Purchasing Hobie Questions

Took everybody's  advice and demoed the Revo13 and Outback. Made my decision more difficult. Next weekend I'm going to Gig Harbor Fly Shop to demo the propel kayaks.

Have thought about holding out on purchasing til next year. Has anyone heard of any rumors from any companies (hobie, native, wilderness systems, ETC) on new peddle drive concepts or improvements?

If you wait, you'll lose a year of fishing.  If a manufacturer starts producing a better kayak, you can buy it.  You can't buy a year of missed fishing.

I've heard the wilderness systems boat will be out early next year. The revos and outbacks are great fishing platforms, especially for the NW.

I also want to make a quick note about Hobie Cats NW. I'm not sure who I spoke to the first time I tried to contact them about demo but they were unpleasant. Though yesterday the gentleman who helped me out and put me in the boats was first class. So just wanted to throw that out there.

I also want to make a quick note about Hobie Cats NW. I'm not sure who I spoke to the first time I tried to contact them about demo but they were unpleasant. Though yesterday the gentleman who helped me out and put me in the boats was first class. So just wanted to throw that out there.

That's decent of you to come back with an update of a better experience. Many may have never called them again, after an experience like your first one. And fewer yet probably wouldn't take the time to update the forum....Nice job!

Buy from a dealer you're comfortable working with.  The Gig Harbor Fly Shop guys are great.  You can't really get around the sales tax thing in Washington State but I know they take care of their customers. One perk is that they do monthly kayak fishing meet ups throughout the year for customers purchasing new kayaks.  It's a good way to learn different fisheries.  MSRP price is typically fixed for dealers except at the end of the season they can discount boats (usually 10%) to bring in new inventory.

It used to be the case that if you showed your Oregon DL, they would let you fill out a form and not charge you the WA sales tax. I haven't bought anything in WA for a while now, so I dunno if that is still in place. Anyone ?

Sellers may choose to exempt Oregon residents from paying sales tax

http://dor.wa.gov/content/findtaxesandrates/retailsalestax/nonresidents/default.aspx

Just pulled the tigger on a 2015 Hobie Outback Ivory Dune color.
Purchased online through Next Adventure and having it delivered to their store in Portland. No tax and about $60 in gas to get there, cant beat that!

Thanks again to everyone that chimed in and gave me advice.

Congrats!

beware... if this is your first kayak, it probably wont be your last... and if this is your second kayak it probably still wont be your last!   

This is my 4th.

First OK T13
Second OK Scambler 11 (for the girlfriend)
Third Jackson Coosa (had to sell for Hobie money)
Now the Outback

Its an addiction.

Just pulled the tigger on a 2015 Hobie Outback Ivory Dune color.

Here's a picture of the last guy that, "pulled the tigger"   

This is my 4th.

First OK T13
Second OK Scambler 11 (for the girlfriend)
Third Jackson Coosa (had to sell for Hobie money)
Now the Outback

Its an addiction.

Yep.  They should start a KA (Kayakers Anonymous) group...

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is that on the outback I can access the front hatch with ease on the water. Each leg thrown over the side keeps it plenty stable while doing so.