Which Hobie?

Looking for a ocean fishing Kayak.  I have narrowed it down to pedal power.  It looks like the Outback is the one I want but not entirely sure. The Adventure, Revolution, and the Pro Angler look interesting. I am about 200lbs and would use is mostly in the ocean for bottom fish and might have to carry it out and give tuna fishing from it a try.

Thanks for any input.

I would contact Next Adventure and ask when their next demo day is. I wasn't sure what to get until I test paddled a couple. Glad I did before buying.

I did the revo vs outback for over a year before deciding on an outback. Tried both, not at a demo though. It came down to how I use it. Mostly Columbia river, anchoring for fish, flyfishing, and camping (outback can fit a TON of gear). While the speed and more efficient hull may have been more desirable, the stability and room felt like a perfect match for me. I'm only about 130lbs so the outback is like a pro angler for me! Good luck on deciding. BTW hull slap is only slightly annoying, actually I feel like a bad ass when pedaling hard into the wind and spray is flying all over. I do wish it paddled better though.
MrEgg

How tall are you? I am 6'3" and the Adventure is one of the best ocean boat out there. If you are shorter the Revo is another fantastic choice.

I love my Outback for lake, slow river (Willamette), and faster water (Steelhead floats) and "near shore" ocean bottom fishing.  I love my Adventure for anytime I need to cruise a ways to get to the fish, when trolling in swifter moving water, or just trolling for salmon in general.  The Adventure is a great platform for salmon fishing the tidal bays and handles the current very well, but so does the Revo. I have taken a Revo out for a spin a couple times. That being said, if I only could get one Hobie, it would be the Revo.  It is nice and stable, plus it is nearly as efficient as the Adventure.  It is also a lot lighter and easier to man handle on and off a vehicle than an Outback and cheaper than the Adventure.  The Adventure is not unstable by any means, but the Revo is much more maneuverable in tight water and swift water.  You will notice a big difference in the amount of effort you put out between the Outback and the Adventure/Revo when in a strong current. The Outback feels like you are always going uphill.  Also, the Adventure and Revo are both paddled much easier.

I would test all of them and see what suits you best.

Having both an Outback and a Revo, I would choose the Revo for ocean fishing. What Craig said above is perfect. You can't beat the Outback for real estate. The Revos advantage is the maneuverability coupled with the pedal drive. You go through the wave instead of over it like the Outback.

Wobbler

I have the outback and fish the ocean probably as much as anyone on here. I think a Revo or Adventure would be a better choice. The outback is a great boat to fish out of. Its stable, comfortable and has lots of room. Its great for fishing lakes and rivers and the ocean on calmer days if you stay near the launch.

The problem with the outback in the ocean is when you start fishing miles away from the launch. Its not so bad if the weather is nice, but it gets sluggish going against the wind or a choppy ocean. Its also not easy to paddle. If the wind turns on and your mirage drive fails when you are a few miles downwind of the launch, you might be screwed. I agree with Craig. I plan on either trading my outback for a Revo, or keeping the outback and buying an Adventure for the ocean.

Not saying an Outback wont work for you, but after a couple years and many salty miles, I feel like its not the best option for me (in the ocean).

What Craig said above is perfect.
Wobbler

+ 1 on the Revo. And for the record, Craig tends to be perfect. 

Having both an Outback and a Revo, I would choose the Revo for ocean fishing. What Craig said above is perfect. You can't beat the Outback for real estate. The Revos advantage is the maneuverability coupled with the pedal drive. You go through the wave instead of over it like the Outback.

Wobbler

Oh Jeez!!! Perfect? How about right on target? Wouldn't want Craig to get the wrong impression.

W

What Craig said above is perfect.
Wobbler

+ 1 on the Revo. And for the record, Craig tends to be perfect. 

Perfect is such a strong word and because I am a humble guy, I prefer flawless. 

revo, meaning the 13 footer am sure. myself had started with one outback and one revo 13, a few weeks later traded the outback for another revo. my only regret is not being able to come up with extra dough to get the adventure.

revo, meaning the 13 footer am sure. myself had started with one outback and one revo 13, a few weeks later traded the outback for another revo. my only regret is not being able to come up with extra dough to get the adventure.

Unless you wanted  to add the sailing rig, you really aren't missing much of a difference.  I raced Noah with my Adventure and his Revo and it was close.  We then switched boats and again it was very close.  The Adventure won, but not by much.  Maybe there is a significant difference in overall effort in a days worth of pedaling, but at trolling speed I don't think you are at too much of a disadvantage.  Think of it this way, the Revo may be a slightly better workout.

I'm thinking about selling my Outback and getting an Addy. All this talk about new boats is getting my gears turning. I really like my Revo. It made trolling for salmon much more enjoyable this year. I think a Revo and an Addy would be my ideal fleet. When I let my friends use my Outback they always bitch about it being sluggish compared to the Revo.

What Craig said above is perfect.
Wobbler

+ 1 on the Revo. And for the record, Craig tends to be perfect. 

Ha! You obviously have never seen him perform a surf landing!

Like Craig mentioned, the speed of the adventure and revo are very close. The revo accelerates a bit faster but the adventure does have a bit more top end speed. Turning radius also certainly goes to the revo. Both are great offshore boats, id say demo both and make your decision from there.

I am still in the camp that Revo's are the best all around Hobie for me. I love the addy but the differences between the two are so subtle that the toss up goes to the Revo