Thanks! I personally like the Hobie Outback for salt water (especially offshore). But there are lots of people who prefer other kinds of kayaks for saltwater fishing as well. Given the broad spectrum of salt water fisheries that are accessible by kayak, it's generally best to check with local kayak fisherman in your area to see what kind of kayak is best suited to your fishery. Something that works well for me here in the pacific northwest might not be the most suited for someone who's out fishing in the flats of the Florida keys or something.
Hey Joe, glad you enjoyed the video! Valid question on the seat adjustment. It's never been mentioned by Hobie, and they seem to insinuate that it should only be used in the high position, which makes sense as there isn't really anything supporting the seat in the "low position" I put it in there. I have done it a couple of times on the water without issue, but the high position is much more comfortable and plenty stable anyway.
As far as the quality of the hull goes; they're both fantastic. I did have the padeye that holds the Compass seat in break on me once when I was testing top speed with an MD180 in it. I would say that the most notable quality difference is definitely the seat, aside from that I have no complaints thus far and think it's a great boat. Especially if you're looking for a lightweight standable Hobie!
Good video! I was in between these two but I think I'm leaning towards the outback because of possibly going a little offshore. What are the differences between the 2017 and 2018 outbacks?
Thanks! There weren't too many updates for 2018, mainly the MD180 drive was updated to what's called the "Arc Drive" which has some really nifty buttons for changing the height position of the pedals, instead of the more difficult handles for adjustment that were used on the 2017 and previous year models. There were also some color/logo changes, and they upgraded the bungee used throughout the deck to be higher quality as well. If you're wanting to go offshore, you're definitely correct in leaning towards the Outback. The Compass is a really nice kayak, but in tougher conditions in tends to float over the chop instead of punching through, where as the Outback will cut right through the chop. Hope this helps!
West Coast Sailing Paddle Sports helps a lot. If I get the compass ill just have to go out on a really calm day. I fish lakes and shallow flats more than deep saltwater. Does the compass get shallower than the outback?
The draft of the kayak itself isn't much different, but the GT drive that comes with the Compass has longer fins, so when you incorporate that it would draft a bit more. I would base your decision on what you'll be doing the majority of the time, and also take into consideration upgrading the drive in the Compass to the MD180. A compass with a MD180 drive would be a great rig for the flats!
Hobie sponsored catamaran races and they always got first place. This was because all the catamarans in the competition were Hobies. Great for marketing but very deceiving. I won't buy one.
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Can you please do a 2020 review of these two kayaks please? Thanks
I like your videos, I want to ask that Kayak is the best to fish in salt water, no matter the price
Thanks!
I personally like the Hobie Outback for salt water (especially offshore). But there are lots of people who prefer other kinds of kayaks for saltwater fishing as well. Given the broad spectrum of salt water fisheries that are accessible by kayak, it's generally best to check with local kayak fisherman in your area to see what kind of kayak is best suited to your fishery. Something that works well for me here in the pacific northwest might not be the most suited for someone who's out fishing in the flats of the Florida keys or something.
Awesome vid! I'm still torn between the two and I can't decide!
Btw, is that a legit lower seat position that you adjusted it to on the Compass?
Hey Joe, glad you enjoyed the video!
Valid question on the seat adjustment. It's never been mentioned by Hobie, and they seem to insinuate that it should only be used in the high position, which makes sense as there isn't really anything supporting the seat in the "low position" I put it in there. I have done it a couple of times on the water without issue, but the high position is much more comfortable and plenty stable anyway.
A Gold Standard video; well done, short, to the point. Wish you could do every kayak comparison so I could sort though all of the marketing hype.
Thanks so much! I wish I could do all of them, too. These days there are so many, that would be a full time job and a half!
How do you feel about the overall quality of the compass vs. outback?
As far as the quality of the hull goes; they're both fantastic. I did have the padeye that holds the Compass seat in break on me once when I was testing top speed with an MD180 in it. I would say that the most notable quality difference is definitely the seat, aside from that I have no complaints thus far and think it's a great boat. Especially if you're looking for a lightweight standable Hobie!
Good video! I was in between these two but I think I'm leaning towards the outback because of possibly going a little offshore. What are the differences between the 2017 and 2018 outbacks?
Thanks! There weren't too many updates for 2018, mainly the MD180 drive was updated to what's called the "Arc Drive" which has some really nifty buttons for changing the height position of the pedals, instead of the more difficult handles for adjustment that were used on the 2017 and previous year models. There were also some color/logo changes, and they upgraded the bungee used throughout the deck to be higher quality as well.
If you're wanting to go offshore, you're definitely correct in leaning towards the Outback. The Compass is a really nice kayak, but in tougher conditions in tends to float over the chop instead of punching through, where as the Outback will cut right through the chop. Hope this helps!
West Coast Sailing Paddle Sports helps a lot. If I get the compass ill just have to go out on a really calm day. I fish lakes and shallow flats more than deep saltwater. Does the compass get shallower than the outback?
The draft of the kayak itself isn't much different, but the GT drive that comes with the Compass has longer fins, so when you incorporate that it would draft a bit more. I would base your decision on what you'll be doing the majority of the time, and also take into consideration upgrading the drive in the Compass to the MD180. A compass with a MD180 drive would be a great rig for the flats!
West Coast Sailing Paddle Sports thanks. I am lakes and flats usually so that it! Now I can stop thinking about it haha. Thanks.
Glad I could help! Thanks again for watching.
how much
sensational! Congrats on the video! I also have a reed that talks about kayaking Fishing at a glance and make your application. hug
Hobie sponsored catamaran races and they always got first place. This was because all the catamarans in the competition were Hobies. Great for marketing but very deceiving. I won't buy one.