Pedal or Paddle

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

I only polish two nails. The middle fingers of my right and left hands. Here..let me show ya. Take a good look from the dark side  

Pedal or Paddle, it don't matter. Just get out there whenever wherever 

....just don't forget your paddle...and that goes for the Hobie guys too 

Who cares? What ever gets you stoked, cool.

Z

Spare the Paddle...Spoil the Child. We've heard it all before.

I'm with Zee who cares as long as it floats your boat.

I did think the the evolution argument was interesting though maybe they really did evolve from the dark side.
Luke I am your Father

Some people drive American. Some drive Japanese.   What gets you on the water to fish and enjoy yourself is THE WORD! Dont get caught up in someones drama about the paddle being the best. hahahaha To each their own!

Well said Craig.  I never intended my survey to become a battle place.  As far as I'm concerned, a yak is a yak and it's all about getting on the water and fishing.

Martin

Martin
I dont see a battle field thread but a very timely and informative one.
1 in 4 riding hobies only.
Your thread also reveals more folks going to a mirage driven craft without any other kayak experience.
Ive always been a little creeped out by this.

Who cares? What ever gets you stoked, cool.
Z

We've heard it all before.

As far as I'm concerned, a yak is a yak and it's all about getting on the water and fishing.

So,  this is how the darkside works. deflection?
I am a little disappointed.
I was hoping for an intelligent counter point from the mirage camp.
Please dont think Im not a Hobie fan. Their SUP line is bordering porn and I know too well the pleasures and the power of the mirage drive.
All that thrusting is hot.
I am also  believer that they have created the next evolution in kayaking and will continue to do so.
I just believe that the kayaker should evolve as well.

The "battlefield" is out there, in the water. Water doesnt recognize our warm and fuzzy intentions and I promise you, it does not care how stoked we are.
Aginst this elemental force we will not win. But    We can ride.
The time will come when it is nothing about fishing and everything about swim prevention. Is the pedaler ready?
Everybody swims, but everybody doesnt have to swim everytime.
Unless you have photographic reflexes, the pedaler may find that has not a clue when its time to be either a kayaker or a swimmer.

"once you enter the wave, you lose all of your constitutional rights"
                                                                                           C. Addison
and the late Dr J McDonald had taught me that
"Its not enough to do your best, but you must prepare to be the best."

they both felt applicable here

enough of my rantings
but
I recently went head to head with the primary agent of "the darkside"
and after narrowly escaping unharmed I was again reminded that even Vader was once Jedi.
Just something to think about

So,  this is how the darkside works. deflection?
I am a little disappointed.
I was hoping for an intelligent counter point from the mirage camp.

The time will come when it is nothing about fishing and everything about swim prevention. Is the pedaler ready?
Everybody swims, but everybody doesnt have to swim everytime.
Unless you have photographic reflexes, the pedaler may find that has not a clue when its time to be either a kayaker or a swimmer.

"once you enter the wave, you lose all of your constitutional rights"
                                               

enough of my rantings

I don't know about everybody else but I didn't buy the Hobie to surf waves on. That's what the surfboards are for. Entering and exiting the ocean is mostly about timing. If you miss time it you will be crushed no matter your craft and as long as I don't lose my catch I don't mind getting wet from time to time.
As far as 'swim prevention' goes what I've found about the Hobies is having two different drives, paddle & pedal, having a rudder, and having both the drive fins and rudder down deep in the water are all safety features that some paddle yaks don't have. You don't realize the added stability until you go to self rescue and find out exactly how much harder it is to roll these with the turbo fins & sailing rudder in the water. Just like a sailboat's keel. And don't forget about what muscles are stronger legs or arms? Average joe kayak fisher IS safer because of the pedal drive. There's several published instances of Hobie kayaks towing in various paddle kayaks after their occupants became spent and needed assistance getting in against heavy winds when they were losing ground with their paddles acting like little sails.
As for swimming in I reckon when the kayak fills up enough the paddle and peddle people will be in for the same swim.
I'm pretty sure AOTY winners Zee, fellow surfer, and 02B, lifelong waterman, will beat most 'paddlers' to the beach.....
Both on & out of the yak.

But hey.....don't let a little 'deflection' keep ya'll from romancing your paddles. 

This thread is taking on a religious tone 

I have the luxury of choosing between the two when I go out.  While I'd probably choose to pedal for trolling, and paddle if I feared I might get caught in some slop, mostly it just depends on how I feel that day.

Go fish!

That's a great photo!

 
   Hydro great picture! 

 1 Hobie Outback, and an inflatable kayak. (Extream adventures I think, it's been a while )

I have one kayak. Hobie Adventure Island.

Kind of the Swiss Army Knife of the kayak world.

Complexity - yes
Frustration - at times
Shear fun - oh yes

This kayak will keep my interest for a long time. It does everything well except tight/shallow work.

 

I would think that a Hobie owner could really make time pedaling and paddling at the same time. 

It's not as useful to do that as you would think....it is nice to be able to paddle when you are tired of pedaling however.

a sail would be even better provided you have wind. 

I have been intently getting to know my Hobie Outback since I got it, and went from fearing every little wave dip to loving the rush of even small lake waves in high wind.  I recall pedaling recently into really high winds, and I was getting soaked with the spray, was the first time for me.  I thought, man - restricted to paddles, I would be adrift.  With my pedals, I was able to enjoy it.  A more experienced yak'er might have been happy either way.  Not dangerous surf I don't think, but new to me. 

I also have been practicing shore line fishing and shore landings, and that's when I have grabbed the paddle, and WOW - suddenly I was in control 100%, not 50% or 80%, but 100%, I was able to make that Hobie do things it never did, and I was able to move in ways I never really thought about until I tried it.  The control was sublime, and the feel was beautiful.  Once back into deeper water, I dropped a line, kicked on the pedals, and man it was time for a sandwich and a drink while I made my way around the lake.  I wish I knew how to paddle better, I think I will end up buying a better quality paddle, I like my paddle, and I like my fins, I don't want one or the other, I want both.  Why settle? I get both camps arguments, I feel them both, I enjoy them both to a degree, why settle?