PA14 PROS AND CONS

So I hear the weight is the main issue and I also saw the post about the mirage drive, other than those 2 cons ...

Why would the mirage drive be a con?

Where I fish in the Monterey Bay, there are a lot of Hobies, but it's rare to see a PA---even where a harbor launch is available. If you're worried about stability, I'd say the Outback would likely be a much better choice, and if you want to go faster, then a Revo is the way to go.

Not necessarily a con. There's a thread on here about the (drive shaft? Not sure with the terminology ) Breaking. It's a how to fix it thread.  Not something my rookie ass wants to deal with.

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Bro, if you are a total rookie i would suggest getting solid paddle strokes on a paddle kayak before looking at more complex technologies. don't consume yourself with wanting to take 2 other people on your kayak, or how many rods or how much tackle or how many big fish will fit on your stringer. a sound paddle technique is what we all rely on when new-fangled technology falters - my2centavos

I currently have two Pro Angler 14s.  I have never felt that I was in danger of not making it home due to current or wind while out on the ocean.  I've fished off the Pacific Coast, the Atlantic Coast, The Gulf of Mexico and plenty of fresh water in between.  I've been out in plenty of bad weather over the years and fished tournaments in as much as 35mph wind gusts. 

The only two cons I can see for the Pro Angler boats would be cost and weight.   I do most of my launching from boat ramps and when I hit the ocean I stick to Timber Cove because of the ease of launching there.  Once on the water it's absolutely fantastic to fish from. 

As for speed it may be slightly slower than other kayaks but that's also dependent on your ability and is not just about the kayak itself.  There are plenty of folks that can't keep up with me in a Pro Angler just as there are plenty of folks that I can't keep up with when I'm pedaling one.  I can maintain 4mph for long distances without too much trouble.  Any more speed than that and it's more of a sprint. 

The Pro Angler isn't the perfect vessel for all situations but it's certainly a versatile platform that is more than capable for offshore fishing in the salt without being a liability.

I also have a PA14 and I'll keep it and get other kayaks for those times it's too much.  However, I've only found need of a smaller kayak on rivers that run shallow where any pedal drive is going to to struggle. 

I'm old.  60 this year.  I can handle my PA and roof-top it on my 4x4 when heading out or trailer it if longer trips are in the works.  If folks say they can't horse a PA14 onto their roof, then they probably have some sort of medical or physical reason they can't.  It's heavy, but not THAT heavy.  I can roll it through the dunes with my wheelize.  Not as fast as a light kayak, but I get it done. 

It's slow compared to the other guys I am around on the ocean.  I attribute that to my age, not the kayak per-se.  But this I do know; my leg muscles are alot bigger than my arm muscles.  I can set a pace with my PA that allows me to routinely troll for 10+ miles a day back-to-back.  My arms are free to fish as I troll around.  I've fished with guys with paddle kayaks and it seems it's sort of a compromise with handling a rod and a paddle.  It's done well, but does take coordination whereas my PA is pretty darn easy to keep peddling and set up a rig, run a down rigger, play with my GPS, eat a sammich and never break my stride. 

A few guys don't make any bones about denying that a PA is a kayak.  I don't disagree, but I do respect the opinion and make sure a PA is allowed when entering tournaments.  Even if not, it's still cool to just hang with everyone and fish anyways.  No one has made me feel bad, like I'm a cheater or something, because I have it.  I don't let the type of kayak reflect on me as a person.  It is what it is; a fishing platform that gets me onto the water and especially the ocean in a very safe manner.