Hobie Revolution VS. Outback?

I have a Hobie Pro Angler (love it!) and am looking to get an Outback or Revolution for my son.  we are both over 6' tall and that rules out the Sport.  anyone have any real world test comparisions between the Revo and OB?  we have tried the OB several times for about 5 miles each time.  it is stable and we fit ok in it.  I understand the Revo is a little faster but a little less stable than the OB?  I am also considering a sail for either one we end up with.  I took the turbo fins out of my PA and put them in the OB and it made a good bit of difference in how the OB performs.  does the Revo come standard with turbo fins like the PA does? 

The best advice I can give is to test drive the Revo.

I'm pretty sure the Revo does NOT come with turbo fins.

If you have the PA and he ends up getting the Revo, he's liable to leave you in the dust.

Michael

The best advice I can give is to test drive the Revo.

I'm pretty sure the Revo does NOT come with turbo fins.

If you have the PA and he ends up getting the Revo, he's liable to leave you in the dust.

Michael

its ok if he leaves me in the dust, I just want him to have a good time and not be bored.  we are scheduled to demo both on Tuesday. 

If ya notice, The Outback has 5" sides that leave the rudder lever at a very good vantage point for comfort as well as stability and storage options for keeping stuff temporally.

That's the difference for me, I felt like I was riding on a log on the Revo and having to work the rudder at a lower position, this felt awkward to me.

 No question, the revo is a faster/ more maneuverable yak, I have not tried the turbo fins, I should.

Question for you,  How is it Moving the PA around?  Heard it's a little Heavy....

I used to have the Outback. I loved it a lot. The deck space on the kayak is
truly awesome especially the huge trays on both sides and four rod holders. The
Revolution was my first choice but I decided on the Outback instead for the
stability. I no longer have the Outback because my good friend Hobie-Dave
traded me My OB for a Revolution. I will let you know more of the difference
between the two once I have the Revolution on the water. The kayak has been
waiting for me for a whole month now. I haven't had a chance to ride her yet.

Jedmo

If ya notice, The Outback has 5" sides that leave the rudder lever at a very good vantage point for comfort as well as stability and storage options for keeping stuff temporally.

That's the difference for me, I felt like I was riding on a log on the Revo and having to work the rudder at a lower position, this felt awkward to me.

 No question, the revo is a faster/ more maneuverable yak, I have not tried the turbo fins, I should.

Question for you,  How is it Moving the PA around?  Heard it's a little Heavy....

yes, the PA is heavy.  once on the water it is fine.  I am not a salt water guy..........all my trout fishing is fresh water lakes at high altitudes in the summer and foothill lakes in the winter/fall/spring.  so far I have not had to move the PA around by myself, once I get a cart I will do so and hopefully not kill my back or get a hernia.  to me it is worth the weight as it is an awesome fishing platform, Hobie really thought this one out well.  still rigging it but I do have rod holders from Scotty that clamp on the side rails.  thinking about getting another Scotty clamp on rod holder with a FF insert to mount it on the side rail also.  was going to put the FF in the mast holder but it may be too far away to work the controls and to see it easily as it is a long stretch from the seat to the mast holder.

I have read that turbo fins on the OB have a tendency to put too much stress on the fin masts causing them to break because of the pressure needed to get it going as it is not as sleek as the Revo.
I have the Revo w/turbo fins and have had no problems.
I also went with the sail rudder..HUGE difference.

I have read that turbo fins on the OB have a tendency to put too much stress on the fin masts causing them to break because of the pressure needed to get it going as it is not as sleek as the Revo.

Yeah, the turbo fins work but they working against the lines of the Outback. While I have heard of one incident where there was a failure I also know a few people who use them regularly w/ no problems. Probably a question of how hard you push the drive. IMO they're not a good idea for the Sport, minimal improvements on the Outback, but the Revo and Adventure become different machines.

X2 on the sailing rudder. Great improvement in control.

Z

I have read that turbo fins on the OB have a tendency to put too much stress on the fin masts causing them to break because of the pressure needed to get it going as it is not as sleek as the Revo.

Yeah, the turbo fins work but they working against the lines of the Outback. While I have heard of one incident where there was a failure I also know a few people who use them regularly w/ no problems. Probably a question of how hard you push the drive. IMO they're not a good idea for the Sport, minimal improvements on the Outback, but the Revo and Adventure become different machines.

X2 on the sailing rudder. Great improvement in control.

Z

Thanks,   That was kinda me feeling about the turbos on outbacks, especailly after Hobieblues failure...

 Thanks for the report on the PA too...

 Looks like an awesome platform, but that weight is a killer....  still want to get a better look at it

Thanks,   That was kinda me feeling about the turbos on outbacks, especailly after Hobieblues failure...

Don, I'm pretty sure that Bryan/Hobieblue has a Hobie Sport.

Michael

Thanks,   That was kinda me feeling about the turbos on outbacks, especailly after Hobieblues failure...

Don, I'm pretty sure that Bryan/Hobieblue has a Hobie Sport.

Michael

Ya, thats true, but I think the same stress with the turbo fins applies, 

 I'm happy with what I have going,  if another Hobie is in the cards it's probably a AI.... 

Thanks,   That was kinda me feeling about the turbos on outbacks, especailly after Hobieblues failure...

Don, I'm pretty sure that Bryan/Hobieblue has a Hobie Sport.

Michael

I bought Bryan's turbo fins because he was having too many problems with them on his sport.  the turbo fins are now spares that I keep on my PA.  
I did a demo of an outback vs. revolution.  my son and I traded the OB and Revo back and forth and we both agreed that our next purchase will be an OB.  I will upgrade the fins to turbo fins and possibly get a sail kit as well for it. 

I was just recently faced with the same decision.  What did I go with?  OB.  Speed is great but I want to feel comfortable and safe.  The OB is definitely more stable.  With future salt aspirations, I pulled the OB trigger.

Waiting for the maiden voyage tomorrow @ Black Butte!

  I have both and love both but at my size the Ouback is the clear choice.  I also have turbo fins and other than running aground and having to have the rod replaced  on it I have had nothing but fun on it.  I feel like the turbo fins are a big help and I can keep up with Lisa on her Revo no matter how hard she tries to get away!

Getting close to 1400 reads, so you can see how popular a subject this is, 

For me, thanks to all who chimed in, real life feedback for users is invaluable,  gotta love NCKA for that.

Will make my shopping easier.