Buying a hobie? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

bus kid · 11-04-2012, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggameaddict

Thanks for the input guys, right now im only 5'7-5'8 and 153 pounds so i dont need something as big as an outback but im gonna test drive them both before i buy. But which one is more versatile? Like which one has more space to mount stuff like a couple scottys in the front with a fishfinder and a baittank in the backplus gear and storage and all?

I got a Revo over a outback as the revo is more suited for covering distance at a steady pace for me, I tend to move around in searching patterns. I carry 4 rods and a bait tank fishfinder is mounted on the right side mesh pocket, transducer is wet mounted in the rear scupper hole. 3 plano boxes inside the hull and a Hobie deep gear bucket for snacks.The Revo is a little lighter and easier on my 18" guns at the end of the day when it comes time to load up. The most valuable upgrades for me were a good seat and a homemade a$$ pad!

Biggameaddict · 11-04-2012, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bus kid

I got a Revo over a outback as the revo is more suited for covering distance at a steady pace for me, I tend to move around in searching patterns. I carry 4 rods and a bait tank fishfinder is mounted on the right side mesh pocket, transducer is wet mounted in the rear scupper hole. 3 plano boxes inside the hull and a Hobie deep gear bucket for snacks.The Revo is a little lighter and easier on my 18" guns at the end of the day when it comes time to load up. The most valuable upgrades for me were a good seat and a homemade a$$ pad!

Ill probably get the revo too looks nice and will go fast with the turbo fins and sailing rudder. Anyone here with a gps know how fast they go with their mirage drive?

bus kid · 11-04-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggameaddict

Ill probably get the revo too looks nice and will go fast with the turbo fins and sailing rudder. Anyone here with a gps know how fast they go with their mirage drive?

2mph just peddling 5 to 7 chasing birds based on the gps app on my phone.

Mongo Johnson · 11-05-2012, 05:09 PM

I often run a GPS fitness program when I go out. We do a lot of cruising in the bay and off in the kelp/LB harbor. I find the Revo 13', with my utterly svelt 250 lbs in it, will pedal comfortably at 3-4.5 mph in quiet in bay water or in the chop off the Oil Islands.

This is a akin to a walking pace you could keep up for a long while and would work for trolling or getting to some preferred fishing spot. You'd get there without being whooped.

This is with standard fins and 50 years under the hood. When I bought, I got advice to chill on Turbos and rudder and use the $ for finder and rigging. The ride is mobile, but I'd love to try the turbo fins.

The Revo does fine in chop, a little bow splash, but I don't have the experience to compare it to anything. Andy at OEX would be a good source for a comparo.

Biggameaddict · 11-05-2012, 08:30 PM

With the help from you guys ill save up for a revo. But does the year of the mirage drive matter? Do these things brake easy or need replacement parts when bought or are they made to last? Any tips on what to look for in a used yak?

bus kid · 11-06-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biggameaddict

Do these things brake easy or need replacement parts when bought or are they made to last? Any tips on what to look for in a used yak?

The drive needs to be maintained. washed, lubed and properly adjusted it will last.my sprockets did strip but it was a easy fix.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=15167

Steveooo did a good write up on how to rebuild it from the ground up

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=13592

For me the advantages of the drive out weight the maintance needs which are minimal

MotoHero · 11-06-2012, 01:20 PM

I would rather have two motors on my boat vs. only the one. Same goes for the kayak; pedal drive for Hands Free stuff and paddle to assist with speeds or compensate for wind. Certainly can't hurt to have both.

The Outback has a lot of room and the tips are close enough to guide my 6' poles around if a fish gets around the other side. The Revo was longer to fish around for my short stature.

Either would be fine if the deal is right.

Dwayne

jbaker · 11-05-2012, 08:31 PM

The turbo fins are a great up grade. Especially if your going outside of the bays. The sailing rudder is the best $25 I ever spent. It will keep the kayak tracking straight in a mixed swell. The outback has a bit too much hull slap for me and I love the speed of the revo. I would suggest looking in to the adventure also. It's a bit narrower than the revo and 3' longer. Then you could upgrade to an adventure island. Think about launching at shelter island and sailing out to the Coronado islands to fish! The amount of water the AI can cover is amazing.

slobslayer · 11-05-2012, 09:13 PM

Thanks for all the input...just waiting for the right deal now. I'm over dragging around my 16' tarpon through my parents booby trapped garage at 4am alone in the dark. I'm leaning towards the outback because of size and stability. If the outback has turbo fins is it similar as far as speed to the revo? How is it in the wind? Wet, slappy?

Fishanywhere · 11-13-2012, 02:42 PM

I purchased an Outback in January and have put it through its paces since. The mirage drive and rudder are stock and I can easily maintain 3.5 mph on the GPS for extended periods. It tops out at about 6 mph on the flats, but that is a sprint. I have added a couple of pics.

I do quite a bit of trout a salmon fishing so I attached a scotty 1050 downrigger on the livewell, along with a Humminbird 597 CI HD DI combo, rocket launchers, and a scotty flushmount for various attachments. I also wired the mast receiver for 12 volts and installed a running light to illuminate the cockpit at night. I have had it in the wind several times and it tracks easliy with the stock rudder.
It is a little slappy because of the width, but that is also what makes it so stable. I have only stood on it in ideal conditions, but it can be done and makes for better sight fishing. You will stay drier than most kayaks just because you peddle, if for no other reason. the bow does a better than average job of directing spray to the outside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by slobslayer

Thanks for all the input...just waiting for the right deal now. I'm over dragging around my 16' tarpon through my parents booby trapped garage at 4am alone in the dark. I'm leaning towards the outback because of size and stability. If the outback has turbo fins is it similar as far as speed to the revo? How is it in the wind? Wet, slappy?

Biggameaddict · 11-05-2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbaker

The turbo fins are a great up grade. Especially if your going outside of the bays. The sailing rudder is the best $25 I ever spent. It will keep the kayak tracking straight in a mixed swell. The outback has a bit too much hull slap for me and I love the speed of the revo. I would suggest looking in to the adventure also. It's a bit narrower than the revo and 3' longer. Then you could upgrade to an adventure island. Think about launching at shelter island and sailing out to the Coronado islands to fish! The amount of water the AI can cover is amazing.

The adventure is nice but im worried about stability at 27" wide. It would be cool to sail off to catalina in one of those and camp there. Ill test drive that too if theres a demo available.

Mongo Johnson · 11-06-2012, 06:51 AM

The forum at the Hobie website has a kayak section. There's some comparison threads.

And, google Revolution vs outback and there's lots and lots of conversations. Same with Adventure, especially on Hobie site.

Test drive is key. OEX Sunset Beach is right ON Huntington Harbor. An easy put in from Andy's shop.

11-05-2012, 05:09 PM	#4
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	I often run a GPS fitness program when I go out. We do a lot of cruising in the bay and off in the kelp/LB harbor. I find the Revo 13', with my utterly svelt 250 lbs in it, will pedal comfortably at 3-4.5 mph in quiet in bay water or in the chop off the Oil Islands. This is a akin to a walking pace you could keep up for a long while and would work for trolling or getting to some preferred fishing spot. You'd get there without being whooped. This is with standard fins and 50 years under the hood. When I bought, I got advice to chill on Turbos and rudder and use the $ for finder and rigging. The ride is mobile, but I'd love to try the turbo fins. The Revo does fine in chop, a little bow splash, but I don't have the experience to compare it to anything. Andy at OEX would be a good source for a comparo. __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.

11-05-2012, 08:30 PM	#5
Biggameaddict The Kayak Peddler Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Hollywood Posts: 591	With the help from you guys ill save up for a revo. But does the year of the mirage drive matter? Do these things brake easy or need replacement parts when bought or are they made to last? Any tips on what to look for in a used yak? __________________ Keep your rod close, your gaff closer, and your paddle on a leash.

11-06-2012, 01:20 PM	#7
MotoHero Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Temecula Hills Posts: 64	Hands Free with redundancy!! I would rather have two motors on my boat vs. only the one. Same goes for the kayak; pedal drive for Hands Free stuff and paddle to assist with speeds or compensate for wind. Certainly can't hurt to have both. The Outback has a lot of room and the tips are close enough to guide my 6' poles around if a fish gets around the other side. The Revo was longer to fish around for my short stature. Either would be fine if the deal is right. Dwayne

11-06-2012, 06:51 AM	#12
Mongo Johnson Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Long Beach Posts: 192	The forum at the Hobie website has a kayak section. There's some comparison threads. And, google Revolution vs outback and there's lots and lots of conversations. Same with Adventure, especially on Hobie site. Test drive is key. OEX Sunset Beach is right ON Huntington Harbor. An easy put in from Andy's shop. __________________ A day on the water . . . priceless.

11-05-2012, 08:31 PM	#8
jbaker Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Redding Ca Posts: 85	The turbo fins are a great up grade. Especially if your going outside of the bays. The sailing rudder is the best $25 I ever spent. It will keep the kayak tracking straight in a mixed swell. The outback has a bit too much hull slap for me and I love the speed of the revo. I would suggest looking in to the adventure also. It's a bit narrower than the revo and 3' longer. Then you could upgrade to an adventure island. Think about launching at shelter island and sailing out to the Coronado islands to fish! The amount of water the AI can cover is amazing.

11-05-2012, 09:13 PM	#9
slobslayer Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Santee Posts: 384	Thanks for all the input...just waiting for the right deal now. I'm over dragging around my 16' tarpon through my parents booby trapped garage at 4am alone in the dark. I'm leaning towards the outback because of size and stability. If the outback has turbo fins is it similar as far as speed to the revo? How is it in the wind? Wet, slappy?