Hobie Revolution 16
 

I picked up a new Hobie Revolution 16 from Andy at OEX Sunset beach last week, finally had a chance to get it on the water for its maiden voyage.

Here is the short review

The Hobie Revolution 16 is long and lean. It is build for speed and for covering some serious distance on the water. It has generous storage capacity, and new upgraded features like the Vantage CT seat, Lowrance ready, and the new GT Mirage drive.

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And the rest of the review with a few pictures…

The Hobie Revolution 16 is based off the same hull as the previously named Hobie Adventure. This is a good thing, because that hull is legendary, and one of the best ever made. It is lightning fast, quiet on the water, good initial and secondary stability, and it is shaped like a traditional touring kayak hull. Its sharp bow entry slices through chop like butter, tracks well, moves almost effortlessly with the Mirage drive, but is equally capable if you decide you would like to take out the mirage drive and paddle for a while.

The hull of the Hobie Adventure was a proven winner, and had been my kayak of choice for almost 10 years.

Here is a link to my previous Hobie Adventure. It might be worth a look to see what the upgrades are.

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwevb/s...ad.php?t=12628

At 27.5” wide, and 16 feet long, this kayak won’t be for everyone. Someone once told me, “You can learn stability, but you can’t make a slow kayak fast”. If speed and covering lots of miles on the water sound fun, this might be the kayak for you.

Keeping true to its touring kayak ocean worthy design, it’s a bit more stable than you would think…

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With the name change, the Revolution 16 also received a facelift with a few new features, and upgrades.

The most notable upgrade is the Vantage CT seat. The vantage CT Seat is comfy, it keeps your butt dry (which is a big upgrade from the Adventure), and has lots of adjustability to keep you comfortable on the water all day.

Here is a video that explains it better than I can.

<iframe width="1280" height="720" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qUqHwV_Ry0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

From a real world review perspective, I can tell you that the seat is considerably more comfortable than any other kayak seat I’ve ever been on. The ability to recline and shift my position OTW was great, and my back appreciated it as well. On this kayak, I doubt I’ll use the “high” vantage seating position much out in the ocean, but I probably would in calm water, or if conditions allowed. Hobie re-designed the seating cockpit of all their 2015 kayaks, so the seat used in the “low” position retains the low center of gravity and the general feel of kayak. There was no loss of stability or change in balance with the Vantage CT Seat. Hobie really hit a home run with this upgrade.

Here are some pics of the actual seat on the Revo 16.

Height and kickstand adjustments are on the front right in this pic

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Here it is in the low position

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And here it is in the high “vantage” position

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And maybe the coolest feature of the seat, is that after a long day on the water, it is its own beach chair

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The 2nd notable upgrade is that Hobie made the Revolution 16 Lowrance Ready. It is no secret that the best place for a transducer to be is in the water. It gives you the most accurate readings, real-time water temps, and there is no loss of signal. Hobie designed a pretty clean system to mount the transducer directly in the water.

Here is a video that explains the Lowrance ready system much better than I can.

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Here are a few pics of it on the new Revolution 16

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And here are 2 screenshots of what having a transducer in the water can do for you…

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It also comes with a variety of different grommet adapters to fit different size wires. It is also probably worth noting that the Lowrance ready system will work with other brands of fishfinders and transducers.

Hobie also added a few upgrades to the Mirage Drive. The new GT Mirage Drives have added roller bearings, which reduce friction at key points in the drive. I had it out once, and it was smooth as butter. It did what it was supposed to do, so far so good as far as that upgrade goes. If interested in upgrading your old drive, you can also buy the GT upgrade kit. While you are at it, get the turbo fins. Trust me, get the turbo fins!

Here is the new GT Mirage Drive

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There are a few other additions that didn’t get as much press, but are worth mentioning. With the re-design of the seating area, Hobie added the venturi scupper drain under the seat. The idea is that venturi drains help evacuate any water in the seating cockpit faster that a traditional scupper would. Google it if you care about the physics. It also has a tether if you would like to leave it in either the open or closed position.

Here is a pic of the seating area, venture drain, and the pull for the drain.

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Here are a few other pictures that show the whole kayak better

This thing is built for speed

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Check out this bow entry. Its mean!

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Here is the New Revo 16 on the left, next to the old Adventure on the right. They kept the good bones of a killer hull design.

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Just messing around on the maiden voyage. Don’t mind the duct tape finder mount, but check out the 8.1 mph on the GPS.

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Here is a full view of the cockpit

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And one of my favorite features of the kayak is the massive tankwell. No more doing gymnastics trying to get a fish secure…

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If you are going to OEX Sunset Beach to get a new Hobie, pick up a sailing rudder for it. Fits Outback’s and Revo’s, and makes ‘em turn on a dime. Check out the size difference vs. the stock rudder. Inexpensive upgrage that makes a world of difference.

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While you are there, also pick yourself up a decent set of straps. I always get a kick out of guys I see loading up their fancy kayaks on the beach, and strap them up with cheapo Wal-Mart ratchet straps.
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Overall, the Hobie Revolution stayed true to its touring kayak inspired roots, except that it is a touring kayak on steroids with the additions of the Mirage Drive, the Vantage CT Seat, and the ability to add a fishfinder. It is easily car-toppable, and doesn’t require a trailer to get to the water. The Revolution 16 retains the simplicity of what makes kayak fishing it own intrinsic reward, while adding a few sophisticated upgrades to make your day on the water more comfortable and productive.

As usual, if you are interested in a Hobie, give Andy a call at OEX Sunset Beach. He has just about every model in stock, from the nimble Hobie Sport, all the way up to the unbelievable Pro Angler 17T.

The End

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Wow, what a great write up and amazed at the speed you get. That alone makes me interested in getting one!!

Good job Steve and you should freelance as a writer or product reviewer.

Is adventure discontinued and replaced by revo16?
If so, there must be island edition?

Looks like an awesome sled! Nice to see that it comes out of the mold with a healthy serving of juju on it.
Thanks for the detailed review.

Awesome post Stevo! I also checked out your mod post for the the old adventure and that was EPIC man, you are truly an amazing kayak engineer. Hope you like the new ride, I was thinking about separating my adventure island and taking it out as an adventure more often, this truly motivated me. Enjoy the new ride.

Nice write up!
 

You are a very articulate guy, that has a passion for an amazing product. I have the Revo 13, I think a 2011. You are right, you do have to "learn" stability on it and I have had to learn to bring less gear, but a great kayak. I am a Hobie fan. They are made for fishing.

Janine

Water Rocket?
 

Sounds like a great Water Rocket!
I want one!!!:vroam:

Are you in sales? Great report on the Revo, I'm basically sold. Next kayak just might be one of these guys, as I would prefer speed over stability! Especially if you want to join Chris on the kayak tuna hunt this year

I expected nothing less from you Steve. Great, comprehensive review chock full of photos :D. That thing is a dragster!

As far as the Adventure Island goes that has been redesigned with more volume in the hull, ammas and more sail. Can not buy the hull seperately

Nice write up, amazing speed on that thing. In the side-by-side shot it looks like the same basic yak as the Adventure, but the seat looks to put your COG up by about 4". I can't imagine it being as stable.

FYI - The kayak Steveooo is reviewing, the Revolution 16, is actually the Hobie Adventure. Hobie just gave it a new name and a bunch of upgrades.

@ Steveooo - If it wasn't for hooping and fishing in the freshwater every so often, I would have gone with the Revolution 16/Adventure. Nice write up and pictures...

^Hoopin from an adventure? No problem.

Hey Steve, great review.
I've got an older adventure and just upgraded from HDS 5 to HDS 7. (West Marine Plus Plan, highly recommended) I've always left the HDS 5 mounted for launch and landing. Wonder if you could update your post on how you finally mounted yours and how you routed the cables into the hatch, what you do with it when launching and landing. I'd like to leave the wires connected to avoid corrosion.
Thanks, Tom

Sweet freekin boat!!!


Excellent review as well thanks!

Probably should have updated this a while back. Thanks for the bump Tom.

I ended up using the 1.5" mast Ram mast mount, and the universal electronic Ram mount. I did buy the Hobie through hull plugs to route the cables in the front deck, but I haven't installed then, and I probably won't. I have just been running the cables through the front hatch, one connected to the battery, one to the 'ducer. If the surf is thumping, I just take off the ram mount mount and stow the entire unit up in the front hatch, leaving the cables attached.

Here are a few (shameless) pictures.

Ram Mount

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Back of the unit

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Stowed for landing

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Top down

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Mandatory bendo shots...

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Awesome shots. Sweet ride. How long can you maintain 8mph? I got a pro angler and I can maintain 4 for quite sometime. But 8 makes me want a second boat for the 20-30 mile days.

While looking for the pics of my finder mount yesterday, I found this video from a few months back. Who wants to race to the next bird school :D

<iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/151971296" width="850" height="478" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen></iframe> <p><a href="https://vimeo.com/151971296">Hobie Revolution 16</a> from <a href="https://vimeo.com/steveooo">Steveooo</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p>

What is the black thing (look like inlet tube) in front of transducer mount (bottom view)?

bottom view of the seat scupper

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Upgrading deciding between adventure and another revo. Is there a noticeable difference in stability or does the length add some stability. I know it's only a inch in width but is it a angry inch ha

I never found the Adventure/Revo 16 to give up any stability over a Revo 13

I have an adventure and have fished a lot with guys on revos and PAs. The adventure has two big advantages. First is how well it handles launch and landing in bigger surf. Particularly coming in. You can have a pretty big wall of whitewater come in behind you and you just drop your feet in the water. The pointed stern punches through the wave and with the extra length the wave goes right under you. Then you run behind the wave. On a revo you might be okay in this situation, on a PA, just make sure your stuff is secure and pray.

The other advantage is less effort expended per mile. The adventure just glides. Particularly when it's choppy, when the extra length and knifey outline cut through the chop rather than bouncing over it. Disadvantage? You're practically sitting in the water. Guys on PAs are high and dry, stand up to pee, have tons of room the carry stuff. I don't see many advantages of a revo over adventure.

One other thing. I load my yak on the roof of my tahoe. Pick up one end and lean it against the back pick up the other end and push it up. The length actually makes this easier. I don't think I could get a PA up there.

Hope this helps.

This one seems like a pretty good deal. Not mine, don't know seller.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/spo/5390322273.html

That helps thanks guys my main reason getting out of my old revo is my ass is always wet want the vantage seat but if I'm gonna up grade why not go adventure if there's added advantage gaining 3 ft in length but losing 1" in width ok with that

I'm thinking about upgrading as well. I'd recommend you test one out. One other difference I thought of: it's harder to get into the front hatch of the adventure when on the water, particularly when you have your sonar mounted in front of the peddles.

The new skinny boats are nice with the vantage seats. The new seats help with not making the boats feel so skinny, especially in the high position which is what I normally have it in.


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good to know but any noticable loss off stability in the high position ? And I figure that about that hatch normally I just scootch along straddling the yak till I get to the hatch anyways

Minimal that is noticeable.


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Just bought a brand new revo16 ! Question though I always use the back straps on the revo 13 to secure the tail on fish over 20# are you still able to secure them if so how ?

No need to do that on the 16. Tank well is bigger than the 13, so the fish fits in the back without any need to strap it in using the rudder strap.

Any day I need to figure out what to do with a 20 lb fish is a good day

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that picture is just plain ridiculous.

You win. Your selfies are just too good! haha that build thread on your old adventure was insane! So cool to see all the modifications.