Advice on Kayak Choices

[Wookie]

Hi Guys its come down to 3 Kayaks Viking Profish 45 with electric motor, Hobie Adventure, or Hobie Revulotion. They are all nice looking and very fishing friendly. I would very much appreciate your comments and views on the above Kayaks. The one thing that might cause me some troubles with the Hobie Adv, Rev is i have a bad knee that some times causes me some problems, but love the hole peddle system on the Hobie Adv, Rev. Regarding the Viking Kayak Profish 45 its setup and design its great and throw on a electric motor its a great fishing outfit. Any feed back would be great. Wookie

[fishyman]

all good options mate

i was in the position of you regarding profish vs revo exept no leccy. i chose profish because well i need the upper body workout :blush: and the fact that ill have a nice fishing boat so the yak mainly will be used in tight creeks and dams.

to fully kit out a hobie with sounder etc etc looking at abotu 3000. i recomend you go for ST fins and sailign rudder if you go the peddle option though.

The profish has an awesome layout for fishing just have to use a bit of arm muscle in my case or leccy motor to get her going.

we own a hobie outback and a profish and love both.

Up to you mate, have fun

[Wookie]

I might just have to have both Ha Ha, I am just looking for the right set up for me, some bay work, rivers and dams. The more I look into the Hobie range I like them but the old war injury might cause me some grief. As for the Viking Australian made and well thought out. thanks for your reply

[Angus]

Well i am not going to beat around the bush.

I deal in Vikings and i can give you a deal if you want one...

AFO members get good deals on vikings with me but the other brands i have no say on...

Regards

Angus

[Terry H]

Wookie i would recommend Hobie Revolution. You can still easily paddle this yak if your knee starts to play up. The mirage drive is easy to take out to give you that extra leg room/comfort to paddle with.

Excluding the pedal system, I think the layout of the hobie revo is far superior. That's for my type of fishing, which ranges from fresh water creeks and dams to saltwater creek, bays and offshore through surf launches.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but I think for my use, the Profish has some very fundamental "flaws" which greatly detracts from it.

I would highly recommend the revo or adventure.

[pcsolutionman]

Mate I had a Tempo with a leccy on it and never again, Its just too much gear to carry around, the battery and leccy weight a ton. I now have a hobie Adventure and love it, its great offshore and in open waters and i even take it into some very skinny water however if you are going to prodomanantly fishing sheltered waters Id look at the Revo. I only went the Adventure Cause im 6'5" tall and it has a longer and wider cockpit. The mirrage drive is so light and easy to install

Lee

[fishyman]

interesting terry, i cant disagree because i agree revo is a top craft and will probably be my first self bought yak.

would you care to elaborate on these flaws, im intertested in what an experienced yakker like yourself has to say?

[Wookie]

Thanks mate but already been talking to Alex, did not know you sold Vikings sorry. Alex is doing me a quote for 1 Profish 45, 1 Nemo and 4 Stringray. I have 4 kids at home but 6 all together. I also work with kids/young adults with special needs, so I am getting my guide ticket so I can take them for a paddle/fishing program. Thank again for reply

[Wookie]

I am tall as well 6/2 and 115kg of muscle Ha Ha, so I need the leg room as well. Love the Hobie look and features but have a knee that plays up some times:S . But like what was said before you have a paddle as well.

[Terry H]

fishyman and other profish owners: You might be able to correct me here, I haven't really paddled with a profish, and I'm sure some things can be rectified with later modifications

Storage.

Going offshore I'd like everything to be in a sealed form of storage. In my revo that's rods going inside the hull. afaik the profish has that little hull hatch at the back. Can you fit rods in there? Even if you can - to me it looks to be at a very awkward and not a very realistic position to access out on the water.

Carry handles. I think angus said you can install these, but seriously I think they're mandatory. I'm not talking about the 2 handles at front and back, I don't have a 14ft arm span.

Layout of the centre cockpit. I'm not really going to include this, because I haven't sat in a profish to feel it - guys at kayak camp, I'd love to sit in a profish for 5 minutes to see how this is:) but I think it looks uncomfortable,. I guess I'm use to a more 'open' cockpit where things aren't 'cluttered' in between my legs

Load capacity. Again, not really that big of an issue for me personally since I'm only getting up to 70kg... but for bigger guys, Wookie not sure how big you are mate but considering you're looking at getting a leccy it might be of concern to you - vikings website says "approx 130kg" for capacity. I know some guys wouldn't be able to catch a big fish without going over this "approx 130kg" limit.

Some smaller nit pickings:

No rudder - how much does this cost to install?

Sorry if I appear to be taking a very biased punch at the profish, obviously guys are very happy with their purchase. It's just not ideal for me.

[Terry H]

Wookie: If you're 115kg, then keep in mind some of those batteries can be 30kg.

That's 145kg, and you're 15kg over vikings specified load capacity, and you've only got yourself and a battery sitting in the yak.

[fishyman]

TerryH wrote:

fishyman and other profish owners: You might be able to correct me here, I haven't really paddled with a profish, and I'm sure some things can be rectified with later modifications

Storage.

Going offshore I'd like everything to be in a sealed form of storage. In my revo that's rods going inside the hull. afaik the profish has that little hull hatch at the back. Can you fit rods in there? Even if you can - to me it looks to be at a very awkward and not a very realistic position to access out on the water.

Carry handles. I think angus said you can install these, but seriously I think they're mandatory. I'm not talking about the 2 handles at front and back, I don't have a 14ft arm span.

Layout of the centre cockpit. I'm not really going to include this, because I haven't sat in a profish to feel it - guys at kayak camp, I'd love to sit in a profish for 5 minutes to see how this is:) but I think it looks uncomfortable,. I guess I'm use to a more 'open' cockpit where things aren't 'cluttered' in between my legs

Load capacity. Again, not really that big of an issue for me personally since I'm only getting up to 70kg... but for bigger guys, Wookie not sure how big you are mate but considering you're looking at getting a leccy it might be of concern to you - vikings website says "approx 130kg" for capacity. I know some guys wouldn't be able to catch a big fish without going over this "approx 130kg" limit.

Some smaller nit pickings:

No rudder - how much does this cost to install?

Sorry if I appear to be taking a very biased punch at the profish, obviously guys are very happy with their purchase. It's just not ideal for me.

fair enough criticism mate, i am aswell worried about rod storage. i will probably make a new opening in the front somewhere when the well covers come out to accomodate this.

comfortability wise yeah its fine, IMO hobie seats are more comfy but having the well there isnt a hassle.

[fishyman]

load capacity pfft when you look like me thats no problem hahah.

i just thought of a possible rod storage solution. when the front well covers become available. in the back wall of the front well on each left and right side. cut small approx 4inch diam holes. next step get two waterproof fabric of your choice and cut a slit in each of them appose the slits to make an X attach them to the hole using the same sort of fitting on the hatches now. then apply waterproofing/sealing foam to cover to stop water getting in. plug the scupper holes. and feed rods through tip first until all guides are inside the yak. secure reels down in front well with bungee cord. close the hatch secure and bobs your uncle. no wet reels no damaged rods.

might have to patent that one

[Cowfish13]

Don't think you'll have to, I couldn't get through it with out being confused:lol: (maybe I'm just too tired:silly:)

[Terry H]

cowfish??

Edit; nvm it just clicked - you're on about fishymans rod storage solution :laugh: maybe it is getting late :ohmy:

[Angus]

wookie: its a shame you are not coming to the Kayak camp.

It would be a chance to see all your choices in action

[username_taken]

I've got Lee's old Tempo with the electric in it. I rarely take the electric with me as it does add a lot of weight, especially the battery. Although if I want to go somewhere and do a ton of lazy trolling it comes in handy.

I love the tempo, is a great platform. However I do see the advantages of the hobie pedal system. I'd suggest sticking with the viking family if you're getting so many kayaks, The more you support the one brand the more they'll support you, and believe me Viking give great support.

I broke a carry handle ( had worn it down by using it as a pivot point to turn the kayak dragging on the ground so wasn't a warranty issue ) and I went to see Alex to buy a new one and he gave me two of them for free. This is for a kayak I bought second hand, so Viking haven't see a cent from me.

Service like that really means something to me.