I know Fin Factory in Corpus Christi does.

So not sure if it's been mentioned yet, the nucanoe frontier is a good big guy option. You can prob get that with a small gas motor cheaper than a hobie. Don't get me wrong, hobie makes a fantastic product but there are certainly more economical options out there.

Mariner Sails is worth the drive from McKinney. They have a decent inventory and most of their staff are kayak and/or sailing enthusiasts.

They will also allow you to test drive almost anything that you want to buy (If not the exact model, they will probably have a comparable model)... they will meet you at local water, vest you up, and let you paddle/pedal.

They are good folks.

It's spring! Isn't there a demo day soon????? Those are great times!!!

Demo Days used to be plentiful before COVID, but I hadn’t really seen any advertised since.

May 18 I heard right from mariner sails. Lake grapevine

Dude you nailed it. I kind of fall into big guy at 6'6 250ish. I'm in a Frontier now with a Newport 55 transom mount motor. Frontier new is $1600. Newport kayak 55 motor $200. LiTime 100ah lithium $300. Basically after tax TX registration and all the little extra expenses like a battery box, lithium charger etc you can be on the water for about $2500 cruising at about 4.5mph with an almost 700lb weight capacity.

long time, no see, John! I guess you were just ashamed you went to a motor! I have one too, but I havent stooped so low as to try it out..

Lol I've just been doing my thing. I don't post much anymore.

FWIW I recently got a barely used Hobie 17T from my father in law. He had put the MotorGuide XI5 on it. By coincidence, I already had a Lowrance HDS Live 9 so added the NMEA network so I can run the TM from my Lowrance. After three trips I can say this combo is a game changer. I won’t ever have another kayak without GPS capability. I can thoroughly pick apart docks using the jog feature, and set cruise control to cast down a bank line. Also like anchor mode. I can also go through the graph history, find a feature, set a waypoint then tell the TM to go there and anchor with just a few clicks on the FF screen. Game changer for me.

48AH lithium for FF, phone charger and nav lights . 110 AH battery for TM. For my typical 8 hour trips I Haven’t had to peddle yet.

Edit: I’m 6’6” , 310

lots of good info

I recently sold my Ranger Reata 1850 150 merc purchased during COVID as I simply find myself fishing the small skinny backwaters and small east texas lakes from my Hobie Pro Angler 12'. I am a crappie angler so the bimini top isn't an issue as I am either pitching a jig, or vrtical fishing and or dock shooting.