Revo or Outback for ocean use

Elkhornsun - Bummer to hear about your buying experience so far. I demo'd and bought my Outback from California Canoe and Kayak in Oakland, and it was a great experience. They were very helpful, knowledgable, and all that good stuff. I've called them a couple times with questions and ended up giving the sales lady my number so she could "ask the Hobie expert and get back to me". Usually when I hear this type of thing I fully expect not to hear back, but these folks always called back as promised.

I hope your buying experience goes as smoothly ask mine did.

Cheers,

Alex

My wife and I were at the Kayak Connection Santa Cruz store this morning planning to demo both boats and buy or order two boats as well. On Friday we were told that both had arrived and on Saturday I was told that it was too busy on the weekend with the renters and to wait until Monday. I told the women that I had been waiting several weeks for both to be in inventory and if one sold over the weekend I would be buying the boats and all the other gear at another store. She could care less.

Today after driving 45 minutes to the Kayak Connection store in Santa Cruz we went in and I was told by the owner, David Girgsby, that the Revo 13 had been sold over the weekend. I related my many phone calls and waiting to have them both available to demo and he told me that their main business was kayak rentals and he could not understand why I would be upset. I can see why his business is primarily in rentals as he sucks at the sales and customer relations side.

David told be that they had a new Revo 13 at the store in Moss Landing. We drove past it on our way home to Elkhorn and I stopped by and went in. I could not see a Revo 13 anywhere so I asked one of the employees that was standing around about it and he said it was still in its packaging up in one of the storage bays. Three people sitting around and no one of them had the initiative to take a new boat and set it up so someone could actually maybe like buy it.

We are heading up to Oakland tomorrow to demo the Outback and Revo 13 boats at California Canoe and Kayak and we will be buying the two boats and sail kits, etc. from them as well. I make an effort to support local merchants whenever possible but Kayak Connection will never be getting a dime from me in the future. Our piddling little $5500 purchase is evidently not worth David's time.

That really sucks.  Sometimes you get a lazy employee so I would not make a final decision on customer service without trying again. But when you get the same from the owner I guess taking a drive is probably your best bet this time.  Hope you find what you're looking for.   

My wife and I drove up to Oakland and tried out the Outback and the Revo 13 at the inner harbor. The people at the shop from the 3 employees to the owners were great. We were out on the water within 10 minutes of our walking into the store and their dock person explained about the boats and did an initial setting for the pedals and we were off. We tried the standard and the turbo fins with both boats.

I tried the Outback first and then the Revo 13. The Revo was noticeably narrower in the seating area but it felt no less stable than the Outback overall. The controls are placed further out from the center of the boat and are more conveniently located on the Outback. Both boats had good speed and both were easier to peddle with the turbo fins. The extra resistance made it easier to have a smooth motion.

I can see where a wide person would want the Outback as they would have easier access to the controls. I had thought that both boats could have the steering control on either side but it appeared that with both models the control had to be on the left side of the cockpit. I usually fish left handed and hold the rod with my left hand and would have preferred to have the steering control operable with my right hand. No biggie but I guess one needs to get the Pro Anglers to have this capability.

We ordered the two Revo 13's and the sail kits, turbo kits, etc. from California Canoe and kayak and the total tab was just shy of $6,000. The owners were glad that we decided to drive the extra distance to do business with them and so were we. It is a good shop run by good people who care about their customers.

I have bought 3 Hobies from CCK and they facilitated a warranty for a new kayak.  Great place indeed.

Thanks for supporting one of the kayak shops that are involved in NCKA.
I know that ChuckE has done some workshops at that store before and the Sacramento shop puts on a few classes too.

My wife and I were at the Kayak Connection Santa Cruz store this morning planning to demo both boats and buy or order two boats as well. On Friday we were told that both had arrived and on Saturday I was told that it was too busy on the weekend with the renters and to wait until Monday. I told the women that I had been waiting several weeks for both to be in inventory and if one sold over the weekend I would be buying the boats and all the other gear at another store. She could care less.

Today after driving 45 minutes to the Kayak Connection store in Santa Cruz we went in and I was told by the owner, David Girgsby, that the Revo 13 had been sold over the weekend. I related my many phone calls and waiting to have them both available to demo and he told me that their main business was kayak rentals and he could not understand why I would be upset. I can see why his business is primarily in rentals as he sucks at the sales and customer relations side.

David told be that they had a new Revo 13 at the store in Moss Landing. We drove past it on our way home to Elkhorn and I stopped by and went in. I could not see a Revo 13 anywhere so I asked one of the employees that was standing around about it and he said it was still in its packaging up in one of the storage bays. Three people sitting around and no one of them had the initiative to take a new boat and set it up so someone could actually maybe like buy it.

We are heading up to Oakland tomorrow to demo the Outback and Revo 13 boats at California Canoe and Kayak and we will be buying the two boats and sail kits, etc. from them as well. I make an effort to support local merchants whenever possible but Kayak Connection will never be getting a dime from me in the future. Our piddling little $5500 purchase is evidently not worth David's time.

The Santa Cruz Revo is in my barn.  I picked it up a week ago.  Maybe there was another.

I concur with the CCK kudos, demo'd a Revo 13 there and bought some gear.  Very helpful, no nonsense staff.

I sent a letter in to Hobie letting them know that they have a problem with potential customers wanting to demo their boats in the Monterey Bay area. I got a phone call today from Doug Skidmore, the president of Hobie Cat Company, who wanted to thank me for taking the time to contact his company and alert them to the problem.

Doug mentioned that the Hobie was the kind of boat that had to be demoed to sell and they expected their dealers to make this possible. I was very impressed that he was taking a hands on approach to insuring a high level of service to a potential customer.

It is no wonder that Hobie has been so successful with this caliber of manager heading up the company. Most refreshing!

Ouch...that's kinda harsh

Bruce, I’ve thought a lot about our interaction after I met you at my shop the other day. It bothers me greatly that you were so angry, and that you had such a negative experience at our shop.  My wife and I own this business because we take great pride in helping people be on the water doing what they love. My hope is that our kids will be working there in a few years, and then someday even our grandkids.  We train our staff to be courteous and encourage people to call to schedule demos before they come in on busy weekends.  It sounds like our staff did not properly convey this information to you, and I apologize for the confusion.

Bruce, I’m sorry we didn’t have both boats you wanted to demo on hand when you arrived, had you called the shop before making the drive you would have learned that we sold the Revo 13 in Santa Cruz the day before.  We did, however, have a few in Moss Landing.  Yes, they’re in storage, and yes, we are always happy to take a boat out of storage to show customers, as my staff person offered you when you stopped in.  It takes about five minutes.  I have roughly three times the boats in storage that I have showroom space accommodation, so every model we carry can’t be featured all the time.

I guess I am just saddened that you were so upset by us not having a Revolution to demo on the day you arrived, that you have expended so much energy to complain about our service.  As a token of good will, perhaps we can treat you and your wife to a tour on the Slough and we can start over on a better foot.  I’m glad you were able to purchase the Revo and Outback you wanted – they’re great boats and should serve you well.

Happy Paddling!
-Dave

Bruce, I’ve thought a lot about our interaction after I met you at my shop the other day. It bothers me greatly that you were so angry, and that you had such a negative experience at our shop.  My wife and I own this business because we take great pride in helping people be on the water doing what they love. My hope is that our kids will be working there in a few years, and then someday even our grandkids.  We train our staff to be courteous and encourage people to call to schedule demos before they come in on busy weekends.  It sounds like our staff did not properly convey this information to you, and I apologize for the confusion.

Bruce, I’m sorry we didn’t have both boats you wanted to demo on hand when you arrived, had you called the shop before making the drive you would have learned that we sold the Revo 13 in Santa Cruz the day before.  We did, however, have a few in Moss Landing.  Yes, they’re in storage, and yes, we are always happy to take a boat out of storage to show customers, as my staff person offered you when you stopped in.  It takes about five minutes.  I have roughly three times the boats in storage that I have showroom space accommodation, so every model we carry can’t be featured all the time.

I guess I am just saddened that you were so upset by us not having a Revolution to demo on the day you arrived, that you have expended so much energy to complain about our service.  As a token of good will, perhaps we can treat you and your wife to a tour on the Slough and we can start over on a better foot.  I’m glad you were able to purchase the Revo and Outback you wanted – they’re great boats and should serve you well.

Happy Paddling!
-Dave

What a way to own it. No excuses. Just a human trying to run a business.  Glad you thought about it before posting a nasty reply.  I hope your business does turn into a multi generation business that thrives.  People still want exemplary customer service and those that have it will thrive. 

Bruce,

I don't know you, but I do know Dave and his family. They are great people who are passionate about getting folks out on the water on kayaks to explore and enjoy the beautiful environment we have down here.

They are also sponsors of both AOTY and DOTY, and have put on many fun fishing tournaments for NCKA over the years.

I wasn't there at the shop that day so won't comment on what happened and why.

I will say that I think Santa Cruz and Monterey counties are lucky to have Dave and Jessica Grigsby running Kayak Connection, and I encourage people to form their own opinions about them and their business.

Their shops are conveniently located by the SC harbor and right off the hwy in Moss Landing, and you can PM or call Dave in advance to discuss what you need.

Best of luck to you Bruce with your new kayak.

 

Sincerely,

Jim