VERY happy with the outback, hobie cart

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!

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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Paul, way Ro go getting the bride out Om the water and catching fish!

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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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.

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That's funny about the bobber. New fisherman are fun to watch!

You Gents have me smiling tonight. 

RR -- hats off, getting your darling wife to experience the exhilaration found in fishing. I've never understood why there aren't more women fishing -- good times outdoors with great guys acting naturally, plus the thrill of the catch. It's a lesson I learned from my hub more than 30 years ago.

RFM -- SO glad you're finding the Outback so well matched to your dreams. We're going to catch a lot of fish on these Hobies this season.  I'm not driven by AOTY points like some of you guys. But I'm going to have 50+ days on the water this year, and look forward to a few of those with you.  My goal is always to have at least as many days on the water as I've had years on this planet.  Keeps me fishing harder every year.

Lee -- The Revo is brilliant, I'm with you. Love the speed, love the maneuverability. Love the clean lines made more elegant with a well-placed Geartrac from Yak Attack.

My goal is always to have at least as many days on the water as I've had years on this planet.  Keeps me fishing harder every year.

Fishergal I love your philosophy. I hope you don't mind if I adopt it.
I love seeing more and more women on the water. Fishing is by no means a "man's sport".
In fact, I'm working on adding one more fisher girl to the roster. Her first time on the lakeshore yesterday at 3 and a half months old and she's already trying to help daddy with the rod.



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RR, she's a cutie.  Put the seat in the forward holes and put the pedal setting at 1 and she should be able to get that Outback going.

Matt!! Way to be! I want to see some pics of that incredible Alaska scenery!

RR- I warned you not to let the wife in your yak. It happens every time. 

 

Matt!! Way to be! I want to see some pics of that incredible Alaska scenery!

RR- I warned you not to let the wife in your yak. It happens every time. 

 

Where have you been!? You need to scope out the Alaska section more. So far I have put quite a few pics of the outbacks adventures on there and some scenery. Checkout the planning topics and the latest fishing report in the Alaska section. Also check out the thread "how I rigged my outback" in drilling and cutting