2015 Revo 11 or 2015 Outback??

I have a 2012 Tandem Island on a trailer but have it up for sale (Tampa area). I am trying to decide between the new Revo 11 and new Outback. I plan to outfit whichever I choose with sidekick amas, sail kit, new sail furler system, and an anchor trolley. Not sure if the new yaks have the small rail mounts on the sides (I believe they are for RAM products) but will also get these if not. I intend to put the Lowrance Elite 4 sounder/GPS on the boat. The reason I am 'downsizing' is that we will eventually downsize the house and will no longer have a 3-car garage for the TI plus 2 cars. I love to sail and I know that neither the Revo 11 or Outback will sail anywhere near the capabilities of the TI. However, I think it will sail okay enough to get my sailing 'fix' in. I also do quite of bit of fishing primarily in the flats and mangrove areas of west Florida. Okay, here are a few questions I want to throw out:

-I know about the new seat and mirage drive...however, what are the other differences in the 2015 versions of both the Revo 11 and Outback?
-What are the specs for both? Naturally, since I will be car topping on a small car, I am concerned with the length and weight I will have to load.
-What car top roof racks are preferred for a reasonable price? I do have a small hitch on my hatchback that I tow the TI with so I am also considering getting a "T-bar" that attaches to it that helps loading (I think). I believe I can get one online (off brand) for $99. I also need roof racks and cross bars. Recommendations??
-Based on what I plan to do, which yak is best?

Thanks.

Wait one more day to get the specifics of each new Version.

Then, you can make a better decision.

It may be a couple of months before any of us can try a new 2015 Mirage Model with the advanced sales.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

While your on the subject of Revo's and Outbacks,any inout regarding the stability of the Revo 13 compared to the Outback? I currently own an Outback and a Pro Angler 14.Both great rides.I opted for the Turbo fins and sail rudder on the outback and it moves along pretty good,even when load it up with coolers and camping gear. I wanted something a little sleeker and faster just for day paddles and was looking at the Revo.Any help?

The 2015 Mirage Yaks are on the Hobie home page to make comparisons.

index.php

A lot of us would have liked to see the Revo 11 come Lowrance ready. It apparently didn't.

After the dust settles with all the pre sales for the new 2015, I will be looking at the new Outback and the Sport, since my new yak will probably replace my Freedom Hawk Bass Yak. A comfortable and stable fishing platform will be my first priority. The ability to be able to quickly and easily to throw a Sport into the bed of my Ridgeline for a quick spin on our local river for fun or fishing an incoming or outgoing tide, will be a factor.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Mike, I've got one of each (2013 models) and they are very different kayaks. I've taken both of them inshore (Biscayne Bay to fish for Sea trout) and offshore (3 miles out from shore to fish for Tuna and other Pelagics). I've only sailed the Revo11, have not yet sailed the Outback. With that in mind, here's my 2cents worth:

Revo11 Vs Outback
Fishing
While both are capable fishing craft, the Outback is the winner here due to its 4 rod holders versus the Revo's 2 rod holders, Lowrance ready transducer mount (sadly absent on the Revo11), larger capacity for gear in the trunk and a concave front hatch area which holds a 42" catch bag more comfortably than the short/sharp/convex nose of the Revo11. The Outback's sidetrays are convenient for mounting accessories and temporarily placing a lure or pair of pliers in between lure changes. The Outback is also easier to stand in if sight fishing is your kind of thing. Yes the Revo will get you to the fishing grounds a bit faster, but if you're spending a day fishing seriously, you will appreciate the space in the Outback more.
Advantage: OUTBACK

General navigation
The Revo is a slimmer profile and the sharp bow cuts through the water and waves quite well; The Outback's bow shape crashes into waves and creates a good amount of hull-slap (even inshore). Comparing either Revo (11 or 13) to an Outback, the Revo is faster and more maneuverable. With that slimmer profile comes a bit less stability in the Revo, and if you are someone used to a wider platform it might feel "tippy" until you get used to it. Should your situation require it, you will also find paddling the slimmer revo to be more enjoyable than paddling the Outback.
Advantage: REVO11

Sailing
I'm biased to the above-mentioned streamlined shape of the Revo, and with the right amas, sailing is quite enjoyable. The Outback has better stability than the Revo, but if you are going to use amas regardless, then this point is moot. I do like the fact that the Outback's lower bow hatch location makes the placement of the furler a bit more efficient. In comparison the Revo hatch is in the way of a seamless furler mounting: placing the furler too low makes the hatch inaccessible and placing it too high makes the furler out of plane with the rigging lines and makes furling a chore.
I'd give the edge to Revo, but unofficially so since I haven't personally sailed the outback.

Storage/Portage
I wall mount both kayaks when not in use and they both get lifted overhead to be placed upside down on the car's roof racks. The lighter weight of the Revo11 shines here. The Revo11 is not much shorter than the Outback, but its a bit easier to store and much easier to carry. I use the Revo on days when my lower back has been acting up. Older model Outbacks had one rigid handle and one soft handle, this made lifting overhead difficult due to the weight and the balance point (bow-to-stern) being slightly aft of the handles. The 2015 Outback has two matching rigid handles now, thank god! But it remains to be seen if the balance point has changed.
Advantage: REVO11

Oh I forgot to mention, I'm 5'8" and 210lbs. I fit comfortably in either kayak but the wider cockpit in the Outback is less of a squeeze on the thighs for me. I like having both honestly. I use the Revo11 to sail and fish the bay and I use the Outback to fish offshore. If I had to have only one kayak, I'd have to give some serious thought to a Revo13.

This is just my experience, yours might vary, forgive my rambling!
Enjoy whichever you choose!

As usual, an excellent write up, comparison and summaries.

Thanks

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Jcanracer,
Great rundown. Based on your input I think the Outback would probably suit me better. Got to sell the TI now. Thanks.

Cheers sir!

I did not like the slap on the bow of the Outback and it was heavier and more awkward to carry down a trail or put on a roof rack. The Outback is a lot more spacious and a lot better for a larger person.

The new 2015 Outback may had a different hull shape and the slap issue may have been reduced. One thing that I like about the Outback is that it is possible to cut out the 8" round hatch in front of the seat and replace it with the PA12 rectangular hatch kit and the insert for holding Plano tackle boxes. One should not have to spend the extra $100 to do this but it is much like having to pay for two sets of blades with the turbo fins and for two rudders to get the sailing one for a new boat.

I went with the Revo 13 for better paddling and pedaling performance and for sailing. I wanted the best possible sail performance with a boat I could easily lift. Sailing in particular was what tipped my choice to the Revo 13 and away from the Outback.

The Sport has a total capacity of 275 lbs. versus 350 lbs. for the Revo 13 and 400 lbs. for the Outback which is also going to affect performance. That the Sport 11 is not Lowrance ready (or Humminbird) would also deter me from choosing this boat for fishing.

2 clarifications Wintersun:

Let's not get the Sport (9ft, 225lb capacity, Lowrance ready) confused with the Revo11 (11ft, 275lb capacity, non Lowrance ready). The sport is actually closer to a junior Outback.

As for improvement on the Outback design in the 2015 model, the handles are improved as well as the new seat and deck. The bow and underside of the kayak were not changed, so the hull slap will carry over to the 2015 model. The only cure for this is to redesign the bow (like they did on the 2014 Sport) so there is a sharper angle up front.

Good for you in getting the Revo13, I might go that route instead of the new Revo11 to replace my current Revo11.

JCanracer, thanks for your data again. I was hoping that Hobie would have eliminated the hull slap with their new Outback.

Like you, the Revo 13 is starting to look as a good fishing platform and fun yak versus the Outback.

However, as I continue to recover from my major foot surgery a year ago, I'm continuing to lose weight, and at this time, I'm about 35# less than the Sport's capacity instead of being at the limit.

The Sport with less hull slap, easier weight to load and a shorter platform for ease of fitting in the bed of my Ridgeline, is starting to look better. Plus it is Lowrance ready, and I have a great Lowrance ready.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

The Sport is the most under-rated kayak in the lineup, I love it.
I had one when it had the same bow as the Outback (2012 i think) so it also had the hull slap, asymmetrical handles, and no real front hatch. For the 2014 they fixed ALL of those problems and added the lowrance pocket. Then they added the new seat for 2015. This is the most improved kayak in the last 3 years, easily.
I would still have one, but I didn't feel too confident 3 miles offshore, plus I put on [more than] a few pounds
If your height allows it (my dad just barely fit in the sport and he is 5'10") then enjoy the Sport as a easy-to-carry inshore/nearshore/pond kayak. If you need just a tad more capacity and still want to take it easy on your back loading/unloading, then jump up to the Revo11. If you're chasing big water, you will have to try Revo13 and Outback to see which suits your needs more.

Since, I will not be going off shore or into big water or raging rivers, I have come to the same conclusions re the Sport as you.

I'm 5' 9 on a good day with average leg length, and I am at least 30 pounds under the 225 capacity. So, the Sport should be a good fit and a fun yak for me.

I will be able to easily put/throw it into the back of my Ridgeline and not even use my bed extender. In most of my launches, I will be able to back down to the water and put the Sport into the water without any cart and reverse the procedure, when I leave. I have the wide wheel Hobie cart for long sandy approaches and a great C-Tug for other approaches. We have AMAs for our Oasis, and I can add a cross bar if I want AMAs.

_________________
2009 Oasis
2012 Freedom Hawk Pathfinder

Very convenient!

I have a 2012 revo 11 with amas and Turbo fins that I use for sailing and fishing, I love it but was planning on getting the new 2015 rev 11 because of the new seat, after reading these posts I'm starting to think maybe the new sport might be a better option, I'm 5'10" 160lbs and stay within a mile or two of the shore in the Northwest area, does anyone know if the sail furler fits better on the sport, it sits a little high on the Rev.