Is Hobie still worth the money in 2024? 

I was on the Hobie fishing Team I work with a dealer since this new group has taken over the company it has gone down hill, I was with them for 8 years and when my brand new PA 12 front handle ripped out I submitted a claim they told me to just bolt the handle on it’s a known issue, then my brand new lynx hull cracked they again denied my claim

A few of the reasons I took Hobe off my list was the quality and customer service issues that I read about right here on youtube, and the price was shocking!! I'm also not a big fan of their drive units (paddle) lot of people complaining about reliability issues. Also i did hear rumblings about making them outside of the US. 👎 I ended up going with the old town Sportsman PDL106 , proven drive unit, stable and appears to have deep roots in the US and the price was more within my range and the warranty is what sealed the deal! Hobies look nice and all but over priced and under warrantied IMO. Nice topic! Thanks for you content! ✌

You made all good points. Hobie still needs to not just raise their game but give at least a 5 year hull warranty only Questions asked are between Hobie and the Dealers with a detailed expectation in writing of what is covered! No Grey Area! Customer Service needs to be addressed! If you Buy the best you need to be treated like The Very Best!

I went with The OT PDL 120 for my first yak. In four days I’ve caught Coho Salmon, Trout, Black rock fish and, Lingcod. Having instant reverse in the salt near reefs is a no brainer.

Great video, it is undeniable that with the current high price of Hobies kayaks, only those who have already had a Hobie kayak from 2020 or older value it and they are precisely the customers most "beaten" by the warranty positioning and the availability of parts worldwide . Hobie abandoned Brazil, disqualified the local dieler, made commitments to customers and did not fulfill them, forcing customers to take Hobie to court. I hope that Hobie overcomes his financial difficulties and that his engineering once again focuses on the fisherman and not just on profi

I agree with pretty much everything you said in this video especially about the warranty and dealer inexperience. The dealer I work at had an amazing relationship with Hobie and we usually go the extra mile to take care of our customers which I think many dealers lack in that area. Can’t wait to get my 2024 Hobie pro angler 360 XR!

I own a 2017 Outback in the camo pattern. To this day I fish lakes in Colorado and Wyoming, and make an annual trip to the Texas coast in the spring, Florida keys in the fall. I’m very happy with this boat and have no future plans to move on from it. Not sure if owners of other brands would be saying the same if their boat was 7years old.

If you see ‘Molded in Mexico’ that will signal the end of the Empire. Sell what you have quick! Resale Values will plummet. It’s never one thing that brings a King down. Usually a combo of bad decisions. MX builds, Patent Expires & one more item will end them. They can’t lower the price, haven’t improved the product. Sounds like the end to me.

Great review no issues with my lynx

Well said, several excellent points , especially the effect covid had on the kayak industry ( other industries as well) and quality control. I love my Hobie. I have used it and abused it going on 5 years old and only sign of wear is oyster rash.

Eliminating the Adventure Island was a big mistake. I'm glad I own 2 of them already...

Hobie is still the leader..... Def world wide as No other Company has hit Central and South America yet like Hobie has maintained over the years. That could change. OMTC handled my warranty issues well it's Hobie supply stock that killed the process.... I'd love to see Hobie be more affordable.... Hobie is over priced compared to other companies, fact. I still love mine and would buy another but, just reluctant due to price tag haha

Three seasons on the Lynx, no issues. It precisely fits my river fishing needs (as matter of fact, I'm heading out in a couple hours on it!) We plan on buying one more Lynx next year.

For years I was Hobie PAor bust when it came time to replace my "cheap" ascend, but with the nucanoe unlimited being a fraction of the cost, I can' justify the jump in price anymore.

Hobie had an exclusive design years ago that no other kayak brand had with their drive system. They were also always priced as the Cadillac of kayaks and that was probably deserved 10 or so years ago. Now however many of the well known kayak companies have come out with innovative drive systems and very high quality kayaks especially for the fishing variety that are on par and sometimes exceed Hobie kayaks in many areas. Almost all of them are priced well below what Hobie is charging. Hobie may be hanging on to the top spot in sales (I find that questionable) but I think that has more to do with brand recognition and past reputation. As far as value is concerned many other kayaks now are blowing Hobie out of the water. If Hobie wants to stay on top in the future they are going to have to make some big changes especially with their pricing.

I purchased a Hobie PA 14 this past May and I love it. I contacted Hobie and they told me in an email that the kayaks are made in Mexico. Here is the email Hobie sent me. "The current hull production is in Mexico at our amazing new factory and prior hulls were produced in Oceanside California. Regardless of where, the process is the same. Have a great weekend - on your IKE! Best regards Steve Fields"

The problem I and many others face is pure economics. I can fish in a cheaper kayak, or I can not fish. I can recognize the value in a hobie all day long, it makes no difference to my economic reality.

The Revolution 11 is my huckleberry - I fish the open ocean in Southern California, and the incredible speed of the Revolution 11 allows me to get out a few miles and back in very quickly. If there are high winds or the tide is going against me, the high speed is an invaluable benefit to getting me back to harbor safely and maximizing my physical strength and endurance.

In August 2020, I was able to acquire a brand new leftover 2016 PA14, luckily it was still in the wrapper. These have the thicker hull and I love the olive green color. I have averaged 2-4 trips a week. Only in late year 3, I had to replace the left rudder line under the seat, recently replaced the up/down cord to rudder. All my friends got rid of their old town and bought used PA's. I used the ST V2 Drive for long day trolling blue long fin, for dock and rock fishing I use the V2 180 drive. You have to maintain the drives by greasing them. Gotta rinse off with saltwater use. I love my PA14, best money I ever spent

Looking into buying first pedal kayak soon. Leaning towards the Old Town 120 Sportsman PDL primarily on price over the Outback. I've used an outback once on a guided trip and it was great, but I don't see enough differentiators to justify the higher price of the outback.

Good video. Best drive on the market.

Got my first season in with the Hobie Lynx, no issues whatsoever to report. I like it far more than the Old Town kayak I had previously owned,

I bought an old town and gave my Hobie to my uncle and I will never look back.

I was in Tomales Bay yesterday with some friends. I was on my Titan 12, one on an Outback, and one on a Revo 13. The eel grass floating around was ridiculous. I was clearing out my pedal drive a lot, sometimes every 30 seconds in some areas. The Mirage drive is where I NEED to be. So, I will be looking for a Pro Angler 14 in the near future. You're right about Hobie and the way it looks at financials. Typical for profit company. They want to see the hockey stick graph. With the patent opened up, there are a lot of fin drive kayaks out there now. That is taking sales and revenue away from Hobie. As someone that knows the next steps in regaining profit, and as you have stated as well, moving a manufacturing facility to another country is indeed an option. Hopefully quality doesn't drop off. I couldn't imagine the issues I'd face if I bought a kayak from a stateside reseller of AliExpress kayaks...

Hi, Very good report 👍! I am in France and I own an Outback for 3 years and before I had a compass. For me, Hobie is the best of the fishing kayaks but I would like Hobie to innovate again on a version identical to the Outback because I find that there is little evolution on this model for 2 years, apart from the colors and it’s a shame. Many competitors in France use the Outback. I hope for 2025 an innovation for it. Thank you

my dream kayak ..peace from POLAND

Great video and right on the money! Buy the dealer and not the kayak. My Hobie dealer is awesome and it’s the main reason why I have owned and still own Hobies. I still feel Hobie has value and retains its value and will continue using this brand.

I was a hard Hobie fanboy until they kept raising up their prices $500 or more a year with no changes.

I have a PA14 and I love it. I bought it mainly for stability when I stand up. But I have to admit the other brands that have swivel seats have my head turned a bit.

They need to address and iron out the hull cracking issues with the PA lineup and the 360 drive before pushing that technology into other hull lineups. I want a PA 360 but I’m going to get a Lynx or possibly a PA14 180 as both of those have been far more reliable and there’s no shortage of parts for the Mirage 180 drive. It’s a shame because the PA 360 is a game changer in so many ways including for someone like myself with challenges of a physical disability, the Lynx seems equally maneuverable but lacks the feeling of security I have with a PA hull.

If people pay those high prices, they’ll just continue raising the price. Pretty soon, you’ll have to finance a Hobie.

Love the outback, best laid out platform I think there is. However?? The cracking issues, saw one do it and have read about a lot more? Like all the time you dig on hobie sites “cracking” (in the outback) pops up. I gotta trust my equipment when couple miles off the beach? So I sold the hobie - My back always hurt in that thing too! No matter how I adjusted TH seat my back would hurt I’d have to stand every so often to ward off the back pain. I wish they’d do an upgrade/update to the revo making it easier to mount sounders and all. Add some gear track on the thing so you don’t have to go drilling a bunch. Great video! Should send this to hobie Execs!!! Cheers Sir

I think Fin drive is a thing of the past. Nobody wants that many moving parts, my hobie friends are always calling their kayak shop for Fin parts and having to borrow a drive to fish a tournament. I went with a Sportsmen 120 PDL and I haven't need to replace a single part in/on my pedal drive and I'm 2 1/2 years in. After awhile people get sick of having to fix something no matter how good it is. Plus how had the 180 drive leaks and that pissed a lot of my hobie friends off having a kayak that takes on water brand new.

Hulls are cracking. 360 drives are breaking. I’ve seen the second twice with two different people. You’re saying people should contact the dealer for issues? I disagree. When buying a $5k+ kayak, hobie should be helping that customer. Not make them jump through hoops and ultimately give them some lame excuse. I really wanted to buy a Lynx, but there is no way I will with the issues Hobie has been having.

Can you talk more about the weld vs hull replacement fiasco? Is this just the dealer not wanting to incur some kind of expenses on there end?

Have been in Hobies for many years going back to the old battle tank outback. That thing was indestructible. As I got older I decided to move to a lighter kayak and when the Compass came out at $1700 I jumped on it. I am still in my Compass but I have to say that they have increased the price quite a bit and not really added anything to the kayak in fact have cheapened it with that crappy new lawn chair seat. I have some friends who purchased new outbacks and had cracks in the hulls within 6 months. One of them having had his replacement kayak crack quickly as well which then he had nothing but trouble getting another replacement as Hobie tried to blame him for the cracks. He is done with Hobie. As much as I like Hobie's others have come on and surpassed them in many ways with innovation and upping their kayaks at a better price point. Even if Hobie ups their game it will likely come at a price tag no one will want to pay and its products and service are not nearly what it used to be.

Which of the hobies, would be comparable to a nucanoe unlimited, with pivot drive? And, how do they compare?

Where Hobie has me by the tangles is the Mirage drive is the only form of propulsion (movement) that lets you get skinny chasing saltwater species on the flats ( as for as I know) and I realize a paddle will get you shallow but I am still trying to rig a reel and eyes on a paddle to catch fish..Please let me know if a pedal drive that goes shallow cause I’m on my 7th Hobie and was on there Team..

If you don’t mind pedalling a bicycle, by something other than a Hobie. Because with a PA, COMFORT IS UNSURPASSED!!!

The problem we have here in dubai the accessories and parts are not available and to order from US the shipping cost is high

Hobies been innovative for years. This is as long as I’ve seen Hobie not come out with a new kayak form. Most other companies are going towards a no pedal form. Hobies engineering should come out soon with a kayak with a pedal drive similar to the Nucanoe.

For me Jackson surpassed Hobie with the Flex Drive. Up until then Hobie was THEM, but the simple fact is that Jacksons Flex Drive M4 is hands down the fastest and best Pedal Drive of any style on the market.

When Hobie was the only fin drive manufacturer, they could hold the top spot. Now many competitors offer fin drive (patent expired like you said). Hobie went on to make different/better fin drives. Good innovation but I think it is a CRITICAL MISTAKE by Hobie not to let buyers (at time of kayak purchase) choose WHICH fin drive they want in the kayak they're buying. Options not forced restrictions.

When i fisrt started looking for a new kayak i was ready to get a pa12 but with some of the issues ive heard about I'm really looking at an oldtown, do you think the hobie is the better option to not have buyers remorse

Only good experiences with hobie kayaks for me. Had a Hobie sport that is over 10 years old, Compass 2021 still going strong with a fair amount of use, passport 2022 as well. I think most people that have issues with the drives or hulls are pushing it too hard. Same concept with cars, you take care of it and don’t take turns too hard, they last

My PA14 360 has been dry for the last 3 weeks... the 360 drive steering unit is broken and there is no eta on the part. Its ridiculous.

Innovation isn’t the issue. Jacking up prices and cutting corners on build quality is the problem. I haven’t been in a Hobie but nearly everyone I started out kayak fishing with was. Everyone upgraded to the 360’s this past year and now none of them are in Hobie’s. You see 6, 7, 8 + year old Hobie’s with no problems. Now, a Pa360 doesn’t last 6 months with the drive craping out or the deck cracking. I have heard the new hull coming out doesn’t even address the issues at the core. I guess we will see. One more flop and I believe Hobie will be done.

For me living in Japan, my situation is different. I bought a 2015 PA12 and have been very happy with it. It has held up really great. Fast forward to the present, would i buy another one? With what is out on the market now, I would say no. Is Hobie in trouble? No, people are always going to buy them. Their a solid company that can withstand some waves over the bow-lol. I do however feel bad for all them "PA 360 Early Adaptors" The changes they made to the 2024 Pro Angler prove there were critical problems with A. the 360 drive system and B. The Hull cracking in the seat area. Did the changes resolve the issues? I would say Hobie put a Band Aid on the problems. I seriously doubt Hobie would increase the plastic in the seat area which cost more money. The changes to the 360 XR drive still require the user to adjust the belt. This to me is going introduce more user error problems, where people will over adjust it and snap the belt. I still think the 360 is the coolest drive design on the market but, needs some more tweaks to make it worry free compared to the 180 drive. Hobie will survive the long haul.

I am going to a new native titan x. I have an older hobie pa14 but all the problems with the boats and customer service has me switching to native for my next kayak.

PA-12 was the same price 6 years ago, as what the Titan-X is NOW. So many Choices, so Little MONEY! I still like Hobie, but won't pay what they want for one. Still Great 'Yaks, for ANY amount of $$$. (Don't give up on me, Andy... I'm still interested in that Titan-X). Lol

What about the inflatable itrek 9 and 11?

I don’t own a Hobie Kayak. I have always been interested in getting a Pro Angler 14 manly because of its features and I love fishing. I have a sit in kayak that is for fishing and it is okay but the Pro Angler 14 is just packed with features without having to modify it. The only reason I never got one is the price and even used is too expensive. For the cost of that I can get a Jon boat a few years old. I bought a 21 foot Sea Ray 3 years old for half of what that Kayak is new and some reason people selling them after 3 - 4 years think that they are still worth the new kayak price.

My wife and have had hobie’s for the past 12 years. We’re both retired now. I’ve had some warranty issues with the PA 14 360 but Hobie, through a dealer, has taken care of it. We have other Hobie kayaks and just don’t have problems other than the expected wear and tear over years of use. I do travel a very long distance to work with a dealer that has both inventory and in-house expertise. Hobie’s dealer network (at least from what I’ve seen in Northern CA) is a weakness. In my opinion Hobie needs to do three things to grow 1) continue to innovate 2) demand more from dealers in terms of inventory and expertise and 3) target a very large contingent of retired baby boomers (like me) with disposable income and time for recreation: To do that Hobie has to focus on outreach to boomers - probably work on overall weight and comfort over price - and work harder on solving transportation challenges of getting a kayak from home to the water and back. I do love my hobie’s!

I own a Hobie 12PA 360 bought new in 2020. Never had a problem with my 360 drive or cracks but it is only a manner of time before I have a problem. No warranty so I am stuck. Can’t sell for what I think as all buyers aware of these two problems. Hobie should have replaced all 360 drives but they didn’t. If I buy another kayak will not be Hobie.

Hobie just replaced my hull. Was easily done. It did take 3 months as they ship cross country when other new kayaks are delivered. I do like the fin drive on my Outback. A more powerful rudder (faster turning) would be nice in currents. They should also use a molded in handle in the bow. And storage under the seat would be nice. I think for the price that Kydex under the kayak should be standard.

I still prefer Hobie. I have two of them - a 2017 Outback and a 2015 PA14 - and have had very very few issues with them. I really prefer the Hobie drive - the stairstep motion is very comfortable. Would I buy an Old Town Sportsman? Sure. But the PA 14 is a great fishing kayak. I don't need the 360. Heck I rarely even use reverse.

I had an Old Town Predator PDL 132. I fish in saltwater in gulf coast in shallow oyster bed areas. The ot pdl drive seals didnt stop the saltwater after a few years so it eventually rusted the bearings and seized the drive. It is a good drive but if you can not get OT to sell you Parts like Hobie does, then your on your own. Nobody from OT or a Dealer will help. They point to yt and other guys working on the same issues. I understand why OT may have overtaken the market but they are going to have the same fall as Hobie. Went and bought a new 2023 Outback, it just fits my style of fishing better than the pdl drive that doesnt pedel in less than a foot of water.

I don't know, but companies like Native and Bonafide are starting to get the attention of tournament anglers more these days.

Learned a while ago to buy anything used especially the Hobie! Pay a fraction. Of the price!!!

Really, moving to Mexico huh.

I love my Pro Angler 12 360! I dont think anyone beats them on innovation. However if you are going to motorize a kayak I wouldnt invest in the 360 drive and the seat is unbeatable.

Hobies are way too expensive for lack of innovation the past couple years. Why does the lynx cost so much?

Strictly Sail and Kayak!!!! #1!!

The problems with Hobie is the build quality!!! When you pay top dollar, you expect top quality. I take good care of my investment .The i trek 11 I have is full of fine scratches, breaking plastics and failed glue after four months of fishing in calm in lake.

not a hater but did have a bad taist after i broke the foward and reverce cables and could not justify the price ever owning one for the quality

I went with Native over Hobie. It seemed like a better all around value… I’m a newbie Kyak angler so not much hands on experience!

I would respectfully disagree I have had Hobies since 2015 and would upgrade every other year with out worries if something happened. Come to my 2021 Outback had a hull issue they replaced with a new hull, still with in my original 3 year warranty I had another hull issue due to manufacturer defect. Well they decided that one hull replacement was enough with out notifying me or DEALER he was surprised that they refused a second hull warranty. Then about 1-2 weeks they changed policy and said when you get a replacement hull it only has a 1 year warranty unlike a brand new purchase. So if thats the case I rather buy a $2k kayak and just add the "Hobie accessories". Only people still defending Hobies are the influencers that have a skin in the game. Like yourself you have a conflict of interest here as a Hobie Dealer. Do other brands have problems like Native/Bonifide or Hoodoo sure. But for a 1/3 of the price I would deal with more BS than when I spend almost $4K for a Hobie.

I think Hobie hate comes from being the leader in kayaks for fishing (and peddling). The brand people think of. It is like people hating on Glock or Yeti. I bought the Lynx on sale last August. Love the light weight versus my Rev 13. The Lynx has been enjoyable exploring or towing family paddle boarders with it. Middle of the lake picnics. Stable enough for me at 200lbs to sit on the front end, feet in the water, while an 8 year old peddled the Lynx across the lake. Yeti cooler on the back makes a good kid seat while an adult peddles.

Parts aren’t that hard to get. You don’t get them from Hobie, you get them from a dealer!

Hey bud enjoy your content , thought I would shoot a sub your way , don't worry about a return. I have noticed quite a few yak companies offering dual drives on there kayaks , certainly gives you options for the day and type of water your going to , pick your drive fin or prop and off you go...lol

I have nothing against hobie as a product. I’m 6-9 months away from getting my first kayak and 2 factors are primary for me. Cost and ease of use. If I got a hobie then the 360 drive is what I would want, but I won’t pay for a PA 360. To much in my opinion. I don’t want to reach down on a 180 drive to reverse. So that leaves me with a pedal drive only kayak. Like you said, if they put a 360 on an outback then that may be an option, but I don’t see how without raising the price to then push me away from the product.

I've had several Hobie's. Since 2018 with the 180 drive, then 2019 with the OB redesign their R & D and QA has gone way down hill. They need to resolve the wet ride of the OB on open water and completely redesign the 180 so it's not so damn finicky. Too much plastic or whatever "Chains are too tight, that's why it wore out broke" or Chains are too loose, that's why it wore out", or "you aren't maintaining it correctly". Tired of the BS responses. I follow the Hobie maintenance recommendations. The new Hobie investors need to step up and correct these issues and spend some $ on R & D and customer service. My 2009 OB was bullet proof and I bought it 9 year old. The V2 drive is awesome. As soon as another MFG build's a fin style drive with reverse I'll try it. Unfortunately I can't stand the bicycle pedal motion on a kayak or I would stick with Old Town.

Buy a hobie or get the competition with one or two backup kayaks? Hobie passport is not rotomodeled, others are for less...

I'm starting to look at a new kayak, and hobie is not on it.

No, Hobie is not the comany it was before the sale. The 360 drive is a POS. Everyone is running from them and Hobie is not standing behing them That won't work I have a Hobie and I have an OldTown. There is not comparison on quality. Hobie doesn't hvae it.

Nothing wrong with Hobie. Pricier but still with the best Design for fishing with fine details. The Drive (180) is poorly not as reliable. They fixed at after 3 Years for free.

I couldn’t justify buying a hobie kayak when I could take the same money and buy a boat. Extremely over priced.

360 drive breaks and custom service is gone sounds like no money for research Bite be going bankrupt

Hobie hull easy to crack

I feel like it’s the same broken record just polished your typical issues extremely overpriced. It’s just not worth it and it’s skinny water. I like to go you can’t use a drive. That is the one thing. Many people forget majority of my fission will never use a drive always super skinny. That’s why I went with perception outlaw to me its the best for my needs. When you get into the three to $5000 range I’m sorry money is not spent efficiently at that point you can buy a used flat boat carry more gear more people do more than a kayak and I would never spend that type of money on a kayak that’s just my opinion that’s my outlook that is a waste of money on Hobie old town all these people with their high dollar fishing kayaks.

Priced to high for what little you get

You could give me one of those junk cracking kayaks for free.

Nope , not worth it .