Look out guys there is a new Yaker in town.

[ped579]

Well I did it; I pulled the trigger yesterday.

The wife, daughter and I went up to Paddlesport 2009 yesterday and tried a bunch of new stuff out.  I got to sit in the Pro Angler and even though the boat itself felt very comfortable I have to say with my hips the Mirage drive was not comfortable at all.  I talked to Mark the Hobie Rep and he guided me through a number of models and again the Mirage drive was not for me.

I sat in the Quest and right off the bat it felt very comfortable (although not as roomy as the Pro Angler) but comfortable.  I have to say Mark was all there answering all my questions and a few the wife even through at him from a female point of view.

But before I made my final decision I wanted to see what else was out there and sit into a number of other boats.  I tried Ocean Kayak and unfortunately they did not have the Malibu there but I did try others.

The final boat is the Quest by Hobie.  Outfitted with a rudder, flag, Trax cart, Hobie's Ram Tube rod holder, Lowrance fish finder and all the other gear necessary to fish with.

Plus ordered the MTI inflatable PFD.

To carry this boat I purchased the Thule Hullivator to make it nice and easy to put the boat on the Expedition after a long day fishing.

Now all I have to do is wait for the call telling me to pick it up as there are a couple of things they had to special order.

I am so stoked I can not wait to christen it.  I will be picking up a few other things to make it a little safer like reflective tape, anchor light little things like that.

Look out world here comes the Polish Navy.

Happy Catching

Paul

[nukeman]

  Good Luck with your new K, just slow down in the no - wake Zones.
 

[Hotrod]

Good for you Paul.. Good Luck With The New Ride

[Pops Soul]

Congrats Paul  I know you have been looking for a long time, Do you christen a new Kayak with a bottle of Champagne like you do a boat

[barrell]

Congrads. The Quest paddles realy well. If you are waiting for a rudder why donr you save a couple hundred dollars and try the boat without it. It doesnt need a rudder. I would also can the flag. the ram tube and consider why you need the cart. If its for soft sand the soft tires are an advantage. But if is for the street to take it down to a boat ramp the cheaper hard wheeled cart is a better choice and its half the price. No worry then about flat tires.
I didnt think JP installed fishfinders, I guess they found another guy. I heard their good guy had left that did all the warranty work and installs.
It paddles realay well. The Quest is the big secret in the kayak world. Try to get some paddling instruction so you get up to speed.

[PeggyLee]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!    
ENJOY YOUR NEW RIDE.  
We know what happens now..., you will have to leave a picture of yourself on the frig.(like many of us do) cause the family wouldn't see you till December.
GONE FISHING     Good Luck, AJ.  

[ped579]

The rep threw in the flag after the wife badgered him for a while. The cart will help me get the boat to a place I have been wanting to try for a long time but I have to drag the boat across about 100 yards of sand as I told the rep so he made sure to put in that I need the inflatable soft tires.

I have tried my buddies Ocean Kayak out and used it a number of times so I think I should be alright to start out.  I guess each boat has its own characteristics so I am sure there will be a learning curve.

I can't wait till it is finished and I have it in hand.

[Hotrod]

No Pic??

[Luna Sea 5]

congrats

[IrishAyes]

Look out world here comes the Polish Navy.

Happy Catching

Paul

Just remember Paul, DO NOT DRILL ANY HOLES IN THE BOTTOM FOR DRAINAGE!!! 

Good luck in your new venture. That will get you into spots you only wished you could fish before.

Don't forget the pics when it is done and delivered. 

[barrell]

http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaking/models_quest.html

[Bucktail]

Congrats Paul!   Good luck with her!

[kezsr]

good luck with it

[ped579]

Here is another view from above.  I believe the Ram holder and the FF will be installed on the console instead of on the gunwale.

Plus the boat is the same color as in the picture. 

[ChrisL]

Very nice Paul. Good luck with it and enjoy.

[barrell]

Here is another view from above.  I believe the Ram holder and the FF will be installed on the console instead of on the gunwale.

Plus the boat is the same color as in the picture. 

Its a good idea to at least sit on it before they mount anything. This is especialy important if the owner has any flexability limitations. If they mount the stuff to far forward you wont be able to reach it. If they mount it to far back it can interfere with paddling.
 What kind of battery setup do they use and where are they mounting it?

[SeaFlea]

It's a GREAT boat Paul - good choice!! She's as stable as the day is long and she tracks beautifully.  I would have to agree with Barrell; she doesn't really need a rudder...  Just my two cents though...

Good luck to ya and happy catchin'!!!

[DAK]

Welcome to the world of yak fishing Paul! You fish up around Barnegat? We'll have to hook up sometime.

[ped579]

Thanks guys,

Barrell, I had the rep take measurements and mark out where things should go for my specific boat and a note put on the slip to notify him before things get installed.  He even mentioned these things as well and because of my limitations he felt compelled to follow my boat all the way through its setup.

I can't wait till I christen it with my first keeper bass.  I have fished the bay in so many different size boats but the one area that has alluded me were the flats.  I am so stoked to be able to get back there I can not wait for them to complete the boat.

[Treebeard]

Congrats Paul!  Have a blast with it