2017 Hobie Outback Review & Build

Picked up my 2017 Hobie Outback in camo on Thursday from Headwaters Adventure Company, just in time to take Robert Field of YakFish TV out for a trip on the Sacramento River the next morning.  Within the first 5 minutes it was fish-on, a really nice rainbow around 22".  Nice way to break in the new yak!

I think everyone is familiar with the Outbacks enough, the big deal on the 2017 Hobie's is the new reverse-capable drive system.  Honestly I didn't think I'd be using it too much in the river, but I found it extremely helpful for side-drifting down the river, allowing for super easy adjustments to get just the right drift.  At one point Rob had a fish on his lap and camera's in hand while heading straight for a sizeable boulder, I was able to nose in, grab his yak, hit reverse, and back us into safe water.  Super, super helpful.

With the yak properly broken in I'll start on the modifications tonight.  We will be taping/uploading How-To videos, I'll keep this thread updated with new postings.  Plans right now call for:
-Rectangular hatch install
- YakAttack rails
- Yak Attack Zooka tubes
- Lowrance Elite 5 HDI / wiring / battery
- Scotty Laketroller downrigger
- Gun rack
- LED lighting

Tight lines!
-beenfishin

That's a great way to break in a new kayak!

Nice! Looking forward to your updates.

Congrats on the new kayak.  I was wondering, can the new 180 drive generate more speed in a forward direction?

Congrats on the new kayak.  I was wondering, can the new 180 drive generate more speed in a forward direction?

According to some reliable posts on the hobie forum, it's just as fast as the gt drive. Impressive.

Congrats on your new ride!  I'm hella jealous of your Turbo fins. I picked up my 2017 Revo13 over the weekend but it doesn't come with the Turbos and Hobie says they won't be available for months. 



"MD180 Turbo upgrades will not be available until the factory has a full supply for boat production needs. Probably a few more months at least."

_________________
Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

Congrats on your new ride!  I'm hella jealous of your Turbo fins. I picked up my 2017 Revo13 over the weekend but it doesn't come with the Turbos and Hobie says they won't be available for months. 



"MD180 Turbo upgrades will not be available until the factory has a full supply for boat production needs. Probably a few more months at least."

I was in San Diego this weekend, I stopped by Fast Lane kayaks, they were selling new 2017's with the new pedals, got to see them work, they don't look that speedy to me.

_________________
Matt Miller
Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Hobie Cat USA

The Turbo 180s are fast, I've only had them on the river which is flowing 7k cfs and not the best testing grounds, so I'll have to get them on the lake to really check them out.  They felt just like the old style turbos.  New hatch installed tonight:

Congrats on the new vessel Ben!  Bout time Hobie started coming out with new color schemes.  Keep us posted on how the 180 fins perform.  Your story on their performance in the river is great to hear.

That is one beautiful rainbow...
Oh yea the Hobie is nice as well!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hatch installation video:

Keep those videos coming!

Lowrance Elite 5 HDI and Hobie Fishfinder Install kit video:

GearTrac's and rod holder installations:

Scotty Laketroller install video: