highbars

<DIV class=Quote>FLSalomon (2/1/2009) <HR class=hr noShade SIZE=1>The perfect fishing kayak has not been designed yet. Every design is a compromise - and quite honestly, you can fish out of just about any kayak...</DIV>That Malibu Stealth looks like the perfect kayak.

wajdi

Not gonna knock anything, just tell ya'll what we have and what we think. Both my wife and I have drifters. We love 'em. Usually take them in the gulf south of Dauphin Island. Yeah, they're a wet ride, but it IS kayaking. They're barges though, so if you want to race, get something else. They're rated for a 550 lb payload though, and with my fat rear, that makes a difference. We've been out with swells in excess of six feet with no problems, other than a bunch of folks on the beach watching. I've got mine set up with an anchor trolly, rodholder up front, with a milk crate and ice chest in the tankwell. They're pretty roomy as well. Like I said, we love 'em.

Team Hobie

I have been a member of this forum for a long time. I mostly lurk because of the many other forums that I watch and I cannot write on all of them. I have always been thankful that kayak anglers did not fall prey to the bashing and flaming that are common on other parts of the PFF. I was also glad that P'cola kayak anglers were not like other kayak anglers on KFS that like to bash and flame their colleages. I guess I was wrong and that it was only a matter of time before we got infected.

For years now my standard response to the question about what kayak is best has been to test them all and then to list the local dealers for each. This is regardless of the fact that I am a happy owner of two Hobies. We all know that kayaking is a personal sport. Some want wide and stable, others want narrow and long. Some want bells &amp; whistles, some want bare bones. Test a bunch of them and then choose the kayak you want.

One thing I have noticed is ALWAYS THE CASE -- everyone wants their first kayak to be INEXPENSIVE. Of course they do. They don't know for sure if they will like the sport and laying down thousands seems reckless. I agree. I have owned several used kayaks (OK Scrambler, OK Scupper Pro, Mainstream) all under $1000 and I loved every one of them. None were perfect and neither are my Hobies.

For a major dealer in the area to write a massive post bashing a competing product is totally out of line. I have to admit, after referring a ton of people to you to test drive and assess your products, I have just lost a lot of respect. That is not what this sport is about. We earn the respect of others by answering questions as fellow kayak anglers, not as dealers looking to make a sale.

If anyone wants to praise their favorite brand (Yak, Seat, Paddle, Reel, Rod, whatever) go for it. If you want to answer questions, go for it. But bashing and flaming is not what this sport is about.

Let's get back to fishing, and helpful advice and brotherhood. Save the a$$ kicking for tournaments and kayak wars where deeds speak louder than words.

Ted

Linda

A few things i can do in the revo that i cant or wont bother trying in the scrambler.

Slow troll a couple baits while trying to catch a fresh bait and not become a tangled mess.

Acontrolled drift under peddle power with two rods fishedoff the back, while working a top dog of to the sides.

Checking dock after dock after dock in the intercoastal for reds.

Get in casting range fast enough with rod in hand for a cobia.

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rhumbrunner

I was going to p.m. this but in light of an apology from tex I thought it would be better put in Public. I am not sure if this comment is or was meant for me "For a major dealer in the area to write a massive post bashing a competing product is totally out of line" but if it was ,it was mearly a production of truth to an asked question by the other poster tex@oip My initial response was simple and I did not bash anybody I merely copied and pasted for those to lazy or unknowing to look in the right places! This was done in an effort to better educate tex and any one else considering Hobie. I don't need to bash Hobie their record stands for it self in many different forums it has a cult following and some of the members lash out and attack anybody who dosn't revere their boat!

<SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl17_lblFullMessage>My original post!

"Thanks for the plug Ferd, I recommend the Malibu x Factor and nobody will touch their lifetime hull warranty. I'D shy away from the hobie for multiple reasons. Youll also find the xfactor will paddle easier than the Big game. Big Game is a fine platform just very slow. Come see me and we can demo one just about any time "


Tex started the bashing with his attitude

<SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl18_lblFullMessage><SPAN id=_ctl1_ctlTopic_ctlPanelBar_ctlTopicsRepeater__c tl18_lblFullMessage>"What are the multiple reasons you would shy away from the hobie?I bet I know the number one reason you would shy away from hobie...because you dont sell them. Get a hobie or wish you had one!"



This was clearly not the case. I have sent many people to where they could go and purchase a hobie or any other boat I do not carry. Sure as a new dealer and a struggling business (like many in this industry) I would like to make a sale. Fact is I have sold 2 x-factors since sat afternoon and 1 x-13 so business is picking back up. This poster is one of the many with the Hobie attitude, a self righteous, I'm better than you cause i have a hobie, believes he's a better fisherman because of his hobie (Statements he's made in unrelated posts) He created an attack on my credentials and my buisness and my character. Well I defended it as was my right. The truth is I stand on Customer satisfaction as you can ask any of my previous customers, I support my local clubs with $1000s of dollars worth of merchandise off my own back, I have gotten no help from myReps or distributorswith regards to this, it comes straight from my bottom line. To my knowledge I don't have one disattisfied customer out of nearly 70 boats sold sinceJul 08. This postonly demonstrates the massive amount of Ignorance that abounds every where these days. and it usualy starts with a keyboard cowboy! It's also the reason I usually don't post mucharound here unless my name is broughtup or if some one asks a specific question and I am able to answer it.The truth is Iusually stockmore accessories related tokayak fishing than ANY OTHER single shop in the area and I have alot to offer.Now I have grown weary of explaining my self So the rest of ya'll can chuck as much rocks and mud as you feel nessacary this is the last post on this thread. My apologies to the original poster for the derailed post. and Thanks for the apology "Tex"

Tex@OIP

I never said a word until a kayak dealer said dont buy a hobie! Since this was your last post on this thread does that mean I can bash away with my bad attitude without you responding...my guess is no since you couldnt leave this thread alone....dont worry i cant leave it alone either. Is there anyone on this forum who actually owns a hobie that does not swear by it? I should have posted this response in a place you would never see it...like a fishing report. Dont call me out on the public forum after I ended the situation....my hobie type attitude will dominate your malibu type attitude everytime...call me a keyboard cowboy if you wish but come March-November you will only see me posting good honest advice and pictures/reports of monster fish! Dont even try to argue this post...the customer is always right!

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