at 2 miles. Now I dont feel like I can really grip my paddle at all. I guess im trying to figure out what I should do. I still want to kayak fish. I'd sure prefer to paddle but seems not likely, sure dont want a motor boat. Not sure if I should sell my kayaks and get a couple hobies or what...

Come to the dark side Christain. LOL.

Seriously, I would hate to see you give up something that you enjoy. It's quite apparent that you love to fish and love to be on the water. A 2018 or older outback can be paddled... granted, not nearly as efficiently as your current kayaks, but you can scratch your paddle itch in an outback from time to time while using the pedals to muscle through long hauls. A compass can also be paddled and is more in line with the weight that you are accustomed to.

Just a thought. Im not trying to push Hobie... it's just the brand that I have the most knowledge of. I'm sure there are other options out there to consider.

If pedals is what it has to be hobie would be the direction without question.

Welcome to old age. Try Ibuprofen before dropping several grand on a Hobie.

I bet that on the stealth would mean warp speed. I'd have to move in to the kayak though. As I wouldn't have any money for rent.

Torqueedo is the path to the Dark Side. Should be able to be installed on the kayaks you have.
That way you can use the motor to cover water, but then paddle once you get there.

And go see your primary care physician, they will likely refer you to a sports medicine specialist/ortho/PM&R

Or you could go full on Dark Side and install these on the kayaks you have

Try steroid shot for the inflammation, it worked for my elbows, just had to take one shot and it hasn't returned in over five years.

I had "tennis elbow" a few years ago caused by overworking a topwater lure with a sidearm pop. Took about two months of rest to fully recover. Now careful to use overhand pop - no problems.

I've been there Christian. Steroid shots can help but are bad long term IMO. This is the sole reason why I went to the peddle kayaks. It solved my shoulder and back issues for the most part. Now my knees are bad

Crazy what a body does when it hits 50!

I'm there again, this time the left elbow. Not nearly as bad as when I had it in my right elbow and I couldn't turn the key to start my car. Just being more conscious of what I'm doing and a semi rest seemed to work last time. Had a chiropractor, years ago tell me my pain was in elbow but the problem was with my wrist. Just wore a wrist band for a while and it got better. Thinking about trying that on my left wrist. Just walk it off and keep plugging.

I know what happened to cause the damage. Ive spent 15 years as a stone Mason. Thats all hammer and chisel. I also tore one of my bicep muscles in my left arm. Got in a car accident that I still feel in my left shoulder. I got shot on my right side in 98'. Im just not thinking any of my issues are fixable.

Thought I would chime in with a personal experience that I went through a couple of years ago. Many years of working as a mechanic has left me with many aches and pains. My GP doctor is good about trying over the counter meds before going to prescription meds. I had been having good success with Advil (nsaids) over the years. One time after a particularly rough weekend of yard work at our lake house left me with serious back pain. I started taking the max daily dosage but the pain was not going away. I continued for over a week but was progressively feeling worse so went to my doctor. He took a urine sample and did a CT scan. Results of urine test showed my creatinine level elevated but the CT was not conclusive so he sent me for PeT scan. Next day he called and said he needed to get me to an oncologist. Pretty scary sh!t for sure. Went to oncologist and she said I had lymphoma and needed to start chemo immediately. She needed to do some blood work first so they drew blood. She called within an hour and said I needed to get to emergency room as my kidneys were shutting down. Was admitted to hospital and went through 3 days of tests, biopsy’s , etc. ultimately, the diagnosis was not lymphoma but rather acute kidney failure caused by the Advil. Spent a month in hospital going through dialysis and another month on dialysis as outpatient. It’s been two years now and my kidney function has been normal since. From my personalexperience be very very careful using any nsaids. I’ve been having great success with acupuncture. I have taken Tylenol occasionally for fever but I’m scared to take anything after all that !!

Wow! That is very scary. I have always tried to stay away from any type of pain medication. I have taken some aleve but very rarely. I have just stopped or tried to stop doing as much manual labor and paddling. Pain is still there.

Yea, it was scary. I can remember sitting hooked up to the dialysis machine (4 hrs) three times a week wondering if that was going to be the new norm for me. As mentioned, I have been having great success with acupuncture and have started trying some CBD products but acupuncture seems to be best treatment for me.

I’ll be 41 in January and have the pains starting from aging myself. Not as bad as most I’m sure I can still paddle but its hell on me the next day. I have a 2016 outback and its great for covering distance but if you might also consider a 14ft Hobie Revo as well. If you decide you want to keep your kayak and go with a trolling motor setup there is guy in Ft. Worth named Kevin Dismuke who makes a light weight setup that he can build custom and install on any kayak. I have one of his setups on my Pelican Catch 120 and I love it but that kayak sucks to paddle lol.

Get a float tube.