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Posted

Hello all.

Typically when I go fishing, I go with my housemate - we are both female - so we need to be able to lift the kayak on to the roof of a RAV4 and secure it.

Am thinking seriously about getting a pedal Hobie for fishing and to get some exercise in.

There might be times where we just go out for a paddle - minus the fishing gear.

One of the main factors I am concerned about is the weight, as lifting 45kg's will be quite hard.

Does anyone have a view as to if tandem or 2*single kayaks would be better? and reasons?

Cheers all

Posted

Personally I'd go for 2 singles... and get the trolleys with wheels to pull them along to launch them. You can get a tool which helps load the kayaks ontop of your car too, I'll send you the link in a PM.

The reason I'd go for 2 singles is just more freedom, if one of you wants to go alone for the day then its half the hassle, also while having 2 singles you can still fish together... just you'd be in separate crafts.

Now if $$$ is an issue then get a double, then you wont have to worry about 2x sounders, 2x anchors etc although you can pick that up for cheap.

Find a dealer and have a test drive of a tandem with both of you and alone, see how you go if its comfortable with only 1 person in it.

Posted

I'd agree with Teflon, the girlfriend and I had the same conversation and the versatility of having two singles won out. Tried out a mates tandem and it's a bugger on your own, guess it depends on your situation whether it will always be tandem or if you'll want to go alone.

Also depends on fishing style, harder to maneuver a big tandem in tight country.

Posted

Thanks for this. Assuming 2 single kayaks then. Would you get 2 of the same model? To make it fair in terms of dynamics?

No trailer for me thanks. A trailer is what scares me the most about owning a boat. Needing to be able to drive it without damaging property and then also being able to load and launch a boat. :)

Posted

Trailers are easy once you get used to it... it doesnt take long! I self launch my tinny and retrieve without any issues unless its really windy!

As for two of the same - thats all up to the owners preference. Hobies can have all sorts of gadgets that aren't standard. I'd recommend going to try one out with some additions on it, see what makes you comfortable while fishing! Take your house mate also if one is hers! Fit the Kayak to the owner!

Ed

Posted

There are many advantages of having two seperate kayaks, rather than a "bicycle built for two".

Getting two yaks of the same brand and even the same model just may get you a reasonable discount. You do need to shop around, though. It also makes outfitting them easier and cheaper as you know exactly what you'll need for the second one after you outfit the first, if you are going to use the same accessories.

As Witha and Tef1on alluded to, having two singles also gives you much more freedom and ease to do your own thing if your friend cannot accompany you. Also, a single will be smaller than a tandem, allowing you to get into places that would otherwise be too awkward in a tandem.

Posted

Thank you all for the wise words. We will be going for 2 single kayaks now. Am currently researching roof racks and lifting aids etc. Just looking on youtube and it is amazing the types of contraptions people have built to be able to lift those kayaks up onto the roof. Makes me wonder if I need to change cars now before I buy (or build) all of that roof racky stuff....

Have been shopping around and 2nd hand is quite appealing at the moment, as often the kayaks are fully kitted out and hence alot cheaper.... any thoughts on if 2nd hand if is a good idea or not?

Does anyone have an opinion on stability versus speed/performance for a kayak? I was looking at the revolution 11 versus the outback versus the sport. Have ruled out all of the pro angler models because of weight.

Posted

Always test before you buy 2nd hand!!!

Posted

+1 on Tef1on's suggestion.

As for stability vs performance, it might be my age speaking, but while you obviously don't want a yak that's going to perform like an inner tube, stability would have to be my main issue. I think performance is overemphasised. But as I said, that's just me. After all, I got a kayak to fish, not to race or get fit (perish the thought!). Being a cheap and cheerful, my yak doesn't have pedals, or a rudder, but I do have an electric motor. That gets me to the general vicinity without effort. Then I can manuoever to my chosen spot with the paddle. Stabilty also means stealth, an important factor when targeting fish like flathead, whiting, etc. Also, I like staying reasonably dry when I go out. Falling in might be OK for some, but unless it a REALLY hot day, not for me.

Posted

Thanks for all of this information. It has been a big help. I have had a first hand look at the Hobie's now and for me it is all about working out what solution to get for loading and unloading them. There are plenty out there which is great. Thanks for the earlier link tef1on.

Posted

Thanks for all of this information. It has been a big help. I have had a first hand look at the Hobie's now and for me it is all about working out what solution to get for loading and unloading them. There are plenty out there which is great. Thanks for the earlier link tef1on.

Where abouts did you check out the Hobies? I'm also thinking of getting a single Yak for myself but have no idea apart from a place in Taren Point I think of where to actually see them in the flesh and to check out the add-ons too.

Posted

Re: new vs second hand - for the hobies the new seats are much better. There are a lot on the market at the moment as people upgrade but the new seat is a big improvement, and I can see the difference the new deck makes between my dads 2010 and 2015 outback. That said, a fully kitted out older model is still a good kayak, especially if you can get it loaded with accessories for about the same price.

Posted (edited)

And to close this one out.... we ended up with 2 hobie sports (2014 models).

And to cart them around 2 sets of JBars onto roof racks - all Thule.

I do have a concern about someone potentially stealing my JBars while I am out with the Kayak - feedback from other Kayakers is that this is unlikely, but I'm going to either take them off and lock them in the car or better to chain them to the roof rack to make them unattractive to thieves (plus change the nuts so that it thieves would need to have a spanner on hand to remove them.

So if you see two ladies out in bright papaya (yellow) kayaks - that will be us! Don't forget to say hello and introduce yourselves!

Edited by dynabolt
Posted (edited)

Thanks and Sure pm for details
1750 for the kayak plus PFD plus wheels to move the kayak around. I believe they only have a couple left and they are red in colour.

We chose yellow to be very visible on the water and had read elsewhere the colours like blue/olive are more prone to being 'bumped' by large marine animals (sharks).

Whilst a 2014 model, they are brand new and cheaper than 2nd ones on sale via the likes of Gumtree and eBay.

Edited by mrsswordfisherman
Bisiness removed - please pm the poster for info
  • 1 month later...
Posted

"colours like blue/olive are more prone to being 'bumped' by large marine animals (sharks)." - I wish I thought about that before I got my olive hobie...

I got the outback which is i think 32kg without gear. Originally using the Rack and roll on a coralla sedan to load/unload but then got the thule hullavator which is a side lifter to save my back. It doesn't fit perfectly as the outback is quite wide (so it would be good to check width prior) but as long as you strap it down correctly it does the job, particularly if you're loading solo and finding it difficult.

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