To Hobie - Mirage Drive or not - first kayak

So I have taken out a few Hobie's and like the drive system. I expect to be fishing mostly in lakes and rivers and occasionally in the mellow areas of the ocean. I did notice that the tandem does not track to well in wind and frequent course correction was needed like every 10 sec ! I do like the whole body work out but not the price. It would be great to hear from people who do not work in the industry but can speak from experience.

I am also considering a tandem so the girlfriend can come out and stay fit, and use it to fly fish and stand up to cast when the conditions permit.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I had the tandem outfitter and got rid of it because it just doesn't work well as a solo yak.  The bow sits really high and peddling it solo is like moving a freighter compared the the revolution I now have.  If you aren't going to have two people in it all of thetime, the trade off in performance is just too great.  It doesn't track well in high wind either.  As many others on this board have suggested; you may want to think about getting a beater yak for your girlfriend if she isn't always going to be along, and get a good solo yak for yourself.  On the positive side, I was able to get nearly what I paid for the tandem a year after I bought it.  Depreciation on Hobie Kayaks is really low. 

It all boils down to how much you really love your girlfriend.  Is your relationship serious, are you committed?   I ask because tandems are called divorce/break-up boats for a reason.  Go with bennettdanville's sound advice, get a beater second yak for the lady - that is unless you want to end your relationship.    And if you can't afford a second yak, there are plenty of people that will loan you one for the missus.

Personally, I own the Adventure and Outback and purchased them in that order.  Love them both but many on the board have fallen for the Revolution which is another solid platform.

It sounds like you've tried a few of the Hobies.  Whatever you decide, try them ALL and then make your decision.

Michael

sound advice you have been given,

if ya live or are in the Eastbay, you can check out California Canoe and Kayak in Jack London Square,

 they have kayaks ready to demo right on the estuary

I personally like the Outback,  it is a very Stable fishing platform and I believe a bit more comfortable than the revo or adventure..

 but is a tank...   still paddles ok in a pinch...

  I purchased and outback for myself and a revo for my gal.  Seems like a good combo, as I am 6'5" 250 and bring a lot of gear with me.  I now have the turbo fins on it and I can cruise quite nicely in it.  It is a very stable kayak, and I have never felt even the slightest danger of tipping.  I have used my gals Revo and it is a bit quicker and sleek, but also feels like it would roll much easier.  I know the hard core ocean anglers need the speed to avoid getting crushed, but for the lake and bay fishing I do the outback has been great.  I am very happy with what I got, but for nearly 4 K I should be!   I also think John and Andy at Wind Toys are great at what they do, no pressure, lots of info!

  I suggest one of each...

Zin .. GREAT .. I needed to hear that about the OUTBACK .. I'm looking at one ..

I LOVE my wife by the way .. and we love going out in our OASIS by Hobie .. a Tandem ..
no divorce in the future, I don't think ..

But .. I AM LOOKING FOR A SINGLE .. and have a line on an OUTBACK .. SO I needed the
advise on the outback .. after a thread I just read a minute ago saying you needed a 15'
yak if you were over 6' tall .. I'm 6'2" about 220 .. or so ..

So .. I should get the OuTbAck ???

Take the plunge.  That O.B. has your name all over  it.

First post here.  This site has lots of great information.  I am new to kayak fishing, other than taking my mom’s Costco one out once in a while, on some mountain lakes.   It works great for a woman in her late sixties but I think I need something a little more substantial.   I am supposed to go look an Outback tonight.  The lady did not know what year it was (second owner) but says it is in good shape. 

I guess my first question would be if there are any years of the Outback  I should avoid?  I know they have made some improvements.  I also have a question about how well the mirage drive works in the weeds?  I know it does not work well in kelp but many of the lakes in the mountains, where I grew up, can get a little thick in the summer.   Mainly I would be using it on the Delta and some rock fishing around Trinidad.   Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

Thanks

WttM Shasta-Steve   

 I would stay away from any outbacks 2004 or older, the earlier ones have a very dated drive system, no personal experience with it, just don't like the looks,  there was a problem with some 2005 and 2006 models, with cracks forming in the the drive well. Hobie has been replacing these boats with new hulls, but you might find yourself with a hull that may have already been replaced, and not all of these boats are bad.

 You should try before you buy, California Canoe and Kayak by you in Rancho can help you out with that,

the outback is a different animal than the revo or adventure...

kelp/weeds, really not a problem, pull the drive,secure, paddle thru the obstacle...

as far as used, these boats as well as ocean kayak are strong as nails, but you will find that Hobies used are not cheap, and you have to be quick, might as well go new...

Hey Danglin thanks for the heads up about California Canoe and Kayak.  I have lived here about 6 months but still don’t know my way around everywhere.  I did not even know it existed.  I am going to head down there is few minutes.  Thanks for your opinion on the Outback.   I have paddled a Adventure and an Outback.  I was on the Oregon Coast a couple of weeks ago and paddled out to where a few guys were knocking the heck out of the rock fish.  Two guys were in Outbacks and  one was in an Adventure.  When they came in to the beach they convinced me I should take them out for a spin.  I really liked the adventure a little more but either one would work great. 

Yes cost is an issue.  I might end up buying a new one but just thought I would see what is available used.  Just outfitting a kayak is expensive.  Many of the used ones come with quite a few extras and a lot have not been used much.  Plus the tax on a new one is over $100.   Yes you do have to be quick.  I think I woke the person up, who has the kayak, this morning.   They  said I had first dibs on it when they get home from work tonight but we will have to see.   Good price and comes with a sail.  Not sure I would use the sail that much but I have a 15 year old daughter.  I will just have to see what condition and age it is. 

One more question, do any of you know off hand how to tell about what age the boat is by looking at it?  I see they have changed the drive and I guess they have changed the size and location of the hatches on some of the newer ones.   

Anyway thanks again for your comments.

Steve

Ok just got back from California Canoe and Kayak in Rancho.  Really seem to be a great group of guys and they have a very good price on the Outbacks and Revolutions.  (It was a Revolution I tried and not a Adventure)  They do not have many “fishing” kayaks or many sit on tops for that matter but do have the Hobie line.    We were talking about setting up a Outback and the salesman (owner?) mentioned your name Danglin.   I told him you sent me down.   I will have to see how this thing goes tonight but if I end up getting a new one I will definitely give them my business.  Thanks for the heads up.

Steve

Steve, what kind of prices did they qoute you at CCK in Rancho?  I too am trying to decide between a new and used Hobie.  so far I have tried an Outback and Sport.  did not like the Sport at all!  too tippy and tiring to pedal.  my son and I pedaled for 9 miles at a high elevation lake and I was not tired afterwards.  very easy to cruise at 2 mph. 

I guess it is ok to post this.   They had a Revolution on sale at $1599 and I asked about the Outback (same MSRP) and they said they would do it also.  I am not really sure about this but I was told that Hobie does not allow dealers to advertise less than MSRP, which is $1749.    I was at another dealer, in Sacramento, the other day and I asked them if they could do any better.   They went down to $1650 without any problems.   They told me they were allowed to sell it for that but could not advertise the price.   

It looks like the Outback I had a line on may have up and ran away so I might end up looking at a new one also.   I would definitely CCK a shot.  First off they are local for me and I got a really good feeling about them.   

 I agree the sport is just too small also.   I could definitely see the Outback being good for things like fishing, crabbing and even a little duck hunting.    I really like the revolution also but the wider Outback might be better for how I am going to use it.     

I did this for four miles at Lake Tahoe the weekend before Albion with no problems at all.
Definitely could not have done it with such ease paddling.