Pedal or Paddle

OK Prowler 15. My one and only kayak - love that boat.
BUT I'm not that loyal; I'd consider a Hobie.

i know you're waiting for me to croak so i will give you my revo in my will, but sorry, its going to darius.  so you can stop kissing my a** now.

The darkness does seem to be growing and I find comfort in this.
In the not to distant future I will be old, broken,and lame.
The Hobie, or possibly another product, will help me get out on the water.

But for now, Ive still got some Jedi left in me and I can still harness the energy of the water with blades in hand.
No moving parts or rudder. The paddle is my rudder, keel, and sail.
But true paddle agility is not easy and requires some focus and practice.
Im sure this is one of the primary reasons that the darkside is growing.
Paddling skills are also perishable and need to be kept sharp and instinctual.
I dont think it is reasonable to believe that if you spend your season using the mirage drive and suddenly you want to go tackle waves or maybe fish in a river,that you will have the tools to be successful.
Im trying not to preach, just dont deny yourself the pleasure of paddling.
There is a connection to the water that I feel is lost in the moving parts, and the satisfaction of developing a strong brace or an efficient draw or stern rudder ect. will never be experienced.
Again, I do hope to live long enough, enjoy my elder years, troll around a lazy lake holding my wine glass on a Hobie, but not yet.
Im still a kayaker

Paddle. I prefer low tech stuff.

...but I expect I may boat in a Hobie in my later years.
 

Terry, that was beautiful, what you said, and I agree... for the most part.

That said I am very impressed with Hobie in general and am fully expecting the next big breakthrough/boundary push will be accomplished on a Hobie.

The darkness does seem to be growing and I find comfort in this.
In the not to distant future I will be old, broken,and lame.
The Hobie, or possibly another product, will help me get out on the water.

But for now, Ive still got some Jedi left in me and I can still harness the energy of the water with blades in hand.
No moving parts or rudder. The paddle is my rudder, keel, and sail.
But true paddle agility is not easy and requires some focus and practice.
Im sure this is one of the primary reasons that the darkside is growing.
Paddling skills are also perishable and need to be kept sharp and instinctual.
I dont think it is reasonable to believe that if you spend your season using the mirage drive and suddenly you want to go tackle waves or maybe fish in a river,that you will have the tools to be successful.
Im trying not to preach, just dont deny yourself the pleasure of paddling.
There is a connection to the water that I feel is lost in the moving parts, and the satisfaction of developing a strong brace or an efficient draw or stern rudder ect. will never be experienced.
Again, I do hope to live long enough enjoy my elder years, troll around a lazy lake holding my wine glass on a Hobie but not yet.
Im still a kayaker

Amen    Me and my paddle, that's all I need 

Nice Terry I've always thought that Kayaking was a Paddle Sport

My fascination is with the Hobie Islander.  Is it a kayak?  Not really.  But wouldn't it be bitchin to be able to cross the bay in minutes?  Or take to the sea chasing tuna?  IMO it's a game changer that has yet to be utilized to it's fullest potential (in Norcal, anyway).

My fascination is with the Hobie Islander.  Is it a kayak?  Not really.  But wouldn't it be bitchin to be able to cross the bay in minutes?  Or take to the sea chasing tuna?  IMO it's a game changer that has yet to be utilized to it's fullest potential (in Norcal, anyway).

When I originally thought about purchasing a kayak, was to increase my exercise, while enjoying my favorite past time.

Second,  was for individual convenience purposes and for days where a powered boat "might" be too much; and to slow down enough to enjoy the moment.  I read many threads, surf'd the web and spoke with alot of folks; and for my first kayak, paddle was the best fit for my needs. One day, in the near future, I will join the peddle people; but more so I can execise my lower section.

Setup time to get my OK P13 ready for the water look like it will take longer than launching my power boat; what more with the Island Adventure.....

If their ever is a need to make long journeys to and from fishing locations, I can almost guarantee it will be done on a powered boat!.

Mind you, this philisophy is all based on never have been out on the water with my kayak... it may change once I do.... just me thinking out loud....

As a new Hobie owner, I LOVE the pedal system, and it is my first kayak experience.  When I first started researching I considered a pedal kayak a blasphemy of sorts, but I ended up buying one.  Primarily, I wanted some exercise, fishing platform, and relaxing - it more than fits the bill.  When I decide to go full blast across the lake, it always makes me smile at the sheer speed and joy - and not even with turbo fins, that must be totally crazy.  As long as I kayak I will own a Hobie. 

All that being said, if I were to want to river fish or something more white water, for sure, I would want a paddle yak.  In the end, I expect to have both.  There is something beautiful about the sublime perfection of a crafted vessel in the style of ancient times, powered only by man and his simplest of instruments.  However, as with all things, Man is best at evolving, and the Hobie is a fine evolution, poised for more.  Both have a place for me, and both have appeal, as a newbie - both are a great doorway to many mysterious and wonderful adventures. 

The darkness does seem to be growing and I find comfort in this.
In the not to distant future I will be old, broken,and lame.
The Hobie, or possibly another product, will help me get out on the water.

But for now, Ive still got some Jedi left in me and I can still harness the energy of the water with blades in hand.
No moving parts or rudder. The paddle is my rudder, keel, and sail.
But true paddle agility is not easy and requires some focus and practice.
Im sure this is one of the primary reasons that the darkside is growing.
Paddling skills are also perishable and need to be kept sharp and instinctual.
I dont think it is reasonable to believe that if you spend your season using the mirage drive and suddenly you want to go tackle waves or maybe fish in a river,that you will have the tools to be successful.
Im trying not to preach, just dont deny yourself the pleasure of paddling.
There is a connection to the water that I feel is lost in the moving parts, and the satisfaction of developing a strong brace or an efficient draw or stern rudder ect. will never be experienced.
Again, I do hope to live long enough, enjoy my elder years, troll around a lazy lake holding my wine glass on a Hobie, but not yet.
Im still a kayaker

I'm with the noob dude.   

Ten miles trolling for salmon on the ocean is a paddling pleasure - I'd probably get myself in trouble doing 20 on Hobie...

Well said HydroSpider! Even though I am so tired and exhausted from a whole day of yak fishing, it's always satisfying to know that I had a good day of paddling and fantastic day meditating/fishing/spending time otw

 

But for now, Ive still got some Jedi left in me and I can still harness the energy of the water with blades in hand.
No moving parts or rudder. The paddle is my rudder, keel, and sail.

I have never in my life said +1 or X10 or any crap like that. But there's a first for everything.
+1
X10

I would have to totally agree with the paddle crowd here. I'm a long time Sea Kayaker and river boater, and to me there is nothing that compares to being one with your kayak on the water. Surfing, edging, ruddering, I simply could not give these things up no matter what the benefits of pedaling are. Switching from a sit inside to a sit on top was hard enough, but the idea of not having a paddle would be like walking around with no arms.

With that said whenever I use someones Hobie for a lap around the lake I do have a big smile on my face. They are fun, they have their place, just not for me.

The hobie crew like them because they don't chip their nail polish while paddling.

The hobie crew like them because they don't chip their nail polish while paddling.

Sharky, you crack me up