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Kayaks: Question about pedal drives?
Sep 12, 2021 09:17:20   #
FS Digest
 
I tested the old town 106 pdl and a Hobie mirage outback yesterday. I liked the old town I tested and it's 1k less than the Hobie, which was also an amazing kayak. The old town pedals were very stiff and seemed to have a lot of resistance when pedaling. Can anyone tell me if that sounds normal, or if it was perhaps the demo model I used? If it is normal or just a side effect of normal use, is there a way to make them less stiff?

If anyone is curious, the Hobie was very easy to pedal, and it was 12 ft as opposed to the old town being a 10 ft.

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by AestheticDestiny

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Sep 13, 2021 11:23:27   #
aldeureaux Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
 
I am interested in seeing the answer in that I have been considering kayak fishing myself, and am no longer a young guy....

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Sep 13, 2021 12:32:01   #
Jeff k Loc: Reading,Pa.
 
My brother has an Old.Town Predator PDL. Used it with pedals in a small lake with weeds and prop got full of weeds. He could not pedal forward or reverse. Had to take motor out to clean leaves out of prop. In clear water it works great

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Sep 13, 2021 14:19:09   #
Cueball076 Loc: Eureka Springs Ark and Joliet ,Illinois.
 
I have a 13ft and 11ft BkC love them and are cheaper old town

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Sep 13, 2021 14:22:59   #
RuffplayOR57 Loc: Klamath Falls, OR
 
FS Digest wrote:
I tested the old town 106 pdl and a Hobie mirage outback yesterday. I liked the old town I tested and it's 1k less than the Hobie, which was also an amazing kayak. The old town pedals were very stiff and seemed to have a lot of resistance when pedaling. Can anyone tell me if that sounds normal, or if it was perhaps the demo model I used? If it is normal or just a side effect of normal use, is there a way to make them less stiff?

If anyone is curious, the Hobie was very easy to pedal, and it was 12 ft as opposed to the old town being a 10 ft.

--
by AestheticDestiny
I tested the old town 106 pdl and a Hobie mirage o... (show quote)

From what I e seen, Hobie should be easier to pedal as the pedal’s just go back and forth, and All other pedal drives are set up like a Bicycle peddle with a propeller, so they go round and round. Weeds and grass will give you problems on the propeller, so I pull mine out of the water when I get into those. I purchased a SeaStream by FeelFree this year. It works great and is very stable& was $1500. The only drawback I have, and knew I would have is the Weight. It’s about 95 lbs so I need some help getting in and out of the Pickup to the water and back. Good luck with your decision.

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Sep 13, 2021 14:27:20   #
icee3 Loc: Sacramento CA
 
FS Digest wrote:
I tested the old town 106 pdl and a Hobie mirage outback yesterday. I liked the old town I tested and it's 1k less than the Hobie, which was also an amazing kayak. The old town pedals were very stiff and seemed to have a lot of resistance when pedaling. Can anyone tell me if that sounds normal, or if it was perhaps the demo model I used? If it is normal or just a side effect of normal use, is there a way to make them less stiff?

If anyone is curious, the Hobie was very easy to pedal, and it was 12 ft as opposed to the old town being a 10 ft.

--
by AestheticDestiny
I tested the old town 106 pdl and a Hobie mirage o... (show quote)


I have an Old Town PDL. Its very easy to peddle and get up to 4mph as long as there is no fishing line or weeds wrapped up behind the propeller. It dosen't take much.

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Sep 13, 2021 14:40:02   #
Larrysbudgetboring
 
Hi, I have a pro angler 12, and several other hobie’s, if you are a person who is fishing a few times a week, and you want the best fishing kayak made right now, it’s the sportsman 120 with auto pilot! Steers with you feet! It cost 3800, new pro angler is 4800. Even a used hobie pro angler is going to run 2500-3500. Both hobie and sportsman are awesome! You should YouTube them and see what would work for you...

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Sep 13, 2021 14:49:35   #
Bob The Fish Loc: Central Florida
 
As a fellow old guy the Hobie was my choice. Also the Hobie has a electric trolling motor that fits in the slot for the peddle. When legs get tired you have extra available to take over as we all get older.
A sail is also available.
I own the pro angler which can carry 600 lbs. and you can stand up to fish or look for signs on fish.

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Sep 13, 2021 15:03:00   #
Ira Jones Loc: UpState NY
 
I've been using a Hobie Mirage Outback for about five years. Lots of miles on it now. It has never let me down in any kind of condition. I've always got back safely yet a bit wet!!
The only complaint I have is that's its heavy when transporting into the back of my truck as I'm in my mid 60's.
Pedals wonderfully in all conditions, very comfortable seat which is very important when out all day.
I feel safe in it all the time. I can stand up when the water is dead calm and fish. There are numerous options you can buy for these as well.
Love trolling with it!!

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Sep 13, 2021 17:19:35   #
FishMonger20 Loc: Michigan/Pennsylvania
 
I own Hobie PA 12 and Old Town 120 PDL. Both are very good kayaks, but with 2 different drive systems. So you should go with what feels best and will cover the situations you fish in. This past weekend I did a 2 day tournament with winds of 20mph and gusts much higher. I had no problems in my Hobie, as it handled the rough water. A lot of Old Towns also did well. I prefer the Hobie for 2 reasons...1. being short you have to be close to the pedals and limits the space between your seat and the drive system. 2. Even though both are 36" wide the design of the Hobie gives me 6" more width inside to stand. Like I said it all comes down to what you are comfortable in.

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Sep 13, 2021 18:48:46   #
Bohanan66 Loc: Ohio
 
icee3 wrote:
I have an Old Town PDL. Its very easy to peddle and get up to 4mph as long as there is no fishing line or weeds wrapped up behind the propeller. It dosen't take much.


I have the 12 foot OldTown PDL and it works great. Easy pedaling. I wish they made a prop with a steeper pitch for more speed, though

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Dec 29, 2023 17:42:16   #
Bob The Fish Loc: Central Florida
 
Buy the Hobie.
You don’t have to lift pedals out of water when it’s shallow.
Seat in the better Hobies is really confortable.

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Jan 6, 2024 18:44:53   #
icee3 Loc: Sacramento CA
 
i have the old town predator and I am happy with it. The only draw back is peddling and doing anything else at the same time. No drag that I am aware of and it will clip along easily at 5mph if need be.

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