Hobie Outback vs. Revolution

Howdy,

Wondering if anyone has experience with these two boats for Northwest fishing?  I'm looking for a kayak for me to do some fly fishing in mountain lakes and eastern Oregon lakes from, float the Willamette after work for both fishing and exercise (salmon), and explore some of the bays and esturaries on the Oregon Coast (fishing, clamming, crabbing, and sightseeing).  I'm also looking for a 2nd boat for my wife (who is more into exploring while I fish than fishing herself).

I like the Hobie pedal drive for hands-free.  Just wondering about the relative merits of these two in sea-worthiness, stability, and fishing comfort.

I own the Outback and have taken the Revolution for a spin a few tiimes. I also have a good fishing buddy @norcalkayakanglers.com who owns the Revo so I can pass on what he's said as well.

The Outback is a really stable yak. It takes a lot of leaning just to feel like you could go over (yet I have gone their ). It's a great troller and not the fastest but moves quite well. I think it would be suited really well for someone who doesn't get on the water too much. I always feel like it sits too high in the water so makes me vulnerable to wind. It also paddles pretty badly compared to other yaks. But it does have a ton of room under all the hatches. If you're going to be on a lake hunting bass, salmon, or trout, the Outback will be great.

The Revolution is definately a step up. First, it can paddle pretty well and you sit much lower in the water. It seems to be a little faster and responsive. The biggest negative to me was that it was pretty tippy. You need to watch what you're doing. One thing I can say about both of these though is they aren't really well suited to the open ocean very well. Don't get me wrong, they can handle, but other traditional paddle kayaks have a hull that works much better in surf and rough conditions.

Basically if you fish lakes, bays, and occasionally the ocean (and you have the dough) go for the Revo. If you don't fish the ocean much the Outback will do just fine.

Z

Thanks for the advice.  I'm leaning towards the Outback for my fishing needs.  It seems like the more practical platform for fly casting from.  The only salt paddling I really see myself doing anytime soon is in tidewater sections of rivers for salmon, and crabbing in semi-sheltered bays like the Nehalem.

I've found a used 2006 Outback fishing package for sale here locally for what seems like an ok price.  Going to look at it tomorrow.

An Outback sounds good for your purposes. Just make sure to get a good 3-6 pound anchor at sometime (3 pound for stillwater and 6 pound for tidewater. If you ever want to stay in one place and fish you'll need it.

Don't forget to post pics of your new ride!

Z

I bought the used Outback today.  Was in pretty pristine shape (few scuffs on the bottom and on the rudder, but thats it).  I'll try and post some photos when I can.

I bought the used Outback today.  Was in pretty pristine shape (few scuffs on the bottom and on the rudder, but thats it).  I'll try and post some photos when I can.

Congrats! That's the best way to make sure that you get a nice watertight yak. 

If you haven't already, one thing you might want to do is closely check out the Mirage Drive well. There are some people that complain that '05 and before models had cracks forming in there. I haven't heard of an '06 w/ this problem but it's probably good to check anyway. Hobie still stands behind their product and if you find any they'll send out free fix it kit. Hobie is really good with taking on any problems their products have.

Sure you look forward to putting some more scuffs on the bottom of the yak yourself.  And now come's the pimping of the yak!! If you have any questions about layout etc. fire away.
Z

Here's my Outback

If I may go just a bit sideways with this thread, I've got a question about the Hobie Outback.  I've seen it said that the Outback being a wider beam is somewhat slower than a narrower and of course longer boat like the Revolution.  But here's my question: How does pedaling the Outback compare, speedwise, with paddling a boat like say the Heritage Redfish 12 which is the same length.  I'm trying to hold to 12' or shorter (I'm also looking at the Hobie Sport) for ease of carrying it in the back of my long bed pickup for local outings.

Jim

I was curious about speed when I started research kayaks as well.  I never really found a head to head comparison of paddle kayaks vs. the Outback, but the general sense I got was that the mirage drive system of Hobbies largely makes up for the less-efficient hull design (the Outback is made for stability rather than speed).

I did come across this thread:
http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/5086057385/m/9061098662?r=1461069762#1461069762

Over at kayakfishingstuff.com, which compares the speed of the Outback to the Revolution.  The site manager clocks his Outback with a 5.4 mph top speed -- I'm assuming he's using a GPS.  From what I've read, a traditional 16' sea kayak has a top speed of 6-7 mph.  I'd say the Outback is at least as fast as the Redfish 12.  And since you are using your legs, you can keep up speed without getting as tired.

I wouldn't worry too much about top end speed.  For what we do here, we tend to do less sprinting and more of a steady pace.  FWIW, I can get my Prowler 15 up to 7.5 mph.  On a stead paddle I'll be in the 3.75-4.00 mph range.  On a slower boat, I might be in the 3.25 mph range.  What that means is that in the fast boat I can cover 2 miles in 30-32 minutes and in a slow boat it takes more like 37 minutes.

The difference doesn't seem to be as much of a big deal when it's put that way, does it?

-Allen

Thanks for the info.  I'm hoping to get over to Scappoose Bay Kayaking this Fri. and demo a Hobie kayak with the mirage drive.  Also, Alder Creek Kayak in Portland is getting a load of kayaks in tomorrow, including the Red Fish 12, which I'm also interested in, so will get by there on Fri. as well.

Z, I really like your fishing set-up.  I envision kayak fishing Bouy 10 out of Hammond this summer for salmon (I live about 2 miles from there).  The big thing down here now is trolling for salmon with spoons.

Jim

Z, I really like your fishing set-up.  The big thing down here now is trolling for salmon with spoons.
Jim

Thanks Jim. Some traditional kayakers may disagree with me but I think the Hobie Mirage Drives equipped yaks the ultimate for trolling. Being able to deploy all of your gear while moving and keeping your yak straight (since you get some drag to one side from the gear) make it almost hassle free.

Z

Just to confuse this thread a little more lets throw in the Adventure!
I scored an 06' Adventure for Xmas and so far so,,,,,,,, so. The boat has a few bugs and its a tad tippy compared to my Cobra XL  (but thats a bit of a barge) and it did not feel as fast as my Heritage Pro 14 That was until I added the turbo fins. They are worth every penny! (heck, they should be standard at that price).  The ride is a bit wet but the inside of the hull is bone dry and efficient paddling really requires removing the drive and replacing it with the plug (but why would you want to paddle?) The other problems were the seat blew a batten and the rudder is a bit wonky. That said, its going to be THE trolling machine!
Z,
That's a nice rig!  Have you had any problems with the seat? Apparently the problem with the drive well was still there at least through 06 as they sent the repair kit with my boat (got it from KFS)
Jim and 3wt;
If you'd like to try my Adventure out some time, drop me a pmail.
I live in PDX and this evening I'm somewhere around Coon Island in the Mult Channel. Heck, just call me, lets go fishing.

Z,
That's a nice rig!  Have you had any problems with the seat? Apparently the problem with the drive well was still there at least through 06 as they sent the repair kit with my boat (got it from KFS)

Thanks Tware! I haven't had any trouble with the seat yet. It's actually been a really strong point on the yak and had taken a beating from holding me in place! Thanks for the info about the drive well. I'll keep an eye on it.

Z

Rode up today to Alder Creek Kayak in Portland to look at the Heritage Redfish 12........liked it a lot.  Then from there rode to Scappoose Bay Kayaking and tried out a Hobie Sport to get a feel for the Mirage Drive.  I liked it a lot.  Fun little boat and quite maneuverable.  I ride a recumbent bike and the Mirage Drive feels a lot like that.  I'm not sure yet what Hobie model I would get, but can definitely see having one of them.  The Sport would be really handy to throw in the back of my full size pickup and head for smaller waters.  It would lack the speed of the Adventure.  They had just got in 2 Revolutions that look great, but I'm not sure I could carry them in the back of the PU........might have to put them on the roof rack.  Heck, I guess the solution would be to get a Sport and an Adventure and have the best of both worlds, plus could take a friend.    Of course there is the Adventure Island. 

Jim

Jim and 3wt;
If you'd like to try my Adventure out some time, drop me a pmail.
I live in PDX and this evening I'm somewhere around Coon Island in the Mult Channel. Heck, just call me, lets go fishing.

Forgot to add, tnx for the offer of your Adventure.  If I end up with one of these I'll be looking for paddling partners.  I live in Warrenton, OR at the mouth of the Columbia River.  There's lots of interesting paddling spots between here and PDX.

Jim