I'm buying a new Kayak.  I have narrowed the choices down to two that are available at a dealer here in Puerto Vallarta.  I will be using it for both bass in freshwater, and inshore saltwater fishing.  The Compass is .$1000 less, but does not have the 180 turbo drive system.  The Outback has the 180 turbo drive system.  Has anyone used both? Do you think the reverse, and extra storage is worth the added cost and weight?  I will not be able to demo either boat.  The only pedal Kayak I have tried was a friends  11' Hobie Revolution.  I liked the Revolution, but am looking for a more stable platform. I am 6'1" and weigh 200 lbs.  Will be transporting Kayak on the roof of a Toyota RAV 4  when I go bass fishing.  The Salt water fishing will be off a dock in a marina.  Thanks in advance

I have a Compass with a 180.  I think the optional upgrade was less than $300.  I haul on top of a Durango.  If trailering were an option, I might have gone with the Outback.

25 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I have a Compass with a 180.  I think the optional upgrade was less than $300.  I haul on top of a Durango.  If trailering were an option, I might have gone with the Outback.

I think that would be my choice.  Unfortunately, the dealer here does not offer a 180 upgrade.  I would have to buy a 180 drive and keep the one that comes with the compass for a spare.  Do you use the reverse?  Is it important for the way you fish, or more of a gimmick?  

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

Do you use the reverse?  Is it important for the way you fish, or more of a gimmick?  

I use it quite a bit and wouldn't recommend getting a Hobie without it.  Most useful on windy days and when a fish (or a snag) pulls you into trouble. 

I'm so used to my old 2010 Outback that I don't use the reverse in my PA14 much.  Probably five times today in 8 hours of fishing.

 

You'll be quite pleased with a standard drive in a Compass, I imagine.  You can probably find a 180 on Ebay soon as people sell their old ones to upgrade to the kick up fins.

might want to check with Hobie directly as maybe they offer an upgrade program for people in your situation.  I haven't used any of their boats personally but I have heard from a few people I trust that the compass is a good boat.

I got them to come down a bit in price on the Outback so I bought it.  Tried it out in the bay this morning and love it.  Was a little heavy to get  on and off of the car, but I can usually find someone to help.  I was surprised at how stable it is.   can stand up and cast no problem.  Speed was about the same as the old revolution a neighbor let me try.  I think the turbo fins might be  what made the difference, because the Rev. is lighter, and slimmer, should be faster.  I'm going to launch from the beach and try to catch a rooster fish tomorrow, bass fishing at lake 
Chapala next week end.  Any recommendations on accessories I should get?

On 11/29/2019 at 1:50 PM, king fisher said:

I got them to come down a bit in price on the Outback so I bought it.  Tried it out in the bay this morning and love it.  Was a little heavy to get  on and off of the car, but I can usually find someone to help.  I was surprised at how stable it is.   can stand up and cast no problem.  Speed was about the same as the old revolution a neighbor let me try.  I think the turbo fins might be  what made the difference, because the Rev. is lighter, and slimmer, should be faster.  I'm going to launch from the beach and try to catch a rooster fish tomorrow, bass fishing at lake 
Chapala next week end.  Any recommendations on accessories I should get?

I was going to say get the outback and I’m glad you did! The compass is a great fishing kayak, but it ain’t the outback. I’m new to Hobie having just picked up a PA12  about a month ago, but I’ve demoed both of your choices and you definitely made the right choice. Don’t be nervous about cartopping as I cartop my PA12 on my rav 4.

There’s a trick to make cartopping alone effortless...get you a non slip mat and put it on the back of your car, tilt the nose up on the non slip bath mat, grab the back of the kayak, lift up and push across your roof racks... do the opposite to take it down. 

Just now, Rhody Angler said:

I was going to say get the outback and I’m glad you did! The compass is a great fishing kayak, but it ain’t the outback. I’m new to Hobie having just picked up a PA12  about a month ago, but I’ve demoed both of your choices and you definitely made the right choice. Don’t be nervous about cartopping as I cartop my PA12 on my rav 4.

There’s a trick to make cartopping alone effortless...get you a non slip mat and put it on the back of your car, tilt the nose up on the non slip bath mat, grab the back of the kayak, lift up and push across your roof racks... do the opposite to take it down. 

I  like my Outback.  I really like the stability.  I flipped it over a few times on purpose, even in a big chop, it takes a concerted effort to flip, I  don't see much chance  flipping over on accident, but anything can happen.  Getting it tuned back over and in was not a problem. It is heavy in the surf. Much more difficult to launch from the beach than lighter kayaks. I spent half a day practicing launching in small to medium surf at a place I paddle surf regularly.   Got knocked over a couple times, and would not want to try launching in the same conditions, with any gear I didn't want to loose or break.  Have landed some jacks and snook.  Will give it a try for bass this weekend.  I think it will be the perfect kayak for the fresh water lakes I fish.  Will have to pick my launch spots carefully in the ocean. Thanks for the cartopping tip.