Hobie: Pro Angler 12 vs. Outback.

Has anyone here yet had to make a decision between these two boats?

I got my Outback in Annapolis when we were on a 2 year DC stint for my wife's work. The only Pro-Angler option at the time was the 14, and it was an incredible boat on the water. However, it was a heavy boat to consider lifting alone. Part of its allure down there was that it has such great stability for standing up....I felt 100% comfortable standing in it (in a warm-water harbor).

Now Hobie has the PA12. It's only 10 lbs heavier than the outback, and it comes with the Turbo Fins. It's weight capacity is 500lbs compared to the 300-ish lbs of the Outback. Its only 2 inches narrower than the PA 14, and so likely very stable feeling for standing up. I don't think it has an option for the sailing rudder, but I could be wrong.

It would be even less efficient in the water for pure kayaking experience. That is, our Necky ocean kayak moves so much more efficiently in the water than the Outback...but I'm not looking for an ocean travels kayak. 

Anyway--just wondered what opinions might be out there if anyone has compared the two and had an option to purchase one or the other...

Jeff

The Outbacks weight capacity is either 400 or 450 lbs, not 300.  I stand up in mine quite a bit.  You need to have good balance but it's easy enough for this fat kid to do it.

I also bought the AMAs for it.  When I have them on I could do a Irish jig without worry of falling out. (no videos, sorry).

I have an Outback...if I had to do it all over again I would choose the Outback over the PA12. It just handles better for me and I don't need all that deck space or the option to stand. With that said...my next kayak is going to be a Revo13.
If money and storage isn't an issue I say add a PA12 to your fleet. I see no harm in that!

Question: What are you going to be using the PA12 mainly for since you said not for the ocean?  Are you going to be doing alot of bass fishing? If Yes, then I would go with the PA12 because you can get the stand up bar and cast away without any worries.  Yes I stand up in my outback too, but the PA12 is more like a bass boat then the outback is. 

Another one is budget?  Putting the PA12 on your roof may be a chore (for me at least).  You may need a trailer and the PA12 1K more then the Outback. 

Im sure you already know how good the Outback is being a previous owner of one.  I love mine, but only wish they made the hull design a little more streamline. I hate the water slapping it dose at speed.

Jammer should be able to go over the two more as he has experience in both.

Is this boat for you or your wife? Kenai_Guy has both in Alaska, so you might want to send him a PM. It would really help to id the specific fresh water destinations you have in mind. I'm assuming lakes, but a big one like Skilak or Tustamena would have me leaning Ouback, while Valley lakes and even Tangle Lakes make the PA12 more inviting.


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Keep in mind the new 2014 outback will be lowrance ready and  they are making the deck wider

I've got the PA14 and outback....and another one newly added to the fleet, but lets not talk about my obsession.

If its freshwater you're fishing, by all means both are great vessels to fish a lake in.  The PA has the stability to stand up in and sling some bugs at hungry fish, and it also allows for hauling more gear for an all day excursion (i.e. 6-8 rods, ice chest, loads of tackle, dog, small kid, radio, etc...).   Add turbo fins included and no need for a sailing rudder, since the original is as big anyways, and all you have to do is grab and go.  I'm not sure if I would fish it in the Kenai River, but there might be a river or 2 the PA is suited for in AK.  PA is also great for fishing in the ocean, as long as you don't have to launch or land in the surf.  The width of this beast can prove tricky to handle in less than ideal conditions.

The outback is a little lighter, has less weight capacity (350 lbs), and easier to paddle if need be.  For me, the outback is a more versatile craft in AK, since it affords you the ability to land and launch in the surf should you need to and it proves to handle easier in a river than the Tupperware barge that is named the PA.

I like both, but both of them have their place in AK waters.  I have successfully caught halibut, trout, salmon, and a few other species out of both vessels, but I was also picky about the days I took the PA in the Cook Inlet.

As with any decision of this magnitude, you must first ask yourself what you are looking to do with it and the potential for alternate uses.  However, the one thing you must consider..........THIS ONE IS HUGE!!!!!!!......Do you want a cup holder?  My 2011 outback has 2 of them, but my 2010 PA has 0.

Decisions, decisions.......

Shoot me a PM if you want to check them out, or possibly try for a late season halibut.

Thanks for the responses. I was in the Midwest for two weeks and didn't get back to this thread. I wasn't very clear originally--when i said I didn't want an ocean boat, I meant, we want a fishing-first kayak, not a sea kayak--but for a longer haul in the water, the PA14 always seemed to me that it would be too heavy and wide to be even somewhat efficient.

Anyway--all the comments above are great. I didn't realize there would be any changes in the 2014 model so that was good to learn. I googled around and got some details, but I'm still not sure what all differences there will be (aside from the transducer well)--but come Sept 1, that will become public knowledge. Anyway, since I chose the Outback over the PA initially, and considering the comments and my own mulling it over, I think we'll get another Outback rather than the PA12 this winter. My wife has graciously offered to let the new boat be "mine" and she'll take on the current Outback. We'll see what happens once we see the differences. Seems like the wider range of uses makes it a better fit. We're mainly ocean & lake fishers.

thanks again,
-Jeff