NorCal Kayak Anglers
General => General Talk => Topic started by: kuhl35 on December 25, 2017, 08:52:04 AM
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I've been thinking of going peddle, and the price point and abilities of this kayak seen great. I've been reading into it, but was hoping for some real pros and cons from some of you guys. Anybody take out in the bay? Landed big fish from it? I'm hurting for a peddle drive, just not ready to drop 2500$+
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I have not pedaled that, but it looks interesting. The reviews at ACK are generally good
https://www.austinkayak.com/products/22337/Perception-Pescador-Pilot-12-Pedal-Kayak.html
But, I'd be concerned about stuff like this quote from one of the reviewers: "My biggest complaint is the pedal drive, its loud. It also pops out of place very easily when pedaling normally so you'll have to put the drive back into place." If Perception doesn't take care of serious complaints like that, they wouldn't be getting my money.
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there are a couple guys on facebook that like it. Adventure sports carries them and are discounting them right now as well. Adventure also carries the Native Manta Ray and probably the Hobie Compass, all of the current pedal drives under $2000.
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there are a couple guys on facebook that like it. Adventure sports carries them and are discounting them right now as well. Adventure also carries the Native Manta Ray and probably the Hobie Compass, all of the current pedal drives under $2000.
Right on, I'll have to shoot out there and take a look.
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My brother likes his. He came down and fished with me. He had to make a minor adjust to the drive. It would pop up if you peddled hard.
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I have not pedaled that, but it looks interesting. The reviews at ACK are generally good
https://www.austinkayak.com/products/22337/Perception-Pescador-Pilot-12-Pedal-Kayak.html
But, I'd be concerned about stuff like this quote from one of the reviewers: "My biggest complaint is the pedal drive, its loud. It also pops out of place very easily when pedaling normally so you'll have to put the drive back into place." If Perception doesn't take care of serious complaints like that, they wouldn't be getting my money.
I’ve never tested one on the water, but I was doing some research. The early ones had some issues with the drive and there was some sort of recall on it where new parts were put in place. That info was gathered from some online reviews and I have no personal experience with it.
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My brother likes his. He came down and fished with me. He had to make a minor adjust to the drive. It would pop up if you peddled hard.
Yeah I was reading the new ones combs with a peddle drive that has been modified to work out that flaw. I'm hoping to demo, I'm a big guy and Im hoping I'll fit.
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I own one and sure beats paddling! I paddle and pedal on it to get a full body workout everytime I go fishing.
The pedal should come with the updated one already. Just make sure to lube the heck out of it (pedal drive) before fishing (especially important if it is your first use) and it will be smooth as butter! Then check the bolts are tight (propeller area) evertime before going fishing. Also check the allen screws especially where it connects to the kayak so that it won’t wobble when pedaled hard. I could hit 5 mph with no issues.
One thing though, other people find it noisy when they pedal it. Sure it makes sounds but it doesn’t bother me. As for handling a fish, the only thing I caught so far are smelts 😅. If you want to try it out, I usually go yaking in Alameda the weekends.
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If you're willing to wait a month or so, there should be some good kayak deals coming out in line with the ISE show Jan 18-21. probably 10% off or more.
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For reasons of price point, and my first peddle drive, and wanting reverse for bass fishing, I too bought the pilot 12 in October. Johnny23 was right about tightening things down; I carry the right size allen wrench and phillips screwdriver OTW just in case. Noise, mine seems pretty quiet considering this is a mechanical drive unit.
Other budget items to consider:
•Yak-Gear Flush Mount Rod Holder Kit. Because the 4 molded rod holders, left and right of the captain's chair, are worthless for holding valuable rod/reels. I bought 2. I used a dremmel tool to make my cuts, and rivot gun to secure the holder. You can retrieve the discarded cut out from the inside of the boat through the storage hatch.
•Yak-Gear Universal Scupper Plugs - 4 Pack, for the captain's chair area to stay dry. I have not needed them for the front and rear storage, but you might.
•YakAttack Mighty Mount Scotty 241 Track Mount Kit, which I used for my downrigger, and rod holder up front (great advice I received on this forum)
•Scotty Universal Fishfinder Mount 368
As for transportation up top my Jeep Grand Cherokee, this works great for self loading
•Malone SeaWing Kayak Carrier Combo with Stinger Load Module MPG113MD
My mini review:
•This boat is too big for my needs, norcal lakes. The length on the water feels fine - for me it is transport and storage where I would love this boat to be 2' shorter, some pounds lighter
•Ownership caused me to realize I am not a fan of this boat's collapse drive/propeller hinge/storage. Hobbie's 'yank it up' when necessary I find appealing. This thing is heavy, so it makes the boat heavy - I must remove the drive so I can load the boat up onto my car (a post purchase realization, so who cares if it stores in the boat).
•I remove the pedal drive when floating off the dock. Well, the pedal drive's nut can easily fall through the hole, has happened to me 2 times, thankfully only in 2' of water. Would suck to lose that nut while clearing debris off the blades OTW - I will rig a leash to this nut.
•I never seem to be able to easily tuck the drive up into the boat quickly while OTW b/c it you must line up the blades perpendicular, just right, before it stores inboard. I have only been out 4-5 times, I need to pay attention more and see if I can make that improve b/c there are times when a rock suddenly appears and you must protect the blades.
•My first time out I did experience the drive slipping, and the reason I now carry the tool to tighten. But in all it has stayed put which tells me their v2 of the drive should continue to work, but I hate stressing about it.
•As for pedal drive kayak, simply love it, this boat delivers - and shortcomings aside it is great and for a great price. I can cover so much more water, and hands free fishing is fantastic. It is really nice to pedal, and steer, and fish all at one time (but yea, this is true for all pedal drive yaks).
•Stable. In the summer I will experiment with standing while fishing.
Austin Kayak will offer 15% discount on accessories with a boat purchase- that helped.
For a new kayak, I would do it again based on price, and my frequency of use, the value is still there for me.
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My buddy Big Bob bought one after fishing in one of my Feelfree Moken 12.5's for a few months. His first response was that it is not as stable as the Moken 12.5. Then again, "there's no such thing as a tippy canoe only tippy people". Bob landed 5 to 8lb stripers on it no problem first time out, so it's stable enough for a moderate fish. I'll second "fishi" on the molded rod holders; they suck. The seat is made of thin tubing and broke on Bob due to poor lashing on his part but they sent him a new one within a few days (good service). He lost two fish that I know about due to line wrapping around the prop, then had trouble pulling the prop and clearing the mess. Like any new craft you'll have to work out the kinks. Bob can pedal nearly twice as fast as I can paddle, you will be able to cover a lot of water. DON'T TRUST THE ROD HOLDERS, RE TIGHTEN AND USE LOCK TIGHT ON ALL FACTORY SCREWS AND NUTS, AND BE GENTLE ON THE SEAT. After watching it fish three times, I'd say go for it.
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Here is the improvement for the rod holders on the Pilot. Not sure if they are put yet but I can find out.
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This is how you tighten the prop nuts properly on the Radar and the Pilot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEjXg26ZmTc
I have several hundred miles on mine and it has never come loose. No Loctite either. I also painted a small line on the housing and the crank arm so i know when they are aligned to raise it up.
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Lastly......
If you are looking for spare prop and prop nuts. Here they are.
#9800878 PDL DRV PROP W/ HARDWARE
#9800953 PDL DRV PROPELLER NUT (2-pack)
The propeller is $26.10 and the nuts are $3.60
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I've been thinking of going peddle, and the price point and abilities of this kayak seen great. I've been reading into it, but was hoping for some real pros and cons from some of you guys. Anybody take out in the bay? Landed big fish from it? I'm hurting for a peddle drive, just not ready to drop 2500$+
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Bummer, just sold my team 2017 Hobie Outback for $2300. That's not quite $2500, is it?
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I've been thinking of going peddle, and the price point and abilities of this kayak seen great. I've been reading into it, but was hoping for some real pros and cons from some of you guys. Anybody take out in the bay? Landed big fish from it? I'm hurting for a peddle drive, just not ready to drop 2500$+
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Bummer, just sold my team 2017 Hobie Outback for $2300. That's not quite $2500, is it?
Lemon in the wound my friend..lol
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i rented one for the day i liked it compared to my revo13, the rudder dose take some fidling, it is as fast as the revo, the seat is awsome, and standing up and peeing is the greatest, i like to open bow, now you have to stay out of the weeds for sure it will ball up bad, and the instant reverse is great too, i would say over all great
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Thanks guys for the replies, waiting till taxes come in to pull the trigger. Gonna go get a demo in and see how she goes. Feeling good about it after reading all your comments
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Just got the pilot, thanks again folks. Took it to berryessa and she ran great. Couple corks to fan out but what's ever perfect..lol
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Deciding to either buy a pilot or a compass...hmmm.
Conundrum.
Any thoughts on the two?
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Deciding to either buy a pilot or a compass...hmmm.
Conundrum.
Any thoughts on the two?
Your more than welcome to come demo my pilot. It's been great so far, and for the price for a peddle drive it's great. Putting it together was a bit of a chore, the drive needed some fiddling to allow out to easily go from zero drag to deployed and its a bit loud sometimes when peddling. No real hull storage Which makes storage and modifications a bit hard. The rudder is stiff and could use work.. and as all have said the rod holders are useless. I'm putting some yak attacks in their place. But that's just the cons, in my opinion the pros still out weigh. It tracks well, quick, light, great layout, easy to paddle, the drive is solid cast aluminium and holding up great with the salt, and affordable! And I'm 6' 4" and still comfy enough to put 7 mi down on the Napa river with a rod in one hand and a beer in the other! Let me know if you ever want to give it a whirl.
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There is a pilot owners group on Facebook. I highly recommend joking it as there is some great info on it. As far as the pedal noise, most of it can be alienated from putting an extra washer on the main pin that holds in the pedal unit. The washer takes up the tiny bit of play that causes the pedal to move while dealing. The slight movement is what causes the noise.