Hello, I just got a hobie pro angler 14. I have never been kayaking befor
I've been reading and reading, have done a ton of research and talked to people at marine sail. I chose the PA because of stability, which leads to my question. I've read it's not if but when, you flip your yak. I'm worried to death of rolling over with all my gear. I'm going to leach and strap everything, but still. How worried should I be about rolling over? I'm going to stick tight to the bank at first, and watch the weather close. Any advice , tips things to do would be helpful.

I think, and I could be wrong, but the only way you're going to turtle a PA14 is if you're doing an Irish Jig and your dancing partner bumps you over.

I don't know, maybe someone who has more experience with this than me will chime in.

I stick to the ol' saying an avid cyclist told me, "It's not IF you're gonna put it on the pavement, but WHEN." I take the same mindset with the yak as you've said and many others would agree. I've already gotten my first turtling experience out of the way on a 50 degree day while trying to untangle my second rod from a tree behind my seat. PFD, leash, and a floating drybag are my musts before I hit the water. It's also not a bad idea to practice re-entry in deeper water. Just remember, gear is replaceable. It's not impossible to do in a PA 14, but I'd feel less concerned in one compared to others. Start slow and you'll get a hang of it.

Hey Tommy

You've picked one of the most stable platforms out there with the ProAngler 14. That said, leashing and straping everything is wise. Even the most experienced kayakers can find themselves on the "wrong side of the water".

Make sure you start off by only going out in calm and warmer conditions. You can get a feel for your boat's stability by trying to move around in different spots (do this without all your goodies on board!), do this in a safe area in case you fall off or turn over. I'm betting this will give you some stability confidence and also give you an idea of the safe spots to stand or move around on.

It sounds like you are on the right track. Stay near the shore at first and ALWAYS keep an eye on the weather. Also, going out with other kayakers, if possible, will give you an additional safety net.

Good luck and feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance!

Thanks again
Aris

The PA is one of the most stable yaks made. On any stable yak ( I have a Ride 115, another stable choice) flipping it would take either extremely bad weather or dumb choices by the paddler. Just move slowly and don't reach way out for anything in the water. Take it slow at first and you will be fine. Rich

Always wear a PFD and keep a knife immediately available. If you flip you aren't likely to drown and can cut loose any leashes, etc that might entangle you. Aside from that you only have to worry about losing gear. If you have it all tied or strapped down you shouldn't lose too much. I've been on a PA and it will be difficult to turtle one but not impossible. I stripped my yak down and intentionally turtled in shallow water just to practice my response. I think you're biggest problem will be getting your PA flipped back over while in the water. I've unintentionally turtled one time in the Gulf. What equipment that I didn't have tied to my yak was floating around it. Didn't lose anything but a small piece of pride.

Nice boat. Talk about jumping head first into the greatest sport known to man. Congrats. My advise would be to get it out on the water (shallow and empty) tip it, flip it and fill it with water. See what it takes to turtle and see how it feels. Learn your yak inside and out. Then know what it can and can't handle. Welcome to the sport!

My kayak is only 10 feet but when I first got it I put it in my pool and flipped out of it. It was really easy to roll it back over and get in. Just grab on to the other side of the kayak and use your weight to pull it over. Super easy. You'll be fine. Practice tipping and flipping in shallow water just in case you do get in an emergency.

Thank you everyone. Very helpful.
I had 5000 to spend on a boat. I looked at bass boats, John boats, everything. I decided I could get the most bang for my buck, and satisfy my needs with a kayak. I researched For 3 weeks before I decided on a PA. I got it at Marine Sailor for 2500. Got a Lowrace elite 5 DSI. Got the wheels. Battery kit. PFD. Anchor trolly. Stake pole. I know i still need some more stuff, but compared to a bass boat, I think ill be saving money. I'm from Indiana, I fish strip pits mainly( electic motor only). I'm here with my wife for the next 3-6 months, for her job. All I have to do, besides the dishes, is fish!!! I'm going to Fork on Monday with a guide, and after that, plan on going there with my kayak. How safe is it on big water? I'm not going there for her maiden voyage, but I don't want to wait to long to get back. I'm very intimidated by the idea of being on a big lake like fork on a kayak. I'm thinking ill probably be jumping from cove to cove and staying off the main lake. Is that what most of you do? Kind of plan ahead of where to go? I've heard of Purtis Creek. Do you guys think that would be a better place to go at first, rather than fork? (I'm going to a small park pond to practice)

The 2 of us flipped a SOF kayak back in 1964. It was my fault, I was half asleep at the time. In 2008 I fell out of my Cobra Navigator once in about 2 feet of water when I got sloppy about mounting up. Other than that I haven't flipped a kayak and I have lots of hours in several different types.
Keep your head over the center line and you should have no trouble staying upright in most any fishing kayak. And with a PA 14 you are going to have to work at it to tip that monster over.

I'd really like some feed back on standing and fishing from a PA. Can you turn and cast off the side?

You will enjoy fishing from the PA standing up, just make sure it's on a non windy day until you get your sea legs. And pitching from the side is just as easy as pitching forward. Again keep your head centered in the PA and you will find it very easy to stay in the yak.
Where are you located. There is many fellow Yakers on this forum willing to go with you and help you including myself.

Your confidence will grow and your ability will grow. These posts all have great advise.
In my experience I've learned one great rule. Keep your shoulders inside the yak. When you get your upper body weight out side the yak you're going to spill.
Wear a PFD.
I use rod floats because rod leashes drive me crazy.
I use a paddle leash because that could keep me connected to the yak when I turtle.
We call it a "garage sale" when we turtle and the stuff is floating around us. Some guys use a lid on their crate in case they turtle, some use bungie cords over their stuff in the crate. Some great ideas out there.


Some of the funniest stories I've heard are the dumps people have experiencef

man I wish I had your problem

I know a guy that actually turtled an Ocean Kayak Big Game on calm water so I guess it can always be done.
With a Pro Angler you are more likely to fall out of it than to turtle, but that said, just keep your head inside the gunwales and you'll be fine. Lean too far over the edge and you'll go for a swim on any boat, but especially a kayak.