Paddling hobie outback

Floated the Dabny to Lewis And Clark run on the sandy river today, and the wind was terrible! Easy 20+ mph gusts randomly coming through the river basin. It wouldn't have been as bad, but the shallow water had me keeping the drive out and rudder up. Let me say it was tough in a few spots controlling the yak. Current pulling then a huge gust right as I'm navigating a riffle, just annoying.

Anyways, any tips for paddling an outback? Please no comments on how the outback is terrible to paddle etc etc.

Took some water over the sides  once from wind and current combo, luckily it is a stable yak and it stayed upright. I did have a rod ripped out of a holder when paddling by the wind, but the rod leash kept money in my pocket.

Mregg


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What time were you on the water?  Craig and I spend a few fishless hours on the same stretch today.  He should be able to give you a few pointers on paddling an outback.

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A barge is a barge but I did find that using a different paddle helped me.  The paddle I take with me is a adjustable touring paddle, epic carbon or something I think but I use it with everything from a 10' fart around tub to a long touring toothpick.  Back to improving the outback, I find that the blade shape allows more purchase and agility than the stock Hobie paddle as well as being able to cover more ground with less effort, I ripped a flipper once while out.

Got on the water a little after noon. Fished the usual holes by pulling up in the bank and wading out. Trying to get a good drift down the runs was near impossible for me. I wasn't even going to try to anchor up anywhere.

When it's calm out how does reversing the drive work?




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Gon-fishin, do you have a link I couldn't find a double sided paddle by epic under that name.


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Couple pics of today


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Floated the Dabny to Lewis And Clark run on the sandy river today, and the wind was terrible! Easy 20+ mph gusts randomly coming through the river basin. It wouldn't have been as bad, but the shallow water had me keeping the drive out and rudder up. Let me say it was tough in a few spots controlling the yak. Current pulling then a huge gust right as I'm navigating a riffle, just annoying.

Anyways, any tips for paddling an outback? Please no comments on how the outback is terrible to paddle etc etc.

Took some water over the sides  once from wind and current combo, luckily it is a stable yak and it stayed upright. I did have a rod ripped out of a holder when paddling by the wind, but the rod leash kept money in my pocket.

Mregg


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My tips for paddling the Outback is to keep the rudder out of the water and paddle downstream.  But in all seriousness, keep the rudder out of the water and paddle downstream.  It is much easier to paddle with the drive pulled too.  I forgot to pull it in time to go through the last set of rapids before Lewis and Clark and had the pedals in a position where they were tight against the hull (one leg high and one low).  I almost went swimming due to the weird center of gravity when I shot out around the bend. It made it a little more fun.

I did not find the freezing cold spray at all enjoyable in the one stretch where the wind was blowing hard upstream causing the white caps.  The Outback hull slap made me wish I was in my Adventure.

The paddle is the Epic relaxed touring paddle.  As with everything in life, everyone has their own preferences. If you are heading to Astoria let me know in advance and you can borrow it for the day or just drop a tub in the river so you can compare.  Will send a picture when the football game is over.