Howdy Jimbo, thanks for adding your thoughts. It's always good to get a different perspective. But you've said a few things here that I reckon are sensationalized or just flat out wrong. I'll respond to each point.  
 
The first third of your review, or rant as you put it, is that the Hobie is hands-free (except when paddling it). As for tying on a lure while on the move, that a true, but relatively minor consideration.  
 
- It depends on the situation actually. As I recently explained to Billybob, I find that rather useful almost everytime I go out. If I want to change a rig and wind and current are going against me, I don't have to lose ground while I stop to rig up. However minor you think it is, I have found it an advantage often.  
 
Your second point claims that Hobies can mount rods (and troll) with the mounts in front of the pedaler in plain sight. Truth is many paddle kayaks also use a forward mount position, often on the console, and with the same advantages.  
 
- Actually, not really. While rods can be forward mounted while paddling, unless they are straight up in the air, or straight out to the side the paddle will hit it. Otherwise it'll have to be so far forward you will probably have trouble reaching it. WHile pedaling, however, I can angle those rods wherever I want. I find (for me) the optimum trolling position to be at a 35 - 40 degree angle downwards, and about 25 degrees outwards. Try that while paddling. I will concede, however, that many kayak fishermen will find that a minor consideration. Many are quite comfortable with rear mounted rods. I did it that way for 5 years and while it worked just fine, I do prefer a forward mount (and I'm not alone).  
 
Personally I frequently troll with my rod inserted down the front of my life jacket, wherein I can feel even the smallest touch, bite or weed. No real advantage for the Hobie.  
 
- Thats what I use to do when I kayak fished from a kayak with no rod holders and to be honest, I didn;t find it terribly comfortable. In fact, I'd probably find it painful if a big pelagic struck. I often troll 2 lines now, and that simply wouldn't work 
 
Your third claim is that with a Hobie you don't have to waste "a second or three" storing your paddle after a strike. So who stores the paddle. If I am not paddling my paddle remains "at-the-ready", in my lap (the famous technique of Ken Dougherty, author of Kayakfishing, the Revolution). If I am trolling, my momentum sets the hook, and when I feel this has been adequately accomplished, I simply drop the paddle in my lap (at-the-ready position), grab my rod, and have fun. The paddle remains ready for adjustments as needed. No real advantage for the Hobie.  
 
- Whatever works for you. Others have commented to me that losing a second or two, or whatever, is no problem for them. So lets put that one down to minor advantage.  
 
Your fourth point is that the Hobie can "chase" a powerful fish to avoid being spooled. I've never had this need. Perhaps the Hobie is too bulky to be towed, but most good performing paddle craft are easily towed by large fish. And whether you chase em or get towed by em you still end up "god knows where". Indeed, it is common to force the larger to tow you as a form of fish fighting drag.  
 
- In the last caravan park I was staying at, the owner laughed with glee as he told me the story about a guy who hooked a queenfish that continued to go to the rear of the yak and tow him backwards. Apparently the guy had a whole lot of trouble bringing it in. Granted, he was probably inexperienced, but that would be less likely to happen to me on a hobie. I recently fished from a Stealth kayak and even just reeling in a lure left me at the whim of the wind and current, with little or no way to adjust my position while I winded. Compared to what I have become use to, it was pretty awkward.  
 
Do note that proper fighting technique will allow any kayaker to adjust the drag force to the fish. This is done by using the rod as a lever and forcing the fish to pull you sideways, forward or any angle you desire. No advantage for the Hobie.  
 
- Lets just agree to disagree on that one.  
 
Your fifth claim is your most important, ie that Hobie offers an "alternate means of propulsion" in an emergency. In paddling, we call that a spare paddle. You have also fallen prey to Hobie's marketing claim that "legs are bigger and stronger". This assumes that paddlers are forced to use (weaker) arms.  
 
- I haven't fallen prey to Hobie's claim. I'm going from my own experience. I think you've fallen prey to the mutha of all screw ups: assumption.  
 
Truth is good paddling is a whole body effort. It starts with a good foot push, and travels up the leg to the hips, and is followed by a powerful rotation of the torso. The arms and shoulders are barely used, and then only at the end and transition of the stroke.  
 
- I'm aware of that. So what happens if you pull a muscle in your shoulder? That happened to me once, and left me so badly injured it took 12 months to heal (admittedly, in a pig of a kayak and in bad conditions). Even a spare paddle won't help you then.  
 
In truth, paddling uses almost all the muscles of the body, not just the legs, and does so with a significantly lower center of gravity. Add to that the inefficiencies of the Mirage Drive (from 50 to 70% power loss), and it is no wonder that skilled paddling is really quite superior.  
 
- Ok, so are you suggesting that before a paddler should safely take to the water, they should do a kayaking course? That's really not required to just sit and peddle.  
 
Now your observation that the Mirage Drive is a mechanical device subject to more than its share of failures is true. And this is just compounded by the Turbos which seem to increase the failure rate.  
 
- That I agree with, and when one thinks about the laws of physics, its a no-brainer. I don't think it's likely to be a problem unless you push the kayak hard, but either way, I have 'downgraded' to the ST fins (a nice balance between standard and turbos) for that reason. Now, I do head out almost every day. I'd be willing to bet I go kayak fishing more than just about anyone in Australia right now. As far as mechanical failure goes, the only problem I have encountered is that which I mentioned, on surf entries where my brain just wasn't used. I don't perform surf entries with the miragedrive anymore. I paddle in. Easy peesy, lemon squeezy.  
 
What you have not addressed in your rant are the disadvantages of the Hobie, as any good review should. Allow me to add my observations: 
 
- Actually, yes I did. The only real disadvantage I have experienced is the surf entry bit. And that is simply averted with a little clear thinking.  
 
1. Hobies break down, and it's not when they are in storage, but at sea. When they do you are forced to paddle a bulky, fat, slow and not terribly seaworthy kayak with a cheap and heavy paddle, perhaps leaking, and for long distances. Not good.  
 
- err... have you ever paddled a Revo or an Adventure? Surely you haven't because trust me, they paddle just fine. Add to that, the likelihood that failure will occur is only really likely to happen if the thing is neglected. A bit like not putting oil in your car.  
 
2. Hobie don't go in reverse, can't move sideways, can't do a quick 180, spin in circles. All useful in fishing.  
 
- Thats what the paddle is for. You paddle dontcha? You already know that. C'mon, keep it real.  
 
3. In bad seas if you are about to be dumped by a breaking high wave or wake coming at you from the side, in a paddle boat your response is quick, easy and effective - you brace with your paddle to the side and avoid a rollover. In the Hobie - you dump.  
 
- Never happened to me and probably never will. As I said, I now use the paddle in surf. Thats not a problem at all.  
 
4. Fish often run under and around the kayak. Snagging lines on the Mirage Drive is common - some owners have reported that the lines have actually sawed grooves in the flippers. Paddle kayaks don't have that problem.  
 
- Not true. My line got caught in the rudder of the Stealth (ask Billybob) and it was so stuck, neither of us could remove it. So it stayed there until we landed. If that happens on a miragedrive its a simple matter of lifting it out. Try it - the line will just drop back into the water.  
 
5. Fishing requires lifting, loading, transporting, lifting, lowering, carrying and launching your kayak. And that's just one way. Hobie's are very heavy and unmanageable. Most experienced kayakers crave kayaks that weigh less than 50 lb, closer to 40. A heavy tub is a disincentive for a quick yak.  
 
- Err... thats really not true either. Again, the stealth I tried was heavier than my Revo, and that was the 'supalite' model. I looked at a few other fishing yaks at a store in Bundaberg today and at least 2 of them would hve been heavier than my Revo. And have you tried lifting a sport? Speaking of the revo, I clean and jerk that thing daily and I'm not a big guy. No problem for me. Nor was the Outback.  
 
5. Hobies - however creative - are still evolving works in progress. At KFS (a large commercial website), there are over 500 posts by the Hobie rep addressing the inordinate number of breakdowns due to equipment failure, maladjustment, design shortcomings and/or lack of quality control. Paddle kayaks are far more reliable and ready to go fishin.  
 
Anyway, that's a bit of counterpoint. I do feel reviews must be complete and cover both the advantages and shortcomings. Personally I own 12 kayaks, have tested and reviewed Hobies but have never been impressed enough to buy even a used one.  
 
Thanks again for your viewpoints. 
 
- I think thats true - each season the Hobies seem to come out with minor improvements and I'm glad they don't rest on their laurels. There is no perfect kayak. If there was, you wouldn't own 12 of them, would you? Unless you have a swiss bank account that is, or are buying them at cost price, which I suppose makes you a dealer (obviously of a competing brand).  
 
Like many paddling elitists, I think you're either unaware or quickly forgetting that I yak fished from paddle only kayaks for 5 years. And don't get me wrong - I loved it - even the crap ones. Thats what got me into the sport and ultimely (combined with the injury mentioned above) lead me to Hobies. I do happen to have more experience than you probably think.