Should I buy this Adventure 16?

I was planning to save up for a new Revo 13, but I think I can get the boat shown in these photos for about $1400. I'll probably use it mostly for fishing and occasional crabbing at HMB and on the San Mateo Coast. Good deal?

More questions in case you're feeling especially kind and patient:
Do you know what year it is? The seller doesn't.
Any known problems or drawbacks for that year? I don't think it is the "fishing" model.
Anything specific to look for when inspecting it?

Thanks!
Krishna

I have a 2013 Adventure, and this is not the same (the rudder handle is different). The last 2 digits of the serial number will tell you the year:

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=30860.0

I like my Adventure, and you can upgrade it to a full AI (I haven't done so yet, but plan to this off season). I don't crab, but the kayak is relatively narrow, and it seems that might be more of an issue wrt crabbing.

I don't really follow the used market closely, but that seems like a good price to me, assuming it's in very good (or better) condition.

Let me know if you have any other questions...

IMHO, if you can afford the 2015 Revo 13, go with the new one. For my old body, the lawn chair seat alone was worth the upgrade. I can now fish all day without my back hurting.

Things to look at for the used kayak.
-No deep scratches on the bottom.
-Was it stored indoors or outdoors?

The Adventure is narrower than the Revo so it may be a little more "tip-py". Adventure will also be heavier.
I'm sure others can chime in.

Its no older than 09.  Looks like mine, maybe a little more faded.  The boat's plenty stable.  Pop the link in the below link to see adventure SUP action.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=64568.msg727255#msg727255

$1.4K is a solid deal on a stock boat, depending on hull condition.

Hobie uses a very good quality HDPE in making their kayaks, my quest is 10 years old and still going strong, color hasn't really faded. Had I not dragged it as much as I have, over a lot of places, the hull would be in great shape, and I bought it as a used demo.

The Adv is as stable as you are.  Hanging your feet off the sides helps a lot. It has pole holders behind the seat... see the black circles?  I don't think they ever made a specific "fishing model."

Crabbing might be an issue only because you'll have to store the collapsible traps behind you. As long as you're comfortable sitting sidesaddle to stow and retrieve your traps, you should be good.

I fish from the AI a lot more as just a kayak than with my outriggers.  There's no substitution for seat time. It tracks well and is a relatively fast hull.

The thing about buying a used kayak, you can usually sell it for close to what you paid for it
... although, be warned Adv aren't as popular as Revos and Outbacks because of storage size issues.

The Adventure is Hobie's fastest single hull and is plenty stable for offshore fishing. It will cut into wind and chop better than other Hobie models. You can make an outrigger for increased stability for crabbing or buy the amas from Hobie. If you have space to store it it should be considered a top choice.

It looks to be in good condition, I say go for it. 

Thank you all for the guidance! NCKA rocks. P-Sherman: thanks for the tip about the seat; the seat on the new models looks like a major improvement, but I'd have to pay almost twice as much for a new boat. I'm hoping to check it out tonight and will see how the stock seat feels.

If you have space to store it it should be considered a top choice.

+1

Btw, I don't think you'll be able to get any actionable intelligence about the seat based on a few minutes on dry land. You really won't know how the seat suits you until you've been out on the water for 5 or 6 hours, so, IMHO, that's just a risk you have to take. I'd be a lot more concerned about looking over the hull carefully for any signs of damage or abuse (including the drive well---feel around on the inside too), and similarly with the mirage drive.

One thing that comes to mind(for me anyway) is if I could manhandle the kayak by itself.. Have the 2013 Adv 16 and them handles let me lift the adv pretty easy.. Well balanced where they put those handles.

But yeh if you can wait/save a little, get the new ones with the new comfy seats. (It's hard to pee from my adventure at night pedaling in west sacramento deep water channel/lake hehehehe).

Btw any news on whats new for the 2016 Revo 13? I kinda want to get one for the sac river trips.

I bought it. The hull looks like it has had more sun exposure than I was hoping for, but otherwise seems to be in good shape. It is a 2009. Now I just need to figure out how to hang it in the garage without blocking the door.

I bought it. The hull looks like it has had more sun exposure than I was hoping for, but otherwise seems to be in good shape. It is a 2009. Now I just need to figure out how to hang it in the garage without blocking the door.

Sounds like a good choice. There's a ton of rigging info here, from installing pad eyes and rod holders to downriggers. Once you get it out on the water a few times, you'll have a good idea as to what you want to do. The narrow rails make it a little more challenging to rig as compared to some other models, so you want to think about that aspect of it a bit. Anyways, don't hesitate to ask if you want some additional info/advice.

You should demo a Revo 13 and Revo 16 at CCK Oakland so you won't have buyers remorse.  The older Adventure 16 and the new Revo 16 is pretty much the same hull design less the new lawn chair seat.

I think a Revo 13 is a better all around kayak for what you what you want to do.

I bought it. The hull looks like it has had more sun exposure than I was hoping for, but otherwise seems to be in good shape. It is a 2009. Now I just need to figure out how to hang it in the garage without blocking the door.

Sweet.  I had a feeling it was an '09.


The garage hang . . . one of life's eternal questions!  there's a post here somewhere showing hanging an inverted boat suspended from just a pair of tie downs and eyelet screws. 

I hang my SUP above the garage door using two Cargo Boss Cargo Nets strong across 12 eyelets. 

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Cargo-Boss-Cargo-Net-191140/202224214

Slightly more stretchy than I like but the big benefit is to distribute weight across more contact points so no lasting impression/compression.  Not useful for a yak weight, but maybe give you some ideas.

If you do pull off the above-door garage hang, def do a post on it!