Outrigger recs for a Hobie Tandem Oasis?

Hey Everyone,

My husband and I just got our first kayak (a Hobie Tandem Oasis) earlier this year and have been learning how to fish the SF Bay. Previously we had mainly been fishing for trout in the mountains and it's been so great to fish closer to where we live! We'd like to work our way up to trying it out in the ocean and have been thinking about getting some outriggers for increased stability. It looks like there are tons of options for outriggers/stabilizers -- are the Hobie brand Sidekicks worth the (significant) extra cost? Or has anyone had luck with some of the generic brands? Would also love to hear if anyone has thoughts on additional considerations...

Thanks in advance for your help!

Here is a simple setup that you can make for a few bucks. This is a narrow sea kayak that I converted to use a mirage drive in and because it is narrow, 24 inches, I made outriggers for stability in the ocean. Plenty of hooks and eyelets in the back of a hobie to attach two four aluminum pipes to which attach to two floats made of insulation urethane four inches by four feet. I glassed mine but one could just wrap with duck tape. Keep bottom height just above water level to prevent excess drag. Any tipping of kayak and instant stabilization.

Here is a simple setup that you can make for a few bucks. This is a narrow sea kayak that I converted to use a mirage drive in and because it is narrow, 24 inches, I made outriggers for stability in the ocean. Plenty of hooks and eyelets in the back of a hobie to attach two four aluminum pipes to which attach to two floats made of insulation urethane four inches by four feet. I glassed mine but one could just wrap with duck tape. Keep bottom height just above water level to prevent excess drag. Any tipping of kayak and instant stabilization.

I've been considering doing exactly this for a while now.  My kayak is plenty stable when seated, but I cannot stand without getting wobbly.  I've been fishing a lot more freshwater in the last year, and it would be nice to be able to stand and cast with confidence.  Plus, standing to stretch the legs and back would be nice too. 

I'm kinda torn between two small ones like you did or one long outrigger on my port side, maybe a little further away from the hull.  I do pretty much all my "work" on the starboard side - net fish, set and pull crab traps, etc.  I troll a lot - my concern is snagging my line on the outrigger, so if I only have one I think that hazard would be reduced. 

My wife and I have been using Hobie Sidekicks for our Hobie Oasis kayaks for the last five years and have been very happy with them.  I would highly recommend a stabilizer for a tandem kayak.  I am not experienced with other brands.
You can watch our videos to see how we are using: https://youtu.be/p-Y43IAmWj8?si=EILXyKUtV5BAuVi7

Paul

Thanks for your thoughts! Charles, thanks for sharing your set-up! My DIY kayak projects have been taking me so long that I'm not sure it will be effective to add outriggers to the list. I think I might try a generic version and see how it goes. Curious to hear if anyone's tried something off-brand that they like...