How are Hobie Pro Anglers for our NorCal oceans?

I'm considering this rig.  It's nice but I'm worried how it is launching from the surf and use in our waters considering our waters are much rougher then San Diego.  Here's the info on it.  Btw, this would be my first yak.

http://www.bdoutdoors.com/forums/threads/hobie-pro-angler-tons-of-modifications.532728/

That's a LOT of cash to throw down for it being your first kayak.  I'd demo one locally first.

I've got a PA and launching and landing is probably not much different with the PA than any other kayak.  You have to time it and practice.  With that said, the PA is more in line with fresh water lakes and larger rivers than it is ocean or smaller rivers.  One of the biggest problems is getting it down to the water to launch.  They are heavy and while there is a wheelez cart designed specifically for the PA, it's still not easy if there is a grade to drag it back up to the parking lot.  If your primary fishing is going to be ocean, you may want to demo one. 

****EDIT****
After reviewing the ad, you need to be sure all that electronics are not only waterproof, but saltwater proof.  Salt is hell on that sort of stuff.  That seat is way overkill and I'd replace it pronto if it were me. Same with those lights.  Just trying to climb in and out of that thing in surf is going to be very difficult.  If you are set on getting a PA, get a stripped one and modify it for YOUR needs.  That looks too 'bassy' to be a saltwater kayak.  My opinion for what it's worth.

Oh, and I've found a trailer to get the beast up and down launch ramps will be appreciated. Here's a photo of my trailer; a modified single jetski trailer. 

The electronics are all both salt and water proof from what the owner told me.  He built it to fish the paddy's of SoCal for yellowtail and sea bass.  The reason I'm considering it is he is willing to give me a great deal and take partial trade for a few of my reels.

That's starting to look more like a boat than a kayak. Are they heavy?

Man, I never get tired of looking at your rig Jerry!  Very nice set-up!

*End thread jack*

That is a LOT of money for a used Hobie, regardless of the modifications. And it's not local; so no chance to test ride it to make sure that all the modifications even work.

We'll the seller is willing to sell it for about $3500 and I'm in SoCal this next week for Fred Hall show so ill be able to check it out if I wanted.  Is that still too much for this rig?

I think it is, considering it is 3 years old. Brand new is around $3000, last time I looked.

Used PA14's with the older, non Vantage, style of seat can go for less than $2000. I'm thinking about getting a PA12 at some point but I definitely wouldn't want to get a used PA that was made any heavier with led lights, a power boat chair, etc. PA's are already heavy enough. As far as how they are for Norcal ocean fishing I know of several guys that use their PA's up here to jig for rf & lings as well as troll for salmon. That being said the PA's higher center of gravity & wider/slower hull are a tradeoff for the extra deck space & comfort.

I can tell just looking at the pics and not even reading the ad its a monster.I've had that year pa.but with all that stuff and a car battery good luck with moving that thing around on and off the water. As for a first kayak you really should go and see one in person, a stock one then factor in all the additional weight.maybe you could get skipro to build you a trailer if you get it.one problem I had in the salt was when the swells was coming I kept getting caught in between them and was hard to paddle through.otherwise its a very comfortable craft on the water if your not in a hurry to get anywhere

I love my PA it rages the ocean mtn lakes whatever... The stability is unmatched.But it is heavy. My focus is always on ways too keep it light. It wheels nice. That pa for sale is too modded... buy a demo & rig it yourself thats half the fun.. Everyone likes a different setup

           A kayak is much more practical. 

I have the newer 14' PA with the vantage seat...I love it. Its not a speed demon, but it is very stable. I can go all day and have had many 10+ hour fishing trips into it including many on out on the ocean. Its hull is kinda like a dual pontoon setup with a gap between the 'pontoons' for the drive system. I am very dry even out in the ocean as it does have nice and high gunwales and the seat has 2 height positions...My feeling about this hull is I wish the bow raked better and was higher out of the water (for the ocean) and as it is more wide and more flat then an ocean kayak's 'V' hull it will reach a point where it will flip quickly and all at once...not being as predictable as a 'V' hull design which would move better in the water when it gets nasty...I have seen videos where this happens with the PA 14' in nasty water...this boat will go all at once (not very forgiving)...so just dont go out when its nasty and choppy (who would do that anyway?). It takes swells fine and is fun out in the ocean...Tons of storage in this baby...its a fishing machine...you have to stay on the rudder constantly as its tracking isn't the greatest, but I'm just used to this. So much space to work in too...no crowding, no cramped feeling...lots of gearing options...I highly recommend this boat, but I would opt for the newer vantage seating...BTW the webbing on my vantage seating is pulling apart in 2 places....I've seen this reported a few times...still waiting to get the new webbing for the seat...

-Murf

Get a Revo 13 if you want to do surf launches..