2016 Hobie Revo 13 First impressions

[Ddwineguy]

Finally got on the water for a few hours in the new ride.

Having previously owned an Outback and a PA 12 I was really looking forward to this new ride.

It did not disappoint. What a great kayak with a nice blend of speed and stability.

It is by far the quickest Hobie I have owned easily cruising at 4.5 mph on my gps at just a gentle pedaling pace.

The new Vantage seat and upgraded Mirage drive were really nice

At 70 pounds hull weight an easy load on top of my jeep.

Now if I only had caught some fish today...


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[Harry Hill]

Originally Posted by Ddwineguy

Finally got on the water for a few hours in the new ride.

Having previously owned an Outback and a PA 12 I was really looking forward to this new ride.

It did not disappoint. What a great kayak with a nice blend of speed and stability.

It is by far the quickest Hobie I have owned easily cruising at 4.5 mph on my gps at just a gentle pedaling pace.

The new Vantage seat and upgraded Mirage drive were really nice

At 70 pounds hull weight an easy load on top of my jeep.

Now if I only had caught some fish today...


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I didn't know we were supposed to catch fish too

[acorad]

I recently picked up a '15 Revo 11. Purposely didn't try out the new Vantage seat so I wouldn't miss it! :-)

Love my yak!

Andy

[socal.beach.bum]

2015's have vantage seat....or at least mines does.

[Ddwineguy]

Originally Posted by socal.beach.bum

2015's have vantage seat....or at least mines does.

New to me!

[acorad]

Originally Posted by socal.beach.bum

2015's have vantage seat....or at least mines does.

Thanks, I guess I meant 2014.

Anyway, I can't miss what I've never had!

Andy

[chuckt]

I am just curious how would sitting higher on vantage seat affect the stability in big swell condition, especially side way swell. Most I heard that you won't feel the difference but it is kind of hard to believe. Compared to older model where your butt is seating in like a bowl of water (less than 6" from sea level).
If you ask the designer about such low seating level, I am sure the answer will be about stability. But with higher center of gravity of seating on vantage seat, and no change on the hull design, it gotta be some trade-off on stability.
So, if anyone has experience of this boat in rough condition I would love to hear the review.

[TheBoyScout]

Awesome man, glad you enjoyed it

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by chuckt

I am just curious how would sitting higher on vantage seat affect the stability in big swell condition, especially side way swell. Most I heard that you won't feel the difference but it is kind of hard to believe. Compared to older model where your butt is seating in like a bowl of water (less than 6" from sea level).

If you ask the designer about such low seating level, I am sure the answer will be about stability. But with higher center of gravity of seating on vantage seat, and no change on the hull design, it gotta be some trade-off on stability.

So, if anyone has experience of this boat in rough condition I would love to hear the review.

The seat has adjustability to lower all the way down where a normal seat would be. Im almost always in the high position, but if it were to get real nasty, I would drop down. Another advantage of the vantage.


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[TJones]

Originally Posted by YakDout

The seat has adjustability to lower all the way down where a normal seat would be. Im almost always in the high position, but if it were to get real nasty, I would drop down. Another advantage of the vantage.


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I'm usually in the lowest position . I can not speak for the new revo , but on the outback they compensate for the seat height by placing the seat well deeper in the kayak which keeps your ride height fairly the same . I would imagine , in the highest position on the revo it would be more unstable . Too much , I would think? The kayak is pretty tippy in my opinion .

[YakDout]

Originally Posted by TJones

I'm usually in the lowest position . I can not speak for the new revo , but on the outback they compensate for the seat height by placing the seat well deeper in the kayak which keeps your ride height fairly the same . I would imagine , in the highest position on the revo it would be more unstable . Too much , I would think? The kayak is pretty tippy in my opinion .

There are a couple reasons I always ride high, and one is vision. It may not seem like much but sitting a couple inches higher makes a big difference on the horizon.


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