2015 Hobie Revolution Initial Experiences

A couple of months ago I purchased a 2015 Hobie Revolution 13. Now that I've used it a bit, here are some impressions, purely subjective, but first a bit of background to provide context.

-Prior to the Hobie, I've owned a couple of kayaks (Necky Looksha plastic, OK Scupper Pro) and rented many sit-in and sit-on boats.
-I'm very comfortable in small boats and on big water (and admit to some ill-advised learning experiences.)
-Previously I'd done very limited rod and line fishing from a kayak, and a fair amount of spear fishing a couple of decades ago (no penalty for turtling with a wetsuit on with diving in mind while testing limits  ).
-I'm 6'3 200#, and in pretty decent shape, except...
-My shoulders are damaged (no remaining joint lining) so paddling all day isn't in the plan.

I've had the Hobie out 8 times, including fishing for Springers on the Willamette and Columbia, and two trips to Pacific City on pretty nice days with relatively low surf and winds 10-18 mph.

Performance:
-The Rev13 is a relatively easy hull to move through the water for a SOT fishing boat. However, it does feel very sluggish compared to the ScupperPro, and like a slug compared to just about every sit-in kayak I've used (note that I've tended toward long, narrow sea kayaks in the past.) While it may feel sluggish, it's just as fast as those boats with standard fins, faster with Turbo Fins.
-Surf: outbound it's a wet ride--the low volume of the bow punches through waves rather than riding over them; be ready for a face full of water. Inbound the boat is easy to control on small waves either with the rudder or using the paddle to stern rudder; I've had no issues with pearling (burying the bow). I haven't tried my bigger surf fall back of bracing into the face of a wave with a paddle while sliding sideways (with drive system removed and rudder up, of course).
-Wind: it's very easy to maintain course and the boat doesn't weathercock; I attribute that to the relatively low bow/stern profile, the drive system working like a centerboard and the large sailing rudder. The relatively high seating position does create more wind profile. Then again, the wind isn't blowing your paddle around.
-Stability: for me, the Rev13 has plenty of initial stability. It does tend to follow the contour of a wave/swell, unlike a narrow sea kayak that enables you to keep your torso more vertical. Also, a paddle provides instant bracing ability (I always have one in hand for surf launch/landing, even if mostly relying on the Mirage Drive.) Spending too much time rigging my rods on one ocean outing had me close to chumming--never had that experience in a sea kayak, even in much bigger conditions.
-Fishing:  it's a new world! Hands free kayaking really changes the game, particularly when trying to hold position in wind/currents; deploy a rig while moving and using your rod while repositioning. With only two molded rod holders, both behind the seat, many will want a location where a rod is visible while trolling and space for a net, gaff, etc., when fishing for bigger prey.
-Top-Side Storage: A consideration with the Mirage Drive is that you need to keep your leg/footwell area clear most of the time so you don't interfere with pedaling; with a typical SOT, I've always had 'stuff' in that area while fishing. Not much space for miscellaneous items in the two cockpit recesses; the center hatch storage area is useful, but small if you use the included container. A milk crate fits securely under the stock rear deck bungies.

Ergonomics:
-The new seat design is great! Lots of adjustability to shift positions. However, it does raise the center-of-gravity. Also, the seat can inhibit good paddling mechanics (torso rotation) should you need/want to paddle the boat for extended distances.
-Mirage Drive System:  Really great! With standard fins I can move the boat as fast as paddling a sleeker sea kayak. At 6'3" with relatively long legs and size 13 feet, I use neoprene booties--wading boots heels or even water shoes with thick soles can interfere with my pedal strokes.
-Paddling:  OK for relaxed paddling; seat can be adjusted to minimize interference with torso rotation for more aggressive paddling; higher seat position and rolled hull edges make for easy paddle clearance with a medium angle paddle stroke.
-Steering:  great directional control and manueverability with the larger sailing rudder, only used the standard rudder for demos.
-Grab handles:  solid and well positioned for lifting the boat. Also a great aid for self rescues.
-Weight:  at over 70# for the hull, it's no lightweight (some day hoist a Pygmy Boats kayak, ahhh!), but with the solid grab handles I'm tall enough to get it on my Sequoia without drama.

In all, I'm extremely happy that I chose the Revolution 13--it meets my needs very well, including the Mirage Drive that spares my shoulders. The biggest surprise to me is just how much of an benefit 'paddle free' fishing can be. YMMV.

Cheers!
Dave
C-Slug

Well done.  Great detailed review.  I'm curious, with all your previous kayaking experience,  why did you choose the 13 over the 16?  What length Looksha did you paddle?

Consider adding thigh straps to your Revolution.  I have over 30 years of whitewater kayaking experience, and am used to using kayaks which I can control with my thighs and hips through the kayak's outfitting.  When using a sit-on-top kayak, I sometimes feel like a marble rolling around on a plate.  With thigh straps, if conditions get rambunctious I can pull up my Revolution's Mirage Drive, stick my knees into the thigh straps, and be ready for action.  Sometimes I tighten up the thigh straps and leave them lying along the gunwales.  Other times I only clip in the back of the thigh straps and strap them behind my seat so they're available quickly if I need them, merely by clipping in the front of the straps.

Wait, Pete, you have whitewater experience?

The Looksha was the plastic version 17' x 22.5", although I rented the fiberglass version that was a bit narrower, and much more responsive--it loves leaned turns.

I chose the Rev13 for a number of reasons, in the end, design is always a compromise.
-All of the Hobies have plenty of speed with Turbo Fins, but I'm biased toward a finer entry. The Rev16 gets top marks, the Outback pushes more of a bow wave than I like.
-The Rev 16 is heavier and less maneuverable, but faster and, for me, plenty stable.
-I typically go alone, and managing a longer boat off-the-water can be a PIA, particularly getting it on top of a tall car in wind.
-I want to recruit my wife into the game, and the Rev13 will be a better platform for her (then I can get the 16, or the Outback, depending on my priorities at the time.
-I wasn't certain that I'd stay with kayak fishing, and the market for an Outback or Rev13 is much larger. That's no longer a concern.

As someone who used to sail a lot and doesn't have, or plan on having, a sailboat in the near future, if the Rev16 was still the base platform for the Adventure Island, I might have gone that direction. As it is, I may get the sail rig for the Rev13--it will be much more stable than the sailing canoes I've tried and add a fun dimension.

Wrt to thigh straps, I did outfit my ScupperPro with a set, and they worked well, particularly for surf, and I'd definitely install them in if I was in a paddle boat. I doubt that I'll add thigh straps to the Hobie; I feel plenty secure, and they aren't really compatible with pedaling which I'll do 95+% of the time.

Wait, Pete, you have whitewater experience?

The hat make you say that?

Wait, Pete, you have whitewater experience?

This made me laugh out loud.

Wrt to thigh straps, I did outfit my ScupperPro with a set, and they worked well, particularly for surf, and I'd definitely install them in if I was in a paddle boat. I doubt that I'll add thigh straps to the Hobie; I feel plenty secure, and they aren't really compatible with pedaling which I'll do 95+% of the time.

I also pedal 95+% of the time, but for the other 5% of the time, thigh straps can be nice to have.  If I start tipping over when pedaling my Revolution, about all I can do is make jazz hands.  With a paddle in my hands and thigh straps on my legs, I feel more secure.  I can brace, I can surf, I can sidesurf.

Great review!

Wait, Pete, you have whitewater experience?

This made me laugh out loud.

Behave yourselves, boys, or I'll start posting whitewater pictures.

Wait, Pete, you have whitewater experience?

This made me laugh out loud.

Behave yourselves, boys, or I'll start posting whitewater pictures.

PMMPETE:
Point well taken wrt thigh straps. Particularly in high surf, side surfing is the surest way to reach the beach upright in any kayak I've been in and I really need a more secure connection with the boat to pull it off.

For those who haven't tried it, there are some good videos on YouTube that would have saved me some 'learning experiences' e.g., getting "Maytagged" in the spin cycle a few times.

PMMPETE:
Point well taken wrt thigh straps. Particularly in high surf, side surfing is the surest way to reach the beach upright in any kayak I've been in and I really need a more secure connection with the boat to pull it off.

For those who haven't tried it, there are some good videos on YouTube that would have saved me some 'learning experiences' e.g., getting "Maytagged" in the spin cycle a few times.

Nice write up. Pretty much covers all the bases and sounds like you made the right choice for YOU! That's important. I've always thought the Revo and Adventure (I just can't call it a Revo 16 ) are some great kayaks if you're a pedaler.