How's it going w/ your new Revolution

I think they changed last year (Zee?)

Correctamundo.

Z

I used a gob of plumber's putty to stick a sinker into to weight the pedals, too lazy to get out the hammer I guess!! 

The Revo is a fantastic boat for us old dudes who'd rather pedal leisurely along at 4 mph, than flail away with a paddle beating up  our old tattered rotator cuffs!  I can't think of any downside to the Mirage drive, except for  lack of reverse gear.  I think the Adventure would be even better, it's very slightly "tippy" when pedaled right after pedaling the Revo (it's VERY stable compared to a 16 foot sit-in kayak like a Delta or Eddyline  or some such).  That's because the initial stability is a little bit less than the Revo.  That extra  inch of beam makes a difference.   The length/width ratio for the AI is 7.2, that for the Revo is 5.6, and that's where the big speed advantage of the AI is found. 

Before I found SOT heaven I had a Current Designs Extreme sit-in, whose w/l ratio was 10.6  it was a screamer (19 feet long, 21.5 inches wide) but you couldn't turn to look behind you without a paddle brace!  And I've seen a video of some cat in a Hobie Mirage drive  pulling a guy in a sit-in, backwards, with the sit-in guy paddling like a madman!!!  It's a hell of a lot easier on your body to pedal 10 miles, than it is to paddle 10 miles..and you'll do it in less time, with your hands free to hold a rod (or a beverage, book, binocs, etc).   ONe issue that decided me on the Revo is the 4 pounds less weight vs the Adventure.

   If I had to do it over, I just might pull the string for the Adventure, instead of the Revo, but then again I might opt for the extra stability of the Revo.  I'm not unhappy with the decision, and my wife bought a used but like new Revo on Craigslist for peanuts.!!

BTW---There's a couple Hobies on Craigslist right now. 

Thanks for the review.  My problem is elbow not rotator cuff, but I'm still young :-)   I am not into kayaking per se, I am into fishing.   So I'll not be touring or camping ("camping" is when room service is late :-), and I have storage issues, so I'm thinking the Revo is the right size for me.  

This thread has been VERY helpful and now all I need to do is find the time to demo at Hobie on Sand Point.  Yes, I'm bringing fleece, dry suit, and PFD.

Thanks all.

Please post your impressions pf the 2 boats!  The Outback is nice, but not in the same league as its longer brothers (sisters??), requiring more effort to pedal.

"So I'll not be touring or camping ("camping" is when room service is late :-), ...."

Demonik, your comment reminds me of many years ago when I wanted to get my bride and young kids into camping and she said to me  "I'll go camping when you hook up the Holiday Inn and tow it.  Well, I went out and purchased a very used Coleman tent trailer and we all went camping for many years (three women, two female dogs and me) Lot's of fun and Great memories. holt

Please post your impressions pf the 2 boats!  The Outback is nice, but not in the same league as its longer brothers (sisters??), requiring more effort to pedal.

My first yak was an Outback. Unlike the all arounders in the Hobie line (Revo and Adventure) it was designed for a specific purpose. It was made to take on small waters like lakes, reservoirs, bays, and smaller ocean conditions. It's not not a turbo charged funny car like the others in the line but it is a lot more stable. If stability is what you want, you don't see pedaling 15+ miles, and you don't mind sacrificing speed the Outback is for you.

The Revo is a great all around boat. It's good in all waters and is pretty darn quick. Great thing about moving up to this yak is you've also got the ability to paddle. If you see fishing everything from ponds to the big blue and want to go fast the Revo's for you.

The Adventure is just all about speed. It's really nice in open waters and it's big length and narrowness lets it really slice through pretty much anything without bogging. Some might feel it's a bit tippy but you get used to it. If you envision fishing bigger waters, want to slice through chop, waves, and current with ease the Adventure is where it's at.

The way I look at it, ask yourself where you'll fish 80% of the time, and then get a yak that's appropriate to that body of water.

Z

Z, very nice synopsis!