Hobie Revo Questions

Thinking of switching over to a Revo 13 and letting go my OK T13. The lure of the speed of the mirage drive has made the grass greener on long ocean paddles.

I was wondering the following.

1. Does your but not get as sore since you are using your legs more?
2. What's it like to paddle 5w/o the mirage drive?
3. How is it in chop and slop bow looks narrow and sort of porpoisey?
4. Pros and cons between mirage drive sizes example: does the longer flippers wear you outfaster?
5. Is it difficult to mount a ff and transducer?
6. Anyone use the sail? DO you need a different rudder?

Any other comments pros/cons, esp if someone else has made the switch from Ocean Kayak to Hobie, regrets, no looking back..

Thanks,

Rob

1# Coming from two different paddle yaks my butt actually doesn't get sore anymore even with 12hr days unless.....I'm sitting on anchor and not doing much pedaling. I do use an extra foam pad that I shove under the stock hobie seat and without this my butt does get sore.

2# It isn't a good paddle yak. Speed is o.k. but tracking without the rudder is lacking. You won't be paddling much anyway except thru thick kelp and then you won't be going fast paddling either.

3# It's fine. There is alot of volume in the bow.

4# Don't know. Put the turbo fins right on when I bought it. There is an endurance curve after you start using it your legs will get toned up.

5# No. It's as easy as other yaks.

6#. I don't have the sail but again I mounted the sailing rudder right off the bat and don't know the difference between it and the stock one.


No regrets whatsoever. The positives completely outweigh the few drawbacks. I do get some knee pain probably from pushing the pedals too far down occasionaly but it's nothing like the shoulder pain I used to get from paddling too much. jim

jim gave you good answers.

#1 in my experience with both types of kayaks, my butt doesn't get any less sore because i'm using my feet.  its similar.  if you get a good butt pad like jimbo said then you will be more comfortable regardless of whether you're in a paddle or pedal kayak.  

hobie does offer an inflatable i-comfort seat pad that is highly recommended by other hobie users on their forums. I haven't used one so i can't really comment.  it replaces the stock butt pad which I think is a little lacking.  So you can either use the hobie i-comfort one or another aftermarket pad if you feel like it.

#2, i think it paddles similar to my T13, decent speed, a little squirrely in wind. I do use my rudder when i'm paddling though, with an occasional touch you can help put yourself back on track.

#6 the sailing rudder is a great improvement, and an excellent purchase for <$25.  i never sailed mine but if you did you should definitely put in the sailing rudder.

I made the switch from the T13 to the Revo, exactly the same as you. no regrets.  the only downside is its more difficult to store rods for surf launches. you can fit a couple of rods through your front hatch and you are able to access them if you're brave enough to climb up there, or have a friend pull them out for you.  i'm fishing more freshwater than salt this year so its been easy for me.

1..No
2..Not a problem
3..Handled this years Albion like a champ.
4..Turbo fins rule. Definite improvement on speed. Does not wear me out.
5..Mounting a FF is easy peasy!
6..I have the sail and I have used it. Very cool! I also have the sailing rudder.
    Highly recommend the sailing rudder even w/o the sail.

Rob, we have quite a few switchers here from T13 to the Hobie Revo including
myself. I don't think I'll ever let go of the T13 though. For the most part, the Revo
is my go to boat for all kinds of fishing. I'll see if I can dig up my Revo setup just
so you can have some references when you start working on your new Hobie.

Jedmo

Jim, bmb, Mike and Jed, thanks for response, I thought I was going to agonize over this decision! Now all I need to figure out is how to keep the T13 for newbies I drag along..on second thought, then I'd have to wait for them! Sounds like a local shop does demos so I'll try one on this week or next. Rob

I made the same switch as well and am glad I did.  The only downside is that my wife didn't let me keep my T13. 

It doesn't take that much more effort to tow your newb around and what's the difference between 3 vs 4mph?  For surf launches you could cover your reel and strap it down using the side strap and the front hatch strap - that should secure it enough so that the rod doesn't break.

1. No, stamina built up after a few times
2. I have issues keeping it straight but it's probably due to my paddling technique when getting out of the surf
3. It's been in deadliest catch type conditions and has held up
4. No, TF would be one of the best upgrades
5. No
6. No, but I would like to get a sail and non-hobie outriggers

Hi Rob,

I've never owned a T13, but did just switch from a Wilderness Systems T120 Ultralight to a 2010 Revolution and thought I'd give you my input. I ordered my Revolution with the Turbo fins, sailing rudder and gel seat upgrades.

1. Yes, I think it's the same for me. I purchased the extra gel padding that rests on top of the factory seat and still get pancake butt. I actually thought it was worse with the pad and stopped using it.

2 & 3. I think the Revolution paddles like a barge. It might be that it's my technique, but there is virtually no glide after a stroke and forget about tracking with this boat even with the rudder. I use this boat in Capitola and while the water is calm (between 8:30 - 12:00) it handles very well, but what boat shouldn't. It's when the wind, chop and swell kick up that it shows it's Achilles Heel. This is again compared against my T120 and only a problem if you're not going to use the Mirage Drive. The sailing rudder works nicely, but only when there is sufficient water flow and if there is a decent chop your rudder will only work marginally. Into a good headwind and chop no problem a lot wetter than the T120, but no problems. Downwind and with the chop the boat doesn't steer as well as I expected and for this reason I usually head into sheltered areas earlier than I would like, to avoid fighting the ride in.

5. I mounted my FF on a Ram mount just forward of a Ram Tube rod holder about even with the Mirage Drive and this location works great for me. The Ram mount allows me to move the FF out the throw of the drive.

Would I switch again, in a heart beat. While I've had to change my launching or more importantly for reasons stated above my landings to the Capitola boat dock, the Revolution is a fishing machine for my style of fishing. If you are going to surf launch and land with this boat, I'd suggest many practice sessions in different surf conditions with no equipment on board to evaluate the paddling qualities of this boat.

Good luck,
Dean

OK I will chime in as well. I have a T13 and Revo. The Revo is the #1 boat. I am keeping the T13 for friends and when I take my 2 yr old out. Peddles don't work so well with someone in your lap.

Conditioning isn't really an issue. You adapt. My hips get a bit sore (but that is after 9 mi). Which is never gonna happen in the T13


I doesn't paddle as well. Its pretty flat so you need to correct quite a bit. And the rudder isn't in play since its hand controlled. But its not even close to being a major issue

Its a wetter ride. I tend to take more waves over the bow in the Revo vs the T13.

Turbo fins for sure...Why do they even sell the regular ones!

I got my boat used and the person had F mounted on the left side (near the drive). I found that to be in the way when I swung my legs over the side. So I moved it to the mast hole in front (on a ram mount) works great and can see/read it with no problem.

I just borrowed Al's sail (I have it for ya Al) and used it on a local lake w/ almost no wind nad had a blast. I will get one myself. Oh and YES get the sailing rudder. With it I can turn on a dime. Almost to the point of rolling the boat when at full speed!

The drawbacks are...cost, doesn't paddle as well, and its hard to sort out internal rod storage. All not deal breakers. I'd do it again AT RETIAL cost.

1. My butt gets sore after about six miles without the pad.  I don't remember being sore with the pad.

2. I set the rudder to straight ahead for paddling and it helps.  I did an ab dive this weekend with no rudder and no drive installed.  Tracking is still OK but not as good as with the rudder.  Gps put my speed at 3 to3.5 with average paddling.  I went through some heavy kelp;  the Revo seems a little slower and tougher than my old OK scrambler.  No problem with small surf landing.  Lesson learned--Use the plug if the drive isn't in.  I threw my snorkel in after my dive and it went to the bottom.

4. Go with the Turbos.  If you get tired slow down a little.  You will get very tired if you try to hold 5 mph with the standard fins.  On GPS tests, the turbos seem to about 1 mph faster.

5. I to use a 24" dowel to push the buttons on my GPS/FF mounted in the mast tube.  It is a little far to reach (without the dowel) but definitely out of the way.

I have owned 7 Kayaks.  If I had to choose just one, it would be the Revo.  Don't get rid of the T-13.

Best of luck.

                                            Outbacks Rule......