I can't deside between a Hobie Revo or a Malibu Stealth 14 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Donfish · 03-27-2009, 01:05 AM

Being an owner of a Malibu extreme i'm always totally envious of the hobies to the point they allow me hands free operation while moving.but as far as stability and room for storage i'm still on the malibu as far as the stealth incorporates some of the room I don't use in front of me with hard to reach areas put into my immediate reach.Baittank I have but rareky use because its a pain is now upfrount and user friendly The side waterproof stroage is awesome for immediate must haves tackle or phone. Great design but............What I want is a 13' X 39" standup tunnel drive 2hpjet exhaust 4 stroke That includes paddle holders and paddle holds 2 gallons of fuel that is safe to launch anywhere in calif.Does 8 -12kts and is surf launchable for $1500.... not much to ask when the economy is so screwed is it?.... oooh and a reliable rudder system would ice the cake.

:reel :

forefrazier · 03-27-2009, 07:09 AM

Get the Stealth....those Hobie's are terrible kayaks

But seriously....I have had and X-Factor and am now on the Adventure. Both have their strengths/weaknesses as others have pointed out above. Just get both and then you won't have to worry about it.

SquidVicious · 03-27-2009, 08:56 AM

I have a Revo as well as 2 paddle yaks - a prowler 13 and cobra tandem. I love fishing from the Revo but storage is a problem. I don't even use a bait-tank and I have a hard time fitting all my stuff. I love fishing from the Hobie, though . . . there's really nothing better, IMO.

I fish regularly from my Prowler, too and am planning on replacing it with a Trident 15 this year. Sometimes the simplicity of a paddle yak just wins out.

Right now I use the hobie for the bays, lakes and short ocean trips. I use the prowler for longer ocean trips, surf launches, carries that involve steep goat trails (like in Big Sur), etc. It might be silly but I also won't use the hobie from about Carmel to Marin - the GWS hotspot.

I really feel like I need both kinds of boats and I'm actually thinking of adding a dedicated freshwater yak now, too . .. easier to keep super clean for various inspections.

Get both but if you can only get one . .I say get the Hobie.

Corey · 03-27-2009, 09:14 AM

I have the Stealth 14 and really like it so far. The convenience of the built in bait tank in front of you is great, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly it paddles for a wider boat. I'm a bigger guy (6'2" and 230#) and it handles me & alot of gear and a couple of large pieces of cargo just fine. The front hatch or back tankwell area are both of ample size to store a large fish or two.

The bottom line is that both the Revo & the Stealth 14 are good and fishable boats. If I were you, I would set aside some time to go demo each one - even take a rod & fish a little- to see which one feels more like what you want.

dsafety · 03-28-2009, 07:47 AM

I saw the Stealth for the first time at the boat show the other day. I have to say, the Hobie design folks could take a few pointers from some of this model's features. I love the side hatches and the center bait tank setup.

As many have pointed out, reaching back to a stern mounted tank can be a pain. Similarly, the "black hole" that is the current center hatch setup on the Hobie can be frustrating at times when something you put in there slides away and out of reach.

I spoke to one of the Hobie factory guys at the show and shared with him my wish list for the Revo. While he politely acknowledged my comments, I got the feeling that no major changes would be coming soon.

Maybe we should take a different approach and lobby the makers of the Stealth to add a peddle option.

Bob

bellcon · 03-28-2009, 10:23 AM

I am curious when the patent runs out on the "mirage drive"
and what we can expect from malibu, ocean and wilderness then?

for now i will Paddle my Trident and have occasional episodes of peddle envy

by the way that stealth is pretty trick... look at Kiyos post

Shorty · 03-28-2009, 08:21 PM

It will be real hard to decide between those two and iam curious to know why the Stealth 12's not in the running ?

Anyway re putting your fish somewhere on the Hobie,,some of the lads Down Under use insulated fish bags that velcro onto the front,,its just a matter of unzipping and slide them in,,they can take some fairly hefty fish.

03-27-2009, 01:05 AM	#1
Donfish Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Redondo beach Posts: 31	Being an owner of a Malibu extreme i'm always totally envious of the hobies to the point they allow me hands free operation while moving.but as far as stability and room for storage i'm still on the malibu as far as the stealth incorporates some of the room I don't use in front of me with hard to reach areas put into my immediate reach.Baittank I have but rareky use because its a pain is now upfrount and user friendly The side waterproof stroage is awesome for immediate must haves tackle or phone. Great design but............What I want is a 13' X 39" standup tunnel drive 2hpjet exhaust 4 stroke That includes paddle holders and paddle holds 2 gallons of fuel that is safe to launch anywhere in calif.Does 8 -12kts and is surf launchable for $1500.... not much to ask when the economy is so screwed is it?.... oooh and a reliable rudder system would ice the cake.:reel :

03-27-2009, 09:14 AM	#4
Corey Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...waaaay out there Posts: 794	I have the Stealth 14 and really like it so far. The convenience of the built in bait tank in front of you is great, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly it paddles for a wider boat. I'm a bigger guy (6'2" and 230#) and it handles me & alot of gear and a couple of large pieces of cargo just fine. The front hatch or back tankwell area are both of ample size to store a large fish or two. The bottom line is that both the Revo & the Stealth 14 are good and fishable boats. If I were you, I would set aside some time to go demo each one - even take a rod & fish a little- to see which one feels more like what you want. __________________

03-28-2009, 08:21 PM	#7
Shorty Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Perth, Wild West, Australia Posts: 65	It will be real hard to decide between those two and iam curious to know why the Stealth 12's not in the running ? Anyway re putting your fish somewhere on the Hobie,,some of the lads Down Under use insulated fish bags that velcro onto the front,,its just a matter of unzipping and slide them in,,they can take some fairly hefty fish. __________________ Proudly sponsored by Team No Fish and Instant Noodles Highly respected member of T.A.A (Tackle Addicts Annonymous)

03-27-2009, 07:09 AM	#2
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	Get the Stealth....those Hobie's are terrible kayaks But seriously....I have had and X-Factor and am now on the Adventure. Both have their strengths/weaknesses as others have pointed out above. Just get both and then you won't have to worry about it.

03-27-2009, 08:56 AM	#3
SquidVicious Junior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	I have a Revo as well as 2 paddle yaks - a prowler 13 and cobra tandem. I love fishing from the Revo but storage is a problem. I don't even use a bait-tank and I have a hard time fitting all my stuff. I love fishing from the Hobie, though . . . there's really nothing better, IMO. I fish regularly from my Prowler, too and am planning on replacing it with a Trident 15 this year. Sometimes the simplicity of a paddle yak just wins out. Right now I use the hobie for the bays, lakes and short ocean trips. I use the prowler for longer ocean trips, surf launches, carries that involve steep goat trails (like in Big Sur), etc. It might be silly but I also won't use the hobie from about Carmel to Marin - the GWS hotspot. I really feel like I need both kinds of boats and I'm actually thinking of adding a dedicated freshwater yak now, too . .. easier to keep super clean for various inspections. Get both but if you can only get one . .I say get the Hobie.

03-28-2009, 07:47 AM	#5
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	I saw the Stealth for the first time at the boat show the other day. I have to say, the Hobie design folks could take a few pointers from some of this model's features. I love the side hatches and the center bait tank setup. As many have pointed out, reaching back to a stern mounted tank can be a pain. Similarly, the "black hole" that is the current center hatch setup on the Hobie can be frustrating at times when something you put in there slides away and out of reach. I spoke to one of the Hobie factory guys at the show and shared with him my wish list for the Revo. While he politely acknowledged my comments, I got the feeling that no major changes would be coming soon. Maybe we should take a different approach and lobby the makers of the Stealth to add a peddle option. Bob

03-28-2009, 10:23 AM	#6
bellcon Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: San Pedro Posts: 999	I am curious when the patent runs out on the "mirage drive" and what we can expect from malibu, ocean and wilderness then? for now i will Paddle my Trident and have occasional episodes of peddle envy by the way that stealth is pretty trick... look at Kiyos post