To Pedal Or To Paddle ? That Is The ? I Ask All Of You ...

They both have their advantages but..... After owning a couple paddle yaks, ocean kayak & cobra, my next yak will be a hobie. The handsfree advantages the hobie brings against wind & current are overwhelming. I'll get my upper body work-out in the gym. I like Abking's "maybe someday I'll peddle when I'm old". That's what I used to say about fishing. Oh, wait a minute, I am old now. jim

Old? According to your profile, you're only 2 years old!

That's mental age, not actual.

That's mental age, not actual.

Hmmm, I might have to change mine then.

I'm somewhat convince that a Hobie might be the right kayak for me too.  But, how about launching when the surf is rough.  Wouldn't it be easier pedaling and paddling at the same time with a Hobie when going through the surf?

You can't put the mirage drive in until after you launch and the kayak is floating in the water or you could break the drive. jim

You can't put the mirage drive in until after you launch and the kayak is floating in the water or you could break the drive. jim

I'm somewhat convince that a Hobie might be the right kayak for me too.  But, how about launching when the surf is rough.  Wouldn't it be easier pedaling and paddling at the same time with a Hobie when going through the surf?

That all depends on where you launch.  If your launching on rocks, no, you wouldn't want the drive in. But launching on sand, sure why not!  BUT using the pedals FOR the launch, not so good since your body is angled backwards and you need to be able to shift your weight forward to punch through waves.

Coming back in, same thing.  I wouldn't pedal power the whole way in, since you will need balance and your paddle to correct and brace.  But you can get close if you know what your doing.

I remember trying to pedal and paddle at the same time, it felt kind of like doing a funky dance. So I tried it again out on the water for kicks. Think my second or third time trying.. and lo and behold it felt much more doable. Try to get it on film if you decide to try it through rough surf!

Mentioned several times above already its about the individule I could barely keep up with Sonny while he peddled . But for me raising my legs in that position with my back gets uncomfortable quick. I`m all shoulders so paddling  is good for me.

That's a question only you can answer.

demo-demo-demo

With enough rod holders, I don't see the need for the pedal drive, myself.

My first kayak was the Hobie Outback. I love the hands free when fishing the bay
and the delta. I bought the T13 primarily for ocean fishing because I did not want
to have to worry about the drive system when launch and landing the surf. If I am
not mistaken, most people here have both for the same reason.

Jedmo

I recently got my first kayak, a (used) Hobie Outback.  So far I love it but I think I will get a paddle kayak too.  I love the speed, the stability and my hands free for fishing.   Hands free for fishing is especially nice in the current.    Some of the things I don’t like are in very thick weeds the drive is basically useless.  It also is less maneuverable than a kayak with a paddle.  You have to be aware the drive is down there.  And last it has a lot more parts and thus more things to break.   Now beings as you also carry a paddle most of these things can be pretty minor annoyances. 

I was in Shasta County last week and went on Baum Lake.  It was so weed infested that I had a hard time using the drive.  I carried the kayak over to Crystal Lake (right next to Baum Lake) and it was great.  Easy to peddle, thousands of ducks, a few nice bucks, and the lake all to myself.   I am already trying to figure out how to set the Hobie up for duck hunting. 

I took the kayak over to Lake Britton  and caught  a 5 gallon buck full of crawdads.  Caught a few crappie.  All and all it was a lot of fun.  So far I have been very happy with the kayak.