Why are outbacks so expensive?

Wow those are expensive.

Curious, what is the life expectancy of a hobie kept out of sunlight? Mine was abused for 10 years and still works. How long does a maintained one last?

Gotta hand it to Hobie: they know how to do business!  The way they produce and sell accessories is impressive.  They start you with a basic, small rudder that makes sharp turns impossible...BUT you can upgrade to an extra-wide or sailing rudder for only XX dollars more.  They start you with the basic Mirage Drive fins...BUT you can get the Turbo Fins that make you go faster for only XX dollars more!  And then there are the Hobie-specific wheels that cost XXX bucks (I'm glad my bro is good at building stuff, as he built me a kayak cart that fits the Hobie for a fraction of the price of the ones Hobie sells).  There are probably more accessories that I'm forgetting.  The point of a business is to make money, and the people at Hobie know better than to upgrade all the fins to Turbo Fins or all the rudders to extra wide or sailing rudders.

That being said, I sure do love my Revo 13  .  I can't see myself ever going back to paddle-only kayaking, especially for open water fishing.  However, I get a lot more satisfaction in the "kayaking" part of kayak fishing when paddling versus pedaling.  There's nothing sexy about pedaling a kayak--it's just a very effective tool for fishing and makes it easier to make progress in a headwind.

What pisses me off is they won't let me custom order. The difference between turbo fin drive and standard is minimal. But they make you buy the basic and upgrade. Can't just panty difference and order the turbo.

Depends on what boat you get, Turbo is standard on some of them (or at least it was with the AI & PA I believe; as was the oversized rudder).

What pisses me off is they won't let me custom order. The difference between turbo fin drive and standard is minimal. But they make you buy the basic and upgrade. Can't just panty difference and order the turbo.

i think everyone has a brand new set of the standard fins sitting in their garage 

I do!   Sounds like you might be better off finding someone selling their used one that already has had the upgrades done in an effort to fit this in your budget.  There have been a number of Outbacks sold recently on here I believe .... a few AI's & PA's too.

No. I have a used one already. Want a new one.

I just put new Turbo fins, new fin masts, and a new sprocket on my Mirage Drive last weekend for a whopping $120.  Nothing's cheap if it's branded with the Hobie "H".  I don't regret buying my Pro Angler though and will be purchasing at least two more Hobies in the near future so that my whole family can get out on the water.

No. I have a used one already. Want a new one.

Then yes, it will come with that "new car" pricetag.  I'm waiting for the AI to come out with the new Lowrance transducer mount in it.

Hang on wilderness medic, I'm still working to get your hull replaced…

of course you still have an old drive…  but I'm pretty sure we can take care of your hull..

hang in their, just busy….

Hang on wilderness medic, I'm still working to get your hull replaced…

of course you still have an old drive…  but I'm pretty sure we can take care of your hull..

hang in their, just busy….

Ok! I wouldn't be buying it for several months anyway. Have to save a bit for it anyway

Simply put, Hobies sell for what they do because of supply and demand.  Its the same reason that Disney can raise their prices every year and the parks are still packed, supply and demand. 

Hobie goes above other manufactures in a lot of other ways too. Warrantee is great. All the pad eyes, bungee points, and tie down points are made in house and can't leak as they don't go through the hull. Hobie's are the BMW of fishing kayaks for sure. I loved mine but I'm a paddler first so it always felt a little off not having a paddle in my hands.

You can always wait until January for the Sportsmen's Expo in Sacramento.  Vendors are usually wiling to wheel and deal to unload previous year's inventory that is unused.

That is how I scored both of my Hobies - an Adventure and an Outback.

Worth every penny....LOVE my Outback!