Hobie Revo - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Deamon · 04-23-2011, 03:05 PM

I just switched from an Outback to a Revo. The Revo is faster and definitely tracks better. The Outback has more width so my small stuff like tackle box, ice chest, etc...tucks in the nooks better. Even though the Revo is more narrow, I haven't noticed any stability difference. I know come bug season, the Revo will be space challenging...

jorluivil · 04-23-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deamon

I just switched from an Outback to a Revo. The Revo is faster and definitely tracks better. The Outback has more width so my small stuff like tackle box, ice chest, etc...tucks in the nooks better. Even though the Revo is more narrow, I haven't noticed any stability difference. I know come bug season, the Revo will be space challenging...

This is one of the main reasons I'm considering the Outback. About the only similarity between hooping and fishing is that you're on the water. Much like fishing the placement of your gear is not only paramount to ones safety but is also the key to a successful bug hunt, I don't like to be fumbling around with gear at night, the more you move on the yak the greater your chances of tipping. Every time I went bugging I came home and realized that I need to tweak this, move that, add this and buy that and having a yak that limits your ability to take what you want can be the difference between a day of limits and a visit to the Ol'e Skunk factory.....just my $.02

MuddyMike · 04-23-2011, 06:04 PM

I have an Outback, and bought a Revo (for the woman

) ...

We took the Revo out today for the first time. After loosing a fin as soon as I launched, I was happy we were at Dana Landing so the guys at Fastlane saved the day with a quick replacement job.

First impressions were that it was noticeably faster, especially from a stop. It cuts through the water very clean.

It's definitely less stable than the Outback. I could see it being a lot easier to tip if you're not paying attention, although that's speaking relative to the Outback because I'm not sure how you could tip one of those very easily.

I ended up spending the day in it because she felt a lot more comfy in the Outback. It was kind of cool being able to hang my feet over each side, something I can't do in the OB.

I could have easily spent the day in either. They are 2 different animals though.

I can tell I'm going to have days where I have a hard time deciding which one to take out.

Lets_Fish · 04-23-2011, 07:55 PM

Tom, I just recently made the decision between these two yaks. I used to fish from a Hobie Quest (much like the Revo in length and width, but without peddles) & Malibu X-13 like you now. If memory serves me correct, you do most of your fishing in La Jolla. Wind may be a factor for you and the Revo from what I have read will handle that much better (lower profile) than the Outback (think cargo ship). The Revo does track better than the Outback, but with the sailing rudder I have found that the Outback does fairly well in my opinion. Storage also needs to be considered. The Outback has slightly more than the Revo.

I went with the Outback for stability for my fat butt and the storage. This may or may not be an issue for you since you fish the X-13 you know what limited storage is. Go test them out specially on a slightly windy afternoon to see which you prefer. Good luck on your pick!

Regor · 04-24-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jorluivil

This is one of the main reasons I'm considering the Outback. About the only similarity between hooping and fishing is that you're on the water. Much like fishing the placement of your gear is not only paramount to ones safety but is also the key to a successful bug hunt, I don't like to be fumbling around with gear at night, the more you move on the yak the greater your chances of tipping. Every time I went bugging I came home and realized that I need to tweak this, move that, add this and buy that and having a yak that limits your ability to take what you want can be the difference between a day of limits and a visit to the Ol'e Skunk factory.....just my $.02

I spent the last month of this bug season hooping on the Revo. And like you, every post-bugging session was a tweak here and there. I've got the Revo set up just about how I like it. I only use 4 hoops, and I'm not sure I will go to 5, but I don't think that is a big loss.

A couple things to keep in mind if your buying the yak with a heavy lobster season in mind. I only went in the bays and jetties for hooping, never out in the open (say LJ).

The Revo is 28.5 wide at it's widest point. Storing your nets will only be in the front or back, where it's even narrower. I carry mine on the front, where the Revo measurements are between 10"-24". Consider that the hoops are 36" and yes, the Revo is a bit tipsy. ( another reason I'm only carrying 4 nets).

If you go with the Revo, I'll PM you my setup to give you a head start on your setup.

Good luck with the decision.

04-23-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
Deamon Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1,972	I just switched from an Outback to a Revo. The Revo is faster and definitely tracks better. The Outback has more width so my small stuff like tackle box, ice chest, etc...tucks in the nooks better. Even though the Revo is more narrow, I haven't noticed any stability difference. I know come bug season, the Revo will be space challenging...

04-23-2011, 06:04 PM	#3
MuddyMike Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 111	I have an Outback, and bought a Revo (for the woman ) ... We took the Revo out today for the first time. After loosing a fin as soon as I launched, I was happy we were at Dana Landing so the guys at Fastlane saved the day with a quick replacement job. First impressions were that it was noticeably faster, especially from a stop. It cuts through the water very clean. It's definitely less stable than the Outback. I could see it being a lot easier to tip if you're not paying attention, although that's speaking relative to the Outback because I'm not sure how you could tip one of those very easily. I ended up spending the day in it because she felt a lot more comfy in the Outback. It was kind of cool being able to hang my feet over each side, something I can't do in the OB. I could have easily spent the day in either. They are 2 different animals though. I can tell I'm going to have days where I have a hard time deciding which one to take out.

04-23-2011, 07:55 PM	#4
Lets_Fish Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Wildomar, CA. Posts: 294	Tom, I just recently made the decision between these two yaks. I used to fish from a Hobie Quest (much like the Revo in length and width, but without peddles) & Malibu X-13 like you now. If memory serves me correct, you do most of your fishing in La Jolla. Wind may be a factor for you and the Revo from what I have read will handle that much better (lower profile) than the Outback (think cargo ship). The Revo does track better than the Outback, but with the sailing rudder I have found that the Outback does fairly well in my opinion. Storage also needs to be considered. The Outback has slightly more than the Revo. I went with the Outback for stability for my fat butt and the storage. This may or may not be an issue for you since you fish the X-13 you know what limited storage is. Go test them out specially on a slightly windy afternoon to see which you prefer. Good luck on your pick!