I am looking a getting one or the other for some Kingfishing this summer. I have a 14 Sunfish that I have sailed for years and a Wildy Ride 135 for inshore fishing. I was hoping to venture a couple miles offshore this summer to do some deep water trolling. Which do you guys think would be better, the hobie looks awesome but cost twice as much. I haven’t used either but I have experience sailing and paddling and have been offshore in boats since I ws a kid. Does anyone have either. And do you guys ever go BTB fishing? I’d be greatful for any input on gear or safety issues.
You can use your Ride 135 for BTB…i have used mine several times fishing off of sullivans, off of capers island, off of Bulls Island, and around the jetties at murrells inlet and the jetties of charleston harbor… i have been in 4-5ft swells with no problems in my ride 135…the other two yaks you mentioned would paddle a little faster
I went out into Capers Wednesday and I have been in the harbor a few times. I just don’t think the Ride is fast enough. If I paddle hard I I can get up to 5.2mph according to my GPS. Some guys on another forum say the can cruise around 8-10mph in their Adventure Island. I am going out to Dewey’s either this week or next. I can go about 10 miles round trip no problem in the Ride without being tired. Paddling offshore may be a different story. I’ve heard that a Tarpon can cruise at 4-5mph easily.
Depends on whether you want to paddle or pedal…have you looked at the Revolution 13? Fast pedal kayak, and you can save $1800 over the price of an Adventure Island.
It looks nice, but it is really similar to what I already have. I really enjoy sailing in my Sunfish. I was hoping some of you guys had either of these yaks so I could get the pros and cons. I know cost is definitely a concern on the table. It will be a long term investment so, it may not even be an issue if the benefits outweigh the cost
If you can stomach the cost, Hobie all the way on that one! The sailing side is sweet, the pedals are awesome when trolling offshore, and you can break it all down and do everything the tarpon will. A lot of folks who originally bought the single island are now selling them used and upgrading to the tandem island, so keep an eye out on craigs list. One down side to the island set up is you will really want to get a trailer . It can be car topped, but its so much easier to just slide it off the trailer and go.
If you can stomach the cost, Hobie all the way on that one! The sailing side is sweet, the pedals are awesome when trolling offshore, and you can break it all down and do everything the tarpon will. A lot of folks who originally bought the single island are now selling them used and upgrading to the tandem island, so keep an eye out on craigs list. One down side to the island set up is you will really want to get a trailer . It can be car topped, but its so much easier to just slide it off the trailer and go.
I owned an Adventure until a lady decided her cell phone was more important than the road and crushed it with her mini van. If you are looking to cover distance with ease the Adventure is the ticket. I upgraded mine w/ the sailing rudder and turbo fins and she would fly.
I looked at the Hobie site and it looks like the Adventure is essentially the same boat minus the sail. Can you purchase the sail kit and retrofit or are they different boats altogether?
I own the hobie adventurer not the island. I wish I owned an island, they have the benefit of having amas which make sailing more comfortable and stable. I would go off shore in a Ti, NOT THE Tarpon since it has no sails or peddled. The Hobie will be much more comfortable since you don’t paddle any where. I hardly use my paddle. I much prefer the pedals, much more efficient, faster and easier. Good luck with your decision.
I looked at the Hobie site and it looks like the Adventure is essentially the same boat minus the sail. Can you purchase the sail kit and retrofit or are they different boats altogether?
Sauerkraut
You can turn the adventure into the island, but it ends up running a few hundred dollars more, plus freight to do it after the fact.
Yeah. I think they we’re talking about sailing speeds. You have a Tarpon right? I’ve heard it will run circles around the Ride. I am starting to lean more towards the Tarpon based on a cost stand point. I can buy the Tarpon and still have almost $3000 to use for fishing and safety gear, versus the Adventure Island.
apples and oranges… The ride is more stable and good for standing up and sight fishing, the tarpon is made for speed and even tho TooBusy can stand in a T160 most of us mere mortals can’t but it is fast on the water.
If you get the ride you sacrifice speed, if you get the T160 you sacrifice stability… I have a T160 and if I am going to be covering a lot of water and distance it is my choice, if I want to be able to stand up and sight fish then I’d use a ride (or a native in my case)
then again you want to go chase king fish, those nasty greasy bass-turds that aren’t around all year like redfish, so you are really going to need a kayak you can peddle so you can fish otherwise you won’t be able to maintain speed for trolling, well you "can"but it’s not easy, for kings so now you are back to the Hobie and with $3K “left over” you can get a Pro Angler and THAT is really the best of both worlds… you can maintain speed to troll, I hear Lost@Sea has done it pretty well, and when the greasy kings move on you can still use it to fish inshore for reds and that thing is STUPIDLY stable… more stable than some jon boats I have fished in… If you have the $$$ just get the Pro Angler from Time Out an call it a fishing trip…
Thanks Jedi. I definitely keep all that in mind. I already have a Ride 135. It’s a great boat. So I am looking for a boat to chase those “greasy-bass-turds” ha ha. I picked up a trailer today, so I’ve got that covered.
You can also get the sail masty-thingy for the PA’s as well as far as I know… I have fished in the PA once, a BIG thank You to Lost@sea, and I fell in love… that is the best fishing platform I have ever fished out of… it has some drawbacks, like the weight and the cost but once it’s in the water it was a dream.
While your puttin in orders ill take one too:smiley:. This is definitely the best kayak you can get. Amazing fishing vessel around here! Talk to lost@sea in person and he’ll get ya rigged up just fine( also you’ll look like a Russian trawler if you follow his sage advice)
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
