Hobie rolls a pair of winning elevens/Revolution 11/Quest 11

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Hobie rolls a pair of winning elevens in Vegas.

Hobie chose the annual ICAST fishing extravaganza to debut their two latest fine rides.

Both are compact versions of proven winners, just a little shorter. With this move, Hobie fills a gap between the subcompact 9-foot Sport and the larger models.

First up, the Hobie Revolution 11. This little sister looks a lot like her bigger brother. She's 11-feet, 6-inches long and 29-inches wide, with all the good looks you expect from a Hobie Mirage boat. There's the trademark hatch up front (and it's full size, despite a little less real estate on the 'yak) and a spacious cargo well in the back. Lots of room for fishy junk in the trunk, as well as a couple of Stow and Go hatches and all the features of Hobie's updated line.

Here's the best part. At three pounds shy of 50, this isn't a lot of hull weight to sling around when she's high and dry on shore. The compact size makes this a handy handle for anyone. Toss it on a pickup bed or fling it onto a cartop - this is easy peasy. Yet the capacity is a solid 300 pounds. The Hobie Mirage Revolution 11 retails for $1,749.

The paddle-powered Hobie Quest 11 is the other new number, a natural complement to the Revo 11. This compact Quest is 11.1-feet long, 29 inches wide, and retails for an easy $949. Capacity is 300 generous pounds. Again, a 47-pound hull weight. Ahhh. My back isn't aching. Fully featured; there are two Stow and Go hatches, adjustable footpegs, and she's rudder-ready.

Nimble, manueverable, easy to handle yet fully able to carry a load, these are capable fishing kayaks. It's nice to see them debuted at ICAST.

The press release:

They Are Fast, Nimble, Short and Sweet: Hobie® Introduces the Mirage® Revolution® 11 and Quest 11

Oceanside, California – July 13, 2011 – Hobie Cat’s popular Mirage Revolution 13 and Quest 13 now have little brothers, the Mirage Revolution 11 and Quest 11. With the same angler-friendly design, these shorter, lighter models cut through the water like knives through butter. They will be sure favorites for small to mid-size anglers looking to stalk fish with compact, lightweight and maneuverable fishing kayaks.

The Mirage Revolution 11 is powered by Hobie’s patented MirageDrive® pedal system while the Quest 11 accommodates those who prefer to paddle. Fitting a niche that has long gone unanswered, they are first of their kind integrating the feel of longer touring kayaks with shorter more maneuverable river kayaks. They are proudly made in the U.S.A.

Both boats are fast and nimble, track straight and have a sharp turning radius. The cockpit areas include a large front hatch for storing plenty of gear as well as a center eight-inch round hatch. Two molded-in rod holders make trolling easy. Hobie’s Livewell can be added into the trunk areas and can accommodate additional rod storage and live bait fishing. These kayaks will be favorites among anglers looking to fish shallow, fast moving water. But it does not stop there…they are equally as proficient in calm water and ocean waves. There is no learning curve on either boat. They do not use gas and they go places that powerboats cannot like rocky shallows, up narrow creek channels and over prop-snagging vegetation.

A series of fishing-friendly accessories makes it possible for anglers to customize and fit their own preferences. Hobie’s Livewell has a high-flow, self-priming Attwood pump, a six volt sealed gel cell battery, adjustable drain and the capability of holding up to eight gallons of water. A Plug-In Hobie Trax “2” Cart with pneumatic wheels provides for easy rolling of heavy loads over rough terrain or soft sand. Turbo Fins can increase boat speed by over ten percent. New from Hobie….the first ever Horizontal Rod Holder Kit that lets anglers in any kayak, Hobie or otherwise, store rods along either or both sides of their vessel. These are only a sampling of what is available.

Both kayaks are offered in a variety of color choices including Caribbean Blue, Red Hibiscus, Golden Papaya, Ivory Dune, and Olive. They are constructed of seamless rotomolded polyethylene hulls and are designed with open-deck construction. Two-piece paddles with fiberglass shaft and deluxe, padded back-support seatbacks are included with both models. They are easily transportable in the back of a pickup truck or on a roof rack. And, of course, both boats meet the National Marine Manufacturers Association certification requirements for flotation.

HOBIE MIRAGE REVOLUTION 11 The defining feature on the Mirage Revolution 11 is Hobie’s patented MirageDrive. The self-centering padded pedals are connected to two underwater flippers, much like penguin wings; and are locked and unlocked from the kayak with the Click and Go system. Steering is controlled via oversized fingertip steering handle on the left side, making it easy to cast, hook, and land fish while maneuvering to that secret spot.
Length: 11’ 6”
Width: 29”
Hull Weight: 47 lbs.
MirageDrive Weight: 6.6 lbs.
Capacity: 300 lbs.

Additional Standard Features: Oversized forward hatch. Two eight-inch Twist and Seal hatches. Two mesh-covered stowage pockets. On-deck receptacle with cap for optional accessories post or sail mast, dive flag, or nav-anchor light. Deluxe padded seatback with lumbar support. Two molded-in mid-boat carrying grips. Gear bucket. MSRP: USD $1749

HOBIE QUEST 11
Length: 11.1’
Width: 29”
Hull Weight: 47 lbs.
Capacity: 300 lbs.
Additional Standard Features: “Easy Open” hinged hatch with access to large forward storage area. One eight-inch Twist and Seal hatch conveniently located in front of the seat. Aft room for second eight-inch optional hatch for additional storage. Adjustable foot braces for paddling leverage. Two mesh-covered stowage pockets. Two molded-in mid-boat carrying grips. Gear bucket. MSRP: USD $949

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2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Kudos to Hobie for recognizing the need for a shorter and lighter Revo.

I have told my local dealer to put me on his September list for a new Revo 11.

The Revo 11 will respark the classic debate over shorter yaks and the longer yaks. Let the debates/discussions begin.

This reminds me of a continuing debate in the two handed fly rod/Spey rod user clans. About 10 years ago a couple of creative and good fly rod makers recognized the need for shorter two handed rods. They came out with custom two handed rods at only 10.5' rods called Switch rods versus 14 to 16' plus Spey rods. At that time even a 14' long rod was considered by many to be too short, wimpy and of course not a real two handed rod for real men. Buying a short Switch rod was and still is considered an act of heresy by the old high church Spey guys.

I was one of the first ones to cross over to the dark side. I bought two 10.5' switch rods from Bob Meiser, in Medford, Oregon. The two handed rods were easier to use for those of us who were pros, super athletes and fished in areas where brush/trees/rocks and other hazards might make a long rod into a short rod. We could use them from boats and other areas where a long Spey rod could not be used without endangering the rod, those around us and ourselves.

This debates continues a decade latter. Major Spey Rod makers eventually recognized the potential demand and started making Switch Rods about 5 years ago. Eventually, the major Spey line makers made lines for the shorter Spey Rods. Switch Rods apparently are now outselling the long Spey rods.

We can teach a person how to cast the shorter Switch Rods and how to use/ fish the Switch Rods in a couple of hours versus weeks/months/eons with the longer rods.

I can see the debate here re longer and more manly yaks versus the shorter ones like the Revo 11 for the rest of us.

Thanks to Hobie with its Revo 11, both sides in the long/short yak debate can be winners.

Let the long versus short debates begin.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder