The journey to this beast started simply enough, having moved up to brisbane from sydney and not being on the water any more I decided I needed a trailer as I was getting fed up loading the kayak onto the 4wd. I visited my local boat shop and they could order me one, all I needed to do was give them the size. On thinking about this I thought I better plan for the future and ensure it was big enough any future purchases, of course they get no bigger than the PA so I decided that would be a good size for flexibility.
The day of the trailer arrived and off I set with the tango into morton bay, after paddling around fruitlessly and with some difficulty as the tango has never been up for a bit of wind a chop, I saw a group of hobies effortlessly power past. A PA was flanked by Revos, outbacks and an AI doing its stuff, after I watched this flotilla pass (and having drifted further away from the ramp) a plan was formed. I also decided that afer several months of decent fish free fishing that this was also probably due the the Tango having lost its mojo, this was just to help with the mental excuses for why I need a new yak
.A visit to sunstate hobie was on the cards and a test drive arranged for the weekend, on arrival the choice and setup's were hypnotising especially the center piece of a 2012 PA decked out from a recent ABT. The test drive confirmed the power of the PA despite the demo vehicle being a very old first gen PA, on this occasion I only left store with a pair of lockable kayak straps and the dilema of how to sneak a PA pass the SWMBO.
Two weeks later I again visited sunstate after ordering some new rack and roll plates so I could put a second kayak on the 4WD, this time I couldnt resist, after mentioning I was interested in PA I discovered that the comp ready PA was available for sale at a Price that couldn't be ignored. As it had only been used over ABT I could explain to the SWMBO that it was second hand so was a bargain (well not quiet a white lie but maybe an exaggeration).
The PA in yum yum shark yellow had a basic setup and luckily was already configured for my existing sounder which was a bonus, a deal was done and the next day I collected the yellow monster.
Over the last week I completed the fit out with a rod holder, GPS mount, seat modification so I can actually get in the center compartment. I also upgraded the seals with pinchweld and added a foam covering for the front hatch. Finally to provide auxiliary power I purchased a windpaddle.
All I need now is the time and weather to take her out for our maiden voyage. I do feel a bit guilty having the logos from the ABT all over her, based on the way I've been fishing lately I may get sued for damaging the brands.
