Hobie Outback or Revo 13 ?

[wigan]

Ok the time is very close and i am wondering which one to get, opinions please.
I have had a go on the Outback and was very impressed, the only thing that puts me off the revo is no front rod holders. They are more or less the same price as well. Will mainly be used offshore.

Cheers Mark

[blueyak]

Will mainly be used offshore.

Cheers Mark

Revo 13.

[sbd]

Revo 13.

[nezevic]

Will mainly be used offshore.

Cheers Mark

Revo 13.

X 2

[solatree]

Both good - both do well in SA Gulfs - talk to Binks West beach about test paddling them both.

[mingle]

Revo 13

[nad97]

Get a stealth instead

[spork]

I was torn between those 2 as well.
test paddled them, still hard to choose, but went for the revo 13.
SWMBO now wants a 'yak. might have to get her an outback...

[mingle]

I may be biased, but I reckon the sheer versatility of the Revo is hard to beat.

You can pedal, paddle, sail and even fit an e-volve electric motor, if that's your thing.

As for your initial concern of no built-in front rod-holders, just add a couple of Scotty flush-mounts - far more versatile than the molded-in 'tube' type holder on the outback.

Cheers,

Mike.

[Drew]

I've got a Revo Fish (13.5' 3 years old), and my wife has a 2011 Outback... still yet to paddle her boat, but very happy with mine...

[Stevie]

My pick is the Adventure! By co-incidence there is one for sale in Classifieds

But honestly Id go Revo or Adventure. Ive fished in them all and after half a dozen trips you wont miss the 'stability' of a an Outback and your be cruising through chop and swell a hell of a lot smoother.

[dinium]

I've had both, and they each have their advantages.

What size are you? Are you using it solely for fishing? Is paddling important? Do you mind getting a wet bum?

Best thing about the revo was offshore use, the way it glided through the water, ease of paddling, how easy it was to swing your legs over the side when you have a big fish on (sounds strange, but it the biggest thing I miss) and how easy it was to pick up and throw on the roof of the car. Downsides are a little less stable when reaching behind you into an esky or tacklebag, the constant wet ride (bum always in a puddle) and the lack of space for stuff.

Outback on the other hand is much more stable, a much drier ride (no wet bum in 15 outings), has much more space and feels more suited for fishing. The downsides are it's a little heavier and a little more difficult to move around (more due to the extra width), doesn't handle the surf as well, water constantly slaps the sides and is challenging to get a good paddling rhythm (due to width).

Now if you could make a hybrid of the two...

Oh, and forget about the lack of front rod holders on the revo, it's easy to add some (and chances are you will add new ones to the outback anyway). Regardless of which one you get (and assuming the budget permits) upgrade to the sailing rudder, turbo fins and anchor system for off shore use.

[Bretto]

Barely a week goes by without a Revo vs. Outback thread. I too went through this dilemma and the start of 2011. My super terrific, many stones left unturned approach lead me to following scorecard, comprised solely of my own opinions.

Speed

The Revo should be noticeably faster when off shore. Because you'll most likely be peddling, not paddling (paddling sucks in both, don't let anyone else tell you otherwise) you won't notice the difference that much as most people's legs are stronger than their arms. In the Outback it'll just take marginally longer to get wherever you going. Negligible in my opinion, so I'll call it a tie.

Storage

I weighed up the extra storage options in the cockpit area of the Outback over the Revo. I couldn't think of a situation when I'd actually use them, especially off shore. Other than the gunwale storage the layout is still pretty much the same. I’m calling it a tie again.

Stability
The Revo is allegedly less stable. I've tried tipping mine. Not going to be easy. Again, I can't see a clear favourite. Calling it a tie.

Compatible Peripherals
Everything Hobie seems to make for the Outback, they make for the Revo. At least from what I've seen. I think the hatch liner might be like $2 more for the Outback than the Revo, but you’re spending $2,400 on either, what’s a couple of extra bucks here and there. Tie again.

Surf launching
Who’s kidding who... Get a stealth. As for the Revo vs. Outback, again I'll call it a tie.

Paddling
Ah, the paradox of using two hands to provide forward momentum, given that one of those hands is also required to operate the rudder. Again, a tie, but neither gets points, because if you've tried it, it grates on you very quickly. Yes you could just lift the rudder, but I’m yet operate a peddle powered Hobie that actually tracks straight.

Fishability
If you can’t carry all your necessary gear on both of these, then you’ve got issues. Tie.

Aesthetics
Ok the Revo wins this one. The Outback looks like it appeared on the one of the first episodes of the Biggest Loser. The Revo looks like one of the after shots.

Point in the Revo’s favour.

There you go my ultra scientific research comprised solely of my own opinion and the difference in points boils down to which one is the prettiest.

If you read around, some of more experienced Hobie enthusiasts consider the Revo more closely related to the Adventure than an Outback anyway. If you’re planning on putting in the hard yards predominately off shore, I would weigh the Revo against the Adventure before I consider an Outback in the debate.

[BigGee]

Revo 13

Awesome looking thing.

[mingle]

Not quite as awesome-looking as your avatar...

Revo 13

Awesome looking thing.