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Random Quote: GET THE TREBLE OUT LATE.......R, (Mates first green wahoo)
Hello all, I read that sidekick amas are recommended for sailing the Revo and wonder if they are necessary for sailing on the Outback as well. Thanks, Rob
I have an Outback that I sail all the time with no almas, it works great to about 15 knots of wind. Great fun.
I have an Outback . I am Biased to the Outback for fishing. I recommend it for those who weigh less than about 240-250. If you weigh more than 250 the Pro Angler is the Yak you need. (The Pro Angler weigh "a metric but ton") (150# rigged out)
In selecting a kayak look for a Yak that fits your needs. If you plan to travel long distances you will need a longer Kayak. Longer Yaks tend to have a narrower beam. This is all based on weight. Until the Pro Angler came out, most Sit On Top kayaks weighed between 60 and 65 pounds. Which means to the consumer if you buy a 12 foot kayak it will be wider and slower than a 16 footer.
I guess it boils down to a couple of questions. First, the need for speed. And the second is the need for stability.
Being an old fart I have opted for stability over speed. I bought an Outback. To improve my speed, I installed the long Turbo Fins. I fish with REVOs and ADVENTURES and don't have trouble keeping up with them. Unless the Adventure is peddling "Hell Bent for Leather" (No Kayak can stay up with an ADVENTURE)
The other consideration is where are you going to with all your equipment. From Rods to tackle and even your bait. I think if you sit in a Revo then an Outback, it will become clear that the outback is a superb fishing kayak.
Is there a way to stow, fold or remove the fins when in shallow water or beaching?
Can you remove the whole Mirage drive system and somehow plug the hole?
I read a review online that said the pro angler wasn't rigid enough and would fold or distort under its own weight when transporting or laying on uneven ground. The reviewer stated that additional longitudinal structural support was necessary. Anyone heard of this problem or if the company has addressed it?
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"The cost of living seems high until you consider the cost of the alternative..."
I have Hobie and Dagger kayaks. One of them is the Pro Angler.
The mirage drive drops into a hole in the hull. Two clips keep it in place. You can open the clips and lift the mirage drive at anytime. If I am after redfish in very shallow water I do this and use a paddle.
The fins are part of the mirage drive. the fins sort of go flat against the hull when you push one peddle all the way - but they are still the lowest part of the hull. Lift the mirage drive out before beaching.
Hobie gives you a plug to drop in the hole. I never use it.
The reviewer didn't know what they were talking about. You do not store a kayak on the ground - uneven or flat. Any "plastic" kayak will deform while stored if not supported properly. I turn mine upside down and the kayak rests on two 2x4s either side of where you sit. You can also hang them in straps - upside down or sideways.
The Pro Angler weights 85-90 lbs empty. Maybe the reviewer couldn't handle the weight and damaged it trying to get it into or out of a roof rack.
If the reviewer did not read Hobie's simple instructions or use common sense then I can understand how the kayak was damaged in transport.
Yeah. It's hard to get accurate descriptive information or discern true intent from most written reviews.
I gathered he was talking about the kayak deforming/folding up lengthwise when it was pulled up on an uneven beach or in rough conditions, not while stored. I could be wrong and honestly it was the only negative review I found so he may have had an axe to grind.
While I can see that most kayaks would "oil can" or the bottom might deform locally (small areas) when laying against uneven objects, I would be very concerned if my kayak was not rigid enough to resist front to back bending or had a tendency to fold up under pressure (load or sea conditions).
So my question to those that own the Pro Angler, is there noticable front to rear flex in certain conditions. If this condition does in fact exist, is that flex a good thing (ie absorbing shock and a design feature) or is it a design flaw, or possibly just a defective kayak?
I am just a newcomer trying to gather as much information as possible in order to narrow my choices and make an informed decision. Next step taking a few models for a spin.
Pierless thanks for answering my other questions!
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"The cost of living seems high until you consider the cost of the alternative..."
I have been on the Pro Angler when the wind kicked up. Maybe the chop was 1 ??? Whatever, big enough for some to splash over the bow. No deflection.
I will stand up to use a fly rod in shallow water. No deflection noticed.
When I come into the beach I drag it up and put the 2 wheel cart under it. At this point the kayak is still loaded - ice & fish in the front, lure boxes & anchor & gear around the seat, mirage drive now on the seat, and a cooler behind the seat. I hold the bow cord with this weight between the bow and the cart behind the seat - never seen any deflection.
Take a few models out. If you want to fish, the mirage drive allows you to move or hold position using your legs while you can keep fishing. If you will always be in shallow water then the mirage drive may not be the best solution.
I bought a Revo last year and love it. The only negative is standing up and sight fishing. I also found that blind casting for long periods of time sitting fatigued the shoulders. So this year I'm going to buy a Pro Angler which will compliment the Revo. I'm going to add the H-bar to the Pro Angler which will make it a sight casting machine in the right conditions. I transport in a truck so the weight will not be an issue. Between the 5 of us, they will both get used!
I also found that I use the boat a little less which saves on gas. Also love the work out!
To answer your question, no negatives about the product or Hobie.
I have had both an Outback and a Sport (2 foot shorter Out****** since 2006. I typically use the Outback. Both fish well. The Sport seems a bit slower and has 2 less rodholders, but it is noticeably lighter to carry. The turbo fins are great. I used standard fins for years. I was shocked at the difference the turbo's make. While there is more resistance, I can maintain the same speed as before with about half the amount leg speed.
__________________ 2006 Champion 24 Bay Champ, 250 E-TEC
2000 Fishmaster 23, 225 E-TEC
Hobie Outback
Hobie Sport
If you are also into sailing, try either an Adventure Island or a Tandem Island. They are very stable platforms for fishing as well as for sailing. Sail to get there, pedal to maneuver in close. BTW they can't be flipped by wakes. You can stand up if you want.
Stabily of the Hobie Kayaks from most stable "less stable" (ability to stand up and cast/fish). If you're over 6' tall, standing in a Revolution is going to be a challenge/skill you will have to really put some effort in.
1. Pro Angler
2. Outback
3. Revolution 13
Rating them from easier to paddle to less easy (I know that the Mirage Drive is how you want to really use these -- and upgrading to the Turbo Fins is a no brainer IMO):
1. Revolution 13 (it just moves through the water better than the PA or OB)
2. Outback (shorter and wider)
3. Pro Angler -- just say "No"
Have Outback and tandem and fished both for nearly 10 years. Have sail but never once used it.
Awesome fishing machines. Have taken them for miles, very stable, unbelievably quiet, and catch fish.
Just one thing very stealthy watch out for basking manatees.
I had a Hobie Outback, yes I sold it like a dumbass, thats another story. I'm an old fart and weigh 250. The Outback was perfect for me. I could sit sideways with my feet in the water to drift fish. The standard fins were enough for me to keep up with my paddling buddies. It is nice to pedal and have your hands free to do other things. I never tried to stand in it. If that was my goal I would get a Hobie PA. Then there is this: http://www.soloskiff.com/
