Which Revo would fit me best?

I am trying to decide which Revo would be my best choice for my height/weight. I was leaning towards the 13 but then tried an 11 and was rather surprised by how well it performed. I am 5' 11" and currently weigh 205 pounds but am trying to get back down to 195 (or less). I have talked to several dealers and seem to get mixed answers depending on their current inventory status. I plan to car-top this yak, so boat weight is also a consideration. My planned usage will primarily be for exercise and recreation but maybe some light fishing. Most of my time will be on fresh water lakes but a couple of times a year I would go on saltwater sounds and inlets. Any input would be appreciated.

I'm 5'8" and 195lbs. I have both a Revo 11 and a 13. I think the Revo 13 is a better kayak most of the time for me because I use it primarily offshore. I do love the 11 for portability and it is sufficient for a quick morning trip in the bay for seatrout. I pedal both with equal comfort. I car-top both kayaks and they are both manageable with the edge going to the 11 for the lighter weight.

Bottom line though, is if I had to have only one, it would be the 13.

I have quest 11 and 13 so the thought process is the same. Travelling any distance or potential bumpy weather the 13 is better. Given you are using it for fitness then I would suggest the 13. If you were not travelling far and staying in moderately sheltered water, then not much difference between the two and the ease of portability of the 11 comes into play. Easier to load, you can snatch and lift it, doing that with the 13 is dangerous. It is also easier to access less accessible launch spots, steep banks etc. Cockpit space wise there is not much difference

The revos by the way are dogs to paddle rather than pedal if that is a consideration for all round exercise, for that you need to go revo 16. Which is too big for skinny waters.

Thanks for your input. Both responses echo my earlier leanings, but it is good to get them from people with experience in similar size yaks. I was somewhat seduced by the 11's portability but in the long run the 13 will probably be my best bet. Now I just have to find one in the color I want.

I'm 6' 3", 215 and have a 16. Normal use is just cruising around or loading with camping gear for a few days up the river. I car top it and the only time I wish I had a smaller model is when loading and unloading it from the car. The rest of the time I'm dreaming about how good something like a revo22 would be.

Ok, I am new, just registered a few minutes ago. This thread appears close to my situation so I am barging in (notice my nautical humor already).

I have decided to buy a Hobie mirage drive kayak. I will be using primarily for camping a cruising. I am not interested in an inflatable.

I believe the kayak that will best serve my needs is a Revo 13 ft.

My question is this: Since I will be hauling my backpacking gear on it, which will weigh between 28 and 42 lbs and my own body weight is about 190, is the Revolution 13 the best choice? Will lashing my pack on the back make it top heavy and roll prone?

Sorry for the highjack.

IMO The Revo 13 would do the job for you.

_________________
Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

I ended up buying the Revo 13 and I am very happy with my decision. I still have my seat all of the way down to lower my center of gravity but will play with the seat height as my comfort level with the boat increases. I appreciate all of the good advice I received from my original post and it did help in making my decision.

Again, less is often more. If you can get away with an 11 or Sport. That would be my choice. Easy to haul around in the back of my car and manhandle at site. The Sport is great for small water, especially cold, it sits higher. The 11 is better for outfront, cuts through swell/waves better.

_________________
Mark
Tandem Island- 2013
2 - Sports - 2014

I live in PNW so that means Puget Sound and lots of lakes, all just minutes from my home. However, I am actually planning to haul it across the country next year for Isle Royale and camping. I just returned from another backpacking trip to Isle Royale last week and kayaking around the park islands is just another way of experiencing the park that I want to do next. So, I am going to spend this year learning how to kayak in preparation. My research indicates to me that the Hobie Revo series will be one of the safest and easiest to use of all those available. Also, in watching this forum and others, it appears that their customer service is also top drawer as well. I intend to do this right and not start with cheaply made units by other manufactures just to save a couple bucks.

You won't have any trouble carrying that amount of camping gear in a 13' Revolution. There's a lot of room in the front hatch, there's lot of room in the rear cargo area, and you can also pack a lot of stuff into the area under your seat and thighs. Position the gear towards the middle of the kayak, to keep the bow and stern light. Pack the heavy items under your seat or on the bottom of dry bags, to help keep the center of gravity low. You can dump big dry bags in the front hatch and rear cargo area, but will need to break up the gear which you pack under your seat and thighs into packages which are small enough to fit through your center hatch. To keep items of gear from sliding into inaccessible areas, jam some pool noodles into the area next to your Mirage Drive well and in back of your seat. After you load your kayak, check to see that it is sitting level in the water. It won't perform as well if the nose is lower than the stern.

All my gear will not exceed 45 lbs. That is a heavy, seven day load. Backpackers weigh everything! I have not yet decided where I will purchase, it will likely be Seattle or Portland since I am about halfway between both. Suggestions would be appreciated.

Loaded kayaks, as long as they are within capacity, often ride a lot better than empty ones. Less twitchy and you can adjust the trim better by choosing whether weight up front or back. Weight in the back often helps prevent weather cocking (tendency to turn into a crosswind)

Thank you for the weight/loading advice. I am going to try and purchase one some time in the next two or three weeks. Need a roof rack first.

Weight in the back is OK up to a point. Mostly the boat needs to be balanced so it rides on its "lines". If the CG is too far back or forward, this will lower stability , make the boat less responsive to the helm and slow it down (particularly if the nose is out of the water at cruise speed).

The Revo 16 shown above, looks good in the water. Bulky items are in the cargo well and heavier items are stowed low and forward for good stability and visibility.

By contrast, this boat was not loaded very well. Weight distribution is OK, but....



Hobie hulls have hydrodynamic lift so the bow tends to rise as speed increases. I like to carry a small weight bias forward depending on the boat, speed and load. You'll find a good formula with experience.