I owned both and sold the compass. I fish out of mine about 2 times a week inshore on the Gulf coast. The passport 12 is a better fishing kayak. The cockpit area for the compass is not well suited for fishing. I completely decked out a Passport with 6mm decking, rectangular hatch, front circle hatch, XL cockpit deployable rudder, anchor trolley, fish finder and battery for less than what a compass costs. That's includes the price of the passport 12. In the compass I very rarely used the reverse and don't find myself wanting it on the passport. For the price, I don't see where the compass is a viable option
I have a Passport 10.5 because of the weight vs 12ft. Within a month I upgraded to the Mirage drive with reverse and replaced the rudder with a flip up. These are MUST HAVES for fishing ( salt & fresh). Next move to put in more storage capacity. Center and front. Rear is covered by crate.
I’m waiting on my Compass to be delivered any day now. 😃 I bought the Compass because of the reverse feature. I bass fish and when fan tailing the bank the wind just keeps blowing you closer and closer. Now I can hands free back out instead of putting rod down and paddling backward. Thx for the vid sir!
I bought a Passport 12R and preferred it over the Compass because of the rear flat storage area. The Passport is about 6" longer which is important if you want to carry a dog on back. The Passport generally has more flat decking than a compass. I had both side by side and it's noticeably more roomy on top. You can also buy a mirage 180 if you really want reverse later. I have been flipping the drive around to troll backwards and such, works fine. It really only takes about 5 seconds to flip it. The compass is probably more efficient in rough water with the sharper hull but the passport is a really good deal especially now that it comes in the same rotomould construction as the compass. I also bought a Lynx for my girlfriend and honestly think it's an even better fishing platform for water that is not too rough. It's far more nimble and much easier to haul. No in hull storage but that Lynx is a sweet lightwweight setup.
Hi Dave I have the 2021 compass I had the rectangular hatch put in and the round hatch put in the front for access then put the Hobi H crate ,ram rod holders X 2 vantage seat bag H Rail tackle bin and the Berley Pro kit witch is Seat Risers side Bro Tool and Tackle organiser Bumper Bro Keel Guard and a Hatch Bucket . also fitted the Lorance Triple shot sounder with an FPV Lithium Battery 12v 17.5 amp . I fish around Oyster racks and reefs and have saved many fish thanks to the reverse drive. I use my Hobie every week in the Ocean and in the lake (the biggest Lake in the Southern Hemisphere LAKE MACQUARIE NEWCASTLE NSW AUSTRALIA) I target flathead and Bream in the lake and Snapper on the reefs off shore , never had a problem in the Hobie other than boats asking if I need any help 😂😂
I have the compass 2021 and the passport 10.5’ 2021. I agree with your comparisons. I always take the compass when I plan to go a bit further and if there’s more chop but the passport is an awesome little boat, extremely maneuverable. And when I put my 180 drive in it, it’s hard to beat. The passport is lighter than the compass and they stack on each other as well, something to think about if your storing and have multiple kayaks.
I had both at one point .The passport is a better kayak imo, but I keep my compass because our the kayak loader. The passport rudder is a pain to deal with when you carry and load it on top of my car.
Those new compass's look really nice. If they would have had those when I first started I probably would have gotten that. They didn't exist when I got into kayak fishing. I started with a used 2014 PA12 I bought at end of year of 2014. I fished that for 7+ yrs then upgraded to the PA12-360. I had original mirage drive in my 2014 then obviously I have 360 now. I never tried the 180. Being able to reverse without grabbing a paddle is huge! After having the 360 I don't think I could go back. The manuverabilty with the 360 is second to none! If you never had it & didn't know what you're missing than it wouldn't matter & 180 drive would be excellent. The 180 drive is bulletproof also!
I haul my PA12-360 & previous PA12 in bed of my truck. I've never used a trailer nor would I ever get a trailer for it. You never have pick whole kayak up at once. Your only picking up half at a time so it's not that heavy. I've load mine for 10 years in & out of my truck bed by myself with ease! I use the Hobie Cart if need to wheel it a far way to harder access water. With a 6' 6" truck bed it hauls perfect & you don't need any extensions. Obviously a longer bed is even better. No days all these trucks have 5' beds which is stupid! But if you don't have a trailer you don't have to pay to park at big lakes, so your fishing for free & you can get back to much more remote areas! That a trailer wouldn't allow you to. Definitely like both of those Hobies !
I've had my 360 for almost 3 years. Never had any issues until last Sunday. I had 6 cylinder bearings falling out! So Monday I contacted my dealer with the issue & pictures. By Thursday I had another brand new 360 drive on my doorstep! & I get keep my old 360 drive. So this week I'm gonna send my broken 360 drive in to be repaired which I'll have to pay for. But it be worth it to have a 2nd back up drive. I'll probably keep my 360 another 3-4 years then upgrade again.
I want the 10.6 passport it fits more easily in my 6 foot bed. I wonder if the stability and experience are similar to the 12 footers. Also, great video very helpful.
the passport is a pos. hobie should be more ashamed than they should usually be. for $1600 you can get a TON more kayak from numerous other manufacturers, and they aren't two piece shells.
Eh, you're absolutely wrong. Passports are great. What -is- different is that the patents on the Mirage drive expired, letting other manufacturers make knock offs. So the high price point doesn't make sense anymore.
I owned both and sold the compass. I fish out of mine about 2 times a week inshore on the Gulf coast.
The passport 12 is a better fishing kayak. The cockpit area for the compass is not well suited for fishing. I completely decked out a Passport with 6mm decking, rectangular hatch, front circle hatch, XL cockpit deployable rudder, anchor trolley, fish finder and battery for less than what a compass costs. That's includes the price of the passport 12.
In the compass I very rarely used the reverse and don't find myself wanting it on the passport.
For the price, I don't see where the compass is a viable option
I have a Passport 10.5 because of the weight vs 12ft. Within a month I upgraded to the Mirage drive with reverse and replaced the rudder with a flip up. These are MUST HAVES for fishing ( salt & fresh). Next move to put in more storage capacity. Center and front. Rear is covered by crate.
I’m waiting on my Compass to be delivered any day now. 😃 I bought the Compass because of the reverse feature. I bass fish and when fan tailing the bank the wind just keeps blowing you closer and closer. Now I can hands free back out instead of putting rod down and paddling backward. Thx for the vid sir!
You can buy the MD 180 drive for the Passport 12 which slots in just like the MD KU. It costs a little more for the reverse drive.
Great comparison thanks for sharing. Moving up from paddle kayak to pedal and was looking at the passport
I bought a Passport 12R and preferred it over the Compass because of the rear flat storage area. The Passport is about 6" longer which is important if you want to carry a dog on back. The Passport generally has more flat decking than a compass. I had both side by side and it's noticeably more roomy on top. You can also buy a mirage 180 if you really want reverse later. I have been flipping the drive around to troll backwards and such, works fine. It really only takes about 5 seconds to flip it. The compass is probably more efficient in rough water with the sharper hull but the passport is a really good deal especially now that it comes in the same rotomould construction as the compass. I also bought a Lynx for my girlfriend and honestly think it's an even better fishing platform for water that is not too rough. It's far more nimble and much easier to haul. No in hull storage but that Lynx is a sweet lightwweight setup.
Not to mention the Passport is $750 cheaper.
Nice video Dave. I love the Hobie kayaks. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Dave I have the 2021 compass I had the rectangular hatch put in and the round hatch put in the front for access then put the Hobi H crate ,ram rod holders X 2 vantage seat bag H Rail tackle bin and the Berley Pro kit witch is Seat Risers side Bro Tool and Tackle organiser Bumper Bro Keel Guard and a Hatch Bucket . also fitted the Lorance Triple shot sounder with an FPV Lithium Battery 12v 17.5 amp . I fish around Oyster racks and reefs and have saved many fish thanks to the reverse drive. I use my Hobie every week in the Ocean and in the lake (the biggest Lake in the Southern Hemisphere LAKE MACQUARIE NEWCASTLE NSW AUSTRALIA) I target flathead and Bream in the lake and Snapper on the reefs off shore , never had a problem in the Hobie other than boats asking if I need any help 😂😂
Thanks, Dave. Nice video. From Santa Catarina, Brazil.
I have the compass 2021 and the passport 10.5’ 2021. I agree with your comparisons. I always take the compass when I plan to go a bit further and if there’s more chop but the passport is an awesome little boat, extremely maneuverable. And when I put my 180 drive in it, it’s hard to beat. The passport is lighter than the compass and they stack on each other as well, something to think about if your storing and have multiple kayaks.
I had both at one point .The passport is a better kayak imo, but I keep my compass because our the kayak loader. The passport rudder is a pain to deal with when you carry and load it on top of my car.
Thank you for the Video. Very helpful.
Those new compass's look really nice. If they would have had those when I first started I probably would have gotten that. They didn't exist when I got into kayak fishing. I started with a used 2014 PA12 I bought at end of year of 2014. I fished that for 7+ yrs then upgraded to the PA12-360. I had original mirage drive in my 2014 then obviously I have 360 now. I never tried the 180. Being able to reverse without grabbing a paddle is huge! After having the 360 I don't think I could go back. The manuverabilty with the 360 is second to none! If you never had it & didn't know what you're missing than it wouldn't matter & 180 drive would be excellent. The 180 drive is bulletproof also!
Passport 12R with 180 MD upgrade $200 More if you buy all together at my local Kayak shop that’s the route im taking
I haul my PA12-360 & previous PA12 in bed of my truck. I've never used a trailer nor would I ever get a trailer for it. You never have pick whole kayak up at once. Your only picking up half at a time so it's not that heavy. I've load mine for 10 years in & out of my truck bed by myself with ease! I use the Hobie Cart if need to wheel it a far way to harder access water. With a 6' 6" truck bed it hauls perfect & you don't need any extensions. Obviously a longer bed is even better. No days all these trucks have 5' beds which is stupid! But if you don't have a trailer you don't have to pay to park at big lakes, so your fishing for free & you can get back to much more remote areas! That a trailer wouldn't allow you to. Definitely like both of those Hobies !
nice video, like simple explanation
I've had my 360 for almost 3 years. Never had any issues until last Sunday. I had 6 cylinder bearings falling out! So Monday I contacted my dealer with the issue & pictures. By Thursday I had another brand new 360 drive on my doorstep! & I get keep my old 360 drive. So this week I'm gonna send my broken 360 drive in to be repaired which I'll have to pay for. But it be worth it to have a 2nd back up drive. I'll probably keep my 360 another 3-4 years then upgrade again.
For 100 dollars ypu can put a rudder that deploys from the cockpit on the passport.
good review, thnx
ended up buying the passport two weeks ago, bow slap is ridiculous with any chop or swell
How’s the foam on rocks
If you're peddle drives breaks you will be glade to have a paddle
And they do break. Have a great time out there
is there a huge difference in speed or not much in it ?
the blunt nose on the passport makes it look like it would be slow ?
I want the 10.6 passport it fits more easily in my 6 foot bed. I wonder if the stability and experience are similar to the 12 footers. Also, great video very helpful.
I stand and throw a cast net from my 10.6.
The 10.5 passport is a great boat
How in the world do you load the passport on a pickup truck roof. For me it is a real pain.
Yeah I thought my cheap Lifetime Tamarack Pro was a pain on J bars
My math says buy a 180 drive for the Passport. This review sounds like a a wifey justification.
Do you know if the mesh net on the compass could fit on the passport?
Does a passport have reverse
I would have swapped the drives and sold the Compass.
Can buy a whole lot of accessories with the price difference
the passport is a pos. hobie should be more ashamed than they should usually be. for $1600 you can get a TON more kayak from numerous other manufacturers, and they aren't two piece shells.
Eh, you're absolutely wrong. Passports are great. What -is- different is that the patents on the Mirage drive expired, letting other manufacturers make knock offs. So the high price point doesn't make sense anymore.
Hello is it possible to know where you got the non slip mats on the Hobie passport 10.5