Trident 4.7 vs Hobie Outback

I was looking @ buying a new yak in the spring and was planning on getting a Hobie Outback. I went to Clavey's in Petaluma yesterday (where I live) and say the Trident 4.7 in the camo color. It threw my world upside down. Now i have no clue what I want. Any comments or in-site would be greatly appreciated.

I'd go with the 4.7, of course I'm prejudice since i own a T-15

Sorry about posting in wrong place, won't happen again

one you pedal, one you paddle. what types of fishing are you going to be doing primarily?

Whichever one you end up, they are both great boats IMHO. It is really the matter
of your preference and which one will give you an advantage over the other. I could
not make up my mind so I pulled the trigger and bought a T13 and a Hobie Revolution. Sorry if I'm no help.

Jedmo

Don't care about peddle vs paddle, I just want a stable platform that isn't a barge

Don't care about peddle vs paddle, I just want a stable platform that isn't a barge

The 4.7 is 3 feet longer than the Outback.  The Outback is really nice when it comes to sneaking in tight spaces...problem is, the mirage drive only goes forward, not backwards so it can be a little tricky.  IMO, the Outback will give you the most stable ride.  Not trying to confuse you, but if you wanted to drop $1600 ~ $1700 bucks, you could score a T-11 for inland/rivers and a T-15 for distance paddles.  Best of both worlds.  Like Jedmo said, Hobies and paddle yaks have their advantages/disadvantages.  I went with the Hobie from the get go but am soon going to add a T-13 to the stable.  If you're ever in Sac, you're more than welcome to take my Hobie for a spin before you buy.

I'd say the outback and 4.7 are not that similar. The 4.7 will be a better ocean and big water (when distance/range matters) boat. NOW if you want to compare the 4.7 and Hobie Revo then you got a tougher choice. I do like some of the features on the 4.7 but with all that I think its a bit overpriced.  Oh and I have a T13 and Revo. In case you wanted to know. And I use the Hobie 90% of the time. Increased distance and hands free fishing RULE.

you want the best advice?

demo, demo and demo.

I am like Jedmo and EWB, I own both a Revo and T-13 not quite the boats you are considering but similar.  The Revo is my go to boat, it frees up your hands for fishing specially if you do a lot casting.  I also like the ability to pedal around a snagged lure to try to unbotton it free.  
One hand is working the rod, the other hand is on the rudder control to turn the yak  and your feet are pedalling.  Another important thing you need to consider is transporting your new yak.  Putting it up on top of your vehicle's roof takes practice and technique.  The heavier the more challenging it becomes, specially if you are doing by yourself.  If you are fishing alone you may need to make new friends to help move the Trident 4.7 when wheels can't be used.  Like on a winding trail.
Or just buy them both .

one you pedal, one you paddle. what types of fishing are you going to be doing primarily?

Gotta disagree with you here Ben. ONE you paddle, the other you can Pedal or Paddle. Although I admit pedaling would be easier.

Wow thanks a lot guys, I like the Demo idea. I plan on mostly fishing salt water but the more im on this site the more I want to enter next years AOTY, which means plenty of fresh water too. Striper_Slayer thanks for the offer. The nice thing for me is both shops are close and both have no problem letting you demo there yaks.

Thanks again guys!

Another important thing you need to consider is transporting your new yak.  Putting it up on top of your vehicle's roof takes practice and technique.  The heavier the more challenging it becomes, specially if you are doing by yourself.  If you are fishing alone you will may need to make new friends to help move the Trident 4.7 when wheels can't be used.  Like on a winding trail.
Or just buy them both .

Good point. Lifting 60lbs is heavy enough and adding another ~19lbs is challenging.  What yak do you have right now and do you plan on keeping it?

I have a Hobie Kona which is a tandem. Thought it would be fun for the family then went ab diving off of it and got bitten by the madness. Its a great diving, and crabbing platform when solo. It doesn't track well in the wind, kind of like a barge.

i've been out on the ocean in heavier conditions then i wanted to be out in....but we traveled so far and soooo long we had to go out in the SmallCraftWarning. I paddle a P-13 and could not fish/jig with any confidence, because i was constantly correcting and keeping my kayak headed into the direction that the 6-8ft. breakers were coming from.In otherwords, i could not fish in those conditions from my paddle yak. However the two guys I was with, were on HobieRevos and they were having no problems staying straight into the wind&swell AND were catching fish too.....so the question is:

Do you want to be fishing(or plan to fish) when the conditions get so nasty, that you can't fish from a paddle yak, but would do so from a pedal yak because it's more efficient in rough&tuff conditions? then a Hobie would be a good fit for you. 

you are correct about demo'ing them both and others, because if you're looking for a STABLE platform, neither one of those are very stable feeling