Your favorite pedal kayaks

i havent sold out yet but age and lack of fitness are are setting in? there are a lot of different propulsion kayaks on the market now. seal fins/ propeller jobs etc. what do you guys prefer? cant deny that propulsion is way easier for salmon trolling which is my main game. all about covering territory.

please advise,

j

i havent sold out yet but age and lack of fitness are are setting in? there are a lot of different propulsion kayaks on the market now. seal fins/ propeller jobs etc. what do you guys prefer? cant deny that propulsion is way easier for salmon trolling which is my main game. all about covering territory.

please advise,

j

Re welcome...I'm finding that drifting for salmon works as well though the days can be long...trolling does catch, probably better odds as well but it's a whole different workout from my lazy lengthened days...all I'm sayin' is you don't need to troll to catch salmon...

Old town PDL drive works very well for me, thugh I consider myself a paddler not pedaler.  Rudder works good too Just ask my Landlord.

bushy

Revo 13 is my favorite if I had to chose one hobie 

Revo 13.

For covering distance, I don't think you'll do better than Hobie...

When I first started looking at pedal kayaks, I was dead set on a Native Slayer propel. I am (was) and avid cyclist and rode 180-200 miles per week so I just knew that the bicycle style would feel natural to me and I pretty much dismissed the Hobies because I didn’t like the ‘stair stepper’ motion.  But being the thorough person I am, I did my due diligence and checked them all out.   I pedaled the Slayer, spent a lot of time in an old town pdl and then rented a couple hobies for a day before I finally bought.  I am sure glad I tried them all.  In my opinion, there is no comparison in speed and efficiency between a bicycle style and the Hobies. I was in great shape back then but the bicycle style drives tired me way faster than the Hobies.  The propeller drives of the bicycle style feel like you are pedaling a bike through mud.  There is an unnatural pause at the bottom of the pedal stroke probably due to the resistance of the water on the prop.  It is not like pedaling a bike at all.  Another thing I noticed is that you can glide in the Hobie.  The fins don’t provide much resistance to the glide where the prop almost acts like a brake when you stop pedaling.  After long days in both types I was always more tired in the bicycle style than the Hobie.  Obviously you can see where I stand but I would recommend you do the same thing I did.  Do a bit of driving and try as many as you can.  I’m sure that there are people on here that would be more than happy to meet you out for some fishing and let you take theirs for a spin.  If you are ever in the Fresno area, I never need much of an excuse to make a run up to shaver for some Kokanee.  Just my 2cents.   

Right about the pedal driven prop vs Hobie push push pedal system. The only bike pedal system I am now interested in is the one Rick Willoughby, an Australian engineer, developed for fast pedaling kayaks and they are fast. It consists of a right angle drive, clip in pedals , and a flexible cable drive that goes off the side of the craft with prop on the end. Prop seeks it's own depth under propulsion so nothing under water like a shaft to cause drag. If you google his name you will find all the info you need to build the system. His hulls are very narrow and long with out riggers for support. One of his "kayaks" held the record of 245 kilometers in 24 hours on , I believe a northwest or Canadian lake but was surpassed by a surfski a year or two later.

When I first started looking at pedal kayaks, I was dead set on a Native Slayer propel. I am (was) and avid cyclist and rode 180-200 miles per week so I just knew that the bicycle style would feel natural to me and I pretty much dismissed the Hobies because I didn’t like the ‘stair stepper’ motion.  But being the thorough person I am, I did my due diligence and checked them all out.   I pedaled the Slayer, spent a lot of time in an old town pdl and then rented a couple hobies for a day before I finally bought.  I am sure glad I tried them all.  In my opinion, there is no comparison in speed and efficiency between a bicycle style and the Hobies. I was in great shape back then but the bicycle style drives tired me way faster than the Hobies.  The propeller drives of the bicycle style feel like you are pedaling a bike through mud.  There is an unnatural pause at the bottom of the pedal stroke probably due to the resistance of the water on the prop.  It is not like pedaling a bike at all.  Another thing I noticed is that you can glide in the Hobie.  The fins don’t provide much resistance to the glide where the prop almost acts like a brake when you stop pedaling.  After long days in both types I was always more tired in the bicycle style than the Hobie.  Obviously you can see where I stand but I would recommend you do the same thing I did.  Do a bit of driving and try as many as you can.  I’m sure that there are people on here that would be more than happy to meet you out for some fishing and let you take theirs for a spin.  If you are ever in the Fresno area, I never need much of an excuse to make a run up to shaver for some Kokanee.  Just my 2cents.   

I have a very similar story - used to ride more than 100 miles/week through the Oakland hills and beyond.  Thought for sure that a cycling motion with propeller would be best for me, but everyone talks so much about the Hobie drive I figured there was definitely a reason for it.  I didn't buy a Hobie, but a Pelican (Hobie clone - I'm broke, haha).  Very happy with the motion. 

I think seating position, immersion gear, and general nature of where we fish makes a Hobie type drive better.  Maybe calmer, warmer places a prop drive might work better?  Thinking back bay fishing in the gulf or inland lakes. 

---- Edit: Added more content -----

2019+ Hobie Outback if you want stability and space.  2015+ Hobie Revo 13 if you want lighter kayak and faster (compared to the Outback), but it has limited space (which in my opinion is good so you only bring only what you need).  Revo16 for super speed.  Speed is good to outrun incoming weather or just leisurely trolling for salmon.  Speed is related to hull design, so choose wisely.
Alternatively, you can hang a motor on the side on the outback like I did (see the Hobie section for motor mount installation).

A suggestion, JeffW: change the title of your post to "Your favorite pedal kayaks."

A suggestion, JeffW: change the title of your post to "Your favorite pedal kayaks."

my vote is Revo 13 for trolling/long days  compass for more stability and room

Revo 16/Adventure w/ sailing rudder for trolling & covering ground. Revo 13 w/ sailing rudder for vertical jigging.

used both propel systems.
only advantage I see with prop style is instant reverse.

I like the Hobie pedal system, less tiring. Sold an Outback, now have PA14-360.
Me being 6-2" & 220-lbs, Went for more payload capacity, stability. Occasionally my big Labrador goes along too, sitting in back cargo area.
Tradeoff is heavier weight PA, 40-lbs more than Outback so not as ez to paddle out thru surf.
will motorize this beast soon.

Revo13 …