Revolution vs Adventure ?

Is there any calculation on how much faster the Adventure is comparing to the Revolution? Mph, percentage, or travel distance time?


Need to purchase one or the other very soon.

Thank you

Hi Marvin and welcome to the forum.

Using Turbofins, my max speed in the Adventure is .7 MPH (GPS) faster than the Revo (flat water, no wind or current). Cruising speeds would show less difference -- maybe about .4 or .5 MPH.

The Adventure cuts through wind and chop better though, so the difference would likely be somewhat greater depending on wind and sea conditions.

Hi Roadrunner

Thanks for the information. Based on that I think the Adventure will probably be the better choice. Ill probably get the Adventure because I would like to have a Yak that can pierce through chop and a .4 or .5 MPH increase is significant to me.

How about as a fishing platform and occasional waveriding? Am looking at both and thought the xtra length/narower width would make a bigger dif.
Wouldn't the Adventure be an easier paddle if you had to go a distance?
Any feedback appreciated.

Adventure vs Revolution

Fishing? Both are very nice for fishing. The Revolution seems to be prefered in rougher conditions due to the higher bow and side rails.

Riding waves? Likey the Revolution, shorter is better when surfing. Hard chine rails also are better for actual surfing (beach breaking waves), so I prefer the Maui paddle kayak for that.

Riding swells? Longer the better for speed in catching open ocean swells.

Paddling? I vote the Adventure.

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

Put a deposit on the Revolution for mid March delivery. Website very helpfull and will be looking for some rigging tips. 2 of my buds bought Ocean Kayaks so the story about the Mirage pulling 2 paddlers out of the hole impressed!

I tried the adventure in a chop and was getting soaked by water crashing over the hull. I would have enjoyed the same trip in the Outback. It was miserable in the Adventure - I ended up turning around. Being soaked on a windy, chilly day is no fun. The Outback is so stable, has storage trays, and rides up and down the waves like a champ. If you are all about speed and don't care about getting wet, then the Adventure is the one you want.

Yea Rny,
The first time I saw a BigA up close and personal on the water was when I crossed paths with one on the water at Wakulla Beach on the Forgotten Coast. I was really surprised at how little freeboard the A had compared to both the OB and Sport. In test driving the A, I felt the same way, but did not have any actual chop for comparison purposes on those days.

But, if and when I get another yak, I have to say that the Revo would be my first choice (unless Hobie can come up with a Revolution using some new composite materials that would get the weight down to about that of the Sport). Then I would be a really happy camper! Not holding my breath, however--just wishing!

P.S. I should have added that I'm also a big fan of the new (2007) OB hull design, and would certainly consider upgrading to that baby for my next yak, especially if Hobie could get the weight down significantly to save wear and tear on the ole bod.

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Just as Hobie has modified the Outback hull several times for continuous improvement, I think they should tweak the Adv hull. They could raise the seat a little bit more above the water line and increase the freeboard a little more. Both would greatly improve the Adv experience, without really adding much weight or slowing down the yak much. This would even improve the AI experience. Also, in comparison pics, it looks like Adv riders are almost lying down while pedaling, while other Mirage yaks have a much more upright pedaling position.

I'm not holding my breath either, but I can dream too

All-right, enough Adventure bashing. If you want to raise the bow and the seat without adding weight, Hobie already did it -- it's called the Revolution. In the Adventure, the low seating position is key to achieving excellent stability with the narrower hull. The ability to recline, relax and even nap while speeding to your destination is one of the Adventure's greatest attributes -- just have to be careful about ramming stuff when nodding off. The Adventure's low profile minimizes the dilatorious effects of wind and keeps the weight down, so to speak.

If you like bobbing up and down while pounding against the chop, then an Outback is for you, as long as you're not prone to sea sickness. As a bonus, you can consider all that spray that pummels your face and upper body a near substitute for a refreshing shower (which you will surely need after flailing against the wind with that beamy hulk). Better yet, If you've been in the ocean, you can season your next meal with the dried salt spray while praying over your food. The other good news is that, while too wide for serious paddling, it's fat stern can easily propel you at hull speed downwind in as little as 5 knots of wind, so there's no need to waste your money on a sail kit!

In calm waters and small chop, the Adventure is dry as a bone (if you keep your scuppers closed). But anyone new to the Adventure, especially if they are used to sitting on an Outbarge, will probably get wet in mild seas merely for failing to realize the Adventure is an extension of your body and can be listed to prevent side-swell intrusion.

Finally, if you want to get there today or you want a smooth ride against rough seas, then there is nothing close to the Adventure. In that case, if you're not prepared to get a little wet, then you should look into a cabin cruiser!

LOL LOL LOL LOL

Great post, RR. I never thought about it before, but with all that salt spray and wind, I can filet my fish out on the water, and let it dry salt cure on the trip back to shore.

You can type out all the ridiculous anti-tug Ouchback comments you want. Keep it up - those were really creative. There is no perfect kayak, however, there are kayaks for different purposes. I love my SUV because it is so stable, which is a good thing when you like taking photos and video. Its not fun to paddle though. I love the turning radius of about 12 feet. I love the fact that I can stand up in my Outback. When I replace the Mirage kayak, it will be with the same type kayak because I love the open waters and take much value in not worrying if a force 7 wind comes up and I'm 5 miles from land. I'll be riding up and down the waves without missing a pedal stroke. As I said before, if you want speed and don't mind getting your butt wet, get the Adventure. If you want a stable kayak with lots of deck space to stow gear, get the Outback, which by the way, is suprisingly fast for such a wide boat. The 35" wide Outback speed average is faster than my 16', 24" wide Necky, and about matches the average speed of a 21" wide, 19' long Seda (based on trip records over the past 5 years). Keep in mind that I have to stop paddling to take photos in a paddle kayak but in the Outback, I can continue pedaling while taking photos. Matt Miller is right - if you like riding waves, shorter is better. http://www.mobilepaddler.blogspot.com/

I agree with all the above, but what's left unsaid is that the Adventure is also a compromise between a hull still wide enough for easy stability as a traditional yak but narrow enough for speed.

When Hobie designed the Adventure, they must have thought of the Island; but they didn't quite follow through all the way.

The Adventure works well as a traditional yak, but for the AI the hull could easily be narrower and with more flair in the bow to cut down the spray. The compromise allowed Hobie to design a single mold for both boats, but it is a compromise. A single hull kayak could have been designed slightly broader and higher, and the AI would benefit greatly from a finer hull.

All this said, I wouldn't trade my AI for anything else on the market (unless Hobie revives the Tri-Foiler... )

Xavier wrote:


Hmm, guess you didn't see the price tag on the Tri-Foiler! But it sure was a fine craft! Trouble was you needed a huge expanse of calm water with little to no boat traffic, because at about 40 knots or so you didn't have a lot of time to make emergency course corrections I don't imagine. I wonder how many were sold before Hobie pulled the plug??

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You're probably right, but I'm a dreamer, and dreams are cheap!

I do wish Hobie hadn't tried to create a hull usable both as a standalone kayaks and a trimaran. Both crafts would have been better had they designed them separately. It's still the coolest boat around