I can't deside between a Hobie Revo or a Malibu Stealth 14 - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

da22y · 03-22-2009, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsafety

Revo or Stealth? To me it comes down to the basic decision of peddle or paddle. Most of us who ride Hobies are convinced that peddling is the only way to go. Is the Revo perfect? Definately not, but it is still a very nice kayak.

If I were working with the Hobie design team I would lobby for:

Better rod holder placement and design.

Wider, recessed mounting locations on the forward rails, (so the rails remain flat after Ram or similar mounts are installed)

Larger center hatch with bulkheads fore and aft to keep stuff from sliding around.

Install a watertight bulkhead in the front hatch so it could be filled with ice to store fish, (or beer). This could be a removable tray to allow for easy cleaning.

I am sure that other ideas are out there. If you have any, please post. I know that the Hobie folks read this forum.

Bob

Ok , here is my wish list :

1. Some kind of mini version "Rod Pod" design openning on the right side of kayak (for easy storing of rods).

2. A center hatch molded livewell tank with timer.

3. Two flush mount rod holders in the front at an angle for trolling. Molded five rod holders straight up just behind seat area.

I then have the tank well vacant for big fish , I am a happy man.

Dan

mg2969 · 03-22-2009, 09:04 PM

As a 250lbs 6ft Revo owner, I like the Revo. Like already said arms vs legs,
especially into the wind, its not even a discussion.

1 thing I would like to
see though is a high weight limit. I never feel worried, but the 350 lbs
suggested max capacity is something always nagging in the back of my
mind.

250lbs weight
56+ weight of water in 8 gal in hobie bait tank
306 total without any gear

I still love my Revo, definitely the most versatile of all the mirage drive kayaks.

Hooping is also totally doable after you unscrew the cleats in the rear so that
netting doesnt hangup

Donfish · 03-27-2009, 01:05 AM

Being an owner of a Malibu extreme i'm always totally envious of the hobies to the point they allow me hands free operation while moving.but as far as stability and room for storage i'm still on the malibu as far as the stealth incorporates some of the room I don't use in front of me with hard to reach areas put into my immediate reach.Baittank I have but rareky use because its a pain is now upfrount and user friendly The side waterproof stroage is awesome for immediate must haves tackle or phone. Great design but............What I want is a 13' X 39" standup tunnel drive 2hpjet exhaust 4 stroke That includes paddle holders and paddle holds 2 gallons of fuel that is safe to launch anywhere in calif.Does 8 -12kts and is surf launchable for $1500.... not much to ask when the economy is so screwed is it?.... oooh and a reliable rudder system would ice the cake.

:reel :

forefrazier · 03-27-2009, 07:09 AM

Get the Stealth....those Hobie's are terrible kayaks

But seriously....I have had and X-Factor and am now on the Adventure. Both have their strengths/weaknesses as others have pointed out above. Just get both and then you won't have to worry about it.

SquidVicious · 03-27-2009, 08:56 AM

I have a Revo as well as 2 paddle yaks - a prowler 13 and cobra tandem. I love fishing from the Revo but storage is a problem. I don't even use a bait-tank and I have a hard time fitting all my stuff. I love fishing from the Hobie, though . . . there's really nothing better, IMO.

I fish regularly from my Prowler, too and am planning on replacing it with a Trident 15 this year. Sometimes the simplicity of a paddle yak just wins out.

Right now I use the hobie for the bays, lakes and short ocean trips. I use the prowler for longer ocean trips, surf launches, carries that involve steep goat trails (like in Big Sur), etc. It might be silly but I also won't use the hobie from about Carmel to Marin - the GWS hotspot.

I really feel like I need both kinds of boats and I'm actually thinking of adding a dedicated freshwater yak now, too . .. easier to keep super clean for various inspections.

Get both but if you can only get one . .I say get the Hobie.

Corey · 03-27-2009, 09:14 AM

I have the Stealth 14 and really like it so far. The convenience of the built in bait tank in front of you is great, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly it paddles for a wider boat. I'm a bigger guy (6'2" and 230#) and it handles me & alot of gear and a couple of large pieces of cargo just fine. The front hatch or back tankwell area are both of ample size to store a large fish or two.

The bottom line is that both the Revo & the Stealth 14 are good and fishable boats. If I were you, I would set aside some time to go demo each one - even take a rod & fish a little- to see which one feels more like what you want.

dsafety · 03-28-2009, 07:47 AM

I saw the Stealth for the first time at the boat show the other day. I have to say, the Hobie design folks could take a few pointers from some of this model's features. I love the side hatches and the center bait tank setup.

As many have pointed out, reaching back to a stern mounted tank can be a pain. Similarly, the "black hole" that is the current center hatch setup on the Hobie can be frustrating at times when something you put in there slides away and out of reach.

I spoke to one of the Hobie factory guys at the show and shared with him my wish list for the Revo. While he politely acknowledged my comments, I got the feeling that no major changes would be coming soon.

Maybe we should take a different approach and lobby the makers of the Stealth to add a peddle option.

Bob

03-22-2009, 09:04 PM	#2
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	As a 250lbs 6ft Revo owner, I like the Revo. Like already said arms vs legs, especially into the wind, its not even a discussion. 1 thing I would like to see though is a high weight limit. I never feel worried, but the 350 lbs suggested max capacity is something always nagging in the back of my mind. 250lbs weight 56+ weight of water in 8 gal in hobie bait tank 306 total without any gear I still love my Revo, definitely the most versatile of all the mirage drive kayaks. Hooping is also totally doable after you unscrew the cleats in the rear so that netting doesnt hangup __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

03-27-2009, 01:05 AM	#3
Donfish Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Redondo beach Posts: 31	Being an owner of a Malibu extreme i'm always totally envious of the hobies to the point they allow me hands free operation while moving.but as far as stability and room for storage i'm still on the malibu as far as the stealth incorporates some of the room I don't use in front of me with hard to reach areas put into my immediate reach.Baittank I have but rareky use because its a pain is now upfrount and user friendly The side waterproof stroage is awesome for immediate must haves tackle or phone. Great design but............What I want is a 13' X 39" standup tunnel drive 2hpjet exhaust 4 stroke That includes paddle holders and paddle holds 2 gallons of fuel that is safe to launch anywhere in calif.Does 8 -12kts and is surf launchable for $1500.... not much to ask when the economy is so screwed is it?.... oooh and a reliable rudder system would ice the cake.:reel :

03-27-2009, 09:14 AM	#6
Corey Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: ...waaaay out there Posts: 794	I have the Stealth 14 and really like it so far. The convenience of the built in bait tank in front of you is great, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how effortlessly it paddles for a wider boat. I'm a bigger guy (6'2" and 230#) and it handles me & alot of gear and a couple of large pieces of cargo just fine. The front hatch or back tankwell area are both of ample size to store a large fish or two. The bottom line is that both the Revo & the Stealth 14 are good and fishable boats. If I were you, I would set aside some time to go demo each one - even take a rod & fish a little- to see which one feels more like what you want. __________________

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03-27-2009, 07:09 AM	#4
forefrazier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: OC Posts: 397	Get the Stealth....those Hobie's are terrible kayaks But seriously....I have had and X-Factor and am now on the Adventure. Both have their strengths/weaknesses as others have pointed out above. Just get both and then you won't have to worry about it.

03-27-2009, 08:56 AM	#5
SquidVicious Junior Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	I have a Revo as well as 2 paddle yaks - a prowler 13 and cobra tandem. I love fishing from the Revo but storage is a problem. I don't even use a bait-tank and I have a hard time fitting all my stuff. I love fishing from the Hobie, though . . . there's really nothing better, IMO. I fish regularly from my Prowler, too and am planning on replacing it with a Trident 15 this year. Sometimes the simplicity of a paddle yak just wins out. Right now I use the hobie for the bays, lakes and short ocean trips. I use the prowler for longer ocean trips, surf launches, carries that involve steep goat trails (like in Big Sur), etc. It might be silly but I also won't use the hobie from about Carmel to Marin - the GWS hotspot. I really feel like I need both kinds of boats and I'm actually thinking of adding a dedicated freshwater yak now, too . .. easier to keep super clean for various inspections. Get both but if you can only get one . .I say get the Hobie.

03-28-2009, 07:47 AM	#7
dsafety Olivenhain Bob Join Date: May 2008 Location: Olivenhain, CA Posts: 1,122	I saw the Stealth for the first time at the boat show the other day. I have to say, the Hobie design folks could take a few pointers from some of this model's features. I love the side hatches and the center bait tank setup. As many have pointed out, reaching back to a stern mounted tank can be a pain. Similarly, the "black hole" that is the current center hatch setup on the Hobie can be frustrating at times when something you put in there slides away and out of reach. I spoke to one of the Hobie factory guys at the show and shared with him my wish list for the Revo. While he politely acknowledged my comments, I got the feeling that no major changes would be coming soon. Maybe we should take a different approach and lobby the makers of the Stealth to add a peddle option. Bob