Hobie isn’t a company that rests on it laurels. The Mirage Pro Angler 14 was introduced in 2009 and won Best of Show Honors at ICAST (International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades) that year. There have been a few minor tweaks since then, but for 2013, Hobie’s big fishing boat received a major revision – a redesign of the deck, and the Vantage Seat introduced in 2012 on another model.
The pedal-propulsion system was retained, as was the original hull design and dimensions. The interior was made more comfortable and fishermen friend, with a transducer pocket cast into the hull to give accurate depth and temperature readings while protecting the transducer from the bumps and grinds of fishing. The results of the facelift are stunning.
The Vantage Seat is the heart of the increased comfort. This seat includes seat back, under-leg and even lumbar support adjustments, while incorporating two height options that can be easily switched while fishing. The interior redesign includes horizontal stowage for six rods, a below deck watertight tackle locker with locking hatch and a flat center deck for more comfort and stability when standing to fish. Steering has also been redesigned and can be done from both sides to better fit anglers with either hand preference.
The 2013 Hobie Pro Angler 14 began shipping in September and is available at your local dealer. It is a big package at 13 feet, 8 inches long and 38 inches wide and it is a top of the line fishing machine. Complete details and a list of Hobie dealers are available at www.hobiecat.com.
