Compass Vs Outback - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Flounder · 11-06-2017, 08:33 AM

Personally looking into Compass vs Outback. These are my opinions and its a work in progress finishing up my research before purchase.

Lets start here. Few dedicated fisherman leave their kayak fully stock neither will I. We will all tinker 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:
Biggest issue...
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 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.

Anyone want to add to this other advantages and disadvantages that really stand out? Thanks in advance.

11-06-2017, 08:33 AM	#1
Flounder Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 101	Compass Vs Outback Personally looking into Compass vs Outback. These are my opinions and its a work in progress finishing up my research before purchase. Lets start here. Few dedicated fisherman leave their kayak fully stock neither will I. We will all tinker 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: Biggest issue... 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 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. Anyone want to add to this other advantages and disadvantages that really stand out? Thanks in advance.