adventure in big water

I sold my Search 15 and am considering an Adventure. Is the Adventure good in the open ocean with rougher conditions swell etc?

I've never tried a Adventure,

But if your looking to get a Hobie,  make sure you try out all 3, The outback, Revo and Adventure,

 I personally like the Outback, It's a Very Stable, Dry Ride, I like that it has 4" wide trays on either side

that add to the ease of being on this ride with the rudder being right at arms reach.

It is a tank to paddle but even so, still does fine, the other two would be more of the traditional kayak forms, but with the Drive system, speed is all ready there.

I've been out in plenty of Big Water and never had a problem,

 Surf launches and Landings are a matter of choice and experience as to how you want to do that....

Again, Find a place to try out all 3, or Hook up with those who have them and ask for a spin...

I have owned a Necky Dolphin, Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT, and OK Scupper Pro.  Due to a shoulder injury, I now own a Hobie Outback. 

I paddled the Revolution and really liked the way it paddled and peddled.  I felt that it had better stability and paddled almost as well and as fast as the Scupper.  It is much more stable than the Dolphin, and amost twice as fast as the Scrabbler XT.  Using the peddles, with the stock blades, the Revo is more than 1 mph faster than the Scupper pro in a sprint.  In a longer race there is no way that the Scupper can keep up with the Revo or even the Outback.

I bought the Outback because of the rod holders and fishing trays.  In the past I have made a few rough beach landings and I didn't want after market rod holders that could be ripped out. 

I have had the Outback in the ocean three times, once in 20 mph winds.  It is a great fishing platform.  The Hobie Gear Box, that mounts inside the center hatch, holds plenty of lures and gear and is really easy to access.  The side trays are very functional and convenient.  Being able to peddle into the wind, without hanging lures in rocks, absolutely saves lures and produces more fish than a paddle boat.

The Outback does have limitations when paddling in rough water or wind.  It does not track well and wants to go sideways with a tail wind or when being pushed by a swell.  It does much better with the peddles, but still doesn't track like a longer boat or a boat with a keel.  Tail winds of 20-25 (even on a lake like Del Valle) are a challenge with the peddles and are almost impossible with paddles.  Unfortunately the peddles don't work in kelp or landing or a beach.  In heavy kelp or rough water landings, removing the drive unit is advisable.  The blades will slide over sparse kelp, and land ok on a calm beach, when locked in the up position.

If I made the choice again, I think I would try to find removable rod holders that could be mounted in the Revo.  It is a good compromise between the Adventure and Outback.

Good Luck.

Doug

 

Very informative post Doug. Thanks for the info!