guest turned member saying hello

I am a guest making the move to member. I hope to learn the ropes from this great community. I don't have a boat yet but leaning towards a Hobie Outback or Revo 13. Any advice and thoughts on the  subject would be greatly appreciated.----- wa nuFisH (aka Don)

Welcome to the site! My advice is to demo some kayaks and see what you like. I started with an outback and eventually got a new revo. The outback has great stability and tons of storage room but it lacks in speed. The revo doesn't feel quite as stable and has less room for gear but it is a lot faster than the outback. It's all preference though...
Everyone is going to say the same thing demo demo demo!

Demo, demo, demo!  I was leaning towards the revo until I took a demo ride. I ended up in an outback.  Everything ling ling said is true.  Being the first yak I  bought I  chose the extra stability over the speed.  I have no regrets!

Welcome!  I think you need to think about how you will use your kayak most and then think about which one (after some demos). I use an Outback and speed is never a factor for my fishing. I spend most of my time at a troll do about 1.3 mph.  The outback does this all day long with little to no effort expended.


Sent from my iPad on "Tapatalk"

Demo, demo, demo. and note: Stability can be added with hobie sidekicks.


-Rodney-

Thanks for all the advice guys, I demoed a PA12 and the Outback, the PA 12 is too heavy and the steering seemed numb but awesome in the comfort, storage and stability factor. The Outback's steering, storage and stability all good. I haven't yet given a revo 13 a try. I want to fish some local lakes, Puget Sound and seeing all those videos of Pacific City on You Tube I really want to give that a shot!!!! I guess I'm trying to find the all in one kayak. Safety and a good respect for cold water temps are all things I'm thinking about in this new very cool hobbie/(addiction) as well.------Thanks Again- Don       

I went with an Ouback for my first yak, you cant go wrong with it for a first yak. Very happy with it, altough I see a Revo or OK trident joining the fleet in the near future now that I have gained more experince and feel very confident out on the salt

Revo 13.  Hands down best Hobie fishing platform for varied missions.  Like Goldilocks and the porridge. Fast enough, short enough, long enough, stable enough, ...

Outbacks are more stable, but you give up speed and agility.  PA12 is not really a kayak, and even slower than the Outback.  Adventure is much faster, but they're longer, narrower, and a less stable. Revo11 is too short with too little deck space.

Revo13 - just right.

I have a revo and love it, but an outback is also a great boat. The speed isn't that noticeable unless you are trying to cover 2-3 miles offshore. For most fishing either boat will serve you really well. Some people that have not spent a lot of time in kayaks will lean toward the outback because of the additional lateral stability. One more thing to consider is weight capacity, you get an extra 50 lbs with the outback. If you are 250-300 lbs you may want to go with the outback. The max is 400 but its good to have a buffer for fish, gear, etc.

I don't remember the last time I didn't cover 2-3 miles offshore.

I feel like the speed is very noticeable. The difference is so dramatic for me that I don't think I'll ever get on my Outback again. I was trolling up the Coos with a buddy a few weeks ago. He was having a hell of a time pedaling against the current in my Outback. He was huffing and puffing. I didn't even realize there was any current in the Revo. The Revo wins for me. I am not interested in the Outback anymore. I I might sell it and get another Revo or possibly save the dough to get an Addy. Perhaps I should demo one before I make a decision like that.

just curious how a Revo11 can be "too short" -- does that mean it doesn't track straight or gets pushed around by wind easier than a longer boat?  I have a Revo11 -- not sure i know what i'm missing with a longer boat.  The 11' was all I could handle loading by myself.  Deck space doesn't seem to be an issue for me.  Thanks for the insight.

Our Revo 13 is drastically easier to load onto vehicles than the outback.  The outback is not hard to solo load, the revo is just drastically easier.  Even tossing them into the back of a truck is easier with the Revo.  As others have said demo them both on the same trip.  If you can have someone go with you and demo them side by side.  The revo has way less hull slap then the outback which does get annoying after a few miles.  The revo also slices thru the waves better, these same waves break up onto the outback. 

Here is the odd part; with the exception of the columbia and ocean, I currently use the outback.  I am 6'-4" and 230 lbs however.  If I was smaller I don't believe I would use the outback. 

I'm 5'9, 180lbs so I think both the revo and outback would work for my size. I did notice the wave slapping on my demo in the outback and if you are going miles it may get a little old. There is so much help available in this community and I thank you all for the insight. I hope to call you all my fishing brothers soon ----- Don

I'm 6'3" 210 and can't stand the outback for ocean work. Too much of a bathtub

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