Hobie Revolution or Outback or ?????

I want a new toy DANG IT!!!

I have decided that my beloved Mini-x is just too much of barge.  Obviously I can catch fish with it but the slow speed is just too much to overcome from a safety point of view. Right now my comfort level is only a mile to 2 miles out as a headwind of just 10knts and current have me battling to just stay even, let alone make headway.  After watching a SINK and a 15 ft prowler in action, and then watching my friend blow by me in a 12ft pereception pescadore, I need and upgrade!

Debating the revolution versus the outback.  Love the width of my mini-x.  So I know we have owner's of both on this board and I think most have an idea of the type of fishing I do.  Leaning toward the outback for stability since I am thinking if I go with the revolution, maybe I should just go all out to the adventure. 

Any suggestions?  And no, I am probably going to have to purchase it blind without testing.  I have faith in the board members to give me good advice.  heck i am having fun with my mini-x.  Anything will be an upgrade!

Thanks!

You should ask yourself which is more important to you stability/maneuverability or speed/range?   Of course you can make up for a lack of either with improved balance or strength, but I think you'll find balance easier to come by.

I have an outback and i really like it. I have been pondering getting a Revo but i think i'll stick to the outback, love the trays on the sides, turns very sharp with the sailing rudder for those tight spots so less grabbing the paddle and the stability is just ridiculous

Do you need to go 5 MPH? get a Revo, if not an Outback is the ticket

I bought an Adventure a couple of weeks ago and say can beyond a doubt that its an unbelievably awesome fishing machine. It is narrower and longer than most of the sit on tops marketed for kayak fishing but its speed is equivalent to all but the fastest of sea kayaks. So if you are a confident SOT kayaker looking for a fast fishing boat, then the Adventure will run circles around the other options in terms of speed.

On the down side, it only has 2 rod holders and does not have all the bells and whistles of the PA or the Outback but it makes up for it with the very efficient hydrodynamic hull.

In terms of handing the wind, one could argue that peddling doesn't use the paddle so lets windage I imagine. In addition being about to cruise ~4-5mph can cut through some rough swells.

Buy an Adventure, put on Turbo fins and the sailing rudder and run circles around the rest of the SOT's 

I bought an Adventure a couple of weeks ago and say can beyond a doubt that its an unbelievably awesome fishing machine. It is narrower and longer than most of the sit on tops marketed for kayak fishing but its speed is equivalent to all but the fastest of sea kayaks. So if you are a confident SOT kayaker looking for a fast fishing boat, then the Adventure will run circles around the other options in terms of speed.

On the down side, it only has 2 rod holders and does not have all the bells and whistles of the PA or the Outback but it makes up for it with the very efficient hydrodynamic hull.

In terms of handing the wind, one could argue that peddling doesn't use the paddle so lets windage I imagine. In addition being about to cruise ~4-5mph can cut through some rough swells.

Buy an Adventure, put on Turbo fins and the sailing rudder and run circles around the rest of the SOT's 

It's all good as long as you don't have to turn around in a tight space.   

Debating the revolution versus the outback versus the adventure. 

The correct answer is,,,,,

yes


All of them are slicker than snot. I pedal an Adventure and I like the "speed" (better: efficiency), but I've been really surprised at how well an Outback w/turbo fins has kept up with me. It's also handled some pretty snotty conditions with aplomb. Think Alaskan Sea Skiff: flat(ish) bottom with a prow.

It paddles like a barge, but your not paddling. It took a couple of outings with my buddy in an Outback for me to figure this out. He scoots along just fine and spins it around (with the sailing rudder) much faster than I can in the BigA, similarly equipped. On top of that, it'll fit on your Civic.  As Rawkfish mentioned, it's got a lot more real estate to work with, even though its a smaller boat.

You still won't be smoking past your buddies in their longer boats, but they won't be dropping your either.
Having read your posts, the Outback with the Turbo fins and the sailing rudder (an additional $120) would be my choice.

It's all good as long as you don't have to turn around in a tight space.   

It's true, that's when things get a little awkward.   

Kardinal, I would recommend the Outback for you.  If you like having lots of room to put stuff like your shrimp pot down rigger device, then you'll like the amount of real estate that boat has to offer.  You'll also be able to appreciate the stability it will give you while offshore in sloppy conditions.  The Outback can really move if you get some turbo fins on it.

I have never piloted any of the funky peddle kayaks but I have fished around a few of them and in some snotty conditions and the Addy is defiantly a handful in the slop but pretty damn quick. The outback is a stable barge but much slower....

Fair enough, it is suited for the open water and not quick turns but the sailing rudder really does cut down the turning radius. I've made "u-turns" right next to jetties with wind and swell action no problem.

For getting a few miles offshore in a hurry, the Adventure is ideal. However, the Revolution may be a stabler alternative in sloppier conditions. Faster than the Outback but stabler than the Adventure. The Revolution may be just the ticket

I figure I need 3mph speed to counter currents and wind. I think my mini x goes like 2mph in sprint mode...lol. This is going to be tough. Leaning toward outback mainly cuz I'm a wimp and extra time to travel is no big deal...as long as I am moving forward in typical conditions.

But it's still like 51-49. 

The outback with turbo fins will be much faster than your current boat. It depends how much stuff you want to carry and how much stability you are looking for.

You can't go wrong with either Outback or Revolution w/ turbo fins.

I have to join the outback corner.  Yes I have one, with the turbo fins and sailing rudder, and love it.  At the summer splash they had a revo and were nice enough to put in the turbo fins. IMHO, the small difference in speed is outweighed by the noticeable improvement in stability.

I figure I need 3mph speed to counter currents and wind. I think my mini x goes like 2mph in sprint mode...lol. This is going to be tough. Leaning toward outback mainly cuz I'm a wimp and extra time to travel is no big deal...as long as I am moving forward in typical conditions.

But it's still like 51-49. 

3 mph in typical conditions is a piece of cake with turbo fins on an Outback.You'll make way better progress in the Outback in adverse conditions then you do now..

I fish an Adventure and love it, fast and for me plenty stable. Mine handles very rough water like a champ, I have never felt as comfortable in a yak offshore as I do in the Addy, I would almost say a perfect offshore yak IMO, probably followed closely by the Revo.   That said when it came time to buy yaks for my kayak fishing guide service I bought, without hesitation, two new Outbacks and put sailing rudders and turbo fins on them. For me, stability was paramount.  So far I have no complaints and the people I have had out on them really like them too, very stable and user friendly.   

These guys have covered the bases on the different perspectives very well, so I won't touch any contributions they have made.

I will however, make sure you know that I use an Adventure nearly every day guiding folks fishing from kayaks.  AND I am in Ketchikan.  I'd absolutely put you in my Adventure for a demo plus.

Send me a PM if you are interested.