Personally looking into Compass vs Outback. Good but not great. These are my opinions.
Lets start here. Few dedicated fisherman leave their kayak fully stock. We will all tinker repair and improve till the day we die. I don't have to have everything but it does make time on the water more enjoyable.
Issues to compare:
Drive: I want the 180 mirage. Its a costly upgrade on Compass bringing it within a few hundo of the outback. For my style of fishing Reverse is a must. 2k price point broken by A LOT.
Storage: Keeping neat. Outback has much more thought put into layout. Compass is a blank slate. Again having to spend $$ to add things that the outback already has. Keeping neat is key to not catching a hook or loosing a fish of a lifetime.
Seat: Compass : Lumbar support was there but outback seat kills it vs compass style. Still comfortable just not the best. Point outback and to upgrade the seat more $$$.
Rudder: Both are very responsive. not enough water time with either. Compass rudder storage under the yak is advantage in my opinion, but I can see where it could be a disadvantage but I like things out of the way.
Hull: Compass was a little wetter ride hitting 1-2 foot boat chop at speed but cut nicely through them, outback rode a little higher and front rides up waves a little more vs cutting them leaving me a bit drier. Both were tested without gear.
Overall:
Either can work but I am now leaning towards the Outback and probably going to go used just like you since I hate financing toys. I initially was attracted to the Compass only to realize the savings would not be there for me after adding the extra upgrades to make it MY fishing machine.
Hope this helps
