Hobie Defectors - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

forefrazier · 12-05-2008, 07:27 AM

I am getting ready to make a purchase of a new kayak and have heard a lot of good things about the Hobie's. I am now looking for opinions of people who may have tried the pedal but went back to the paddle or are wanting to go back and your reasons. (i.e. ease of surf launch, more things to snag on kelp, sabiki's, etc.)

steveooo · 12-05-2008, 08:28 AM

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...hobie+feedback

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ht=hobie+input

FISHIONADO · 12-05-2008, 08:44 AM

I've got an Outback that I keep for my wife and weak friends to use. I prefer a 15' paddle kayak. Besides the fishing I enjoy paddling the kayak and the silent glide. And I think WSB are attracted to the water movements of careful paddle strokes. Peddle strokes on the Outback seem to attract sand bass. I might be joking...

pchen911 · 12-05-2008, 09:57 AM

I had 2 Outbacks, gave up both, went to the Prowler 15, then got a thrid Outback, then gave it up too and went to the Revolution... Finally it stuck with the Revo.

Outbacks are just too heavy and weird to paddle and to move around on land.

The 3 outbacks I had were all different year models. First 2 were horrible.... the third was a 2007 model and was really decent. I sometimes still regret selling it.

bajadog · 12-05-2008, 10:32 AM

Consider riding a recumbent bike as opposed to those
arm powered wheel chairs the physically challenge race in.

Legs can go all day. Plus you can hold you cigar and a beer.

Billy V · 12-05-2008, 11:09 AM

Hands free propulsion while fishing....

-Its hard to beat the new 09 Revo. That click and go drive unit feels smooth and solid.

Sherm · 12-05-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajadog

Consider riding a recumbent bike as opposed to those
arm powered wheel chairs the physically challenge race in.

Legs can go all day. Plus you can hold you cigar and a beer.

I can paddle with a cigar and a beer. You just have to practice a lot.

bentmywookie · 12-05-2008, 09:55 PM

Ive had my 08 revo for about 6 months now. Here's my list of all the things that I don't like about it; (but dont get me wrong, if my revo were to get stolen out of my garage tonight, I would be at oex tomorrow morning buying an 09 revo!)

-The revo is a sub par PADDLER, it is almost impossible to keep straight in any kind of current or wind even with the rudder down (not really an issue uless/until the mirage drive fails) and the footwells are shallow to make room for the mirage drive so only half of your foot will fit in them.
- It's not very great in the surf, not horrible but not great
- Deckspace inst great (but the mesh pockets on the side are AWSOME)
- I dont like the way hobie designed the flushmont rod holders, theyre angled directly behind you, instead of cocked out to the side making watching your lines a chore ( problem easily solved with 2 ram rods up front)
- when I have a water bottle in the cup holder it seems to get in the way of my pedalling.
- The dry bags and water bottles that come with the hobies are POS imho, Ive ripped the seams of of 2 bags and cracked the lid on my bottle.

lol i got a bit nitpicky by the end but hope this list helps you. The stuff I listed above are easily forgotten when youre working a rod in one hand, have a bevrage in the other, and pedaling at the same time.

sdcityboy · 12-06-2008, 08:15 AM

on th '08 revo it seemed i had one hand allways on the rudder control making constant corrections.

Billy V · 12-06-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdcityboy

on th '08 revo it seemed i had one hand allways on the rudder control making constant corrections.

The rudder control system on the 09 locks into the down position securely. The down pull cord locks into a cleat and this holds the rudder in place.

Its much different that he previous models.
---------------------
Revo's are not great paddle boats. The Adventure was a better paddler.

I never had a problem with the rudder on my 06 Adventure.
--------------------

One of those Malibu X-13's looks like a nice boat. If they had access into the hull from the front hatch I would probably buy one.

yakattack · 12-07-2008, 06:53 PM

I really like the Outback. Mine is an 07 model. 08 model is basically the same, but I would take any reviews from 06 or earlier models with a grain of salt. There were major improvements in the hull design in 07.

I guess it's like anything in life, there are usually tradeoffs. But being able to move around hands free is nice. Also, it has a lot of room in it, a lot of places to put stuff. It does get a little heavy though once you get it loaded down with beer

I agree that you do have to make a lot of corrections with the rudder, but really you're doing the same thing with the paddle. It's not a perfect system, but not too bad either. Also, I like where I put my paddle. On the side of the boat, under a bungee, out of my way

I can understand how some people like the paddle though. Convenience is sometimes overrated. I'm a hunter as well as a fisherman, and prefer the bow to the rifle or shotgun any day, although it's a bit more demanding. But then again I don't shoot a recurve

Cheers.

- Luther

yakrider · 12-07-2008, 06:54 PM

test drive the Revo, Outback, and Adventure
before making any decisions...
but when you do...
bring something to drink, a snack, a camera,
and fishing rod with a trolling lure...
during the test drives do the following:
begin pedalling at comfortable pace,
set the rod in the rod holder with lure out,
open your drink and put it in the cup holder,
break out your snack and enjoy the ride while munchin' on the snack
and sippin' yer drink,
land the fish that you caught while enjoying the picnic,
take a picture and release,
post on the internet how happy
you are with your new Hobie purchased from OEX....

some may say "what will you do with a big fish?"

big fish...no problem...see avatar...41 lb WSB...no problem
here's the '06 Outback WSB hat trick...no problem...

and the 07 Outback...no problem...

another advantage you have with pedal power is the wind...
you will fish on wind days that would normally make you think twice...
current is not an issue...if fishing a particular favorite piece of structure...
OK...so launching and landing are a little more difficult...who cares...
the advantages far outweigh the dis-advantages....
and besides...you can always keep the paddle yak for a mantle piece...
or those "no wind" days just for kicks...that's what my paddle yak is for...
oh yeah...and to remind me why I fish the pedal power most of the time...

bellcon · 12-07-2008, 07:04 PM

yeah do what Josh said...
i have seen him do it

THE DARKHORSE · 12-08-2008, 08:26 PM

Good going on catching your limit! Maybe we could trade a couple of spots to hunt

.

bellcon · 12-08-2008, 09:32 PM

Another moment of fame for Big Josh
(since yer bragging

)

by the way... any 6'4" 230lb guys fishing the Hobies???
not sure if my long legs will work in em... but i am thinking bout it...
tested them a year and a half ago... decided on the trident (which i love)
but after seening the guys hauling ass all over the place around me...

thinking twice
like Josh said wind and current? seems to be no big deal

bajadog · 12-09-2008, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellcon

by the way... any 6'4" 230lb guys fishing the Hobies???
not sure if my long legs will work in em... but i am thinking bout it...
tested them a year and a half ago...

6'2" 210 with a revo

One Rev · 12-09-2008, 06:44 AM

I'm 6'3" and weigh about 230 and my outbacks were just awesome. I'm looking forward to the day I get my new one. I've had opportunities to pick up a paddle kayak but am holding off for the pedals.

Mike
Lakeside
(soon to be Chula Vista)

Drew · 12-09-2008, 09:08 AM

6'4" 230 here! (Well, I was 230 - down to 220 today). I have a revo and an outback - fit in both comfortably. Don't sweat it.

Billy V · 12-09-2008, 09:19 AM

Not 1 defector in the bunch.
Once you go peddle yak.....you never go back.

FISHIONADO · 12-09-2008, 09:46 AM

Count me as a defector. I agree that mirage drives perform much better in windy/choppy conditions. I don't go out in those conditions much anymore. I prefer a paddle kayak all-around, less expensive, less maintenance, less risk, less things to forget at home or lose at the launch.

That said, the mirage drive is an excellent mechanical design, I'm still impressed with it's performance.

12-05-2008, 07:27 AM	#1
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	Hobie Defectors I am getting ready to make a purchase of a new kayak and have heard a lot of good things about the Hobie's. I am now looking for opinions of people who may have tried the pedal but went back to the paddle or are wanting to go back and your reasons. (i.e. ease of surf launch, more things to snag on kelp, sabiki's, etc.) Last edited by forefrazier; 12-05-2008 at 08:16 AM.

12-05-2008, 10:32 AM	#5
bajadog I eats what I kills Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 393	Consider riding a recumbent bike as opposed to those arm powered wheel chairs the physically challenge race in. Legs can go all day. Plus you can hold you cigar and a beer. __________________ Please release bill-fish.

12-06-2008, 08:15 AM	#9
sdcityboy Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south park (san diego),CA Posts: 119	on th '08 revo it seemed i had one hand allways on the rudder control making constant corrections. __________________ he hates these cans!

12-07-2008, 06:54 PM	#12
yakrider Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 611	test drive the Revo, Outback, and Adventure before making any decisions... but when you do... bring something to drink, a snack, a camera, and fishing rod with a trolling lure... during the test drives do the following: begin pedalling at comfortable pace, set the rod in the rod holder with lure out, open your drink and put it in the cup holder, break out your snack and enjoy the ride while munchin' on the snack and sippin' yer drink, land the fish that you caught while enjoying the picnic, take a picture and release, post on the internet how happy you are with your new Hobie purchased from OEX.... some may say "what will you do with a big fish?" big fish...no problem...see avatar...41 lb WSB...no problem here's the '06 Outback WSB hat trick...no problem... and the 07 Outback...no problem... another advantage you have with pedal power is the wind... you will fish on wind days that would normally make you think twice... current is not an issue...if fishing a particular favorite piece of structure... OK...so launching and landing are a little more difficult...who cares... the advantages far outweigh the dis-advantages.... and besides...you can always keep the paddle yak for a mantle piece... or those "no wind" days just for kicks...that's what my paddle yak is for... oh yeah...and to remind me why I fish the pedal power most of the time... Last edited by yakrider; 12-07-2008 at 07:26 PM.

12-08-2008, 08:26 PM	#14
THE DARKHORSE Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Seven minutes from the launch! Posts: 987	I'm going to start fishing Malibu... Good going on catching your limit! Maybe we could trade a couple of spots to hunt . __________________

12-05-2008, 08:28 AM	#2
steveooo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 1,921	http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...hobie+feedback http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ht=hobie+input

12-05-2008, 08:44 AM	#3
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	I've got an Outback that I keep for my wife and weak friends to use. I prefer a 15' paddle kayak. Besides the fishing I enjoy paddling the kayak and the silent glide. And I think WSB are attracted to the water movements of careful paddle strokes. Peddle strokes on the Outback seem to attract sand bass. I might be joking...

12-05-2008, 09:57 AM	#4
pchen911 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 218	I had 2 Outbacks, gave up both, went to the Prowler 15, then got a thrid Outback, then gave it up too and went to the Revolution... Finally it stuck with the Revo. Outbacks are just too heavy and weird to paddle and to move around on land. The 3 outbacks I had were all different year models. First 2 were horrible.... the third was a 2007 model and was really decent. I sometimes still regret selling it.

12-05-2008, 11:09 AM	#6
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Hands free propulsion while fishing.... -Its hard to beat the new 09 Revo. That click and go drive unit feels smooth and solid.

12-05-2008, 09:55 PM	#8
bentmywookie Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 5	Ive had my 08 revo for about 6 months now. Here's my list of all the things that I don't like about it; (but dont get me wrong, if my revo were to get stolen out of my garage tonight, I would be at oex tomorrow morning buying an 09 revo!) -The revo is a sub par PADDLER, it is almost impossible to keep straight in any kind of current or wind even with the rudder down (not really an issue uless/until the mirage drive fails) and the footwells are shallow to make room for the mirage drive so only half of your foot will fit in them. - It's not very great in the surf, not horrible but not great - Deckspace inst great (but the mesh pockets on the side are AWSOME) - I dont like the way hobie designed the flushmont rod holders, theyre angled directly behind you, instead of cocked out to the side making watching your lines a chore ( problem easily solved with 2 ram rods up front) - when I have a water bottle in the cup holder it seems to get in the way of my pedalling. - The dry bags and water bottles that come with the hobies are POS imho, Ive ripped the seams of of 2 bags and cracked the lid on my bottle. lol i got a bit nitpicky by the end but hope this list helps you. The stuff I listed above are easily forgotten when youre working a rod in one hand, have a bevrage in the other, and pedaling at the same time.

12-07-2008, 06:53 PM	#11
yakattack Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	I really like the Outback. Mine is an 07 model. 08 model is basically the same, but I would take any reviews from 06 or earlier models with a grain of salt. There were major improvements in the hull design in 07. I guess it's like anything in life, there are usually tradeoffs. But being able to move around hands free is nice. Also, it has a lot of room in it, a lot of places to put stuff. It does get a little heavy though once you get it loaded down with beer I agree that you do have to make a lot of corrections with the rudder, but really you're doing the same thing with the paddle. It's not a perfect system, but not too bad either. Also, I like where I put my paddle. On the side of the boat, under a bungee, out of my way I can understand how some people like the paddle though. Convenience is sometimes overrated. I'm a hunter as well as a fisherman, and prefer the bow to the rifle or shotgun any day, although it's a bit more demanding. But then again I don't shoot a recurve Cheers. - Luther

12-07-2008, 07:04 PM	#13
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	yeah do what Josh said... i have seen him do it

12-08-2008, 09:32 PM	#15
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	Another moment of fame for Big Josh (since yer bragging ) by the way... any 6'4" 230lb guys fishing the Hobies??? not sure if my long legs will work in em... but i am thinking bout it... tested them a year and a half ago... decided on the trident (which i love) but after seening the guys hauling ass all over the place around me... thinking twice like Josh said wind and current? seems to be no big deal

12-09-2008, 06:44 AM	#17
One Rev Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chula Vista, CA Posts: 65	I'm 6'3" and weigh about 230 and my outbacks were just awesome. I'm looking forward to the day I get my new one. I've had opportunities to pick up a paddle kayak but am holding off for the pedals. Mike Lakeside (soon to be Chula Vista)

12-09-2008, 09:08 AM	#18
Drew Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 45	6'4" 230 here! (Well, I was 230 - down to 220 today). I have a revo and an outback - fit in both comfortably. Don't sweat it.

12-09-2008, 09:19 AM	#19
Billy V Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bay Ho Posts: 1,382	Not 1 defector in the bunch. Once you go peddle yak.....you never go back.

12-09-2008, 09:46 AM	#20
FISHIONADO Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 698	Count me as a defector. I agree that mirage drives perform much better in windy/choppy conditions. I don't go out in those conditions much anymore. I prefer a paddle kayak all-around, less expensive, less maintenance, less risk, less things to forget at home or lose at the launch. That said, the mirage drive is an excellent mechanical design, I'm still impressed with it's performance.