I will be the first one to admit that I am not too keen on change. I have been paddling fishing kayaks for about ten years, and have never had any issues. The folks at Estero River Outfitters had been after me for the last couple of years to be on their Hobie Fishing Team. I kept declining because I liked the kayaks that I was using. Finally, Jeff Stuller talked me into trying out a Hobie. WOW!

The first one I tried was the Hobie “Mirage Adventure”. This closely resembled the kayak that I was in. It is fast - I mean very fast! It’s long and sleek, and the “MirageDrive” propels the boat quickly. It has ample storage spread out over the length, and would be a good fishing kayak in not so tight places. It is a sixteen –footer: that’s what I already was using, so I kept trying. The next was the “Pro Angler”. This kayak is so large that on Hobie’s website it’s listed as a “pedal boat”. The MirageDrive is fast enough to get respectable speed from the kayak, and there is more than ample room to store everything you own related to fishing. It has integrated tackle storage, rod holders and a seat-chair that would make anyone envious. However, at a rigged weight of 138 lbs. it was a little too heavy for an older guy like me.

Next, I tried the “Revolution 13”, which is, in my opinion, the world’s most perfect fishing kayak! Let’s start with the “MirageDrive”. These things are not flimsy. The drive system is constructed of injection-molded plastics and stainless steel, and is very light and sturdy. The pedals are fully adjustable and easy to operate. It is self-cleaning while in operation, so it keeps sand and other stuff from getting into the drive. The most important thing to me is that the MirageDrive frees up my hands so I can fish while moving. This is a big point for me. While fishing and paddling, we all adopt some sort of convoluted way of casting, moving the paddle with one hand, setting it down, moving it again to stop the drift, etc. With the mirage drive I pedal into the wind or tide, and use my feet to control my drift while keeping both hands free to fish. Trolling is easy with the MirageDrive, because your response time to a strike is instant - you are holding the rod. It seems like wherever I fish, the wind is coming at me on the paddle back. The wind or tide is no longer a factor for me while pedaling. I can use the MirageDrive without stopping to drink or rest my arms on a long paddle back to the launch.

The” twist and stow” rudder was another surprise for me. It’s shorter than other rudders I have used, but much wider. This gives it more surface profile in the water. The result is a very responsive rudder. This is most evident during drifting. No matter if my movement is due to tide or wind, when I turn the rudder with the hand control, the kayak turns quickly to the direction I want. While under power and moving quickly, I turn the rudder just a little for steering. If I move it from side to side, the kayak turns very abruptly into the turn, much like a larger boat. The controls to raise and lower the rudder are a breeze to use, as well, with the up and down cables in front instead of behind me.

The general rigging that comes with the Hobie is very good. At the bow, there is one of the largest hatches I have seen on a kayak. It’s hinged, allowing full access to the very large front storage area. Hobie makes inserts for this area, and I have seen DIY’ers make this space into a built-in cooler. The rail areas on the side cockpit are wide enough to install add-ons. I installed a Scotty rod holder, which is the only thing I had to add so far. The seat is a very comfortable recumbent style that has a unique easy attachment system. There is a hatch at the seat that has another unique twist-and-lock system that is very easy to use. It has a waterproof tackle box that I use to store my cell phone, camera, etc. There is a large, shallow tank well at the stern, with another small hatch. At first, I thought I may have trouble with the tank well being shallow, but the bungee rigging holds everything tight. Hobie also has two convenient molded-in flush rod holders at the aft end.. There are two bungees on either side for holding your paddle and an anchor pin. A mesh pocket on either side of the cockpit means my smaller gear isn’t laying around under my legs. Finally, at 58 lbs. the “Revo” is light enough for me to maneuver it onto my vehicle without assistance.

I admit that I have not used the Revo nearly as much as the other kayaks I have had for years. Also, there was some getting used to the seating position and the MirageDrive. I do know that I wish I had made the change earlier. Hobie kayaks are very well made, rugged, and easy to use. I look forward to using the Revo for a very long time.

I have had my Hobie Revolution since 2007 but never really used it as much as my Adventure until last year.

Speed
This kayak is almost as fast as the Adventure but is easier to maintain at higher speed in chop or current.

Stability
Your not going to stand in this kayak but the stability is superb. Again I will compare to the Adventure where a 2 to 3 foot chop is difficult if you aren't controlling how your taking the wave. In the Revolution I am more comfortable taking the waves at any angle. The biggest testimony to the Revolution stability is a storm that myself and a friend found ourselves caught on Lake Erie with 30 to 50 mph gusts and over 6' waves about 2 miles from shore. The Adventure was blown over once and the Revolution made it in without capsizing.

Durability
In my rush to get out of the rain I once took off without strapping my kayak to the roof. On a busy highway I was doing an S bend in the road when I discovered my negligence and saw my Revolution flying across 4 lanes bouncing off the road while doing 40 mph. Other than a few minor scratches and a ram ball getting knocked off the Hobie Rev. survived unscathed.

Value
If I could only have 1 kayak it would be the Revolution with the addition of the sailing rudder and turbo fins. At a list price of about $1,900.00 and when you consider that you are getting a Mirage Drive worth over $600.00, a rudder which is a $300 to $400 option on a competitive brand, and paddle as standard equipment, the Hobie Revolution is a very good value purchase.