Newbie Questions on Hobie tandem models

Hey guys, great forum!  I met a few of you guys at Spot's recent Salmon seminar.  I hope you don’t mind questions from another newbie wanting to join the kayak fishing game and trying to figure out where to start. (I apologize in advance for the long post)

I’m convinced I want a Hobie for hands free fishing.    My primary partner is my 7 y/o boy that loves to fish, crab, etc.  He can't manage his own boat yet so I think I’ll need to pick up a tandem.  I'm also hoping to get my 10 y/o daugther out too (although she's less interested in fishing).   I’ve looked at most Hobies, including the Outfitter and Oasis and am a little unsure which direction to go. 

-I expect to do a lot of crabbing in the bays and estuaries
-I expect to salmon fish in the bays, estuaries and PDX rivers
-I love fly fishing as well, so I expect to do some trout and bass trips (ability to stand is a big bonus to me)
-I’m not a big ocean fisherman (yet) but my parents live in Depoe Bay and we often take the RV to Pacific City so I’d like the ability to try it out at some point.

I originally thought the Outfitter might make the most sense due to its width, stability and fishing friendly design.  It seems like a good choice for an adult and kid to head out with a few crab traps or whatever.  Since it’s shorter, I also assumed it would be less cumbersome if I do a solo trip.   However, the couple guys I’ve talked to have tried to steer me toward the Oasis.  Additional feedback would be useful:

-Any thoughts on these yaks for my uses?
-Will one of them work better solo if I decide to do an ocean voyage or hit the Columbia (wouldn’t take my kid in these situations)
-Am I overlooking another model that I should be considering?

I do plan to arrange to do rentals before I buy, but your advice will help me figure out where to start.  It may very well be that the best answer is to end up with tandem AND a solo boat but I've got to start somewhere.

Thanks for reading, appreciate any thoughts you can share.

Barry

Try the Adventure Island or Tandem Island, then you can fly fish, sail hit the ocean and take 2 kids plus another adult!

I could be slightly prejudiced...

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I have an Oasis that I paddle solo in the ocean and in estuaries pretty frequently.  That said I never tried the Outfitter so I don't have a ton to compare.

I use my boat a lot for work getting out and dragging nets, diving etc. so I wanted a boat that had a bit more weight capacity which the Oasis had. My wife often sits side saddle in the boat to hand me samples while I am diving in pretty gross weather in the ocean and never felt like it was unstable. Also with me getting in and out for diving never caused her to feel like we were gonna flip either.

It works great for fishing and crabbing, the only thing is you need to put some weight in the bow of the boat to keep it balanced.

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Wow Islandhoppa, that's a neat set-up, thanks for sharing the pic.

Great info, thanks Zoea!  Do you ever surf launch that Oasis?

My advice would be to go with the Oasis.  I used mine solo many times including the ocean (just add some ballast in the bow).  I also used it as a guide boat and most folks, even first timers, felt very comfortable.

Are those.....are those LAWN CHAIRS atop the trampolines?  FISHING.  LIKE.  A.  BOSS.

I also have an Oasis, and use it for fishing solo. I found the balance to be much better from the front, so that is where I fish from. The rear cockpit makes for a huge storage area, and I can access the front hatch. The Outfitter does not have a front hatch. The Outfitter has nice side decks, while the Oasis doesn't - it is the same comparison as the Outback and the Revo. I find the stability of the Oasis to be very good. I have tried the Outfitter only once, when we were first trying out Hobies, and my wife said she felt more comfortable in the Oasis.

The biggest drawback about the Oasis is surf landings. From the front cockpit, surf launches are OK - surf launches from the rear cockpit are almost impossible because of poor weight distribution, even with front ballast. Surf landings are another matter - because of the nose heavy attitude, you are better off landing backwards. Low surf days at Pacific City are fine, but  bigger surf days I just go to Depoe Bay if I have the Oasis.

I also fish out of a Revo - the Oasis is more solid, and has more room, so I actually prefer it for easy fishing. The Revo is better for surf, or if you have to cover ground - it feels like a sports car in comparison to the Oasis. (I also greatly prefer to load and unload the Revo.)

Hopes this helps. You in Sherwood? I live in Tigard, and I would be glad to let you try out my Oasis. PM me.

THanks for the additional feedback guys.

Sherminator - yes I'm in Sherwood and thank you for the very nice offer, I may take you up on that sometime -- I'll PM you.   Also, thanks for sharing your surf launch experience.  Not sure how much of that I'll do, but since we often do stay in PC it seems like it might be something worth trying.

Sherminator I will have to try sitting up front with some ballast in the back and see how it goes.  I haven't had to deal with any real surf launches to much as my main entrance point to the ocean is Sunset Bay.

I use an older model Oasis solo more often than not.  It works, but it isn't an ideal configuration either and I am considering getting a solo yak for myself.  The poor weight distribution when in the rear seat is a minor issue, and I haven't tried using the front since my boat doesn't have the dual cockpit rudder control that the new boats have.  If I am out on my own, there's tons of space for crabpots and other gear.

It's a great boat to use when you have a partner for sure.  Assuming you buy new or a recent year model, having the kid be able to steer if they want from the front seems like it'd be a lot of fun for them. 

I'm spend time on the Hobie forums, and the consensus seems to be the front cockpit has much better balance than the rear, and is the favored position for soloing. Of course, that is possible only in 2011 and newer models. I don't use ballast in the rear - my fishing gear seems to be enough.

AJ,

Those are Tommy Bahama Beach Chairs: "The Coolest Spot in Paradise". Really is a great way to anchor fish.

Anyone who's interested in trying the Columbia is welcome to join me, two seats, no waiting, I hope to head out of Camas and hit the mouth of the Sandy next week. Maybe Monday (it's too crowded on weekends).

Chinook and Coho should be heating up. There's also Walleye and Smallies just upriver from the launch. PM me if interested.

PS - if you know a wounded vet, please thank them and ask if they'd like to go fishing with me. For info point them at:

http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org


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AJ,

Those are Tommy Bahama Beach Chairs: "The Coolest Spot in Paradise". Really is a great way to anchor fish.



PS - if you know a wounded vet, please thank them and ask if they'd like to go fishing with me. For info point them at:

http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org

IslandHoppa?  Do you have any additional support for your chairs under the trampolines?

I am seriously considering getting an Adventure Island in two years!

I am a wounded vet, five Purple Hearts, But still pretty mobile!
Three in the leg, right shin.
One in the ass!  LOL!
and One in the abdomen, near the belly button.

Five purple hearts!?  WOW!     Thankfully you're still with us.  And fishing!!!

Rrd, man, thanks for your service, it would be an honor to fish with you.

I just put the chairs right on the tramps but I only weigh 180. Tramps are rated at 200 lbs and some guys on the Hobie forum have had the plastic clips break.


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