Please help me to decide between (revised) Used Hoblie Outback or Compass

Hi, I am Chris from East Bay area, getting into kayak fishing a year ago with a heavily modified Lifetime Tamarack. I do mostly reservoir fishing but sometimes go crabbing at Bodega shorelines. The tamarack served me fine with a trolling motor except one flipped-over experience showed how unstable it is. I am ready to buy a better (pedal drive) kayak and hoping to take my wife or son with me sometime.
My local REI has Hobie Passport 120 for $1870, West Marine has Oldtown Salty for $1999, I like both models for their lighter portable weight (compared to Oldtown PDL 120) and better maneuverability.  I don't mind to spend more money for OT Topwater model but don't see any adding benefit for my needs. I watched a lot of videos about PDL and Mirage drives and I am leaning toward Hobie Mirage drive for its lighter weight and small footprint ( I am 60, can't handle roof rack so I put kayak in SUV with door latched). I also like passport can add two hatches down the road - Salty just doesn't have any flat area for hull access.

My main concern is safety, I believe either one can handle lake water well, even I flip the boat and get wet I can get home ok. But out in the saltwater with unpredictable wind and tide, I need a kayak that can break wave and take me home if weather condition changed suddenly. I am not sure Hobie Passport will track ocean water as well as Salty? Maybe I saw a lot people had taken Salty out in open sea and testified its capability but I couldn't find much info about Passport in the similar situation. What's your take and experience on these two model? Any comment will be greatly appreciated!!

I don't own either kayak to provide direct recommendations.
When people ask me for an ocean kayak recommendation, I always recommend Hobie Outback.  Before you make a final decision you might want to test ride it.  It is the most popular model among ocean kayak anglers.  I own one too and am very happy with it.
If you want to car-top your kayak, you might consider Thule Hullavator which provides 40 lbs lift assist.  I typically go kayak fishing with my wife on Hobie Oasis tandem kayak, which we love, and carry on my Subaru Outback using a Hullavator.  It is a difficult decision and many people including myself upgrade or change their kayaks (OK Trident- Hobie Revolution - Hobie Outback).

Paul

Paul,
Thanks for your reply. yes, Outback is my 'dream kayak' but I am not ready to commit $3,500 now. my plan is introducing my wife to pedal kayak so I may 'upgrade' to a better one in a few years. Hobie Compass is within reach but the hull design looks similar to Passport, honestly the only thing I care is the hull stability/maneuverability, the other features can come as next kayak upgrade as you said.
BTW, what's your experience coming from Revolution to Outback, does the hull design make significant difference? 

Chris
 

Hi Chris

Revolution to Outback, does the hull design make a significant difference? Much more stable for crabbing.
For the price of Passport and additional hatches, you might be close to a used Hobie Outback price.
I have been purchasing used Hobie kayaks and am very happy with them.

I always use Hobie Sidekick outrigger for our Oasis tandem kayak.

My wife and I are 59 years old and plan to enjoy kayak fishing for at least 10 more years.

Paul

I have a lot of opinions about the Passport. I own one, and also formerly owned an Old Town Topwater 120 (non PDL)--not the Salty, but similar quality and stability I'd assume.

The biggest two gripes, and I think I speak for most Passport owners, is the steering and the seat. It's meant to be a lower $ barrier of entry Hobie Kayak, and it's great that it's out there as an option. The rudder has to be deployed manually, which is doable with a flick of the paddle and some practice. Or you can deploy before you jump in as long as you're a 1-2 ft deep. The steering isn't responsive though, and in any sort of chop or wind, you'll have a hard time getting the boat to do what you want in a timely manner. The rudder is floppy and the steering rod is is subject to bend instead of actuate the rudder at times.

The seat has a flaw where if you sit too far forward, say to retrieve something from your front deck, it pops out of the flimsy plastic lever/tab/clip thing. Was this fixed in newer models? Mine's a 2019 so not sure.

Tedski is a Passport user and might have some more insight too.

My vote would be the Old Town. Stable, high quality, no experience with their drives though. If you're gonna go Hobie get the Compass as the next model up--those are in the REI assortment as well and if they're in stock at their distribution center they can ship to store for free.

Jewli0n,
I came to the right place for question! Real users' opinion is really valuable, I did feel curious when seeing the flimsy seat connection in store. For steering issue, have you considered Hobie's XL rudder kit for your Passport? $129 seems like a good investment to solve that problem. But your point is well taken, by the time adding the Xl rudder, hatch, and modified seat, might as well getting a Compass with 180 drive.
If not for the bulky PDF drive, Salty does look more solid in the same price point.

If you are comfortable buying used, I would buy a used Outback or Revo.   These are probably the most common kayaks you see with people going out in the ocean.

I have a 2015 Revo and really like it.  Lighter than the Outback.

Keep an eye here on the for sale section, kayaks come up quite often but you need to be quick.  I purchased my kayak that way and it's been great.  For sure it would be less than buying one new.

Jewli0n,
I came to the right place for question! Real users' opinion is really valuable, I did feel curious when seeing the flimsy seat connection in store. For steering issue, have you considered Hobie's XL rudder kit for your Passport? $129 seems like a good investment to solve that problem. But your point is well taken, by the time adding the Xl rudder, hatch, and modified seat, might as well getting a Compass with 180 drive.
If not for the bulky PDF drive, Salty does look more solid in the same price point.

Just googled it. Wow! Didn’t know that option existed. When I was using the Passport regularly (I use my Revo now), I would have definitely given that upgrade a try. I actually got so fed up with the stock system that I installed and rigged up my own retrofit from Amazon. Had to fabricate a rudder pin and a transom adapter, and made some up down cables. It’s not perfect but it’s better than it was. Might have to do a proper upgrade and get that kit. Thanks for that. Nonetheless, I agree that with the extra expenditure, might as well just go for the compass. The hull material is rotomolded instead of thermo formed and feels much more durable and high quality.   

If you are comfortable buying used, I would buy a used Outback or Revo.   These are probably the most common kayaks you see with people going out in the ocean.

I have a 2015 Revo and really like it.  Lighter than the Outback.

Keep an eye here on the for sale section, kayaks come up quite often but you need to be quick.  I purchased my kayak that way and it's been great.  For sure it would be less than buying one new.

That's interesting thought, I don't mind to buy higher end used product. I notice a redesign of Outback from 2019, does that make big difference from a 2018 model?

I have been purchasing used Hobie kayaks and am very happy with them.


Paul

Paul,
What year is your Outback? I notice Outback was redesigned on 2019, does that make much difference from 2018 or earlier model?

Nice seeing all the feedback, and opinions on the Pasport, versus Revo and Outback.
I have an Outback and am looking at Passport and Revo for my wife, so this information is helpful..

I have been purchasing used Hobie kayaks and am very happy with them.


Paul

Paul,
What year is your Outback? I notice Outback was redesigned on 2019, does that make much difference from 2018 or earlier model?

I have the 2017 Outback and am happy with it.  The newer Outback has many improvements but I think the older model still serves me fine.  Also, most of my trip is with my wife and use an Oasis.

Paul

I would suggest a used 2019+ Hobie Outback instead of a new kayak.  Keep in mind I have a 2019 Outback, so I am biased (but probably rightfully so since I've owned a few different yaks).

I'm with the Hobie Outback, since I had one for years till I sold it for a BigFish 108. The 108 is a stable platform that paddles like an old cast iron tub, but is so stable I can keep my uncoordinated butt inside of it with no worries about falling out.

It is real heavy, 115 pound hull weight, so you better be quite strong to maneuver it in and out of the water. I travel with mind in the back of my pickup and I can load it and unload it myself since I have a good system.

The pedal drive is very robust on it and should be since it is cast metal with a steel chain inside. It is noisy, but it can get the "tub" up to speed quite well.

I haven't put it in an ocean yet but is has kept upright in a 25 mph wind on a big lake here in Texas. Since it sits so high in the water it did keep most of it out of the hull.

I have been purchasing used Hobie kayaks and am very happy with them.


Paul

Paul,
What year is your Outback? I notice Outback was redesigned on 2019, does that make much difference from 2018 or earlier model?

Having had a few hobies in the family including a 2015 revo 13, 2017 outback, 2019 outback, and 2020 outback (shoot looking at the pattern I may be due for a new kayak  ) I can say that in my opinion the 2019 and newer outback has some really nice improvements over the older model. The deck is laid out with more useable space, the hull is faster and rides more quietly, and there is more storage options.

Unfortunately I am unable to give you any feedback on the first two kayaks you asked about.