Hi All
Looking to get my first Hobie and need some help. I got into kayak fishing with a 10' department store kayak (Future Beach Discovery) and love everything about it except my kayak. So my main complaints about current kayak is unstable to the point where my storage is almost useless for anything not in arms reach is a seated position. Seating is uncomfortable for long trips but not unbearable. No ability to effectively troll or cover a lot of water being that it's not pedal drive. Thing I like about my kayak. Its light and easy to manage by myself.
So my budget is $3k for a kayak and I've got some options I will go through below. My new kayak must be stable enough to get up and access the storage & have the mirage drive. Nice to have would be a vantage type seat, MD180 drive & $600 left over for a fish finder with down/side imaging.
Option 1
Buy a new Compass. I worry about a buying a brand new model kayak. I've heard good things about the compass and Hobie customer service but still makes me a little nervous. So this option leaves me $950 to either buy the MD180 or a fish finder not both. If I was to buy a MD180 what could I realistically get for the standard drive with everyone wanting a MD180? Used drive sell on Ebay for $300 so I'm thinking $400-500.
Option 2
Buy a new Outback with MD180 drive. I get a proven design, seat and reverse. I kinda prefer the larger flat area in front of the seat on the compass. I've heard the Outback is as stable as the Compass and that the Compass is more stable. I don't know which is true. This one is a little on the heavy side though I'm not car topping but putting into a truck bed. This Option is $2600
Option 3
Buy a used 2006 outback for $1400. Includes: Humminbird Side Image/Down Image/fish finder gps combo, Lake Master sd card for my area, Hobie Paddle, Mirage Foot pedal drive, hobie seat, dolly, storage crate with 3 rod holders + 4 built in rod holders, battery. So I get the nice fish finder with and a scupper cart which would be nice. I heard this year could possibly be prone to cracking can anyone confirm this? So I would not get the Vantage seat or MD180 but would have $1500 to bank for either and MD180 or new Kayak next year.
Option 4
Buy a used Outback without drive (unknown year) for $600 (either one below) & add MD180 for a total of $1400. Seem as this one is missing the padded seat as well. Again no vantage seat and possible cracking issue. I have sent an email to find out the year useless someone can tell by the pic. This option I could bank the $1500 and possibly buy and new or used compass next year and have the MD180 already. Then I could swap the drives and sell the outback (for maybe 1000?). Or possible buy the Outback simply to make the drive easier to sell as a package with a kayak and buy the compass.
I'm kind leaning option 1 or 4. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanx
Nat