Outback or Revolution for the Lightweights?

Here' the skinny from someone who's 65 years old, 5' 5" and 145 lbs.

The main questions is: Are you going to use it mainly for fishing or for Kayaking and sailing? Forget the HOOPLA about how the Outback is too tipsy and too hard to paddle. BUNK!

I was undecided and most people here (and other forums) had advised me to go for the Revolution because of my size and weight. Against their advise and because I have a narrow kayak that IS TIPSY that I almost drowned using, I purchased the Outback.

We finally got a weather break here in Kauai and I got to test out my new Outback.

One word " S W E E T "!


1st question: Could I load it on top of my car? Ans: A bit heavier than the Cobra Play but lighter and narrower than my Cobra Tandem. Having loaded the Tandem on my car few times, I expected a similar struggle. But ... NOT BAD. Unless you're one of those 98 lbs weakling, this shouldn't pose too much of a problem. Besides there is such a thing as a loading bar. I deviced one for my 280Z and it works just fine.

2nd Question: Would it be tipsy because of my weight? NOT EVEN A BIT! I had thoughts of having to bring something heavy (like 2 25lbs bags of sand) to compensate. NOT NEEDED! I even tried to rock it from side to side, but the thing is so stable you would have to really go some to tip it over. Maybe if you stood up and rocked it? Got hit sideways by a 4 ft wave or run over by a Cruiser Liner!

3rd Question: Could I take it out further on the Ocean than I could my Cobra Play and the Tandem? No problem, I took it out even further, until the waves got a little high and choppy ... and I chickened Out! But things are looking up for better fishing! Out where the REAL fishies are hiding! Now I just need to develop a little more bravado! Show them cuties on the shore how MACHO (or stupid!) a 65 year old man can be!

4th Question: Can I paddle the darn thing, especially since you can't put the Mirage Drive in .. in less than a foot of water. I guess one could bring something that would raise the Kayak high enough to be able to put the Mirage Drive in, and set the flaps up against the bottom of the kayak, prior to putting it in the water. But I didn't think about that until I was out on the river bank and didn't have anything I could use to raise the kayak high enough. One of them Senior moments that I get from time to time!

Where was I ??? ... OH YES .. No Problema! I can paddle it like a champ, but keep the rudder up or you'll be paddling and trying to control the rudder at the same time! (Can you wee and shave at the same time?) Not my cup of tea (paddling) but not as hard as some people claim it is. Keep in mind that I'm an OLD Guy and 145 lbs (soaking wet!)! and I had no problems with it.

JUST BE SURE IT'S THE 2007 MODEL! I think the shallower HULL design makes the BIG difference. The old model had a deeper hull, therefore it takes more weight to make it sink down far enough to make it stable!

The Outback has TONS of room for all kinds of fishing stuff and other things. Well, Maybe not enough to be able to bring along your 40" TV set and Surround Sound System! But still, Hobie did a tremendous job of designing the thing!

SO ... IF YOU'RE INTO FISHING ... FORGET THE HOOPLA ABOUT STABILITY AND PADDLING AND GET THE OUTBACK!

Unless of course you're one of those skinny, whimpy guy with noodle arms and feel unstable just standing on a two foot ladder!

HOWEVER ... If you just want to get some excercise, do a little sightseeing, sailing and maybe even little fishing, then the REVOLUTION should be right up your alley. It's sleeker, lighter and moves faster! The Girls would like it better!

Please bear in mind that I'm referring to the smaller, lighter people here under 200 lbs. I don't have any idea how much lighter, but if you are over 200 lbs, then an Outback should suit you better.

STILL, THE BEST THING TO DO IS GO CHECK THEM OUT! I couldn't because there's NO Hobie dealer on this island! In fact I believe I have the FIRST Hobie Kayak (with a mirage system) on this island. Ran into a lot of people and they've never seen one like it!

I don't know if I can do this, but if you're in Hawaii and looking into Hobie Kayaks, be sure to check out Kelly Harrison of P and P kayaks. Excellent Customer service! email: [email protected] (808) 880-1400

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7 Rivers and 33 miles of surrounding beaches!
What more can you ask for?

Excellent report! Good to know that the redesigned '07 hull performs so well. Sounds like you've got some great fishing ahead!

Hey Kauaiguy,
WTG--sounds like the new 2007 hull design is working as intended! I can tell you that you would not have enjoyed the 2006 or earlier hulls nearly as much at your weight.

However, I'm not sure what you are referring to about not being able to install the Mirage Drive. You can always install the Mirage Drive as you get underway--you don't have to install it on the beach. I always put mine on the bow of my OB or Sport, and as soon as I get in water over 2 feet deep, I drop the drive in the well, turn the cams to lock it down, and I begin pedaling.

Same for returning--when entering shallow water, I pull the drive, lay it on the bow (always keep your drive leashed!) and then use my paddle or poling stick to push on into shore. Works like a champ! In fact, when launching I usually stand alongside the boat and push it out until the water is deep enough, drop the drive in, lock it in place, and then hop aboard. If doing a surf launch, I still keep the drive leashed on the bow or forward out of the way, I push out past the break and then drop the drive in place. Can't beat that Mirage Drive for hands-free fishing and traveling! Here are a few pics showing the leash and drive position.
Best of luck with the new boat.
Dick

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Hi K, nice report, ditto on the comments from my friend from the Forgotten Coast who is the Guru on Hobie. I too have an 07 Hobie OB and love it. I'm on the other end of the scale, 250+ and it works great for me. BTW, I have found that if I leave the rudder down and keep it in the straight position the boat tracks much better when using the paddle.
Also, I have made two mods which have improved performance. I added the larger rudder, here in Jacksonville we fish a lot of small tidal creeks with fast current, and I just added the 'junior" Turbo fins. Both mods were relatively inexpensive and improved an already great ride.
Go get some slime on that OB.