ICAST 2019 and KAYAKS 2024
Harold Scoggins reply :
ICAST 2019. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw the new Vibe, a bonafide, Hobie wannabe? I was expecting something new from bonafide; there's going to be some disappointment when bonafide fans can't get there hands on their favorite limited 107/127s color coordinated yaks. (Only 100 ea being made?) Old Town made some upgrades to the PDL. Waiting to see if my favorite yaks reveal something new, but I'm not holding my breath. Kudos to Hobie for the new 360 drive. If anyone finds any other info or pictures on kayak improvements, please share here. Waiting for the vlogers to get info out can be slow and frustrating sometimes.
J Francho reply :
Looks like Luther has a new camera pole coming out.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 7/10/2019 at 10:47 PM, J Francho said:Looks like Luther has a new camera pole coming out.
That's great to hear! I was wondering what I was going to do should anything happen to my old Panfish poles.
Skunkd reply :
The new Hobie PA 360 drive looks awesome with a price tag to match. MSRP $4700.00 Yikes!
HookInMouth reply :
The new Vibe is the Shearwater 125.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDLBYkQSlek
Hook2Jaw reply :
I'm demoing the 2020 Oldtown Predator on Saturday.
I think Vibe flopped on that boat, they should have just added a drive to the SG130. I have no idea how they plan to stand on that platform on that 35" wide boat.
Hobie is still putting out the most innovative, top of the line fishing kayaks. The Mirage Drive 360 further solidifies them at the top of the food chain. I'm stepping away from their brand due to price increases from tariffs.
I'm a fan of Yakattack products, but Bonafide wants entirely too much money for their craft, and now they want more for 800 limited edition kayaks.
Kaku dropped a cool hybrid with a pedal drive!
HookInMouth reply :
Yeah that Zulu looks very cool. I just have no interest in a peddle kayak.
J Francho reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 12:27 AM, Hook2Jaw said:I think Vibe flopped on that boat
They didn't bring a finished model? I'd like to see the pedal drive, and just what is this "jet" drive?
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 3:26 AM, J Francho said:They didn't bring a finished model? I'd like to see the pedal drive, and just what is this "jet" drive?
The pedal drive will be something akin to the V1 Mirage Drive, and the jet is the Bixpy jet, it attaches to the rudder and just shoots you around like a ridiculous octopus.
But yeah, no finished model. I'm not mad they copied other companies, we're all rocking wheels and the original inventor isn't being paid a thing, but I think Vibe should have went with some thicker plastic, a propeller, and a wider boat if they think their standing platform is gonna work out. I climb trees for a dang living and would tumble right off that thing on a hookset.
HookInMouth reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 3:45 AM, Hook2Jaw said:I think Vibe should have went with some thicker plastic, a propeller, and a wider boat if they think their standing platform is gonna work out. I climb trees for a dang living and would tumble right off that thing on a hookset.
I'm no expert by any stretch, but the Kaku Voodoo is only 35" wide and standing on their platform (seat) is done relatively easy. Or so braver people have told me haha.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 3:50 AM, HookInMouth said:I'm no expert by any stretch, but the Kaku Voodoo is only 35" wide and standing on their platform (seat) is done relatively easy. Or so braver people have told me haha.
Take a look at the underside of a Vudu and then look at the Vibe Shearwater, you'll see what I mean.
HookInMouth reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 3:57 AM, Hook2Jaw said:Take a look at the underside of a Vudu and then look at the Vibe Shearwater, you'll see what I mean.
I don’t doubt it man. I was just pointing out that I didn’t think hull width was the issue. Hull design, sure.
CountryboyinDC reply :
The Predator PDL looks just like mine, with a different finish and a forward facing flush mount rod holder. I guess the big star is the Hobie. I've always been Hobie-curious, but the way you have to shift to reverse has kept me out of one. From the demo, that definitely shouldn't ba an issue. Now it'll just be the five grand pricetag that keeps me from making the leap.
J Francho reply :
What’s up with all the non working prototypes? I mean the excuses coming out these guys’ mouths is astounding. Just saw another video pimping “when it’s in production it’ll work right” feature.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 7:43 AM, HookInMouth said:I don’t doubt it man. I was just pointing out that I didn’t think hull width was the issue. Hull design, sure.
I'm not sure how the physics of it all work, but standing on the seat of my 38" PA is harder than standing on the Larry chairs of the two paddleboards I've been on. Hull width is definitely an issue when it comes to a kayak styled hull and not a flat bottomed board.
On 7/11/2019 at 8:10 AM, J Francho said:What’s up with all the non working prototypes? I mean the excuses coming out these guys’ mouths is astounding. Just saw another video pimping “when it’s in production it’ll work right” feature.
I dunno, man. They're pretty pitiful this year. Hey, at least Bonafide made some new colors! That's so cutting edge.
All the new ICAST stuff is underwhelming for me. My favorite soft plastic brand didn't introduce a Ned plastic, instead giving me more colors of the Christie Craws I rarely throw and a big finesse worm for a situation I mostly Carolina rig in.
Then, my favorite kayak company ups prices a few weeks before ICAST and then releases their new, premier boat at five freaking thousand dollars.
But hey, at least there's no Live Target Backstroke Armadillo. I can't see the game changed that much.
GeekFisher reply :
I laid my eyes on the new Catch 110HD... The 130HD is just a tad too long for my liking ...
HookInMouth reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 12:27 AM, Hook2Jaw said:Kaku dropped a cool hybrid with a pedal drive!
Kaku Zulu $1325 without drive. $550 to add the drive.
Reasonable.
J Francho reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 8:02 PM, HookInMouth said:Kaku Zulu $1325 without drive. $550 to add the drive.
Reasonable.
For $124 more, you can get a Hobie Compass.
HookInMouth reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 8:15 PM, J Francho said:For $124 more, you can get a Hobie Compass.
Yeah, they're in the same general ballpark with the drive. Personally I would only be interested in the Zulu without the drive which is a good bit cheaper. I'm not a peddle guy. Maybe because I've never tried it but it looks really uncomfortable and I spend most of my time on shallow rivers.
I'm pretty happy with my Voodoos although I'm pretty sure my wife wants a Zulu after seeing it. She's been talking about the Wahoo but didn't want to give up the Voodoo seat (amazing seat). This kind of looks like a Wahoo with a Voodoo seat so, yeah, she's going to need one lol.
Hook2Jaw reply :
My fiancee wants a Zulu now, too. She wanted a paddleboard until I pointed out she wouldn't be able to keep up, and this thing handles both my need to move and her need to have a paddleboard! Excellent move by Kaku.
HookInMouth reply :
Happy wife (fiancee) happy life. Even if we're broke haha.
Hook2Jaw reply :
Mine is a lawyer and I'm a tree guy, so she definitely pulls her financial weight around.
Choporoz reply :
Just now watched a couple of videos of the Hobie 360 on the water. I'm glad my 180 drive is only 7 months old...I'm not too tempted at the moment....but....WOW....if I was back in the market today, I'm not sure I'd even care what it costs...that thing looks to be able to nearly spin in place. The sideways action and the bump-up capability truly could be game changing.
I really do not have any issue at all with the reverse cabling on the 180. But there are times, maybe once every 4-5 times out when I find myself reaching for the hand paddle because I've gotten into a tight spot.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/11/2019 at 10:09 PM, Choporoz said:Just now watched a couple of videos of the Hobie 360 on the water. I'm glad my 180 drive is only 7 months old...I'm not too tempted at the moment....but....WOW....if I was back in the market today, I'm not sure I'd even care what it costs...that thing looks to be able to nearly spin in place. The sideways action and the bump-up capability truly could be game changing.
I really do not have any issue at all with the reverse cabling on the 180. But there are times, maybe once every 4-5 times out when I find myself reaching for the hand paddle because I've gotten into a tight spot.
I don't know about game changer, as any drive system can maneuver to an extent with much wider turns than the 360 is capable of, and a paddle can get you into tight spots, but that quick and fine-tuned positioning ability will definitely add more minutes of line in the water.
I'm actually more amped to have a propeller and fully hands free reverse. I'm gonna be able to smack my cranks across more mess than I've ever been able to with my current Hobie 180 drive.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 7/12/2019 at 2:06 AM, Hook2Jaw said:I don't know about game changer, as any drive system can maneuver to an extent with much wider turns than the 360 is capable of, and a paddle can get you into tight spots, but that quick and fine-tuned positioning ability will definitely add more minutes of line in the water.
I would say this is game-changing for Hobies, and a pretty significant advantage over all other pedal drives. Getting a Hobie to back up reminded me of an old worn out farm truck we had with a column shifter and worn out forks - you had to hold your mouth right to get it into gear. So you definitely couldn't hold in place without pretty well putting your fishing rod completely down and either using your paddle or manipulating the reversing mechanism. This is why I bought a OT Predator PDL when the shop tried to talk me into an Outback (they were the same price at the time, I think). While it still will take 1 hand to go from forward to reverse, it won't take all your concentration. And the other trick moves they showed in the demonstration may seem gimmicky, but I'll bet if you use it enough, you could find situations to put it to use. If I only had more time to fish.....
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/12/2019 at 9:25 AM, CountryboyinDC said:I would say this is game-changing for Hobies, and a pretty significant advantage over all other pedal drives. Getting a Hobie to back up reminded me of an old worn out farm truck we had with a column shifter and worn out forks - you had to hold your mouth right to get it into gear. So you definitely couldn't hold in place without pretty well putting your fishing rod completely down and either using your paddle or manipulating the reversing mechanism. This is why I bought a OT Predator PDL when the shop tried to talk me into an Outback (they were the same price at the time, I think). While it still will take 1 hand to go from forward to reverse, it won't take all your concentration. And the other trick moves they showed in the demonstration may seem gimmicky, but I'll bet if you use it enough, you could find situations to put it to use. If I only had more time to fish.....
You're still going to have to stop what you're doing if you want to focus on pedaling forward, then backwards, then forward, then backward to hold position.
Hobie has a cool positioning system, but it still doesn't have hands free reverse. Holding my position to properly whap a crankbait I'm burning into a stump or not dragging myself towards 30 pounds of frog, fish, and salad are still something Hobie isn't capable of without taking my hand constantly off my rod.
It's not game changing for me, it's a super nice positioning system.
Harold Scoggins reply :
Retiring one of my Stohlquist PFDs this year and I think I'm leaning towards the new NRS OS as a replacement. I like the pockets, especially the one for radios. Called NRS yesterday and they assured me that my VHF would fit inside. The only beef I've got are the two lash tabs, will they support a knife or strobe? I'd prefer the older tabs that were made of a harder rubber.
.thumb.jpg.93cb0dc78517c7dcb4cc4d7df0251746.jpg)
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 7/12/2019 at 5:44 PM, Hook2Jaw said:You're still going to have to stop what you're doing if you want to focus on pedaling forward, then backwards, then forward, then backward to hold position.
I see where you're coming from, and none of these systems are hands free like a trolling motor. I think most of the competitors' pedal drives function like mine (I've been told the Predator PDL is one of the best for holding in place), which means forward to reverse is hands-free, but that's only part of the equation. I still have to adjust with the rudder a lot of the time, in fact some times the rudder adjustment is all I need to maintain on a spot. The rudder control being on the left side means I have to use the hand I'm usually palming the reel with to make that adjustment. It's something that I've gotten better at, and there are probably folks way better at it than I am. So in circumstances like you mentioned, I find that I'm not necessarily hands-free either. So if you don't find it game-changing for you I understand, and maybe I'm buying into the marketing, but I think the improvement is substantial. I'm not buying one though, unless I wear out the OT or find an unknown substantial inheritance was left to me.
On 7/12/2019 at 9:51 PM, Harold Scoggins said:The only beef I've got are the two lash tabs, will they support a knife or strobe? I'd prefer the older tabs that were made of a harder rubber.
Do you carry a diving/river knife or a folding clip-on knife?
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 7/13/2019 at 6:02 AM, CountryboyinDC said:Do you carry a diving/river knife or a folding clip-on knife?
NRS Pilot.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 7/13/2019 at 6:02 AM, CountryboyinDC said:I see where you're coming from, and none of these systems are hands free like a trolling motor. I think most of the competitors' pedal drives function like mine (I've been told the Predator PDL is one of the best for holding in place), which means forward to reverse is hands-free, but that's only part of the equation. I still have to adjust with the rudder a lot of the time, in fact some times the rudder adjustment is all I need to maintain on a spot. The rudder control being on the left side means I have to use the hand I'm usually palming the reel with to make that adjustment. It's something that I've gotten better at, and there are probably folks way better at it than I am. So in circumstances like you mentioned, I find that I'm not necessarily hands-free either. So if you don't find it game-changing for you I understand, and maybe I'm buying into the marketing, but I think the improvement is substantial. I'm not buying one though, unless I wear out the OT or find an unknown substantial inheritance was left to me.
Substantial? Sure. I still don't think it's more efficient than simply adding a solid trolling setup to your kayak, which I am not a proponent of -- I enjoy the exercise. You'll see a few more casts over the course of the day in some scenarios, and when it gets down to deep, open water scenarios, I don't see where it's going to improve what I already do to maintain position there.
Trolling motors didn't break the kayak tournament scene into troll or get out, and neither will a drive that can make you do a 720 spinneroonie like Tony Hawk on a kayak.
It's good stuff, but it's not worth 5k when comparable options are available. The actual best part of that drive is the break away fins to avoid masts bending.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 7/13/2019 at 7:07 AM, Harold Scoggins said:NRS Pilot.
Well then maybe for the knife it won't matter too much. Once you get the sheath on the lashing tab, it'll be like attaching pieces of kit to Molle. Once you've got it on, it works fine. If you were clipping a folding knife like a lot of people do to that tab, hard plastic is a lot easier to use. At any rate, if it's like the old Chinnok, they're comfortable!
J Francho reply :
NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky.
Delaware Valley Tackle reply :
I always thought the Hobie was waaay cool but I’d find it hard to drop that much $ without a motor.
flyfisher reply :
I do like the break away option for the fins and I am not sure what I think about the 360 deal but I do know that price tag is pretty crazy but people will buy it for sure. For that money I could get myself a brand new ATAK and torqueedo and still have a couple grand left over for electronics and rigging or even a trailer.
I know torqueedo came out with some new stuff too so maybe that means the original will drop in price some. I really want one for my boat so i can do river float trips by myself.
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 12:12 AM, J Francho said:NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky.
I really like the sheath design, but I was a little disappointed with the blade sharpness and its ability to hold an edge. I wish NRS would collaborate with SOG (Japan) or Gerber and make a better blade for this knife, one that could be used on a daily basis and not just in emergencies. Keep the knife and sheath design, upgrade the blade material.
CountryboyinDC reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 9:56 PM, Harold Scoggins said:On 7/14/2019 at 12:12 AM, J Francho said:NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky.
I really like the sheath design, but I was a little disappointed with the blade sharpness and its ability to hold an edge.
Me too. I may have what @J Francho has, or something similar. I think mine is called the Co-Pilot. Even sharpening it, it isn't fast about cutting through rope or 550 cord. I've sharpened the non-serrated part, but it's not a ton better. I had a Benchmade H2O knife diving style knife that isn't made any more, and it was far better.
J Francho reply :
On 7/16/2019 at 2:27 AM, CountryboyinDC said:I think mine is called the Co-Pilot.
That's the real name. Thanks!
Smalls reply :
I’ve always thought that Hobie’s has a great layout, and performed great, etc. but that they weren’t worth what they ask for them.
But I was pretty impressed with all the videos of their new drive, and bet it’s worth every penny of that new hefty price tag.
I hate the term “game changer” with a passion, but they can definitely claim it.
Nothing else really stood out to me this year. They introduced my kayak (3 Waters BigFish) with a pedal drive and I wasn’t super excited over it.
boostr reply :
On 7/14/2019 at 12:12 AM, J Francho said:NRS Pilot Junior is what I carry. Way less bulky.
I have that one (Co Pilot) as well!
related Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
previous topic
most viewed Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.