2015 Hobie Outback

[Romo]

Finally got a first hand look at a 2015 outback today. The thing is so wide its like two revos put together! I think I will be upgrading to one but i don't think it will fit on the kayak rack on my truck. I have 2 j-bars on there now but I'm thinking I'm gonna have to get rid of the double setup because that thing is so wide.

[HokieDJ]

Since the My revo is so old and scratched up, I'm just going to keep it and use it for saltwater. The new one is for bass fishing so I can stand. PA is nice because I know you can stand on that but the weight sucks. I do plan on getting a pickup so that's no longer an issue.

Plus I'm tired of getting my ass wet on the revo and getting these rashes on my ass due to hitting in water for 12 hrs!.

I rather get a outback because it's cheaper and if I'm able to stand on it.. sold!

[Cowpokey]

This is what I think of when it comes to paddling anything wider than an Outback:

[JohnE]

Did you stand on it yet? If you can stand on it, then I feel good about getting one instead of a PA

It has been windy and/or choppy pretty much every time I have been out with it so far and have not bothered standing yet. I will try this weekend, but I am sure it is really good for standing.

Not really sure why you would bother with a PA, unless you have a bunch of extra cash burning a hole in your pocket and have a really easy way to transport on of those things. I already know of at least a few guys who are getting rid of their PA and switching to the new outback. I still don't understand how you would paddle one back from a place like cbbt if something went wrong. I know they make my paddle in a 260 and wish I got that length now that I have the outback, but I think you would need a 280 or 300 to paddle a PA any distance and I don't know of any paddles that long.

[HokieDJ]

Did you stand on it yet? If you can stand on it, then I feel good about getting one instead of a PA

[JohnE]

The first day at cbbt, it was a little choppy and I stayed in the low and medium positions. Once I got used to the high position, I find it to actually be really stable and have had it in the highest position most of the time (probably around 50 hours total on it at this point). If it is really choppy, I may go for a middle setting. I don't really like the lowest setting. I would probably save that for the most extreme conditions.

[Cowpokey]

So, now that y'all have had them out on the water some, what height have you tried with the seat? Staying low?

I bet the highest position would be nice for flat water...and the backrest angle adjustment might keep Dao from falling over the side.

[ComeOnFish]

The ride for a small person like me, is a bit rough on an Outback (regardless the model years). Because of the high profile (compare to Revo), I get tossed around by waves and wind, I get wet by spray a lot more than sitting on a Revo. When I put 16 pound weight belt and a 4 pound battery in the bow hatch, and load 30 pound on a tank well (behind the seat) with 3 anchors and a coolers with ice and fish, I get better, quiet ride, but slower.

I use both Outback and Revo depending on the water. Though I have been recommending Outback over Revo to even small people like me.

The best part of Outback is fishing right at the bridge columns. Somehow, Outback stays longer naturally behind the bridge column against current. Sometimes I wanted to drift to the next column for flounder fishing, but outback won't drift. Also Outback turns quickly (narrower turn) when fishing structures.

The only bad part for me is carrying an Outback down to the water or up to the truck where a cart can't be used. It is too heavy for me.

Joe

[JohnE]

I just remembered that one of the improvements on the new outback was making it a much dryer ride. I am about 230 pounds lately and often start the day with close to 20 pounds of ice and another 10 to 15 pounds of gear, bait, and drinks. The new outback is incredibly dry even loaded up with 260 pounds plus. My wilderness systems kayaks always melted the ice too fast in the rear tankwell with water sitting above the scupper plugs, so it is really nice to have my ice last much longer.

[Cowpokey]

The seat legs underneath are for using the seat as a camp chair on shore I believe.

I was wondering about that. Those legs look like they would put a lot of pressure on the hull with those little feet on each corner.

[CAGE RATTLER]

Trying to get my Outback ready for this weekend. That seat is something else. Very adjustable, but with all that complexity, I wonder about durability and reliability. The back cargo area is narrower than my 2011 Outback, so I had to re-adjust my crate rails. My rod extension now won't position correctly on the yak's rear rod position. The foam in the center hatch hole limits my storage space. There's more space for standing, but now the trays are narrower. Oh well,...still anxious to get it out.

Hey, does your yak have the seat drainer? The manual shows it, but my yak doesn't have it. I guess it's on the other yak (the CT). Manual doesn't talk about the four stilts attached under the seat, but I guess you just insert them for higher seat position. The CD says you can store the yak on its side. The manual says it's a no-no.

The seat legs underneath are for using the seat as a camp chair on shore I believe.

[Cowpokey]

Lowes has a better selection than HD for sch40 pvc

[JohnE]

Sch 40 fittings are available in 11.25,22.5, 45 and 90* bends. If one of these does not work you can get a PVC heater and custom bend the pipe any way you want. If you go to a sch 40 conduit sweep (electrical) you could cut it anywhere you want and use a coupling to make the fit. Northeast plumbing supply has everything you would need. Hope this helps. Mark

Awesome, thanks for the info. I just got excited and ran out to HD after the thought popped into my head on building this setup...that was all they had available there. It was more of a dry run to see how it worked out. I was planning on going to a proper plumbing supply place like Ferguson's soon to modify. I did not even glue anything yet...just stainless self tapping screws on the pvc joints thus far. I am going to see if I can bring the aluminum rail closer inboard and it will be really great for my needs.

[Retriever]

Sch 40 fittings are available in 11.25,22.5, 45 and 90* bends. If one of these does not work you can get a PVC heater and custom bend the pipe any way you want. If you go to a sch 40 conduit sweep (electrical) you could cut it anywhere you want and use a coupling to make the fit. Northeast plumbing supply has everything you would need. Hope this helps. Mark

[Goody]

Try brake free clp. It works better. I use to use the silicone.

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