Hobie Outback

Went out and test pedaled the Hobie Revolution and the Hobie Outback today.

After testing the Revolution I found it to be a bit more unstable in rough water. I also didn't feel comfortable with the pedal position (mirage drive) on the Revolution.

The Outback seemed to manuver quite well and has a very tight turning radius. The pedal position was very comfortable and I was able to move quite quickly (look ma no hands).
It is a bit weird just using your feet and one hand on the rudder and it will take some getting used to.
I take delivery on the Outback this later next week.

I'm sure I'll spend most of the Fall and Winter rigging this out.

See ya on the water,

Kurt



http://www.kayakshed.com/client/images/full/Hobie_Outback_Moss.JPG

I am thoroughly enjoying my outback.  It has worked fine on still water, rivers and the ocean.  Stable, easy to maneuver, and pretty comfy.

Upgrade to the sailing rudder at least - it tightens the turning radius and makes tracking corrections respond faster.  I upgraded to the turbo fins immediately, so I can't really say if they improved anything, but they definitely haven't hurt.

I chopped two pool noodles in half and gooped them into the bow section, and have three noodles loose in the stern.

The left hand tiller has made fishing pretty easy for me - I am most comfortable with left hand retrieve, so I can hang onto my fishing pole with my right hand while working the rudder.

Enjoy

Upgrade to the sailing rudder at least - it tightens the turning radius and makes tracking corrections respond faster.  I upgraded to the turbo fins immediately, so I can't really say if they improved anything, but they definitely haven't hurt.

Upgrade to the sailing rudder and the turbo fins, it will be the best money spent for performance upgrades.

Congrats on the new fishing vessel, I'm sure you wont be disappointed, while not a speed demon i love the stability of the Outback.

Thanks guys,

I have already got the turbo fins (even before I got the yak). I too was impressed with the stability as sometimes on the sound there can be some wicked boat wake or quite a bit of chop from the wind.


Today with the monsoon rains I'll be rigging the ceiling hoist in the garage. What have you guys done about rod holders for trolling?
(I like the Scotty rod holders) but just wondering if it's a pain to rig them.

Taking my Pamlico 160 Tandem out tomorrow morning to Golden Gardens. My commercial fisherman friend that I took out last week has been hounding me everyday as to when I'm going out next.
It is nice to have a deck hand once in a while

Kurt

I haven't rigged a rodholder yet - I'm going with a flushmount scotty setup, with an extender to lift the holder up and away from my knees.  It will probably end up just forward of the right side carry handle.

Been considering a Hobie for our second kayak, but havn't decided between the Outback or the Revolution.  Test drove an Outback and it did just fine.  Still interested in the Revolution too.  Glad to hear you guys like them -

Alan

I just ended up with an Outback in the back of my truck and really enjoy it.  I am just rigging everything up and getting use to it before I try it in the big pond.  My only complaint is that with work and bow season going on I don't have much time to enjoy it.

I ended up mounting a Scotty top mount rod holder.  So far it's pretty nice.  Was a real pain to reach inside to bolt it down.  I also rigged an anchor trolley I seem in the forum.  Lots of good info and pictures to read over. Well worth the time.

One thing that was fun I tried right away was seeing just how hard it is to flip in the water.  You'll be impressed.

Jason

Hey floyak, welcome to NWKA. You will have to hook up with Dave(goldendog) and do some fishing up there and also make it down here to Coos Bay to fish with the south coast crew at Sunset.