Best all-use hobie?

I've been going through a lot of forums to find the best hobie for me, which would be used in open water, lakes, and rivers. One that I can strap a small downrigger onto, can carry a crab trap, that is decent at surf launching and trolling.

Looking at the PA14, Evo 13 and the outback. Probably going to end up buying 2, for my little brother and myself, so I don't want them to be too different in terms of speed and maneuverability.

Any of you pros have any input?

Checkout the PA12 too. If you have some experience kayaking you might also check out the adventure but the outback and the revo are two or the best all around boats. Demo all the ones you can.

Revo 13 for not tall guys.

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weeeeelllll, I am not a pro by any means, recently (april)I had bought both the revo 13 and the outback for my daughter or myself depending on conditions stability wise...I ended up after a couple trips out swapping the outback hull for another revo 13, it is stable and if you get yourself like I did some yakattack gear tracks can probably put everything under the sun on a kayak with these.. I put two 12inch tracks(gt-90 narrower tracks up front near storage compartments) and two 12 inch just behind the seat which I figure can handle just about any gizmo I need or want to use and in any configuration. good luck on what your gonna do. and by all means demo the crap out of both...when u do make sure to paddle both.

The one without a cracked drivewell or a busted drive?

Sorry guys, I couldn't resist.  Just joking. 

-Allen

Yeah, if you're looking to consider the Outback, Revo 13, and the PA 14, I would swap out the PA 14 for the PA 12, like Noah said.  The PA 12 is much closer in performance to the Revo 13 and the Outback.  I have a Revo 13 and a PA 12 and I love them both, but they both have their strengths.  The Revo 13 is mainly my ocean/long distance boat.  I've hauled a couple of crab traps (with nothing else in my rear gear well mind you) or LOTS of gear for targeting ocean species.  I've done plenty of 15+ mile days in that boat.  The PA 12 is my bass fishing/short distance/uber comfort boat.  It's crazy stable and hauls more gear than I can use. 

I don't think there is one Hobie that is the best for all-use.  It's important to recognize where you will do most of your fishing and choose a boat that best suited for the majority of your time on the water.

weeeeelllll, I am not a pro by any means, recently (april)I had bought both the revo 13 and the outback for my daughter or myself depending on conditions stability wise...I ended up after a couple trips out swapping the outback hull for another revo 13, it is stable and if you get yourself like I did some yakattack gear tracks can probably put everything under the sun on a kayak with these.. I put two 12inch tracks(gt-90 narrower tracks up front near storage compartments) and two 12 inch just behind the seat which I figure can handle just about any gizmo I need or want to use and in any configuration. good luck on what your gonna do. and by all means demo the crap out of both...when u do make sure to paddle both.

Hmmm...I will likely be in the market for another Hobie sooner than later.  I currently have two outbacks.  Love them!!!  But its the only Hobie I have ever known.  What made you switch to the Revo?  I like the lighter weight and slightly easier pedaling from what i hear.  But everyone LOVES both the Revo or Outback.  But a lot of us don't get a chance to play with both, especially here in Alaska.  What were your main factors you considered?  I am thinking about varying up the fleet a bit.  The adventure was on my wish list (AI really) but I think a REVO night be a more reasonable selection for my uses.

If its just the paddling issue, that likely won't be enough.  to me that's like picking one car over another car since its easier to push when you run out of gas.  Definitely an issue when you run out of gas, but I so rarely use my paddle it's a non-issue so far (cross your fingers...uh no, I better address it!!)   If I get up to three Hobies, I am getting an extra backup drive. I figure its rare for a drive to go out, but that "rarity" gets multiplied by three if I have them out all of the time. With two, one can tow the other or if I am solo on long trips, I can take the extra drive. 

Yeah, if you're looking to consider the Outback, Revo 13, and the PA 14, I would swap out the PA 14 for the PA 12, like Noah said.  The PA 12 is much closer in performance to the Revo 13 and the Outback.  I have a Revo 13 and a PA 12 and I love them both, but they both have their strengths.  The Revo 13 is mainly my ocean/long distance boat.  I've hauled a couple of crab traps (with nothing else in my rear gear well mind you) or LOTS of gear for targeting ocean species.  I've done plenty of 15+ mile days in that boat.  The PA 12 is my bass fishing/short distance/uber comfort boat.  It's crazy stable and hauls more gear than I can use. 

I don't think there is one Hobie that is the best for all-use.  It's important to recognize where you will do most of your fishing and choose a boat that best suited for the majority of your time on the water.

I agree with Rawkfish except I own a Revo 13 and an Outback. The Outback is my boat of choice for short distance fishing,  crabbing and hunting. Whereas, the Revo 13 is great for long hauls. Both have their strengths and weaknesses and neither is the perfect all around Yak.

If I had to choose one, it would be the Outback for it's stability while hunting. They are tied otherwise. I wish you luck in your deliberations

Wobbler

I'm not a pro, but without a doubt the "best all-use Hobie" is the Revo 13 with turbo fins and sailing rudder.

From mine I crab and use a downrigger on a removable mount.

i traded the outback in for the revo13 hull due to the outback being a tank and difficult to paddle,  if it fits YOUR purpose than go with that, for me the revo`s are perfect, stable...can sit side saddle, tracks well and paddles great. cannot tell u how happy i am to have swapped hulls. for what its worth both outback and revo were bought with the turbo fins.

i traded the outback in for the revo13 hull due to the outback being a tank and difficult to paddle,  if it fits YOUR purpose than go with that, for me the revo`s are perfect, stable...can sit side saddle, tracks well and paddles great. cannot tell u how happy i am to have swapped hulls. for what its worth both outback and revo were bought with the turbo fins.

Thanks! The outback fits my current needs perfectly. But I do think my next kayak will be different. If its just for me, I was thinking adventure. But for more casual use all around and transporting 3 to 4 kayaks, the revo 13 seems like the choice.

I've seen one in action here and it handles all the conditions well.  Appreciate the input!


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Survey says: get a revo 13 

Thank you everyone for the input! Now to try them out.

One question though. On a couple other forums, I noticed some people were having issues with water accumulating in the seat well area and having issues with the drain plugs. These issues were on some older models, is this still an issue for the 2013 revo?

I haven't noticed it (2013 Revo), but then again, I have a waterproof butt unless it is warm enough (air & water) out that I don't mind swimming - and then having a wet butt just helps me keep cool.

Thank you everyone for the input! Now to try them out.

One question though. On a couple other forums, I noticed some people were having issues with water accumulating in the seat well area and having issues with the drain plugs. These issues were on some older models, is this still an issue for the 2013 revo?

If you use drain plugs in the seat on most any kayak, water will accumulate.  Just don't use drain plugs in the seat.