build a revolution suited for big people

Ok, im gonna go out on a limb here. I have both an Pro angler and A Revoultion. The pro angler is great for inside the harbor and lakes and such but doesnt take rougher water outside the break walls very well. It becomes quite tipsy. So I bought a revolution to handle the rougher water. Problem is the revo is only rated for 350 pounds..Even with only two rods and minimalist amount of equipment and only 2 gallons of water in my livewell Im sitting pretty close to that limit. I weigh 263. trying to lose weight and you know how hard that is!! Well the revo works good but takes alot of water over the sides if the waves or wakes come sideways.And you got no room for anything else. Your pretty locked into one sitting position and nowhere to put your fish or anything else except in the small front hatch. Now why dont you make a wider longer revo that would accommodate people taller than 6 foot and heavier than 250. The pro angler is a step in the right direction, just look at the sales of it. Pretty good. But the pro angler just isnt built for offshore fishing even though people are doing just that. The problem with the PA offshore is that it becomes quite tippy in rougher water and induces a lot of side to side motion. Also in following seas or following swells, it's rudder becomes almost useless until the swell has gone past the yak. the PA will turn in the direction of the following swell. It's a pretty weird feeling having to constantly have your hand on the rudder trying to get some correction and pedaling like crazy and apparantly going nowhere until the wave totally passes u by all the while your buddies in revos, outbacks and other regular paddle yaks are unaffected. Now, I know what your thinking, why didn't you buy a Outback? The outback is shorter than either the PA or Revo making the mirage drive sit closer. Im 6'2 with a long inseam and use the #7 hole which is perfect on the other vessels ( i can actually use # 6 on the PA) but when i put it in on 7 on the ouback it bottoms out on every stroke. Trying to use #6 on the outback puts my knees at an angle that irratates my knees (bad knees) Quite annoying, Just seems that the taller big guys are constantly left out in the cold when it comes to merchandise.
Come on Hobie do us proud and make a true offshore Yak for us big guys. You took a giant step in the right direction with tha PA but it either needs some refinement (like that twitchy rudder) and the fact that its not built for offshore conditions (just look its bottom) or make the Outback longer so it's truely built for Tall/bigger people. You made the outback have a bigger payload but shortened the length making it unworkable for taller people. The mirage drive is what sold me after years of searching and researching. Don't make me have to settle for an Ocean Prowler Trident 15...I really don't have room for two yaks and need to settle on one. One that will haul my not so large butt around in both freshwater saltwater, inshore and offshore in comfort...The PA or Outback, are almost there but you guys need to tweak em a little.

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U BEEN CLOWNED

I don't mean to be rude but why would a person at 263 buy a kayak
rated at 350 and then wonder why it has limited capacity.

I'm 6'3 and about 250 lbs. I bought the Outback and ran into the issue of the drive not being able to be used in the #7 position. I had to settle on using #6 and not getting a full leg extension.

Other than that issue the OB is pretty perfect for someone my size in terms of stability and working through large waves.

I think if they solved the peddle issue on the Outback It would be pretty perfect for what you are looking for.

I'm 6'5", 250 lbs and after trying the Outback, Revo, and the Adventure the only one I could get full leg extension on the #7 position was the Adventure.

I ended up buying the Adventure Island demo boat that I sailed after trying out all the others over several weekends (the demo program is great! I would have bought the Revo based on internet research if I hadn't tried them out and I would have been dissapointed). Now that I have the AI outriggers I will always have that option if the water is choppy.
I had some problems with following waves when my dog was in the rear cargo well, it got really tippy and I dumped it once. With the outriggers I will no longer have that problem even if the conditions deteriorate, not to mention I will be able to travel farther with the sail!

Anyway, my point is that if you are tall, the Adventure model is the best for full leg extension regardless of whether you get the Island package or not.

2010 Models should not have these issues.

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U BEEN CLOWNED

Amen to the post, however, I suspect the OB length is toned down to get the weight of the Kayak down. But I agree, an inch or two less in width and a foot longer would be ideal. The side slap in the OB is poor, and of course the slap on the 7 positions as well. Pretty soon someone from Hobie will be here to tell you how to pedal correctly.........................ck

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Never argue with an idiot, they will just drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

I agree, Hobie needs longer cockpits. The engineers must all be migits!

Psychoclown, the boat that is longer, wider has tons of room and a 550# capacity is the Oasis. It's easy to overlook this boat because it's listed as a tandem. But with ballast it makes an outstanding solo machine. It turns well (with the large rudder), carries good speed and has excellent stability.


The one possible disadvantage may be your height. You 'd be using the #7 pedal position and may up hitting the bulkhead. Plenty of width though. It may be worth checking out.

Here's an interesting idea that JeffreyET posted recently -- longer crank arms. This would certainly extend your reach. He's 6'2" and uses a Sport, the shortest cockpit. Here's a link.
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=13835

Sounds like he might be willing to make a few sets if someone were interested.

The following was MY post... I may have messed up a Psychoclown post above in error when selecting the text for quote! Not really sure what I did. Sorry Psychoclown.



2010 Models should not have these issues.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

And yes... Clay... we do say the contact can be avoided by shortening the stroke a bit on older boats.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Hey Matt where did my post go.....U did it on pupose . Oh well I went to a dealer that swore he had a 2010 outback and it had the same issue.

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U BEEN CLOWNED