Apparently TA didn't like how long my first post was, so I'm having to put each company into its own post.

So I was at Field Training when ICAST 2016 and OR 2016 happened but I looked back through the forum some and didn't see any talk about the new kayaks coming out next year.

2017 is going to be the year of the Pedal Yak, the only major company that won't have a pedal yak in 2017 is Ocean Kayak. Right now the only yaks available with a pedal propulsion system are Hobie and Native.

That means FeelFree, Wilderness System, Perception, Old Town and Jackson are all debuting pedal drives next year.

I think two of the yaks/systems that were announced stand out for two different reasons. Something that also stands out on all the yaks being introduced is that they have a quick release system to either lift the pedals out or retract them into a zero draft position. I like the way companies went about this compared to the Hobie owner solution of moving the pedals into a position where the fins are against the body of the yak.

The Perception Pescador Pilot is a game changer, a 12' 5" yak with pedal drive and a MSRP of only 1799 is something unseen before. While the seat doesn't look to be a world beater its still nicer than 75% of what's on the market. The adjustment system for the seat looks slick, having 4 instead of 2 flush mounts is nice, and the two storage bins/electronic boxes are nice as well. Also important, first with the Pescador Pro and now the Pilot, is that it looks like Confluence is willing to treat Perception like Chevy while Wilderness Systems is Cadillac. I really like that both lines are getting new yaks unrelated to each other, for years the best selling Perception was literally just an old mold Tarpon but it looks like those days are over.

FeelFree is the other system that I thought was really worth an extra look. They're debuting a system they're calling OverDrive. Its the only electric motor/pedal power system available. It also fits into the sonar pod already in production on the Lure 11.5 and 13.5. It attaches to the rudder in a way that allows the foot controls to still be used if paddling not pedaling. The props have variable pitch to allow users to dial up the resistance and power they want. FeelFree really did well here by allowing the new system to work with their current product line and combining the pedal and electric motor systems into one unit.

I was, unfortunately, disappointed in the Wilderness Systems product compared to both the FeelFree and Perception models. While the Radar 115 and 135 look to be good yaks, its disappointing to see their pedal system not compatible with the ATAK line. It's also going to be priced into the area between the Hobie Mirage and Pro Angler lines, so while it's in line with the market its also not cheap. I think if these were out a year earlier they would've been the talk of the industry but now they don't stick out of the crowd. The Radars do have a couple really neat features, one being how easy the seat is to remove and how it stores on the yak to provide more room for standing. They also do really seem to have a nice hull shape but I'll reserve complete judgement on that until I get in one. The radar does have the Flex Pod OS from the ATAK so it'll accept the Helix Motor drive WS already has. Since it has a different area for the pedals it does have a way to mount a fish finder easily whether you are pedaling or using the trolling motor.

Old Town is going to be offering the Predator PDL in the future. The PDL has a MSRP of 2800. They say they have a weedless design on the prop, so that would be nice if its truly weedless. Like the other systems it has a quick retract feature for shallow water. The drive unit is also supposedly light enough it will float if lost off the boat, so no either diving for it or having the shell out cash for a new drive. Other than the pedal system its self the Predator PDL looks very similar to the current Predator line. Personally I don't have any experience with Old Town as their yaks have never really caught my attention but the PDL looks to be a solid option but doesn't stand out. Its similar to the WS Radars, last year it would've been the talk of the industry.

Jackson Kayak debuted their drive system at OR instead of ICAST like everyone else, so there is a lot less info online about it. Its called the Flex Drive system. I couldn't find a youtube video of it like the other yaks. I did find an article with a lot of info. HIgh points are that it retracts to zero draft and will automatically retract to this position with an impact to structure. It's going to be available in the Coosa FD in 2017.



http://jacksonkayak.com/blog/2016/08/04/coosa-fd-first-impressions/

It's all good but I think I will stay with my Hobie outback.

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It's all good but I think I will stay with my Hobie outback.

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I forgot to mention Hobie now has a drive with reverse.

https://www.hobiecat.com/blog/hobie-introduces-miragedrive-180-forward-reverse-system,562/


I wouldn't switch just because they're new options on the market but I think its good for the market to have more than two options now.

I can't get excited about pedals. I end up in a lot of places where I drag bottom, and I'm not interested in anything that would increase the amount of water I need to float.

I did see a Tarpon 130X the other day, and I plan to give it a try at the next ACK demo day.

All about the tool for the job, there are days I've wished my pescador was pedal but I also spend days in shallow water. I think the retracting features all of these have help out a lot for areas that get shallow though.

I really enjoy kayaking, I'll probably end up with something like the Diablo Amigo and then a pedal yak someday.

That 130x does look sweet.

I'm likely buying a fishing kayak in the next year. I've been curious about a pedal 'yak until I saw a guy in Port A this past week beached because his Hobie pedal drive broke. Meanwhile, his buddy was long gone on a chase for trout.

You know you could paddle it too, or even instead.

Nice post with good information. I'll stick with my Ride 135 for a long time, but I do like seeing the new technology and ideas.

You serious, Clark?

It's great to see othe companies creating competition in that market, but pedal drives still aren't cheap. It'll be nice several years down the road when these technologies start to hit the used market. Then I'll likely make the jump, but for now I'm content with paddling.

I agree they're still pricey.

That pescador pilot is tempting though, it's in the same ballpark as a Lure 13.5 with rudder and nice paddle.




Ride 135 is a good ride, was hoping to see a 135x or similar with the Flex Pod but everyone went pedal crazy instead.

Thanks for the write up.

Guarantee I snag my line on that pedal drive crap right when that 30" 10lb trout gets to the boat.

And to me the point of a kayak is its skinny water ability.

Thanks for sharing. It's interesting to see these trends.

These peddle drive yaks are getting to the price range of Jon boats and they are heavy enough to the point of needing trailers. You can get a 14' tracker with 5hp and trailer for $3500 or less and you could greatly increase your range on the water. You can also stand and fish, pole, troll, duck hunt, bring a big cooler and a friend with you.
For a tad more than that you are in Gheenoe or Towee Boat range which are silent on the water.

Kayaks are great when they are light weight, easy to handle, load, carry, and are simple. Seems the trend is moving away from that.

With everyone making a quick retract feature now, the idea of pedaling farther away and pulling the drive up to get skinny is tempting.

Like I said previously, I'll eventually have a big water pedal yak and a skinny yak

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You serious, Clark?

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. Wait, you realize his buddy may not have had pedal drive at all, right?

Even in the yaks that are more expensive or heavy there's something about them I just like more than the idea of a jon boat.

I watched him launch and pedal away. I also stood and stared from about 6' away at the guy sitting on the beach with a broken kayak. Good golly.

Where's this going? I don't like the idea of too many moving parts and am more of a traditionalist. That's reinforced by seeing a guy with a $3k rig sitting on the beach pissed off at the world. I just don't want to deal with that. I recognize that others love them and that's ok.

What's wrong, here?

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You serious, Clark?

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The way you stated that makes me curious if you realize that guy beached himself by refusing to paddle. The mirage drive is pretty well known to wear out and break (or just break). When, not if. Take your paddle with you and you won't be beached.

So, yes, I'm serious, and don't call me Shirley.

I can understand not liking the lack of mechanical reliability. You might look into the warranty on the mechanics before abandoning the idea all together. I got offshore last year with a bunch of guys that were pedaling while I paddled. They ran circles around me without half the fatigue I suffered.

When one of you decides to jump on a "NEW AND IMPROVED" model and want to offload a nice, sturdy kayak I can stand in, please let me know.

I have a lead on a used Amigo, but I'm not 100% on it yet.

Ive been gone three weeks and you still haven't got that squared away?

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Ive been gone three weeks and you still haven't got that squared away?

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You may not have seen the thread yet, but I got drawn for a gator hunt. Kayak funds are on hold for a couple of weeks until I figure out how much I need to divert to that.

You apply for something for a few years not expecting to get drawn, just racking up priority points for the future, and BAM.

I hope to make my yak purchase soon, though.

Wife has already assured me that she expects one of us to get attacked by a gator, so all of my kayak budget is tied up in future medical bills (kidding).

Dude's truck could have just of easily broken down that morning also (in regards to the guy use peddle drive broke). Mechanical stuff breaks, period.

Any boat owner who has spent lots of time on the water has experienced it.

Pine tree nailed it for me. Quite frankly I'm blown away that people are paying what their paying for a normal kayak.

I get this, but would you take a 14' Tracker four miles offshore? It's not a problem, with a close eye on the weather, in a 14' Hobie.

The retractable peddles are still right in the middle of the cockpit. But to each their own.

I can absolutely see how much of an advantage they would be on a lake where you have limited put in points and a lot of travel to do. I do think I could add a Bass Yaks kit to my natives for cheaper than upgrading to a peddle yak though, even having to register it.

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I get this, but would you take a 14' Tracker four miles offshore?

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No I wouldn't....but honestly, I wouldn't take my kayak 4 miles any where. A fishing kayak probably averages 4 miles per hour. Paddling that distance at that speed sucks unless you are in it for the exercise or nature watching. In a river its not so bad because you can fish with the current.

When I get on the water Im there to fish. I usually have a short amount of time away from the family to fish and I dont want to spend that time paddling.

You could also get a Bass Yak 55lb thrust trolling motor kit for less than what these pedal powered kayaks cost. Take the savings and get a 12v lithium battery and fish all day off that. Crazy what those things cost


Edit: Just read your post Gunslinger. Great minds think alike

Read that thread and didn't notice it was you.

Take the Diablo gator hunting.