Debating between a used hobie and a new Old Town Salty PDL

Hey all,

I have been set on getting an Old Town Salty PDL for a while now, mainly for its price point ($2200+tax) and because one of the kayak fisherman youtube channels I follow tends to sing its praises pretty highly (Spilt Milt Productions who fishes out of oregon).

I came across a Hobie Pro angler 14 2017 model for sale locally (~$2000) and I am now trying to weigh my options. Hobie is far and away the leader in this area, but for my situation is this model the best for my use?

I plan to fish and crab out of Humboldt bay and the surrounding waters (Trinidad and maybe shelter cove). I have an SUV so I want to Car top the kayak and don't want to spend the money or effort on an a trailer.

My main hang with the PA is that it is so heavy and large and may be too much for my uses unless I get a trailer, and since its used I have no warranty in case something comes up. The Salty PDL would be new (no one sells them used in the area from what I have seen over the past few months) so I would benefit from the warranty.

Any input from PA users in the salt would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Any PA is nearly impossible to car top, its recommended to trailer if you want to save your back.
The hobie outback is probably the heaviest model I'd consider to cartop.  The 2014-2018s are about 55-60ish lbs and the newer ones are pushing 65-70 lbs.  I had both models and cartop them on my Tacoma with camper shell.  Lifting without much issues unless I have a very long day on the water.

I'm not sure what type of fish you're targeting.  Salmon, tuna, etc that require lots of trolling and moving, then you're probably somewhere between an Outback or Revolution.

If you need deck space, then an Outback or PA is your choices.

If you prefer lightweight, then is Compass or Passport.

My recommending is to demo a few and see which one works for you.  If you're buying new, then I think some places will credit the rental costs into a new purchase price.

Any PA is nearly impossible to car top, its recommended to trailer if you want to save your back.
The hobie outback is probably the heaviest model I'd consider to cartop.  The 2014-2018s are about 55-60ish lbs and the newer ones are pushing 65-70 lbs.  I had both models and cartop them on my Tacoma with camper shell.  Lifting without much issues unless I have a very long day on the water.

I'm not sure what type of fish you're targeting.  Salmon, tuna, etc that require lots of trolling and moving, then you're probably somewhere between an Outback or Revolution.

If you need deck space, then an Outback or PA is your choices.

If you prefer lightweight, then is Compass or Passport.

My recommending is to demo a few and see which one works for you.  If you're buying new, then I think some places will credit the rental costs into a new purchase price.

Didn't consider the after a day on the water loading. Ya, in that case maybe the PA is a bit too much. Thanks for the information.

I've taken plenty of people out who are on PA's.  They're great boats, but the weight is a factor.  Also, if the Mirage drive were to break while offshore, getting a PA back to the launch might be trouble.

A significant number of those who I've taken out with PA's have also had motors.  I've got no problem paddling around with a motorized client all day, and the specific boats and people that I've been around were great - we had a blast and found great success. That said, I look at PA's like little boats - not so much like kayaks.  Put a motor on it and you are firmly in the "you are a powerboater, not a kayaker" realm, in my eyes.  The overall commitment to powering your own boat and being accountable for getting back in safely even with mechanical failure = kayaking.

I'd go Salty PDL, Outback or Revo.

Looking forward to seeing you bust a move on your new ride.   

I've taken plenty of people out who are on PA's.  They're great boats, but the weight is a factor.  Also, if the Mirage drive were to break while offshore, getting a PA back to the launch might be trouble.

A significant number of those who I've taken out with PA's have also had motors.  I've got no problem paddling around with a motorized client all day, and the specific boats and people that I've been around were great - we had a blast and found great success. That said, I look at PA's like little boats - not so much like kayaks.  Put a motor on it and you are firmly in the "you are a powerboater, not a kayaker" realm, in my eyes.  The overall commitment to powering your own boat and being accountable for getting back in safely even with mechanical failure = kayaking.

I'd go Salty PDL, Outback or Revo.

Looking forward to seeing you bust a move on your new ride.   

Ya, I am leaning more towards the Salty or the Outback.

If anyone in the Humboldt area is interested in a Pro Angler 14 for ~2k, lemme know and Ill send you the posting I saw it on.

The new mirage drives are having durability issues.  You can read the reports on the Hobie forum or up in NWKA, and there's no way an Outback weighs as little as Hobie claims and as some have reported in this thread.  My Revo weighed 76 pounds unrigged.  The Outback is ??? heavier.

The new mirage drives are having durability issues.  You can read the reports on the Hobie forum or up in NWKA, and there's no way an Outback weighs as little as Hobie claims and as some have reported in this thread.  My Revo weighed 76 pounds unrigged.  The Outback is ??? heavier.

Get a GT drive, carry a few spare parts, and you should be good.