My first fishing kayak

I love my Outback. Lots of room for stuff and the trays on the side are awesome.  I am 6'0 and 200 pounds of pure muscle wrapped in bacon.    Anyways, I can actually turn around and reach the back hatch.  Although, it doesn't do me much good since I never put anything in there.  However, it came in helpful once when one of my tackle trays slid way back there and I was able to poke it back to the front.  It is stable enough that I can stand up in it to stretch my legs (and pee).  Holding a rod that is in the rod holder while standing makes it even easier and more stable.  That being said, I get disappointed when I start pushing up that big bow wake, but then I realize that I am going well over 4 mph when that starts to occur and the disappointment fades.  I would love a longer skinnier boat for longer offshore distance, but that will have to wait. 

Well summarized Craig (although you look 195 to me.)  There is no right or wrong.  Its a sliding scale of speed vs stability.  Are you fisherman who wants to kayak fish?  Or a kayaker who wants to fish from your kayak?  Most fisherman would be very happy with the Outback's speed.  I love mine.  But Kayakers call it a pig.  Subtle differences with big descriptions.  Try them all and you'll know.

I love fishing. Im guessing 90% of my time in the yak I will be fishing. I do not like the noise of powerboats or cost to run em, lol. I have read where the 13' Revo would cut waves better than the Outback, and let me avoid some spray. I am concerned about balance in either of thew two. I do believe I will get centered pretty quickly. I need to demo a 13 Revo and see if I feel the difference from an outback. BTW I am 55 used to be in good shape, 6'1 200 pounds.

Aw shucks DC.  You sure know how to boost a guys self image. 

I love fishing. Im guessing 90% of my time in the yak I will be fishing. I do not like the noise of powerboats or cost to run em, lol. I have read where the 13' Revo would cut waves better than the Outback, and let me avoid some spray. I am concerned about balance in either of thew two. I do believe I will get centered pretty quickly. I need to demo a 13 Revo and see if I feel the difference from an outback. BTW I am 55 used to be in good shape, 6'1 200 pounds.

This was almost as rough as I have fished for salmon.  In this video Nate (Ndogg) is on the Revo catching a fish and I am filming from an Outback.  You can also see Jammer bobbing on an Outback in the background.  As you can see both are very stable and I am receiving very little spray.  Nate was getting a run at the big waves to see if he could get airborne.  He nearly did a few times.  I saw him get the front out once all the way to the mirage drive.  I was just about to try myself when he hooked up on this fish.  An important thing to note is that I have deck space for a beer cooler/spray guard. Nate doesn't.  


I have a Buoy 10 video of some bigger rolling waves where I was getting sprayed a little bit, but I never edited it due to lack of fish.  I found the rough waves and spray to be exciting and refreshing. I think Nate was getting sprayed in the Revo, as well.  We were the only two idiots that dared go out.  No power boaters bothered on that day.  Nate got a nice Coho.

I am confused.  The decision of which boat is right for you and your wife depends on what sort of fishing you will be doing.  Your avatar info says "Chino Valley, AZ" and yet you were demoing boats at Hood River, OR.  Will you be fishing lakes and rivers in AZ or fresh and salt water in WA/OR or ... ?

On the other hand, it is hard to go wrong with a Revo 13 for any kind of fishing.

Yes we live in Az and will do alot of panfishing and we will go to Lake Powell, which is where we get into alot of stripers. We come to the Northwest at least 2 times a year. We did demo at Kayak Shed due we were in area and they offered. We plan on moving to Washington, so we will want something to go into the surf with. I love fishing, and want to get the best yak for me to fish out of and to cover some ground. We will probably camp near lake or river side most of time. We do want to get in a bay in Oregon or Washington this summer for salmon fishing. Maybe Tillamook Bay and camp close by.
I felt very low in water in 11' Revo, will I feel up a bit more in a 13 " Revo, or will it matter cause I will have the right gear on to be submersed. The Outback felt steadier at first. I really believe I will get my balance quick.This was my first time in a kayak, I have owned a canoe for years and dont like how much it blows the tip around. Revo sounds great for a bit more speed for same energy put out. Outback will carry a bit more. We will lean to minimal end of accessories, anchor, depth finder, rod holders, GPS on yak.
Anyway I do appreciate all the input I have gotten and will continue to read all I can THANKS.
I see u fish a 13' Revo why do you like it better than an Outback.

I've not peddled an Outback, but from information here, elsewhere, and some experience with my first kayak (OK T13) I decided I wanted a bit more speed, i.e., range, rather than a bit more stability.  The Revo 13 is a compromise boat, not as stable as the Outback, and not as fast as the Adventure.  I'm a small guy and despite sitting high I have never felt unstable in the Revo 13.  However, I don't push the weather and the vast majority of my fishing is Puget Sound, so no surf, no swells, and little current - fairly benign.

I believe there is a thread here somewhere discussing the pros/cons of the Revo 11 vs 13.  It is hard for me to see the market for the Revo 11, yet others disagree.  The Mirage drive takes up a lot of otherwise useful space and cutting another 2 feet off greatly limits your carry options for gear like milk crates, crab traps, mudbug traps, and storing your catch. 

For me, the biggest difference between the Outback and the Revo is not stability and speed, because both are good, but in the deck space, particularly the side decks. I have the tandem Oasis, which is similar to the Revo. The only good space to mount standard 2" x 4" Scotty mounts is just ahead of the rudder up and rudder down controls (one each side in each cockpit). Have to use smaller mounts everywhere else. (The promised new narrow Yak Attack rails may work well.) The Outback has almost unlimited options. I am a minimalist, so I am OK, but if you are a gearhead, you'll probably like the Outback better for mounting things. The Outback dudes have proven they can get their yaks to the good spots, and the Revo dudes manage to stay upright (and get there a little quicker).

My two cents worth...  I am a 51, 5'11" and weigh a mere 185 pounds (Unlike Craig, am not in the greatest of shape) and own a Outback.  I have been fishing the Sandy river for the past three weeks (High water fast currents and so forth).  I have been able to go upstream in the heaviest of currents and have held my own with the Revo. 

Where I did notice a big difference was when I had to pull up the drive and the rudder to go through rapids and shallow areas.  Nate's Revo seemed to glide easily. Whereas, I had to put more effort into the Outback in order to get to the same place. Not as easily to handle with just a paddle.

I love the space and the stability that the Outback provides. I am at the point where I scoot up and down, turn around to access the crate, hang my legs over and am trying new anchor techniques. All the while feeling completely comfortable. (maybe to comfortable). The side trays make it easier to be organized as I try different techniques in order to entice a fish to bite. I wouldn't trade at this point for anything else. I will sacrifice agilty for stability.

My wife at 5'7 and 125 (don't ever tell her I posted this!) likes the Revo 11. She will never fish out of it and likes the way it handles. The Outback started out as her Kayak but once she tried the "11" it was over. I will be buying one soon.

Hope this helps,
Stevehawk

 

I went with the Revo over the Outback because I like being able to lean into my turns and I wanted a boat that paddles well.  In heavier seas the revo tended to cut through the waves getting me a bit more wet than in the outback.   Unless I am doing something stupid stability has never been an issue.  So far the only drawbacks I have dealt with on the revo are, it's harder to mount things, I have to put my cooler in the back, and I have been a bit timid kneeling on my kayak to take care of business.   Either way you can't go wrong, both are great boats.

ndogg. Another way to relieve oneself without kneeling in the Revo. Open relief zipper, hang legs over both gunnels, scootch up, lightly hold mirage drive for stability, and pee into the drive well. Reverse process,pedal and this get's the yellow out. Don't believe I dipped my pen on responding to your needs. 

(Unlike Craig, am not in the greatest of shape)

  Ha! By no means am I in the greatest of shape.  You missed the wrapped in bacon part.   In all honesty, I am kind of a sadist when I am fishing.  I like that the Outback is a little less efficient because one of the main reasons I kayak fish is to burn calories while I am doing it.  Call me crazy, but I feel awesome (and tired) after 11 miles of fighting tides and currents in an attempt to catch a salmon in the Columbia.  Knowing I burned off some of that bacon is what makes me feel that way.

Also, I have yet to get left behind by my fishing buddies with the faster boats.  People like to stay in groups.  We are social animals.  Although, keeping up with Pelagic Paddler in his Adventure is more workout than I can handle and at the ORC last year, I could have sworn Z had a motor on his. 

I have been using a bottle lately because it is a bit less conspicuous when there are spectators.  I am going have to give your method a try though.

ndogg. Another way to relieve oneself without kneeling in the Revo. Open relief zipper, hang legs over both gunnels, scootch up, lightly hold mirage drive for stability, and pee into the drive well. Reverse process,pedal and this get's the yellow out. Don't believe I dipped my pen on responding to your needs. 

WOW. I got to demo a Revo 13 and an Outback. REALLY  liked the Revo. Felt more like a "kayak". I hear it faster than on Outback but what I did notice 1. It took less energy to get it moving, it seemed to glide better than an Outback. 2. It seemed quieter, is that right ? No hull splash and it was a calm day and I heard the hull splash. I saw a Revo 13 on shore and talked with guy who owned it, he rod holder in the pocket under the mesh that looked like a great place for a rod holder. I also think about using the mast hole for a depth finder or GPS/FF. Anyways  we need a lil time to save for 2 yaks, wife REALLY likes the Revo 11 , what ever she wants she gets.... lol.
 Anyways if others can say why the like the Outback or Revo please chime in.

If your wife likes the Revo 11, make sure she doesn't mix Turbo Fins, Sailing Rudder, and sharp turns.   

I keep seeing people bring up the 'noise', I don't see what the big deal is with that. 

Revo is faster and more efficient
Outback is more stable and has more storage / rigging room