NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Hobie Kayaks => Topic started by: boosted on August 11, 2017, 12:45:45 PM
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Hey all,
so i've recently sold the jetski that i've been using to fish off of for the last few years. With it gone, i was planning on getting back on the water. The maintenance/towing/storage/launching/fees was getting old, so i figured it was time for a different venture. Those reasons are also why i don't want to get into another boat. Sure, having people around to fish with is always fun, but they're usually not around 2-3 hours after the trip to clean the fish, gear, and boat... lol.
With that said, along with a bit of research, i've been teetering on the idea of getting an outback (read: unable to talk myself out of buying one, lol). I initially wanted a Pro Angler, but loading and paddling a big heavy yak in the event of equipment failure doesn't appeal much to me either. At this point, (after years of owning boats) i wanted to take advantage of the simplicity a hobie offers.
I've been looking at used ones, but they seem to hold their value pretty well, so springing a few hundred for a brand new one with warranty (and peace of mind) doesn't seem too out of the question. Has anyone had any good experiences with local dealers? i'm open to commuting to pick one up, but it seems most dealers in the Bay Area, and hobie in general, all have controlled pricing. Not sure if there are specific times when theyre allowed to have sales, but im looking to maximize on any cost saving opportunities. Not in a huge rush to get one either. My yak of choice would be a 12' 2017 outback with the md180, something i could just toss in the truck bed and off i go.
If anyone has an recommendations or words of wisdom, please let me know! Hoping to get back on the water, and thanks in advance for the help!
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You can't go wrong with a Hobie. I had the Adventure (now known as the Revo 16) for several years, and last year got a used Adventure Island. I don't know too much about the Outback, but I'd say it's definitely way more versatile than the PA. And, you might want to consider the Revo 13, as that's going to be faster than the Outback, giving you more range (the tradeoff being that it's slightly narrower and less deck space).
You are correct about Hobies holding their value so if you can afford it, new is the way to go IMHO. Hobie warranty support is absolutely incredible.
As for bargains on new(ish) Hobies, the only discounts you're likely to see are on previous model year (or older) kayaks that haven't sold, and it seems to me that even those are not too great. Many dealers do offer discounts on other things when you buy a new kayak, which could save some money if you know what you need.
I'm sure others will have suggestions on local dealers. It's probably sacrilege to admit it, but the only new Hobie I've purchased came from online (Austin Kayak---it was cheaper to pay shipping than the ridiculous CA sales tax, and it was delivered faster than any local dealer could get it).
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Thanks for sharing NowhereMan!
i've found that to be true as well. i've looked at a few local dealers who also have online stores, many of their reviews are from out of state customers. i'm assuming they are benefiting from not having to pay their own state tax or shipping costs, a few of the local dealers had free shipping. Hoping i dont have to look out of state. I'm a big supporter of local businesses and wanting to see if we have those same options without having to look at other states.
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DEMO DEMO DEMO
Pick first and second then demo
Seems Outback and Revo 13 top two choices
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DEMO DEMO DEMO ...
Can't argue with that, but you need to keep in mind that wider (more stable) will probably win in a brief demo. It takes a bit longer to adjust to a narrower kayak, but over time, it might prove just as stable in use.
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Have the Outback and Pro Angler. Find myself fishing out of the Outback more. Easier to load and unload, easier to paddle (really nice in the delta cruising through all the growth) and it feels like it gets pushed around a little less in light breezes - and its easier to use with a light anchor (1lb) to grab the bottom in shallow water to target an area for some casts.
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Thanks all! I'll be demo'ing a few tomorrow. Now I just need to figure out how to get the best deal, or where.
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I got lucky and got a great used Outback for cheep but I looked every day on CL for like a whole summer and had to travel to get it, anyway I seconded guessed my choice, the outback feels like a barge compared to the regular paddle yaks i had in the past, but the hands free fishing is priceless, so I thought a Revo 13 would solve my need for speed until i talked to quite a few people that regretted trading there outback for the Revo, they all told me they hardly felt a difference in speed and the lack of stability and deck space was defiantly not worth it. Now im dreaming of a Revo 11 as a second yak for the real clean days and hard to reach launches because they are so light. :smt044
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so I thought a Revo 13 would solve my need for speed until i talked to quite a few people that regretted trading there outback for the Revo, they all told me they hardly felt a difference in speed and the lack of stability and deck space was defiantly not worth it.
I have never heard anybody say this, ever. It's usually the exact opposite...guys buy Outback because they're initially concerned with "stability." Then swap it out for a Revo after a year or two.
Remember, you will inevitably learn to balance better...but your kayak can't learn how to be faster.
Stability is over rated, and only a valid consideration if you are a hardcore freshwater basser who doesn't have to paddle/pedal very far. Or, if you're a big guy (over 6'5" or 300lbs).
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I'm on my second outback...
California Canoe and Kayak in Jack london Sq. great service...
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i used lost anchovy revo 13 at Big Sur since it was lighter than my outback
the revo is definitely a lot faster. When I was paddling and peddling I was going over 5 mph easily. It doesn't take much to get it going since the bottom is flat vs the outback with the v-hull (to make it more stable?)
I have to admit the revo I can't move around as much and it is more tippy than the outback for sure. Reaching in the front hull of the revo was a choir. On the outback it was a piece of cake to get into the front hatch without worrying about going over.
I love my outback but wouldn't mind getting a revo for trips like Big Sur when you have to lower your kayak down 50 feet. The 10-15 lbs difference make a huge difference! The bottom being flat is also nice to drag across sand and rocks. The outback bottom sucks when I'm dragging it across the sand or mud or rocks lol
with a lot of issue on the 180 drive with it breaking makes me cautious. I like the reverse but if it breaks well...yeah it would suck lol
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I picked my Outback up from an end of season sale at a Kayak rental store in Lake Tahoe. I'm not sure if they carry other models but they purchase Outbacks brand new at the beginning of the summer then sell them at the end of the same summer for 30% less what they paid. I bought mine last September for $1700 and the guy even delivered it to me for another $150.00. I may be purchasing another this year! Great deal. Let me know if you're interested and I'll pass along the info.
-Schills
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Remember, you will inevitably learn to balance better...but your kayak can't learn how to be faster.
Stability is over rated ...
This!
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I love my revo and wouldnt consider changing out to a outback especially after taking it boat in camping and fitting everything needed for 3 days comfortably. Fast, stable, sexy
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Man! That doesn't make my decision any easier... haha. I definitely like the new camo model outback, I went to check them out today but didn't demo. There's a nice used outback on Craigslist now that I was thinking about checking out. Is the revo that much faster? I'd love the deck space since I don't have collapsible crab nets. There are a few revo demos for sale too, I've got some thinking to do ...
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Being that ill primarily be ocean fishing, I've seen a lot of recommendations for revos. I wish they had a rail system, I'd hate to have to drill a brand new yak to add one. Really picking my brain on this one.
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I got my outback from cck jack london sq (2016 demo) if you carry a lot of gear the outback has more room. I really like my outback as I am not into speed but a little comfort(stability)
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I'm kinda envious of crazys ability to stand on his yak and stretch on a calm day. My next yak is gonna be an outback or AI so I can sail with Chet to Catalina. Decision decision...
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I'm kinda envious of crazys ability to stand on his yak and stretch on a calm day. My next yak is gonna be an outback or AI so I can sail with Chet to Catalina. Decision decision...
I have a friend that just sold his Revo to get AI. The guy said he won't go back to anything less.
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I've got a Revo-16 and almost exclusively fish the salt. While I haven't tested or used a Revo-13 or Outback and would really like to, I can say that I really like my Revo-16...a lot. In a perfect world, I would have my Revo-16 + an Outback + an AI. [The Revo-16 can be retrofitted to be an AI, and this may be in my future.]
What I can talk about are the things I know about the 16:
- It is hands-down the fastest kayak on the water
- With the turbo fins, it has amazing power. To whit, I towed 2 boats back 1.5 miles (leap frogging) and could have easily gone another mile. I easily towed another kayak on another trip. It is a tractor.
- The power makes it punch through waves and chop easily.
- Its length helps it track really well at sea, but makes it a bit slow to come around in general and a bit frustrating if it's windy and I for some reason need to make a quick turn. This is obviously a tradeoff -- in the end, tracking is much more important.
- Because it's a tractor, it has very long range. I can and have gone miles offshore. Part of that range is due to the speed, power, and endurance of our legs, but it is also due to the superior tracking, which ensures that the power gets put into successfully making way to a mark as efficiently as possible.
- The front hatch/hold is big, but really hard to access while on the water. In fact, I've never attempted it because one must clearly have to climb over the Mirage Drive and then up onto the front of the cockpit in order to grasp the bungies and open the hatch. I should probably try to do this on the water, but I do get worried about opening that big sucker right up there where the chop/waves hit.
- The rear hatch cannot be reached from the cockpit either, but can be easier to access depending on what's in the tank well.
- I'm a fly fisherman and I naturally lean towards fishing with the most compact and lightest kit possible, so I don't see the limited cargo space as a problem, but actually value the fact that it forces me to keep the boat light and the decks clear. Simplify, simplify, simplify.
- Windage and freeboard. On my Revo-16, I notice a significant windage effect during those times when I have my fishing net upright in a rod holder. It bugs me so much that I collapse/take it down when I transit to/from my fishing grounds. I also paddle in a traditional Sit Inside sea kayak and notice a huge increase in my windage when I pedal my Hobie. Because of this, I suspect the Outback will be even more susceptible to the wind and out on the ocean, where the wind will pick up from 3mph to 15+mph within minutes and without warning, this is very worrisome to me.
- If stability is a worry, you can buy the Ama kit ($129). I have this and oddly find it most useful on the Bay, where the chop is high frequency wind fetch. The Bay chop comes in continuously one-after-another, bang, bang, bang every 2 or 3 seconds, which either is distracting or will roll you over if you stop paying attention.
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I've got a Revo-16 and almost exclusively fish the salt. ...
Exactly!
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Being that ill primarily be ocean fishing, I've seen a lot of recommendations for revos. I wish they had a rail system, I'd hate to have to drill a brand new yak to add one. Really picking my brain on this one.
IMHO, being able to drill (and otherwise modify) the yak is a great advantage of plastic boats. I've drilled more holes than I can count in my kayaks, and not a one of them leaks.
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So I think I'm fairly set on the 2017 camo outback, I'll be demo'ing the revo as well so that should give me a better idea... I love the idea of the revo's speed and ability to handle chop, but I'm fairly gear-centric and think the extra deck space would benefit my style of fishing. I do see many switching out their outbacks for revo's though.
Has anyone dealt with windtoys in Santa Rosa? Spoke to John over the phone and he seems like he's super knowledgeable on the hobies, mentioned he and his staff have outfitted a bunch of ncka'ers.
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go with CCK since they support our events. They also have great customer service from what I hear :)
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Has anyone dealt with windtoys in Santa Rosa? Spoke to John over the phone and he seems like he's super knowledgeable on the hobies, mentioned he and his staff have outfitted a bunch of ncka'ers.
I make quite a few accessory purchases there and spoke to John quite alot before I purchased my Hobie. Nice guy, good business and wish I could have bought a new Hobie there.
Also.. I think the Outback is probably the most versatile out of all the models. Just in my personal opinion. And I'd recommend the red or mango colors. I only care how the boat floats, not how it looks. And if I'm stranded on the ocean, the most important thing I want is a color with the brightest contrast. Good luck with the purchase!
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Personally i would go Hobie Quest 13
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If you're a guy that likes to dangle your feet over the sides while he fishes like me, the outback is too wide.
My only bitch(es) about the revo is the lack of deck space and surf zone maneuverability. Lost Anchovie's Big Sur vid proves that to be baloney though. :smt007
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Personally i would go Hobie Quest 13
first dibs on your revo!
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maybe by the time the 2018 models are released, Hobie will unveil an outbacklution, or revoback haha.
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You could sum up the last X number of pages by saying you really cannot go wrong with an Outback or a Revo.
The only way to figure out which one is right for YOU will be to try them both.
I got my Outback from CCK in Jack London Square after trying both. The shop is right on the water, and they have Hobies rigged up and ready to demo. They even let me try each kayak with the upgraded (mandatory...) turbo fins and sailing rudder so I could feel the difference. Zero regrets.
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So I think I'm fairly set on the 2017 camo outback, I'll be demo'ing the revo as well so that should give me a better idea... I love the idea of the revo's speed and ability to handle chop, but I'm fairly gear-centric and think the extra deck space would benefit my style of fishing. I do see many switching out their outbacks for revo's though.
Has anyone dealt with windtoys in Santa Rosa? Spoke to John over the phone and he seems like he's super knowledgeable on the hobies, mentioned he and his staff have outfitted a bunch of ncka'ers.
I bought my Hobies from windtoys and they are a decent organization. John does like Hobies and he can probably set you up a good deal on a year end model. I'd buy another one from him if I was still in state
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maybe by the time the 2018 models are released, Hobie will unveil an outbacklution, or revoback haha.
I think you just described Santa Cruz Raptor G2 :smt044
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... with the upgraded (mandatory...) turbo fins and sailing rudder ...
Another vote for mandatory...
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Absolutely! The camo model outback has the turbo fins and sailing rudder as standard equipment. I hope I'll get to try them soon. John at windtoys was the only one who gave me good service over the phone, everyone else seemed to pretty much brush me off. Lots of recommendations for CCK though.
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Absolutely! The camo model outback has the turbo fins and sailing rudder as standard equipment. I hope I'll get to try them soon. John at windtoys was the only one who gave me good service over the phone, everyone else seemed to pretty much brush me off. Lots of recommendations for CCK though.
Another vote for CCK. Beside sponsoring our event, I heard that they made good on a very tough situation not long ago.
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Why would the sailing rudder and turbo fins be mandatory? My revo is standard and seems to get along just fine?
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Why would the sailing rudder and turbo fins be mandatory? My revo is standard and seems to get along just fine?
The turbo fins generate way more power---in comparison, the standard fins are like spinning your wheels. You'll definitely go farther and faster with the turbo fins.
The sailing rudder will turn much sharper, but you can probably live without it, so that's only semi-mandatory (unless you actually sail, in which case it becomes fully-mandatory).
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I got a chance to make it out to CCK today and tried out both the revo and outback, both 2017 models. I couldn't tell too much of a difference in speed, the water was a tad choppy with 3-4mph headwinds. I could tell the revo went through the chop smoother, outback had the "slap" that everyone mentioned. I do like the width of the outback for my gear. Hopefully with the 2018s being released soon, the 2017's will be discounted and I'll be back on the water :)
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Just an update: I ended up finding a nice and fully equipped 2015 outback from a fellow ncka'er for a good deal. Going to rig it up to my liking and slay some fins.
Thank you all for the help and I'll see you out there!!!
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Why would the sailing rudder and turbo fins be mandatory? My revo is standard and seems to get along just fine?
Can't say they're mandatory, but both items are totally worth it. Especially the turbo fins!
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Remember, you will inevitably learn to balance better...but your kayak can't learn how to be faster.
Stability is over rated ...
This!
Agree. The biggest drawback for me downsizing from an Adventure to Revo was the loss in speed!
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Size size of the paddler is a consideration. I bought Grumpys Outback when he went Revo. The narrower Revo was a lot easier to paddle for a smaller person. The width makes a major difference in getting the paddle in the water.
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Size size of the paddler is a consideration. I bought Grumpys Outback when he went Revo. The narrower Revo was a lot easier to paddle for a smaller person. The width makes a major difference in getting the paddle in the water.
But how often does anyone paddle a Hobie? Briefly when launching/landing on a beach and maybe if your mirage drive breaks down (which has never happened to me).
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Paddle in the kelp, etc. also reaching over the side to land fish. Coming through surf. Is a consideration. I am big. 6'4" and 250, so Outback works great. Grumpy is 5' 7 or so.