Lol, just playing around.

I think we live in a great time to be kayak fishermen. The kayak designers are becoming more creative then ever. Not just peddle drives but also paddle. I think it's important for kayak users to tell the kayak manufactures what they want. The company that listens and makes suggested changes will come out ahead.. The good thing is that as the companies push themselves, we the kayak fishermen will win. Options are a good thing.

Test rode both Native and PA14. IMO both are good and you can't go wrong with either. What sold it for me was when I was test riding the PA, I hit a huge wave from 2 bass boats racing, PA did not flip due to size. Tried this trial again with Native. I waited for another bass boat run (this time 1 boat with a skier) and realize the heavier rocking with Native. Native didn't flip or nothing bad happened, it seemed less stable to me. Both are good yaks and it's really your preference.

When it comes to a watercraft the PA14 is one of the most stable platforms you can be in. They certainly excel with stability!

Mariner Sails has several upcoming opportunities for Heather to try both the Propel and Hobie at one event. We will be holding a big demo day on April 19th at White Rock Lake. We will also have both great products for testing at the Spring G2G. You can call the store for other demo opportunities held on Thursdays and some Saturdays .

Be sure to keep an eye on our website events calendar at www.mariner-sails.com . . . or . . . make sure that we have your email address on file to receive our monthly newsletter.

Mariner sails is also offering different lakes to do Demos at this year. White rock will still be offered, but Dave Potts will be doing them on Grapevine lake, and for the northern group I'll be doing the demos on Ray Roberts as well.

A PA is closer to a small boat than a kayak as far as stability.
On either, if you lean too far from center you are either going to flip or fall out!
Hobie started the trend toward a wider more stable kayak, now you see most of the major manufacturers building bigger, wider, standing kayaks.
In answer to the OP, it seems everyone else is still trying to catch up!

Just remember pedaling or paddling going backwards your rudder is at risk if you hit something. There is no give in that direction.

The Mirage drive has it all over the Propel. Test drive them side by side and you'll see. That Mirage is so innovative and the quality of the Hobie product line is second to none. I recognize the quality that Native puts into their boats. Really good stuff but Hobbie's is still superior all the way around from accessories to the quality of plastic. If we could just get them to lower their prices instead of increasing them every year!

My Outback, and moreso the Revolution, are both good paddling boats when the drive is taken out.

I agree with some of wh's gripes about Hobie. New colors are less important to me, but some changes should be made from year to year. The differences between the 2014 Outback and my 2012 Outback are negligible. People have been crying out for an available seat upgrade to the Outback for years, even (or especially) Hobie fishing team members, yet they don't do it. It seems to me that being such a large company, change comes slower to them than some of the new, smaller, nimbler manufacturers.

Having said that, I absolutely LOVE my Outback, and I wouldn't trade it for the Slayer Propel if I had the opportunity. They are very cool boats though. I don't think they will "take over" but I think Hobie is finally feeling some heat from the competition.

And Native isn't the only company that's been working on a pedal drive... *cough* *cough* Santa Cruz *cough*

I was concerned with possibly breaking the plastic clips that lock the propel drive in place if I hit a submerged stump. I read some stories about this occurring. I agree that they are both good kayaks but I chose the mirage drive for durability. I have definitely abused my mirage drive and it still works fine.

You brought up a good point about Hobie not being a company to change much.

There is a Hobie Outback that sold on another popular kayaking forum classifieds that looks exactly like the new ones and it's a 2005 model.

Strange!