Hobie PA vs. Old Town Bigwater. I've Owned Both. Pro's and Con's of 2 Amazing Kayaks.

[@Michagan_outdoorsman_James]

i have a predator pdl and i really want a hobie PA just so i can fish one or the other depending on my mood i recon lol. i was fortunate enough to find a nice well maintained pre 2020 predator with the aluminum rudder and whatnot, but it came with a trailer too cant tell you how grateful i am for that. hope you been keeping the line tight and tearing them fish up

[@kevinpayne2903]

Kyle I’ve got a sportsman pdl 120 currently and looking to get a pa12/14 with 360. The only concern I have is stability. Is there that much difference? On a windy day with bass boats zooming by I definitely want a boat that will not flip as easily.

[@kylelongfishing]

The short answer is no...there isn't much of a difference. They are both super stable. However, it does feel a little different because you sit up much taller in a Hobie. At first it feels a little tippier than the 120 just due to center of gravity being elevated. But you'll get used to that fairly quickly and that secondary stability is just as good as Old Town.

[@johnboling8616]

Nice video with useful, real world application info. Good luck in the new rig!

[@danielperryfishing3046]

Made the same exact move this week. From a Big Water to a PA14. Thanks for the video.

[@kylelongfishing]

Have you been in it enough yet to find a similar thing yet? It took me a couple trips but I also know there’s some folks that like the PDL drive better. 🤷‍♂️. Thanks for watching sir.

[@danielperryfishing3046]

@@kylelongfishing Nah, I really haven’t been in it enough to make a comparison but just from one quick trip I’d agree with everything you said. I think the storage (at least in 14) is much, much better than the Big Water. Gauging your pedal stroke with the mirage drive is definitely going to take some getting used to. And I’m still trying to figure out where to put my paddle lol.

[@kylelongfishing]

@@danielperryfishing3046 yeah I don’t know how many times I’ve slapped the bottom of the boat with the fins. Takes some getting used to for sure. The storage on the 12 is similar to the PDL I think. Just a little easier to manage with the tubs. Have fun!

[@danielperryfishing3046]

@@kylelongfishing Thanks man, you too.

[@55Dag]

I just pick up a pa today. I've been in the predator pdl for 6 yrs. Now I get to rig this one out and go learn a new kayak. Good luck in your tourney. I wish it would've worked for my schedule, I would really like to fish table rock.

[@kylelongfishing]

It's a learning curve but well worth it to me. Good luck!

[@KayakFishingFocus]

Good video Kyle, you won't regret the change.

[@Big_Boy_Yakin]

Biggest thing I miss about my hobie was the insane amount of internal storage. Was definitely spoiled with the 3 hatches with bucket inserts.

[@terrytabor4466]

Thanks for this video in particular. I’ve been searching for an answer to the question of which type drive exerts the least 17:05 strain on my knees and requires the least effort overall. It’s looking like a PA may be my next boat.

[@kylelongfishing]

For me, it’s no contest sir. After a long tournament day where I may go 8-12 miles, I feel less like I got hit by a truck in my Hobie. It’s not magic and it’s still a workout, but for me it’s way easier.

[@terrytabor4466]

@@kylelongfishing, with my knees getting less and less willing to work as they once did, and thanks to this video, my field of contenders is now the Hobie and the Old Town MK 106. Thank you again for producing these very entertaining videos!

[@vxmine]

Great video. I'm in the market for a kayak and I'm steering toward a PA. My current dilemma is whether to get the PA 12 or 14. I'm 6'3", 208. Do you know if the cockpit on the 12 and 14 are the same? My guess is the extra space is used in the storage areas.

[@kylelongfishing]

I'd be lying if I said for sure but I think the cockpit area is similar. I know the front hatch is bigger and the tank well is bigger. Just not super sure about the cockpit.

[@Alohabroha]

Thank you! You echo my sentiments exactly between old town and Hobie. My passport 12 vs a demo sportsman 106 pdl, I felt like it took so much effort to get going and maintain on the old town pdl drive than the Hobie. Mirage drive felt way easier to start, more refined, and required less energy. Lots of factors but when it comes down to it, energy is a limited resource and I prefer to use it fishing instead of traveling from point a to b.

[@kylelongfishing]

I'm glad at least one other person knows what I'm talking about LOL. I was trying to make it make sense about the effort it takes to maintain constant speed without the fatigue factor so I appreciate you saying this. Makes me think I'm not the only one.

[@Alohabroha]

@@kylelongfishing you’re definitely not the only one dude! A few guys talked “around this” before, but no one described it like you. Great fishing channel btw looking forward to more videos. Hanapa’a bro!

[@stonyfloyd1438]

I went from the Predator to the Hobie and absolutely love it! I feel the safety difference is night and day and worth the money Boomer!!!

[@randycreason3399]

In my opinion the predator pdl has better reliability and speed. Hobie has a open layout and a better weight capacity.

[@kylelongfishing]

I’ll agree about the reliability. Hardly ever see Old Towns broke down. I don’t care about speed that much. My target is 4mph for a long period of time. For me the Hobie is easier to maintain over the Old Town.

[@killough71010]

Weight capacity are the same between the big water 132 and pa 12. Both at 500lbs. The pa 14 has 600lbs

[@jackyang828]

Had a pa14 is was slow and alot of resistance on the legs

[@kylelongfishing]

Yeah for me it’s backwards. But both are great platforms.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Stooooopp it…I cannot afford a Hobie 😫😩😭

[@kylelongfishing]

Your boat doesn’t suck lol. I was in Old Town for 4 years before I changed.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

@@kylelongfishing I struggled with the original decision. Just came down to $$.