Hobie compass

I’m Looking at buying a hobie compass and was wondering if anyone on this board has any experience with them. I’m looking to fish mainly the Columbia and it’s tributaries for salmon/ steelhead and I suppose whatever else bites. Also would consider a used one if it’s what I’m looking for if anyone here’s anything. Thank you!

I have had one since the end of last summer.  Its my 3rd single seater kayak: started with a WS Pungo 120, moved to a WS ATAK 140  and now have the compass (also have a Hobie Tandem Island).    I went with the Compass because of weight and also price.  So far I have been happy.  It is reasonably stable and also reasonably quick (I have never used a Revo so I cannot compare to how much easier they are to paddle).  I can stand up to cast if needed though not nearly as stable as my old ATAK 140.    Stability when sitting is great though and you would have to lean over pretty darn far to get it to spill.  That being said, you do sit up a little high so it feels ever so tippy when you are first getting used to the boat. 

Seat is not quite as comfortable as the normal Hobie seat.  I find my lower back getting a bit more fatigued in the compass compared to when I am in the TI, since the TI seats have a lot more adjustment. 

Built-in track have worked well for me so far. 

I did the common mod to move the round hatch to the bow and installed the rectangular hatch at the cockpit. I have been happy with that decision so far. 

Have you ever taken it to bouy 10 or in the ocean? If so how did it do? The wife just gave the go ahead for an outback instead but still looking at this as an option.

Have you ever taken it to bouy 10 or in the ocean? If so how did it do? The wife just gave the go ahead for an outback instead but still looking at this as an option.

I have no experience with the Compass but the Outback is amazing and I strongly recommend it based on how it has performed for me.

I dont have the confidence to take it to Bouy 10 and deal with the currents, weather conditions, etc.  so cannot speak there

I am planning on getting out in the ocean more this year, and I don't forsee any issues. 

I think the outback is probably superior in almost every way except one: weight.   I didn't want to lug a beast around so that is why I didn't look at the new outback. 

I dont have the confidence to take it to Bouy 10 and deal with the currents, weather conditions, etc.  so cannot speak there

I am planning on getting out in the ocean more this year, and I don't forsee any issues. 

I think the outback is probably superior in almost every way except one: weight.   I didn't want to lug a beast around so that is why I didn't look at the new outback.

the weight issue is reversed for me- I started in 2013 with a 2012 PA12, moved to a 2012 Oasis in 2016, and so for me, the 'lighter weight' of the 2019 Outback was definitely a positive, along with the lower drag hull and lower side profile and huge rear deck for Pepper and amazing storage/rigging flexibility up front and side scanning transducer ready....I guess one man's lighter kayak is another's heavier kayak.  lol 

For me, the Compass is the backup boat to the Tandem Island (which is on a trailer).  I use it when I want a quick, easy trip or when I am bass fishing.  Trolling days are almost always in the TI.  The compass replaced my ATAK 140 which was a BEAST not only in length but also weight.  It weighed about the same as a new Outback but was slightly longer and just a pain in the butt to move around and rooftop load. 

Ill be honest that price paid a huge factor too.  I got a closeout last year model Compass for a good deal and since I have 180 drives with the TI I didn't pay to upgrade there.    If I didn't have the TI, I probably would have considered a new Outback as a great all arounder.

A few drawbacks I have found with the Compass:
- Not having map pockets is a bigger loss than I would have expected.  I keep meaning to hit up Next Adventure and get a couple of the add on kits. 
- Only one cup holder also reduces interior storage and I miss the second one (when compared to the TI). 
- It comes with the thru-hull kit, but it is not pre-drilled so you will have to do it yourself.  A little bit of work, but on the plus side you get to decide where the holes in your boat are.

One other advantage I see for the compass: Closed bow/no hatch - There was the leaky hatch issue with the OB when they first came out.  They have supposedly fixed it so should be good, but the compass has no bow hatch (stock) and if you move a circular twist and stow up there, they seal better regardless.  I like the bungee storage up there too and probably use that more than I would actual hatch storage. 

For me, the Compass is the backup boat to the Tandem Island (which is on a trailer).  I use it when I want a quick, easy trip or when I am bass fishing.  Trolling days are almost always in the TI.  The compass replaced my ATAK 140 which was a BEAST not only in length but also weight.  It weighed about the same as a new Outback but was slightly longer and just a pain in the butt to move around and rooftop load. 

Ill be honest that price paid a huge factor too.  I got a closeout last year model Compass for a good deal and since I have 180 drives with the TI I didn't pay to upgrade there.    If I didn't have the TI, I probably would have considered a new Outback as a great all arounder.

A few drawbacks I have found with the Compass:
- Not having map pockets is a bigger loss than I would have expected.  I keep meaning to hit up Next Adventure and get a couple of the add on kits. 
- Only one cup holder also reduces interior storage and I miss the second one (when compared to the TI). 
- It comes with the thru-hull kit, but it is not pre-drilled so you will have to do it yourself.  A little bit of work, but on the plus side you get to decide where the holes in your boat are.

One other advantage I see for the compass: Closed bow/no hatch - There was the leaky hatch issue with the OB when they first came out.  They have supposedly fixed it so should be good, but the compass has no bow hatch (stock) and if you move a circular twist and stow up there, they seal better regardless.  I like the bungee storage up there too and probably use that more than I would actual hatch storage.

agreed, final choice for a kayak often comes down to your other boats (I still have my i11s for ultra portable solo trips) and/or discounts.

the bow hatch leak was definitely an issue with ProAnglers in earlier years and resolved with a secondary seal on the underside of the hatch.  the very early new Outbacks in the fall of 2018 (like mine) had the same issue and it was resolved adding the same sort of secondary seal on the hatch.

while I'm not sure if this is a factor in Becart's decision, because my rear deck is otherwise occupied, I need that bow hatch to hold a dozen crab and some lingcod and rockfish....

I do like that front hatch storage full of crab! Does anyone have a newer outback that can coment on the leaking hatch issue? I think I’m leaning towards the outback more because I really enjoy the fall fishery there at bouy 10 and would like to not have to worry about being rolled around as much.

Does anyone have a newer outback that can coment on the leaking hatch issue?

I have a 2020 Outback.  I have had several days where I was going against whitecap waves on a lake.  The front of the newer outback sits lower, so there is a lot of water that comes over the bow from waves.  You will get wet, but so far my hatch hasn’t leaked at all and my kayak stayed dry inside.

I do like that front hatch storage full of crab! Does anyone have a newer outback that can coment on the leaking hatch issue? I think I’m leaning towards the outback more because I really enjoy the fall fishery there at bouy 10 and would like to not have to worry about being rolled around as much.

Hatch leak is fake news.

On my maiden voyage of my new Outback last week on Hagg Lake there was a lot of wind waves and wakes from the power boaters and as stated above you will get wet by taking a lot of water over the front but when I got back to the boat ramp there was only a little water in the hull (really it was just damp).   My son had more water in the hull of my old Outback then I had in mine.  I really like the new hull design of the Outback.  It's so much more quieter, no more hull slap.  If you have the extra scratch for the Outback I'd go for it over the compass.

Hatch leak is fake news.

So... that means that hatch leaks are a persisting and inconvenient reality? lol

On my maiden voyage of my new Outback last week on Hagg Lake there was a lot of wind waves and wakes from the power boaters and as stated above you will get wet by taking a lot of water over the front but when I got back to the boat ramp there was only a little water in the hull (really it was just damp).   My son had more water in the hull of my old Outback then I had in mine.  I really like the new hull design of the Outback.  It's so much more quieter, no more hull slap.  If you have the extra scratch for the Outback I'd go for it over the compass.

I have described my Outback as almost a 'surf board that holds stuff", low is good.  And I love to go out to quietly enjoy nature, get wet, and bring home food. 

here are some comparison images I made back in late 2018, unfortunately I didn't include the Compass:

(PS- don't overlook having steering controls on both sides, it's a real benefit at times.)

Side profiles-



Top views-

Another question. Why is the camo version more expensive? I’m assuming there’s some upgraded stuff on it? If so is it worth it?