Hobie Compass

[osoone]

Originally Posted by Mahigeer

Where do you put the bait on a kayak to catch fish?

We dont typically bait fish, but you could easily fit the smaller Hobie livewell.

[BigLouSD]

I too own a compass. I had Fastlane put in the rectangular hatch and move the circle hatch up front for the FF battery that I will install later. I also upgraded to a mirage drive 180 with turbo fins. I plan on installing the mesh map pockets as well and am toying with some additional handles. The compass has two molded in carrying handles adjacent to the seat (which by the way sits at a good height, not much more room than a small tackle box/tray under the seat) however its hard to get a good grip as you can't wrap your fingers all the way around it like you can an actual handle. The regular Hobie bait tank would fit fine on the stern or rear deck of the yak. I went ahead and put a folding stadium seat in the back for my daughter to hitch a ride. I've only had it out a couple of times in the South side of the San Diego Bay and it handled great. The yak is basically a hybrid: front end of a Revo, good stability equal to or slightly better than an outback with the help of the PA inspired back end. It slices through wake and chop like a Revo with the stability of an outback and the turning mechanism of the PA on a lighter platform. I like the hull a lot. I have two complaints about the Compass, one major and one minor. The minor complaint is that there are only two molded in rod holders (would have liked two more in the front end to place my pole while re-rigging) this can be fixed with accesorries so it's not that major. The major complaint is the seat. I love that the seat is wider than the Vantage CT, however the lumbar support on the seat is pretty negligible. I will probably have to buy some sort of lumbar support. Aside from that, I love the Compass. I really enjoy the hull design as it is very stable, agile, and light-weight for a Hobie. If you want to keep it barebones, you can stay under 2K, once you start rigging it up it gets just shy of an outback with similar if not better performance. Time will tell. I think Hobie has got a good seller on there hands with this one.

[aftahour]

Originally Posted by osoone

It is still a little heavy. The weights they give are with no rigging. I believe that is without seat and Mirage drive. I am a pretty big guy and I dont think I would carry this.

Thanks for the info. I got a lifted jeep so wondering about loading it in top. Guess I'll have to add some handles and a yak load assist.

[BigLouSD]

Originally Posted by aftahour

Thanks for the info. I got a lifted jeep so wondering about loading it in top. Guess I'll have to add some handles and a yak load assist.

I have a Yakima rack system on my accord. I have the Yakima boatloader arm extension, which makes lifting it on the car a breeze. If you can get something like that for your Jeep, only lifting half of the kayak at a time makes it much easier.

[osoone]

Originally Posted by BigLouSD

I too own a compass. I had Fastlane put in the rectangular hatch and move the circle hatch up front for the FF battery that I will install later. I also upgraded to a mirage drive 180 with turbo fins. I plan on installing the mesh map pockets as well and am toying with some additional handles. The compass has two molded in carrying handles adjacent to the seat (which by the way sits at a good height, not much more room than a small tackle box/tray under the seat) however its hard to get a good grip as you can't wrap your fingers all the way around it like you can an actual handle. The regular Hobie bait tank would fit fine on the stern or rear deck of the yak. I went ahead and put a folding stadium seat in the back for my daughter to hitch a ride. I've only had it out a couple of times in the South side of the San Diego Bay and it handled great. The yak is basically a hybrid: front end of a Revo, good stability equal to or slightly better than an outback with the help of the PA inspired back end. It slices through wake and chop like a Revo with the stability of an outback and the turning mechanism of the PA on a lighter platform. I like the hull a lot. I have two complaints about the Compass, one major and one minor. The minor complaint is that there are only two molded in rod holders (would have liked two more in the front end to place my pole while re-rigging) this can be fixed with accesorries so it's not that major. The major complaint is the seat. I love that the seat is wider than the Vantage CT, however the lumbar support on the seat is pretty negligible. I will probably have to buy some sort of lumbar support. Aside from that, I love the Compass. I really enjoy the hull design as it is very stable, agile, and light-weight for a Hobie. If you want to keep it barebones, you can stay under 2K, once you start rigging it up it gets just shy of an outback with similar if not better performance. Time will tell. I think Hobie has got a good seller on there hands with this one.

My son has the same problem with the seat. It is plastic and flexes. My son only goes about 180# so its not a lot weight and shouldn't be flexing like that.

[Buddhaa64]

Originally Posted by BigLouSD

I too own a compass. I had Fastlane put in the rectangular hatch and move the circle hatch up front for the FF battery that I will install later. I also upgraded to a mirage drive 180 with turbo fins. I plan on installing the mesh map pockets as well and am toying with some additional handles. The compass has two molded in carrying handles adjacent to the seat (which by the way sits at a good height, not much more room than a small tackle box/tray under the seat) however its hard to get a good grip as you can't wrap your fingers all the way around it like you can an actual handle. The regular Hobie bait tank would fit fine on the stern or rear deck of the yak. I went ahead and put a folding stadium seat in the back for my daughter to hitch a ride. I've only had it out a couple of times in the South side of the San Diego Bay and it handled great. The yak is basically a hybrid: front end of a Revo, good stability equal to or slightly better than an outback with the help of the PA inspired back end. It slices through wake and chop like a Revo with the stability of an outback and the turning mechanism of the PA on a lighter platform. I like the hull a lot. I have two complaints about the Compass, one major and one minor. The minor complaint is that there are only two molded in rod holders (would have liked two more in the front end to place my pole while re-rigging) this can be fixed with accesorries so it's not that major. The major complaint is the seat. I love that the seat is wider than the Vantage CT, however the lumbar support on the seat is pretty negligible. I will probably have to buy some sort of lumbar support. Aside from that, I love the Compass. I really enjoy the hull design as it is very stable, agile, and light-weight for a Hobie. If you want to keep it barebones, you can stay under 2K, once you start rigging it up it gets just shy of an outback with similar if not better performance. Time will tell. I think Hobie has got a good seller on there hands with this one.

Great review!

[monstahfish]

Make sure you have tightened the strap for the lumbar and corners. They are not shipped tight. It can make a big difference.

[BigLouSD]

Originally Posted by monstahfish

Make sure you have tightened the strap for the lumbar and corners. They are not shipped tight. It can make a big difference.

I’ve tightened the lumbar strap as far as I can, I’d hate to feel my back if I relaxed the strap at all. I’ll have to check the corner straps to see if that makes any difference. With that said, the radial dial for lumbar support on the CT vantage or P.A. Seat would have been a welcome addition to the compass seat.


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[ProfessorLongArms]

Can you upgrade to a vantage CT seat on a compass?

Based on my storage needs, I’m thinking I might end up getting a compass with a CT seat and a rectangular hatch like you’ve done.

[Iceman]

Upgrading to the CT would not really be an option as it utilizes different mounting points......and it costs over $400

[Buddhaa64]

Bumping to see if anyone has had any other first hand experience with the Compass. Tried the Compass, Revo 13, and Outaback briefly. Torn between the Revo 13 and Compass, but leaning towards the Compass. Any positive input is appreciated. Thanks.