Rod Storage on a OB

I'm getting close to getting into the game and have it narrowed down to an Outback or OK T15.  My only real concern with the OB is access to storage.  Can you actually get a one piece 7' rod into and out of storage?

If not, are there some solutions to protecting your arsenal of rods/reels?  I don't plan on being in tons of surf but I'm sure I'll take a "newbie spill" sometime in the first 6 months.

The rod pod/shield seems really nice on the T15 but I really like the mirage propulsion (I have demo'ed them).

I've been lurking for a very long time and am extremely excited about getting into this hobby.  I sold my PB in Nov and have been going through fishing withdrawal...

Looking forward to your advice!  Thanks

Welcome FH101!!

Good observation, inhull storage could be a potential problem with the OB.  I just picked up an 08 OB but haven't even tried stuffing rods down the hatch as of yet.  I know with my Hobie Adventure I can easily stuff 7'0 rods in thru the middle hatch.

More importantly than the storage though is to make sure that you demo both boats, if not more.  If you like the idea of propulsion, try the revo and adventure too, both by Hobie.  And since you've identified the T15, you might want to consider testing the T13 along with the P13 and P15.  Just my 2 cents.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on.

Michael

 I can get my 6'6 bass rod into the hull from the center hatch with little difficulty.  I haven't tried the rods I plan to use yet on the ocean,there not much longer.

What made you decide on a OB vs a Revo?

What made you decide on a OB vs a Revo?

Can't speak for Troy, but for me it is my second yak that will primarily be used by newbie friends/wife and it is nice and wide.  I call it the barge.  I'm sure I'll use it on occasion but the Adventure is my primary boat.

Michael

It's work and can be brutal on the rods, the drive well kinda makes it difficult to just throw them in.

what I usually do is bungee them down atop my rig as I'm coming in for a landing, along with securing that $500 drive system..

and I only have experience with the Outback..

 Good luck on your choice, Really 2 different animals with advantages/disadvantage on both sides...

It's work and can be brutal on the rods, the drive well kinda makes it difficult to just throw them in.

what I usually do is bungee them down atop my rig as I'm coming in for a landing, along with securing that $500 drive system..

and I only have experience with the Outback..

 Good luck on your choice, Really 2 different animals with advantages/disadvantage on both sides...

What Danglin said...most of my ocean rods are too long or stiff to easily fit in through the front (main) hatch - if they fit at all.  Jockeying for position over the drive unit is a PITA, so much so that I never even attempt to  stow rods anymore.  I usually fish Stillwater, MBK and other similarly calm launch sites, so it's usually not a concern.  When and if I have to deal with a surf big enough to cause concern I bungee the rods to the yak.  A couple of the guys have devised nifty ways of doing this and have posted pics on the forum...you can try searching. 

I've never had to deal with surf large enough for me to want to remove my reels before securing the rods, but that's an option too.  The Outback is a barge, and doesn't surf well at all...I remember rolling it on my 2nd or 3rd outing...at Crapitola, in a tiny little surf.  So embarrassing...    As much as I love my Outback I'm looking for a second yak for ocean fishing (skinnier & w/o drive unit so those kelp beds aren't such a pain to get through). 

As Michael said, be sure to demo all of the boats that you're considering, and consider the type of fishing you plan on doing the most.  The Hobie Mirage units are great for trolling and making way against a strong headwind, but they suck when you have to deal with kelp.  I absolutely adore my Outback when I'm on a lake, and alternately praise and curse her when I'm in the ocean, depending where I am.    This is with almost three years usage.  Never having been atop a kayak until I demo'd the Hobie, I put too much weight on the stability feature of the Outback...looking back I wish I'd had the foresight to see that balance can be learned, and a short fat hull, while always stable, will always be a short, fat hull.  Nuff said.

Yeah, I have tried, and cannot fit most of my rods inside the Outback.  Cant seem to fit a spare paddle in there either!  Not that it would help, cause if I had to shimmy up to the front to try and stow my rods, or a retrieve a paddle, I probably couldn't do it on the ocean in swells anyways... 

That T13's center hatch looks mighty fine for stowing rods and other such stuff.  Been dreaming about it since ISE even.  Getting a standard SOT is starting to sound very appealing for the more rugged and surf based launches/landings. Think that I am going to have to buy one for my second yak! 

Hey Al and Usagi, it seem the three of us have the same love and hate for the
Outback. I still love mine and adore it but, t13 will be second yak. Perhaps we can
get some kind of discount if we all three buy at the same time. What do you folks
think?

Jedmo

Hey Al and Usagi, it seem the three of us have the same love and hate for the
Outback. I still love mine and adore it but, t13 will be second yak. Perhaps we can
get some kind of discount if we all three buy at the same time. What do you folks
think?

Jedmo

  Hey, sorry for the late reply, but I am definitely interested in trying for a group discount!  What I would really like is to get a T13 without the rod holders installed, but still with the great center hatch.  Not sure this is possible unless special ordered or something... 

 The Revo and adventure were not available when I purchased my first OB back in 04'  A friend of mine had an OB and when I found out he had one, well I simply had to had one also.  I had been looking at the OB for some time but couldn't justify getting one until I learned that my friend had one. 
  Today, if I were still shopping for a kayak, not sure I'd gone with the newer hulls.  I like the wide hull!  I say this now, because I've only had my OB on fresh water 98% time.  I have been on Elkhorn slough and the Santa Cruz yacht harbor a few times, and in 4 foot waves just outside the slough once!  Didn't like that one bit! (Started to feel sick) as far as handling the waves, I felt OK crashing through the waves trying to reach the green buoy, but turning was "Sporty"  We got turned around and hightailed back in to the protected waters.