Pedal drives really work well in most of the bodies of water and the Hobie drive fins when pushed up against the hull are basically weedless..  I bought an outback a couple years ago mainly for getting through boat traffic on lakes I frequent  but once you get used to it. You really won’t go back.  Just being able to slowly pedal around and cast is amazingly efficient and I get into any ware that a regular kayak can go because I carry a paddle as well.     Now the new drives are all prop based and they are not as weedles or as shallow as the hobie but  they do have reverse which works really well.

 

I was able to fish out of the Predator PDL last weekend with a friend and I have to say  that kayak is everything I wish Hobie would do with a kayak.  Basically an outback XL.  It is faster more stable and the drive kicks up if you hit something as well.

Another reason I like peddle drives is training and endurance.  Paddling a kayak uses a lot of muscle groups that are hard to exercise without a gym or large home machine, while a peddle drive can be simulated by an inexpensive stationary bike.  

I don't get out on the water nearly as much as I would like to, so my paddling endurance isnt great, but I can always fit in a few hours a week on the bike, which translates to a much better time on the water. 

I sometimes fish with a local yak group, most of who's members are a at least a decade or more older then I.  The strength and endurance these old guys have is incredible and it is very embarrassing how much they can out pace me when heading back to the launch.  

I sold my yak and I am waiting on the Pescador Pilot to come out. Any idea if the drive kicks up if you hit something? From the youtube videos it does not look like it. 

5 hours ago, bholtzinger14 said:

I sold my yak and I am waiting on the Pescador Pilot to come out. Any idea if the drive kicks up if you hit something? From the youtube videos it does not look like it. 

It does not. It swings forward out of the way to clear the weeds out.