Going the used route

Hi,

Just getting into the whole kayaking thing. Thinking about buying used to start. Right now I'm looking at a couple of yaks and just want to know if the price is right. I'm buying kayak for sport/fun paddling around So. Cal. (not to fish in).

Here are the deals:

2008 Mirage Sport $900 (near new condition)
2010 Mirage Sport $1300 (near new condition demo. fleet)
2008 Mirage Revolution $1200 (fair condition from rental fleet)

I torn between the easy storage and weight of the sport and the speed and versatility of the Revolution.

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks

2008 Mirage Revolution $1200 (fair condition from rental fleet) is my choice. Great all around yak for ocean and lakes/ponds.

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John

If it was me and those were my choices I'd get the Revo.

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Fastfish/Geoff
Kayaks Owned>Outback/Mine & Revolution/Wife

I own both & would suggest the 2010 sport. The 2010 model has the latest drive system, seat, rudder, etc. The sport is easy to load, unload, & store. It's great for what you described.

Another vote for the Revo for an all around paddle/pedal yak. More versatile in my thinking.

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

I would hesitate to recommend a used boat without first seeing it. Condition can vary greatly depending on use and care. The '09 and newer boats have the current Drives (more durable than the earlier ones) and still come under the 2 year transferable warranty in case there are any undisclosed problems that you might discover after the purchase.

An older boat can be a great bargain though for the right price, especially if lightly used. Then too, you must consider what accessories (if any) are included with the price. A cart, Turbofins and large rudder are very nice additions and cost about $200 new.

You can read reviews on both boats here by using the search feature. Keep in mind that the Sport has a smaller size limitation -- you should be OK if under about 200# and 6'.

Personally I'd be a little wary about a rental boat in "fair" condition for $1200 -- sounds like it may be thrashed and certainly not afforded the came care a privately owned boat would usually get. At that price for that year model I would expect to find one in very good if not near new condition, if you're truly looking for a bargain! The '08 Sport with some accessories and a little bargaining may be your best deal -- should hold its value best if you decide to trade up later. Both models are lots of fun and great exercise.

Stay away from used rentals, just think of what people do to a rental car and it is easy to imagine what was done by employees and tourists to the kayak.
To be safe I would get the 2010 demo. I assume it is from a Hobie dealer and still has the warranty.

Edited for typing.

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I would recommend you demo the Sport and the Revo before buying. my son and I did not like the Sport as we are both over 6' tall and the Sport felt cramped, not stable and uncomfortable. We ended up with a 09 Outback and a 09 Pro Angler.

Sounds like I need to do more research. I'm still leaning towards a Revo, but not the rental one. I don't find any on craigslist in our area. There are tons of Outbacks and even some adventures, but have yet to see a Revo in the month I been looking.

There's not much reason to get rid of a Revo. Face it, they're a good choice. Don't overlook the Outback. You'll be missing a good chance to do some dry, comfortable fishing and 'boating' if you skip over it. Looking back at some of the comments, any decision about a used kayak would be in your hands. No one but you can decide if the wear and tear on a boat detracts from it's value. True that rentals might be beaten a little more than an owned kayak. I stand by my choice of the Revo over the Sport. Both are great for what they do and a Sport can usually be had for a better price. Don't let price alone be the deciding factor. You might find yourself spending money on one, trying to unload it because it doesn't "fit" what you expected and still trying to find another. Sure clears things up doesn't it?

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Yakkingaway
Portsmouth, VA

I was just reading the posts above. I don't know what your budget is, or what your goals are for the boat, so I can't tell you which used boat would be best for you, but I will say that you are really looking at two different boats.

I own a Revolution, and I would say that the Sport is more of a "cottage boat" Just a fun little runabout that has a mirage drive. The Revolution can be that type of boat for you too, but it can also be a big water boat, is a better boat for longer distances, and a better boat to take extra gear along.

We looked at a variety of models from Hobie before deciding on the Revolution. To us, it was the one boat that we could grow with. It was great for a quick trip up a river, but this summer we will also be using it for a kayak camping trip with it and a traditional kayak. The Revolution is great for that because it has so much storage space, and a dry bag on the back of the boat will allow us to take anything that doesn't fit inside.

As far as upgrades, we bought the stock 2009 Revolution, and really enjoy the Click and Go drive system, and the two T handle Rudder controls. As for the turbo fins, those are things that are simple upgrades over time. We chose not to spend any more money in our first year, and are now considering the turbo fins, and even potentially a sail kit, but those are all upgrades that you can do over time that give you that "new boat" feeling of satisfaction.

My advice, is to try to "test peddle" both types of boat. For many people the Sport is the perfect boat, but I think most users would agree that the Sport and Revolution are very different boats, and you wouldn't want to buy a Sport now, only to want to upgrade to a Revolution in a year or two. Or maybe that is an ok plan for you.

Just my two cents worth.

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