rimfirematt:
I know another hobie fan boy post! But figure there are new people researching so I thought Id add my nickels worth.
So far I have logged around 20 miles in the outback. I have had it in flat calm to 3-4 foot seas and 15 knot winds. Stability is awesome and I feel totally safe in it. That rough water day yesterday, 3 outbacks were the only ones out fishin! I wouldn't have wanted to be out there in a big boat. Would have beat you to death.
On a flat calm day, I can do 3 mph no problem with the turbo fins and keep that pace up for 5 miles, take a short break on the beach, troll around and then return. I was pretty tired towards the end though, but the wind did kick up, making it harder.
Yesterday was also a big current day (about 2-3 mph) and wind. I was still able to move forward at 1.5 mph with some effort but was able to keep that pace up for an hour or so.
Its not as fun to paddle it, but you can still make decent progress for a little ways doing that. Also I am a weakling in the upper body strength department.
So far my only complaint and this might be true of all rotomolded kayaks is that the plastic seems real soft. Seems like you just have to look at it funny and it will get a gouge in it and its not all that thick. For such a big investment I hope it will last awhile. I highly recommend the hobie trax cart for it to save the bottom vs dragging it. Also it just makes it so easy to transport.
It was a lot of money, but worth it!
Romanian Redneck:
I second everything you just said. Plastic is soft so expect some war wounds. However they do last quite a while. Last month I went to the spring sale at Next Adventure and they had 2 WELL used Hobie demos. Those things sold like hot cakes at 25% off retail. Scratches, dents, dings, and all. My wife fished for the first time out of my Outback this morning and she loved it. Just some 12 inch trout but she wants one now. Looks like my checking account is about to loose some more weight in the near future.
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IslandHoppa:
Paul, way Ro go getting the bride out Om the water and catching fish!
Romanian Redneck:
Hop we made a last minute decision to hit Battleground lake this morning. It was too beautiful a day to pass up. I was laughing my behind off watching my wife fish with a bobber for the first time. She would cast out from her kayak into the area I would instruct her to, and watch her bobber. The bobber would start dancing up and down and eventually dive and she would just stare at it. "hey Hun? I think I lost my bobber. I can't see it anymore." Me... "SET THE HOOK WOMAN". It was a good time. She eventually got the hang of it and started nailing them all up and down the east shore in front of the bankies. Paul
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Lee:
I love the speed of my revo. I'm not even going to try an adventure, too much risk for the wallet. Revo averages 4.5 mph on easy cruise.