Paddle or Peddle?

[Rob Hilton]

I'm looking at Fishing Kayaks (I must say the number of options out there is phenomenal) 

I'm not sure whether to Paddle and Pedal... I've never fished in a Kayak before and any suggestions would be appreciated very much. The Hobie Mirage Pro Angler looks like an incredible piece of equipment but has a Hefty price tag also... they even offer a trolling motor option... which is something to think about since the lake I fish can get very windy especially at the end of the day when your headed directly into it, to get back to the launch ramps. Appreciate any input...

[Andy is OptiMystic]

What's up with the knees, if it isn't too personal? I have connective tissue issues; had one scoped to repair 3 tears and clean up frayed patella and the other is in similar shape. The first one will return to that shape if I don't avoid using it certain ways too much (pretty much had to give up running just a few months after finishing my first half marathon). Most low impact is okay, but finning a tube is one of the few that would likely not be. They avoided leg extension knee machine and told me to at the gym.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I have the wrong impression - my knees could benefit from the extension exercising.
I had a scope job in Dec, for a torn meniscus and ligament damage.
But I'm not on restriction; anything but running on pavement is fine.
Im actually looking forward to the exercise.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

It may be case by case, or more likely cause by cause. All my joints have some degree of degradation; had TMJ, had shots/PT for back, shoulder and elbows. I am the only member of my immediate family to ever break a bone and it was in a hand; we have strong bones held together with rubber bands. Mixed news on the genetic front - ancestors lived long lives but were often hobbled in the last half. There is actually a blood factor identified that's common in spondylitis and I have it. I fight it - went skiing with the kids yesterday, but no jumps, bumps or aggressive moves. Anyway, knee extensions put a strain on the connective tissue. Not a jarring shock, but a strain.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

Well we shall see.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

Hopefully it will be fine for you. I remembered one detail from mine. They don't really fix partial tears on non athletes. They clean up bits that gum up the works and cause  a lot of the pain and they smooth the edges of the tears so little bits won't tear off so easily. But the tears are still there. If yours aren't torn, extensions are probably fine.

[David, aka, "McScruff"]

I saw the before and after pics. Definitely better.

I went in knowing Id never have the knees of a teenager. But what I have now is infinitely better than when I went in.
I have full extension and some strengthening with the fins should be nice.

[Andy is OptiMystic]

That's good. One of my meniscus tears is actually wider in the after pic.  He did that so it wouldn't overlap anymore when it was relaxed.